AFC North: Roster cuts
The moves put the Steelers' roster at 58. The team has to get down to 53 players by Saturday evening.
Here are Friday's cuts:
- LB Baraka Atkins
- LB Mario Harvey
- LB Chris McCoy
- LB Mortty Ivy
- DL Corbin Bryant
- DB Brett Greenwood
- DB Macho Harris
- DB Donovan Warren
- DB Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith
- RB James Johnson
- RB John Clay
- OL Colin Miller
- OL Kyle Jolly
- OL John Malecki
- OL Trevis Turner
- OL Keith Williams
- WR Armand Robinson
- WR Wes Lyons
- WR Tyler Grisham
- TE Jamie McCoy
- K Swayze Waters
Biggest surprise: The biggest surprise is that Cleveland waited until after 9 p.m. ET Saturday to announce its moves. Supposedly, it was a strategic decision so other teams were not aware of players the Browns made available. I don’t think it makes a difference, especially because the Browns are not a team rich with talent to begin with. As far as players, Browns cornerback Brandon McDonald's name stood out most on this list. His career has been up and down, but he brought a wealth of starting experience (27 starts) to a young secondary. McDonald may have helped seal his own fate when he made negative headlines this summer for an offensive tweet aimed at Cincinnati Bengals receiver Terrell Owens. The Browns were not pleased with McDonald’s poor judgment.
No-brainers: Quarterback Brett Ratliff had no shot of making this team, because the Browns already have their three players at the position in Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace and rookie Colt McCoy. New Browns president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert made several additions at cornerback this offseason, including veteran defensive back Sheldon Brown and rookie first-round pick Joe Haden. That made it very tough for young corners such as Coye Francies to make the team. Receiver Syndric Steptoe has talent and may get interest elsewhere, particularly as a kick returner. But with Pro Bowl returner Josh Cribbs in Cleveland, the Browns have no use for Steptoe.
What's next: Despite Cleveland establishing its 53-man roster, the Browns should still be active on the waiver wires. This roster overall is not very deep, especially compared to its AFC North counterparts. So the Browns could make some additions in several areas to improve the bottom of their roster. Backups shouldn’t get too comfortable in Cleveland.
Cincinnati Bengals cutdown analysis
Biggest surprise: Chase Coffman was once considered the tight end of the future for Cincinnati. But the team drafted first-round pick Jermaine Gresham and re-signed Reggie Kelly, who will get all the playing time. The Bengals made a nice, last-minute acquisition by trading with the Jacksonville Jaguars for former first-round pick Reggie Nelson. Cincinnati traded cornerback David Jones, who was expendable after the team signed Adam Jones this offseason. But the Bengals were searching for depth at safety. Rookie receiver Dezmon Briscoe’s release also stood out. He didn’t immediately live up to his potential but showed flashes in the final preseason game. Cincinnati was very deep at receiver and chose Jerome Simpson instead for one of the final roster spots. Look for Cincinnati to claim Briscoe on the practice squad if he's not claimed by another team.
No-brainers: Veteran receiver Matt Jones was a predictable cut and I called this one in the AFC North blog. Jones, who was out of football in 2009 for off-the-field reasons, just never looked like the great athlete he once was when he was drafted in the first round by Jacksonville. He also had a team-friendly, one-year contract that made Jones easy to release. Mike Nugent also won the kicking competition with Dave Rayner, which made the Rayner cut predictable.
What’s next: This is the most talented team I've seen in Cincinnati during coach Marvin Lewis' tenure. Several Cincinnati players could find jobs with other teams soon, which is not the norm for the Bengals. That’s a credit to the depth on this year’s roster. Cincinnati also could be looking for a fullback with Fui Vakapuna waived/ injured.
Bengals players cut:
K Dave Rayner
G Isaac Sowells
S Marvin White
DT Orien Harris
S Kyries Hebert
TE Chase Coffman
TE Darius Hill
HB James Johnson
DT Clinton McDonald
S Rico Murray
WR Maurice Purify
WR Dezmon Briscoe
G Otis Hudson
OT Gabriel Manns
S Jeromy Miles
LB Vincent Rey
OT Chris Rodgers
CB Johnny Sears
FB Joe Tronzo
Pittsburgh Steelers cutdown analysis
Biggest surprise: Although it was somewhat expected this week, Justin Hartwig's release is the biggest for the Steelers. There is no doubt Hartwig was one of the team’s top 53 players, but he was released after losing his job to first-round pick Maurkice Pouncey. Hartwig also made starter money, an estimated $2 million. Kick returner Stefan Logan was solid last year, but his lack of versatility made him expendable. Pittsburgh will be looking for a new kick returner as a result. Both rookie receivers, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, made the team. Most projected Pittsburgh would only keep one and try to get the other on the practice squad.
