Notable Cuts around the league

[BleedinBlue]

 

Notable Cuts Tracker

 

By Around The NFL staff

Published: Sept. 5, 2015 at 10:41 a.m.

Updated: Sept. 5, 2015 at 04:15 p.m.

 

It's a rough time of the year for NFL players and coaches. More than 600 players will lose jobs by Saturday afternoon when rosters need to be cut down to 53 men. We have the complete list of cuts updated live here, and will use this column as a running list of the most notable names that have been released in the latest cut down:

 

Tim Tebow: Tebow's prospects to make the Eagles' final 53-man roster looked good when they traded Matt Barkley to the Cardinals on Friday. It was all just a tease as Tebow was cut by Philadelphia on Saturday.

 

Reggie Wayne: The former Colt had less than a cup of coffee with the Patriots. Wayne asked to be released, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, via a source close to the wideout. The potential Hall of Famer signed with New England in late August and recorded two catches in two preseason games. It will be interesting to see if Wayne decides to hang it up.

 

Darnell Dockett: This was a stunner because the 49ers gave him $2 million guaranteed when they signed the longtime Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman in the offseason. To essentially flush that money down the toilet is a strong statement from San Francisco that it believes Dockett's career is over. An underrated starter for much of his career, Dockett should have an on-air career or one as a professional tweeter if he's no longer playing football.

 

Hakeem Nicks: The former Giant and Colt wide receiver will not be catching passes from Marcus Mariota during the 2015 regular season. Nicks, who signed as a free agent with the Titans in the offseason, recorded three receptions for 59 yards in two preseason games.

 

Devon Still: The defensive tackle won the hearts of people everywhere last season as we followed his daughter Leah's battle with cancer, which went into remission in March. Still should get a look from other teams looking to shore up their depth on the defensive line after being cut by Cincy on Saturday.

 

Matt Cassel: The Bills decided to stick with two quarterbacks, letting go of Cassel. This leaves EJ Manuel behind Tyrod Taylor as the only other quarterback on the roster.

 

James Jones: The Giants parted ways with the veteran wideout Saturday. Jones could draw considerable interest, particularly from the Packers where he is a familiar face.

 

A.J. Jenkins: The wide receiver said his goodbyes to his third team since being selected in the first round of the 2012 draft. Jenkins signed with Dallas in May after struggling with the Niners and Chiefs.

 

Henry Hynoski: The fullback won a Super Bowl with the Giants but won't be part of the team's final 53 for their season opener.

 

Jason Babin: The 12th-year defensive end provided the Jets with depth in 2014 but finds himself on the wrong side of the roster bubble Saturday.

 

Matt Flynn: The veteran quarterback's time with the Jets did not last long. Signed in mid-August, Flynn was unable to crack the Jets' opening day roster.

 

Red Bryant: The Bills parted ways with the veteran defensive tackle on Saturday.

 

Thad Lewis: The Browns parted ways with Lewis, suggesting perhaps that second-year signal-caller Johnny Manziel is recovering well from his elbow injury and could be ready to backup Josh McCown.

 

Nick Novak: The Chargers opted to go with undrafted rookie Josh Lambo for the starting kicker job. Novak had held the position since 2011, making 74 out of 83 field-goal attempts since joining the Bolts.

 

Jameel McClain: The Giants let go of their 2014 tackles leader, McClain. The middle linebacker started 14 games for New York last season.

 

Derek Sherrod: The Chiefs said goodbye to 2011 first-round pick Sherrod. The offensive tackle was drafted 32nd overall by the Packers and released in 2014 before being picked up by Kansas City.

 

Steve Weatherford: One of the league's most well-known punters was let go in a cost-cutting move. While he should get another job elsewhere, the Giants saved $2.2 million in salary-cap relief by letting go of the nine-year veteran.

 

Charles James, Kourtnei Brown and EZ Nwachukwu: It's always tough to see Hard Knocks favorites get released. These are especially painful. James, arguably the MVP of the show, contributed at running back and defensive back. James gained a fan base, including reporter Erin Andrews, with his passionate play during games and practices.

 

Brown made a number of big plays in the preseason, and it was touching to see how much a game ball meant to him after a preseason touchdown. But his up-and-down play ultimately got him released from a sixth different NFL team.

 

Nwachukwu was a likable presence throughout the show, especially when he was visiting NASA. He could be a candidate for the practice squad.

 

Da'Quan Bowers: Given another chance to revive his career by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bowers just couldn't regain his college explosiveness. The Buccaneers are desperate for pass rushers, so it's a bad sign Bowers couldn't make the team.

 

IK Enemkpali: The Bills released the defensive end who earned infamy by punching Jets quarterback Geno Smith in the face.

 

Quentin Groves: Another Bills cut at defensive end, but this one is less surprising.

 

Philip Wheeler: The 49ers released the former Raiders and Dolphins linebacker.

 

Matt Simms: The Bills are parting ways with Simms, who never was more than an extra in the Tyrod Taylor, EJ Manuel, Matt Cassel quarterback derby.

 

Rex Grossman: The Atlanta Falcons have released the veteran quarterback.

 

T.J. Yates: The Falcons also released the former Tar Heels and Texans quarterback.

 

Josh Freeman: The Miami Dolphins released the former Kansas State quarterback, a '09 first-round draft pick.

 

Storm Johnson: The Jacksonville Jaguars released Johnson. The running back had 29 carries for 86 yards last season.

 

Ryan Lindley: The Patriots announced that they have released the veteran QB. New England isn't concerned with the depth at the quarterback position anymore

[BleedinBlue]

I remember thinking that we should jump into the supplemental draft to pick up the one stud player that missed the regular draft. But I also didn't want to give up a high draft pick.

 

Well...the prize of the supplemental draft amounted to a single player, OT Isaiah Battle. Had he been in the regular draft, scouts were calling him a first rounder and at worst, an early second. St. Louis won his services in the supplemental draft by giving up next years 5th.

 

Now they have cut him. Said he is a work in progress and kept an undrafted rookie in his place on the O-line....hmmmm.

 

They also cut versatile OL Barrett Jones, a 4th rd pick 2 years ago, who played OT, OG, and C on the national championship team Alabama. He has a list of awards as long as his arm. Don't know the reason.

 

From what I see...we have several expendable players on our 53 man roster (Jerry, Kuhn, Hosley, etc.) and we should grab some of these guys while the getting is good.