Final 53 Man Roster: Surprise Cut Reactions

Meh. I don’t love the title, I was trying to think of something much better than that title, but it will have to work for now. Quick Someone come up with a better title. There were a lot of moves that happened today headlined by some surprise cuts. I’m going to give my reaction to a few of the more surprising cuts that happened today.

Oh and forget profootballtalks’ cut tracker the best one is provided by the N.F.L. here.

New York Giants Cut Matt Dodge, Phillip Dillard, and Adrian Tracy.

What’s news about that is with the injury to Safety Chad Jones last year the New York Giants only have three of their picks from 2010 functionally left on their roster: Jason Pierre Paul, Linval Joseph, and offensive linemen Mitch Petrus.

Jerry Reese is one of the top talent evaluators in the league, but early on the 2010 draft isn’t looking too hot (of course the Chad Jones situation is not to be blamed on Reese).

Now that’s not to say that the Giants front office hasn’t done well with late round selections lately. They still have 2010 undrafted free agent Victor Cruz on the roster. And from 2011 NFL draft they retained three undrafted rookie free agents: Mark Herzlich, Spencer Paysinger, and fullback Henry Hynoski.

The fact that Herzlich made the roster is clearly the feel good story of the day for the N.F.L. and a good thing too. Mike Garaflo of the Newark Star Ledger reported roughly a month ago that there was a Showtime? HBO? (can’t find the link to the story or the precise network that it was) camera crew following Herzlich around about making an N.F.L. roster.

The cut of Phillip Dillard is a lesson on drafting again. Don’t reach for players when you do they often don’t pan out anyway.

Baltimore Ravens

I thought the Ravens had a few interesting cuts they made today. Tim Barnes, the center out of Missouri was ap layer I thought had a real chance to stick to an N.F.L. roster and he might still find a home in the N.F.L. it just won’t be with the Ravens this year (unless he is retained on the practice squad).

Also, former second round pick of the Buffalo Bills, James Hardy was released by the Ravens. Proven once again that the Bills suck(ed) at drafting. John McCargo the former Bills first round pick was also released. On the other side of the coin, Bills first round bust Aaron Maybin was retained by the Jets.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have really put an emphasis on getting younger and getting rid of some veteran contracts and that continued on cut day. The big cut for the Cowboys was probably Igor Oshlansky who was slated to replace Chris Canty when he signed with the Giants two years ago.

The Cowboys also cut Safety Akwasi Owusu-Ansah who was considered a very talented, but raw prospect. For a team that isn’t stacked in the secondary this is a surprising cut. Ansah was considered a project from the jump so it’s difficult to understand why he wasn’t given the chance to fully develop. Can any Cowboys fans give insight into why that is?

Brandon Williams was released as well, I believe one of the last few remaining players from the Cowboys awful 2009 N.F.L. draft (Stephen Mcgee remains). The Cowboys loaded up on late round picks that year (12 in all), but haven’t seen really any one player make a significant impact.

New England Patriots

The Patriots had a few very surprising cuts to me.

I’m surprised that they cut Brandon Merriweather, but I haven’t been following the story of what was going on with his legal situation so that makes a huge difference. But because I hadn’t been paying attention to that it just really threw me off.

And then the Patriots also cut former North Carolina WR, and KR extraordinaire, Brandon Tate. Tate started 10 games last year averaging 18 yards per reception. He also had two kick returns for touchdowns. I don’t get cut at all. Please someone explain it to me. I must have missed something that happened?

I think he’ll be one of the first players to find a new team that got cut today. Tiquan Underwood was a player I thought the Patriots were high on from this off-season, but I was clearly mistaken about that as well.

Some surprising cuts from the Patriots today. The only running back cut (who had a chance of making the team) was Sammy Morris and I haven’t looked at their final roster yet, but it seems like they’re going to be carrying a lot of running backs. Nope. I checked their final roster and it’s only four. The Law firm, Shane Vereen, Steven Ridley, and Danny Woodhead.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams had a very interesting day. Everyone has been wondering who the Rams wide receivers are going to be and then two of the unexpected cuts happened. Mardy Gillard and Donnie Avery were cut. Gillard was a fourth round pick last year and those aren’t players that usually get cut so early. They usually have a few years of development time. Avery was a promising young player who star has fallen a bit. Still surprised he cut though.

The Colts

Former Bears excellent pass rusher and defensive tackle Tommie Harris was cut. I thought he was good for the system, but apparently he’s lost all of his magic. He was so good a few years ago, it’s crazy how some players just drop off sometimes. The colts also cut Jake Kirkpatrick which was surprising. I thought he was one of the better UDFA available, and the Colts are a team that needed a lot of depth along the offensive lines heading into the off-season I’m surprised he didn’t stick.

Lastly the Colts cut Dan Orlovsky. Seeing his name always makes me smile because it brings back memories of this play.

Players I’m sad to see get cut.

Former Boise State running back Ian Johnson was cut. I was really rooting for him and not just because of his game-day proposal to his girlfriend, though that helped. I thought he could stick with an N.F.L. roster, so far not happening. The Lions also cut former Army player CalebCampbell. Two emotionally charged cuts in one day.

The Houston Texans cut a pair of LSU Wide Receivers I was rooting for. Terrance Toliver out of LSU has the skill set, just hasn’t put it together. They also cut Trindon Holliday, the former LSU mighty mite (5’5) wasn’t able to make an impact on the Texans. I’m always rooting for the short athletes.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a few cuts I was sad to see. They cut S Ahmad Black and LB Tyron Mckenzie. The Black cut isn’t great. I thought (and he still does) had a chance to be a player in the N.F.L. DESPITE his measurables. Those are always the kind of players your root for. Hopefully he latches on elsewhere.

What cuts surprised you? Or which players are your rooting for to latch onto another team?

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