No-brainers: Running back Justin Vincent showed a few flashes, particularly early in the preseason. But a crowded group of running backs in Pittsburgh made Vincent expendable. There were also a pair of recent draft picks who never panned out in cornerback Joe Burnett and offensive guard Kraig Urbik. Because of need, both players had chances to contribute to their respective positions but never developed. Rookie defensive lineman Doug Worthington is considered a project, and he’s a candidate for the practice squad.
What’s next: Pittsburgh’s veteran-laden roster is pretty much set. It doesn’t appear the team will make any major moves at quarterback following Byron Leftwich's injury. But the team could search the waiver wire for depth on the offensive line, which was inconsistent this preseason. With Frank Summers’ release, the team may also be in search for a fullback.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns moved one step closer to trimming their final rosters down to 53 players Friday evening.
Pittsburgh announced 10 cuts. They included receiver Brandon London, running back Justin Vincent, linebacker Renauld Williams, defensive tackle Scott Paxson, long snapper Matt Stewart, safety Justin Thornton, offensive linemen Dorian Brooks and Kyle Jolly, and tight ends Sean McHugh and Eugene Bright.
The Browns released six players: cornerback Coye Francies, tight end Joel Gamble, offensive linemen Casey Bender and Joel Reinders, and receivers Syndric Steptoe and Jake Allen.
Final cuts have to be made by 6 p.m. Saturday.
Cleveland waived offensive lineman John Malecki, receiver Taurus Johnson and defense backs Gerard Lawson and John Bowie. The team also place defensive lineman Titus Adams on injured reserve.
The Browns will have to make their final cuts to 53 players by Saturday.
AP PhotosMatt Jones, Demetrius Williams and David Veikune are among the AFC North players in danger of not making their teams' final 53-man rosters.Expect plenty of chatter internally this week among general managers, scouts and coaches throughout the division on who should make the team. This is always one of the most intriguing weeks of the NFL season.
With that said, here are several noteworthy players on the bubble in the AFC North:
1. Matt Jones, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Analysis: The Jones experiment probably will end this week. The Bengals took a chance on Jones, who was out of football in 2009 for off-field issues, to see if he had anything left. Except for a few flashes, such as the Hall of Fame Game, the former first-round pick has been injured and not nearly the same explosive player he was several years ago. Jones also signed a team-friendly, one-year contract, which makes him easy to release. The Bengals have a lot of depth at receiver, and Jones doesn't appear to be in their plans.
Cut-O-Meter: 80 percent
2. David Veikune, LB, Cleveland Browns
Analysis: Despite entering only his second season, this was a very important training camp for Veikune. The former second-round pick was a major disappointment in his rookie season. Veikune hasn't stepped up so far and is having another nondescript preseason. His best chance to make the Browns is his high draft status. But first-year president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert added their own linebackers and have no personal investment in Veikune.
Cut-O-Meter: 80 percent
3. Demetrius Williams, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Analysis: Placing Williams on the roster bubble has become an annual tradition in Baltimore -- and every year he survives. This year could be the same for Williams, who has a lot of ability but has yet to live up to his potential. Williams received a lucky "break," both literally and figuratively, when veteran receiver Donte' Stallworth suffered a broken foot in the third preseason game. Stallworth will be out approximately two months, increasing Williams' chances of making Baltimore's 53-man roster.
Cut-O-Meter: 35 percent
4. Justin Hartwig, C, Pittsburgh Steelers
Analysis: Hartwig struggled at center last year and lost his job this preseason to first-round pick Maurkice Pouncey. The Steelers believe Pouncey is a star-in-the-making, which leaves Hartwig's future in limbo. Despite the benching, there is no question Hartwig is one of Pittsburgh's best 53 players. That should be enough. But Hartwig also is scheduled to make a little more than $2 million this season. He's being paid as a starting center and that's no longer his role. There's a chance Hartwig could compete at right guard or simply be the first center/guard off the bench in the event of injury. Hartwig's experience and versatility help his case.
