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Cardinals Player Released on Cutdown Pos. Current Team Capacity Aaron Francisco DB Colts Active Roster Onrea Jones WR Redskins Practice Squad Trevor Canfield OL Cardinals Practice Squad Keilen Dykes DL Cardinals Practice Squad Alex Field DL Cardinals Practice Squad Ed Gant WR Cardinals Practice Squad Wilrey Fontenot DB Cardinals Injured reserve Chase Bullock LB -- -- Tim Castille RB -- -- Jameel Dowling DB -- -- David Holloway LB -- -- Reagan Maui'a RB -- -- Carlton Medder OL -- -- Tyler Palko QB -- -- Leonard Pope TE -- -- Steve Sanders WR -- -- Pago Togafau LB -- -- Chris Vincent RB -- -- Melvin Fowler OL -- -- Victor Hobson LB -- -- Rodney Leisle DL x x Oliver Ross OL x x

The tough decisions teams face in reducing their rosters to 53 players sometimes aren't so tough.

I've gone through the initial NFC West cut lists -- those players released at the 53-man deadline -- to see which ones have returned to their teams or caught on elsewhere.

The chart shows results for Arizona.

Veteran safety Aaron Francisco signed with the Colts. Receiver Onrea Jones signed with the Redskins' practice squad. Arizona re-signed four players to its practice squad.

Four others -- Wilrey Fontenot, Chris Vincent, Carlton Medder and Pago Togafau -- were injured when the Cardinals released them. All but Fontenot have reached injury settlements, leaving the roster. Fontenot remains on injured reserve. Update: Fontenot has also reached an injury settlement.

Some veterans on the list might have an easier time finding work after Week 1. Rules require teams to guarantee salaries to some veterans who are active for Week 1 and then released.

Ex-Cardinals eligible for practice squad Pos. Chase Bullock LB Trevor Canfield OL Jameel Dowling DB Keilen Dykes DL Alex Field DE Wilrey Fontenot* DB Ed Gant WR David Holloway LB Onrea Jones WR Carlton Medder* OL Tyler Palko QB Steve Sanders WR Pago Togafau* LB Chris Vincent RB

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

NFL teams can begin forming eight-man practice squads once released players clear waivers this afternoon.

I've put together a list of recently released Cardinals players with eligibility for the practice squad. Each was released on the reduction to 53 players. Wilrey Fontenot, Carlton Medder and Pago Togafau were injured when they were released. I've placed asterisks next to their names.

Quarterback Tyler Palko showed enough during preseason for consideration, although the Cardinals have not been inclined to carry a fourth quarterback during the regular season. Guard Trevor Canfield was a draft choice. Defensive end Keilen Dykes appeared to make a strong run early in camp. Receiver Onrea Jones showed promise at times.

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Biggest surprise: There weren'y any big ones. Undrafted rookie linebacker Reggie Walker did beat out veteran Victor Hobson. The team kept seven receivers for now, including Lance Long, after injuries affected Early Doucet, Anquan Boldin and (previously) Steve Breaston. I would not expect the Cardinals to keep seven receivers all season, a reminder that this is the team's initial 53-man roster, not the final one.

Arizona sought to upgrade its secondary through the draft and free agency. That spelled the end for veteran safety Aaron Francisco. I thought the team might keep veteran center Melvin Fowler as insurance. Rookie returner LaRod Stephens-Howling stuck around, costing fullback Tim Castille a chance to continue with the team. Tight end Leonard Pope's demise had been on the horizon for a while and it was a bad sign when he was playing deep into the second half of the fourth exhibition game.

No-brainers: The team also released quarterback Tyler Palko, receiver Steve Sanders, receiver Ed Gant, cornerback Wilrey Fontenot, running back Chris Vincent, cornerback Jameel Dowling, fullback Reagan Maui'a, guard Trevor Canfield guard Carlton Medder, defensive end Alex Field, defensive tackle Keilen Dykes, tackle Oliver Ross, receiver Onrea Jones, defensive tackle Rodney Leisle, linebacker Chase Bullock and linebacker David Holloway. Canfield, chosen in the seventh-round, was the only 2009 draft choice released.

What's next: The heirarchy at tight end will continue to shake out, with Dominique Byrd essentially getting an extended tryout while Ben Patrick serves a four-game suspension. The team still could use a backup center with some experience.

Cardinals eligible for practice squad Pos. Perceived Status Michael Adams DB Bubble Jameel Dowling DB Likely cut Wilrey Fontenot DB Likely cut Rashad Johnson DB Keeper Greg Toler DB Keeper Alex Field DL Likely cut Keilen Dykes DL Bubble Cody Brown LB Keeper Chase Bullock LB Likely cut Will Davis LB Bubble Ali Highsmith LB Bubble Pago Togafau LB Bubble Reggie Walker LB Likely cut Trevor Canfield OL Likely cut Ben Claxton OL Likely cut Herman Johnson OL Keeper Carlton Medder OL Likely cut Brandon Keith OL Keeper Brandon Pearce OL Likely cut Elliot Vallejo OL Bubble Tyler Palko QB Likely cut Brian St. Pierre QB Keeper LaRod Stephens-Howling RB Bubble Chris Vincent RB Likely cut Beanie Wells RB Keeper Early Doucet WR Keeper Ed Gant WR Likely cut Michael Ray Garvin WR Bubble Onrea Jones WR Likely cut Lance Long WR Bubble Steve Sanders WR Likely cut

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt's recent comments about LaRod Stephens-Howling highlight a subject likely to shape the team's plans for its practice squad.

