Every team has that member of their coaching staff that no one wants to see on Cut Down Day. The Turk came around the NFL at 9:00 PM on Friday August 31st reducing rosters to the regular season limit of 53 players – Approximately 400 players were given their walking papers. The last cuts are always the toughest for NFL teams as many had to let go as many as 18 players getting to the regular season limit from the earlier limit of seventy-five.
Some of the bigger players getting their walking papers were Eagles DB Joselio Hanson, Redskins RB Tim Hightower, Browns QB Seneca Wallace, Patriots WR Deion Branch, Patriots QB Brian Hoyer, Eagles QB Mike Kafka, Broncos DB Drayton Florence, Redskins WR Anthony Armstrong, San Franciso 49ers QB Josh Johnson and Giants RB Danny Ware. Also former Olympian and Patriots KR Jeff Demps (stashed??), plus NY Giants CB Terrell Thomas (knee) and DT Shaun Rodgers (blood clots) were placed on injured reserve for the year after being injured in the preseason.
Some younger players that were cut still could be added to NFL practice squads as teams can name up to 8 players after waivers are completed on Sunday September 2. By the way a practice squad is not that bad of a gig. Players can be paid a minimum of $5700 dollars a week while learning in meetings and practices.
However for other cut players their next steps could be limited. The Arena Football League (AFL) is over for another year and the Canadian Football League (CFL) is well underway and no one is sure if the United Football League (UFL) — will even be returning this fall.
Lloyd’s Leftovers
NFL’s best feel good story from Cut-Down Day – With all the players whose NFL dreams were shattered on Friday, there was one great story to talk about in league circles. Quarterbacks Kellen Moore (Detroit Lions rookie) and Trent Edwards (Eagles 3rd stringer) fought their way onto their team’s respetive 53-man rosters after beating long odds.
You can also view the full list of transactions from NFL Cut Day here.
Lloyd Vance is the Editor for Taking It to the House , a Contributor to the Sports Journey Broadcast Network, and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)