Cut-O-Meter: 30 percent
5. Jerome Simpson, WR, Bengals
Analysis: Simpson is another second-round pick who is running out of chances. Despite coming from small-school Coastal Carolina, the Bengals were enamored with his physical abilities and reached for Simpson in the second round of the 2008 draft. But the Bengals tired of waiting for Simpson to develop and made several offseason additions at receiver, which included signing Terrell Owens and drafting Jordan Shipley in the third round. But Antonio Bryant's surprising release helps Simpson's chances.
Cut-O-Meter: 50 percent
6. James Davis, RB, Browns
Analysis: It's funny how quickly things can change in the NFL. Last summer, Davis was the talk of Cleveland after he led the Browns in rushing during the preseason as a rookie. This year, Davis is on the bubble after a lot of offseason additions at running back. The top three tailbacks for Cleveland are locks: Jerome Harrison, Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty. The question now is how many running backs Cleveland will keep. If the answer is four, Davis and Chris Jennings are battling for the final spot. I give Davis the edge.
Cut-O-Meter: 40 percent
7. David Reed, WR, Ravens
Analysis: Reed, a fifth-round pick, burst on the scene in Baltimore with a stellar spring. But since then he's been inconsistent and is back on the bubble. Like Williams, Reed also benefits from Stallworth's injury and the extra roster spot available at receiver. That increases Reed's chances to make it. Otherwise, the Ravens would love to develop him on the practice squad.
Cut-O-Meter: 50 percent
AP Photo/Jack DempseyJonathan Dwyer led the Steelers in rushing against the Broncos, but will it be enough to earn him a roster spot?Analysis: Dwyer made a strong push late for a roster spot in Pittsburgh. After a disappointing training camp, Dwyer led the Steelers in rushing with 89 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's preseason loss to the Denver Broncos. Running back Isaac Redman has been stellar and secured the third running back job that was intended for Dwyer. Thursday's preseason finale will be vital for the sixth-round pick.
Cut-O-Meter: 55 percent
9. Brett Ratliff, QB, Browns
Analysis: Do not believe the hype in Cleveland involving third-round pick Colt McCoy being on the bubble. From everything we're told, there is no truth to the speculation. This means Ratliff, barring injury, is probably spending his final week with the Browns. Ratliff will play a half Thursday in Cleveland's final preseason game against the Chicago Bears. That could be a nice showcase for Ratliff to try to latch on with another team. Browns coach Eric Mangini traded for Ratliff as part of the draft-day deal with the Jets to be a developmental project last year. But Holmgren is calling the shots now and drafted his own developmental project: McCoy.
Cut-O-Meter: 95 percent
10. Maurice Purify, WR, Bengals
Analysis: Purify is one of Cincinnati's top special-teams players. But the Bengals' immense depth at receiver and Purify's one-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy make it very unlikely he makes the cut. There is no reason for Cincinnati to take a roster spot away from a player who will be available for the start of the regular season to keep Purify.
Cut-O-Meter: 95 percent
Here are five additional names to watch:
- Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Bengals
- Gerard Lawson, CB, Browns
- Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers
- Prince Miller, CB, Ravens
- Davon Drew, TE, Ravens
Pittsburgh cut offensive tackle Adrian Jones, linebacker Brandon Renkart, cornerback David Pittman and fullback Dwayne Wright. Rookie offensive tackle Chris Scott also was put on the reserve/PUP list and will out for six weeks.
Pittsburgh has to make its final cuts Saturday to trim its roster to 53 players.
Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker
This Saturday is the worst day in the NFL when it comes to job security.
It’s the time when every team in the league has to trim its final roster to 53 players.
That means each of the 32 teams will have to make some tough decisions on how to release approximately 20 players. After that, coaches and general managers also will scan the waiver wire to see what’s available to upgrade their team, making for one of the most fast-paced weekends of the summer.
