He joined the New England Patriots in 1999 as an exclamation point, one of the premier defenders of the past 20 years from the college ranks, a middle linebacker around whom a team was supposed to have been able to build a solid unit.

But when Andy Katzenmoyer exited the Patriots on Friday afternoon, a move that came as a surprise to no one, he left surrounded by question marks.

Determined months ago, it seems, was that Katzenmoyer would never play another game for a New England team that made him the 28th player chosen overall in the 1999 draft. Yet to be sorted out, apparently, is whether the former Ohio State star will ever overcome the two neck surgeries that have short-circuited his career.

By releasing Katzenmoyer, who has not appeared in a regular-season game since Oct. 22, 2000, the Patriots will be rebated nearly $750,000 in salary cap funds. That includes a base salary of $375,000, a roster bonus of $378,813 and an offseason workout bonus.

The team must carry a charge of $406,250 on its 2002 salary cap because of a prorated share of the signing bonus Katzenmoyer received in his original contract.

Absent since last summer, when he left the team in training camp complaining of neck pain, Katzenmoyer surreptitiously resurfaced last weekend. As reported by ESPN.com, he sneaked into Boston for a physical examination, while the Patriots were conducting a weekend minicamp.

The team did not divulge the results of the examination but, as was suggested at the time, the physical was expected to serve as a precursor to his release. In most situations, teams cannot simply waive an injured player.

Because of the financial and grievance implications, teams typically administer so-called "exit exams" and that proved to be the case with Katzenmoyer. A source close to him told ESPN.com last week that it didn't appear Katzenmoyer was physically ready to return. There have also been reports by the Boston-area media of acrimony between head coach Bill Belichick and the young linebacker.

Certainly the resume that Katzenmoyer forged in his tenure with the Patriots will be seen as a disappointing one. One of the college game's most dominating players, he appeared in just 24 games for New England and started in 14 of them. His statistics include 129 tackles, 3 ½ sacks, one interception and five passes defensed.

During his rookie season, Katzenmoyer damaged a disc in his neck and eventually had surgery in November 2000 and then again last summer. He left camp last summer, did not participate in a single game during the Patriots' run to the Super Bowl, and was not at any of the offseason workouts this spring.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.