The Jets began to cut players Friday morning, and the only news is that FB John Conner is safe, according to a league source.

The final cuts are due by 9 p.m., meaning there's always a chance that could change. But unless an upgrade shakes free over the next 24 to 48 hours, the Jets will stick with Conner. The season-ending knee injury to FB/TE Josh Baker may have saved Conner.

The Jets are roughly $5 million to $6 million under the salary cap, but the word close to the team is that money will weigh heavily into decisions as they finalize their 53-man roster.

No surprises among the early cuts, with sources confirming that G Fred Koloto, G Matt Kroul, G Robert Griffin (sixth-round pick), TE Tarren Lloyd, WR Eron Riley, WR Joseph Collins, DE Jay Richardson, NT Martin Tevaseu, LB Brett Roy, CB Julian Posey, S D'Anton Lynn and P Spencer Lamming have been waived.

(These cuts are unofficial and have yet to be announced by the team.)

The remainder of the cuts should be uneventful. WR Chaz Schilens, who missed the last three preseason games with a high-ankle sprain, is likely to make it, a source said. See the previous blog post for the names of those likely to be released.

The Jets have to cut a total of 22 players. They will be releasing players throughout the day. They also have a practice scheduled for noon.