With that said, here is a look at tough roster decisions for each AFC North team:
Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Running back
Why: The Steelers already have a deep group at running back, which includes starter Willie Parker and backups Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore. But a relative unknown emerged this summer in rookie free agent Isaac Redman. With rest given to Parker and Moore over the summer, Redman has done a lot with his opportunities. He’s proven to be particularly good at scoring touchdowns within the redzone, which is something Pittsburgh has struggled with in recent years. Keeping four tailbacks active will be tough, so Redman is a candidate for the practice squad. But there are no guarantees another team won’t claim him this weekend.
Cleveland Browns
Position: Receiver
Why: The Browns entered the offseason in desperate need of wide receivers. Therefore, they brought in as many new players at the position as possible and now it’s time to make a decision. Braylon Edwards and Joshua Cribbs are safe, as well as rookie draft picks Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi. After that, things get dicey. The Browns likely will keep just five receivers. Of the remaining group, Mike Furrey had the best preseason and probably played well enough to make the team. Veteran David Patten has been in and out of the lineup with injuries and is on the bubble, but my guess is Patten doesn’t make the cut. Others at the position like Paul Hubbard, Lance Leggett and rookie Jordan Norwood are expected to be released Saturday.
Cincinnati Bengals
Position: Running back
Why: In what was a weakness most of the last season, the Bengals suddenly have some quality depth at running back this season. So much is the case that the coaching staff has been mulling for weeks what to do with this group when it’s time to put together the 53-man roster. Starter Cedric Benson and rookie Bernard Scott are safe. But DeDe Dorsey and Brian Leonard are not. Both had good training camps and preseasons. It also doesn’t help that they are different styles of runners. Similar to Pittsburgh, it doesn’t appear likely the team would carry four tailbacks, likely making Dorsey or Leonard expendable.
Baltimore Ravens
Position: Kicker
Why: Steve Hauschka and Graham Gano have competed kick for kick since the spring, and Saturday’s decision will finally put an end to this competition. Most expect Hauschka to be the pick as he’s outperformed Gano in the preseason. But keep in mind the “Matt Stover factor” also looms large. The Ravens have not been afraid to admit that the longtime Raven remains on speed dial if the team’s current kicker slips up. So even if Hauschka is the choice Saturday, he can’t get comfortable.
Biggest surprise: Despite head coach Marvin Lewis insisting trade reports were just "rumors," the Bengals cut running back Rudi Johnson today after being unable to find a suitable trade for a wide receiver. Johnson has been battling hamstring injuries for the past year, and the Bengals were unhappy with his progress in training camp. Still, we are a little surprised the team is relying on Chris Perry fulltime as the go-to guy when he hasn't stayed healthy for one season during his entire NFL career. Willie Anderson's release also was a surprise. He had battled leg injuries for the past three or four years and lost his job to Stacy Andrews at right tackle this summer. But the team was expected to keep him around for leadership purposes.
No-brainers: Rookie receivers Mario Urrutia and Maurice Purify were part of an unimpressive class that was expected to challenge for roster spots. But those two along with highly-drafted rookies Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell weren't consistent enough in training camp and the preseason. It was part of the reason the team brought back receiver Chris Henry in a controversial move this summer.
What's next: Cincinnati will be scanning the wires for receivers. Giving up Johnson for nothing gives the Bengals very little trade bait remaining on their roster. But with ailments to Chad Johnson (shoulder) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamstring) and Caldwell (toe), Cincinnati needs more depth.
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
Waived
HB Rudi Johnson
TE Nate Lawrie
LB Jim Maxwell
CB Deltha O'Neal
LB Ahmad Brooks of Virginia
DE Antwon Burton of Temple
S John Busing of Miami (Ohio)
DE Eric Henderson of Georgia Tech
QB Jeff Rowe of Nevada
G Nate Livings of Louisiana State
OT Dane Uperesa of Hawaii
G James Blair of Western Michigan
DE Angelo Craig of Cincinnati
LB Anthony Hoke of Cincinnati
LB Dan Howell of Washington
HB James Johnson of Kansas State
WR Clyde Logan of Idaho State
WR Maurice Purify of Nebraska
WR Mario Urrutia of LouisvilleReserve/Injured list:
Rookie TE Matt Sherry of Villanova (shoulder)
The Bengals also moved fourth-year WR Chris Henry of West Virginia to the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner list for four games.
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
Biggest surprise: There were two mild shockers on this list with the decisions to keep receivers Dallas Baker over Willie Reid and punter Mitch Berger over Paul Ernster. Both spots were very competitive and it appeared that Ernster and Reid might have slight advantages. But there wasn't enough separation in either case to debate the final decisions.
No-brainers: Pittsburgh released seven offensive skill players because of their depth at those positions. The Steelers have at least three good running backs in Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore; a talented cast of receivers; and two quality tight ends. So players like tight end Lee Vickers and receivers Eddie Drummond and Micah Rucker had very little chance of making this team.
What's next: The Steelers are pretty much set at every position. The team could use an upgrade at punter if there is a better option available after the final round of cuts. Other than that, Pittsburgh looks ready for the regular season.
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
Here are the Pittsburgh Steelers' roster moves to get down to 53 players:
Released
LB Patrick Bailey
WR/KR Eddie Drummond
P Paul Ernster
FB Billy Latsko
OG Doug Legursky
OG Matt Lentz
CB Roy Lewis
S Grant Mason
DE Ryan McBean
OT Jeremy Parquet
DT Scott Paxson
DE Jordan Reffett
WR Willie Reid
WR Micah Rucker
TE Dezmond Sherrod
TE Lee Vickers
RB Justin Vincent
CB Travis Williams
Reserve/Injured
QB Charlie Batch
Waive/Injured
LB Arnold Harrison
LB Mike Humpal
S Ryan Mundy
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
Biggest surprise: On a list where there were no real surprises, linebacker Gary Stills and offensive tackle Chad Slaughter are the biggest names. Stills is a 10-year veteran that was a terrific special-teams player for Baltimore the past two seasons. He fell victim to the numbers game, when quality special-teamers usually are the first to go. Slaughter was signed off the street in training camp and played decently. But with tackles Jared Gaither and Adam Terry returning from ankle injuries over the past week, it made it easier for the Ravens to terminate Slaughter's contract.
No-brainer: In a way you feel bad for quarterback Casey Bramlet. He was cut twice in the past four days. Bramlet was released Tuesday by the San Diego Chargers. And once Kyle Boller (shoulder) and Troy Smith (viral infection) had their ailments, the Ravens signed Bramlet Thursday and played him immediately in the preseason finale. But Bramlet really had no shot to make this team. He was only around for 48 hours.
What's next: Boller has to make a decision whether to have surgery or try to play with a partially-torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. The fact that Boller was not cut today or put on injured reserve indicates he may tough it out for now and re-evaluate the situation in a few weeks. So for now Baltimore's veteran quarterback search could be put on ice until further notice.
The Ravens' cut list is in. Here it is:
Adam Bergen (TE, 6-4, 267, 3rd-year, Lehigh)
Casey Bramlet (QB, 6-4, 220, 2nd-year, Wyoming)
Darrell Campbell (DL, 6-4, 295, 1st-year, Notre Dame)
Patrick Carter (WR, 6-3, 195, Rookie, Louisville)
Adrien Clarke (G, 6-5, 330, 4th-year, Ohio State)
Amon Gordon (DT, 6-2, 305, 4th-year, Stanford)
Justin Harper (WR, 6-3, 215, Rookie, Virginia Tech)
Alex Haynes (RB, 5-10, 225, 2nd-year, Central Florida)
Keith Heinrich (TE, 6-6, 255, 5th-year, Sam Houston State)
Adam Kraus (G, 6-6, 295, Rookie, Michigan)
Robert McCune (LB, 6-0, 245, 2nd-year, Louisville)
Allen Patrick (RB, 6-1, 200, Rookie, Oklahoma)
Ronnie Prude (CB, 5-11, 180, 3rd-year, LSU)
Joe Reitz (T, 6-7, 270, Rookie, Western Michigan)
Chad Slaughter (6-8, 340, 5th-year Alcorn State)
Gary Stills (LB, 6-2, 250, 10th-year, West Virginia)
Ernie Wheelwright (WR, 6-5, 220, Rookie, Minnesota)
Lorenzo Williams (DL, 6-0, 310, Rookie, Missouri)
Matt Willis (WR, 5-11, 190, 2nd-year, UCLA)
The Ravens have also placed the following players on injured reserve:
David Pittman (CB, 5-11, 185, 3rd-year, Northwestern State)
Cory Ross (RB, 5-6, 205, 3rd-year, Nebraska)
We will follow up with analysis soon.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jamison Hensley
Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife.