What to do with a talented player who doesn't fit neatly into a general position, in this case, running back?

Stephens-Howling would be a prime candidate for the practice squad if the Cardinals did not initially make room for him on their 53-man roster. Specialist Michael Ray Garvin also could be a factor depending on how he recovers from knee surgery.

Quarterback Tyler Palko made an impression during the Cardinals' exhibition opener, but the team generally does not keep a quarterback on its practice squad. The need for an additional arm seems diminished with new quarterbacks coach Chris Miller sometimes throwing during practice.

Defensive end Keilen Dykes was making a strong push for a roster spot before suffering an injury. His status seems a bit less settled.

Receivers Onrea Jones and Lance Long could also be strong candidates for the practice squad if they do not land spots on the 53-man roster.

The chart shows all 31 current Cardinals players with eligibility, arranged by position.

NFL teams must reduce rosters from 80 to 75 players Sept. 1. They must reduce to 53 players Sept. 5. They can begin forming eight-man practice squads Sept. 6 at noon ET.

As the NFL puts it:

After 12 noon, New York ti
me, clubs may establish a practice squad of eight players by signing free agents who do not have an accrued season of free-agency credit or who were on the 45-player active list for less than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s). A player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons.

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The Cardinals have gotten dramatically younger at running back this offseason. Edgerrin James and Terrelle Smith are gone, leaving Tim Hightower and Dan Kreider as the only current Cardinals running backs with starting experience.

The team kept three halfbacks and two fullbacks on its Week 1 roster last season. Nine other teams also kept more than one fullback for the opener.

Hightower, Chris Wells, Jason Wright, Kreider and Tim Castille entered camp as the likely choices for those spots, should the team keep five. LaRod Stephens-Howling would have to significantly liven up the return game to earn a spot, most likely.

Arizona Cardinals Week 1 Roster Counts since 2003 QB RB WR TE OL DL LB DB ST Fewest 2 4 5 2 8 5 6 7 2 Most 4 7 7 4 10 9 8 10 3 Average 3.0 5.3 6.0 3.2 8.8 7.7 7.0 8.8 2.8 Currently on roster 4 8 10 5 15 10 11 14 3

The chart provides a framework for how many players the Cardinals might keep at each position heading into the regular-season opener against the 49ers.

Here's a quick look at which Cardinals players I might keep on the cutdown to 53 players:

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Position ARI SF STL SEA QB 4 5 4 4 RB 8 7 8 7 WR 10 10 10 11 TE 5 4 5 5 OL 15 14 16 13 DL 10 9 15 13 LB 11 12 10 9 DB 16 15 15 12 ST 4 6 3 4 Totals 83 82 86 78

NFC West teams have fine-tuned their rosters over the last couple of days.

• The 49ers added kicker Alex Romero.
  
• The Rams subtracted undrafted free agent receiver Quentin Chaney, who failed a physical examination.
• The Cardinals added guard Carlton Medder.
  
• The Seahawks released long-snapper Tyler Schmitt and cornerback DeMichael Dizer.

I've updated the 26-column NFC West rosters and made them available for download. Starting lineups remain in flux. I have also included the two bonus sheets with information you'll find helpful in predicting which undrafted free agents stick on rosters. These sheets are updated to reflect Chaney's absence.

Schmitt's release from the Seahawks increased to 10 the number of 2008 NFL draft choices without roster spots, by my count. The Seahawks drafted Schmitt in the sixth round, 189th overall, before a serious back injury derailed him.

Note: Unsigned draft choices do not count against the 80-man offseason roster limit. The Seahawks had nine players practicing on a tryout basis. That explains why they were able to comfortably carry only 78 players.

Cardinals eligible for practice squad Pos. Cardinals Status Calais Campbell DE 53-man roster Tim Castille FB 53-man roster Dominique Rodgers- Cromartie CB 53-man roster Early Doucet WR 53-man roster Tim Hightower RB 53-man roster Kenny Iwebema WR 53-man roster Brandon Keith OL 53-man roster Ben Patrick TE 53-man roster Elliot Vallejo T 53-man roster Brian St. Pierre QB 53-man roster Ali Highsmith LB 53-man roster Lance Long WR Practice Squad Pat Ross OL Practice Squad Michael Adams CB Practice Squad Jason Banks DL Practice Squad Keilen Dykes DL Practice Squad Onrea Jones WR Practice Squad Wilrey Fontenot CB Practice Squad Dennis Keyes S Waived Carlton Medder OL Waived Brent Miller TE Waived DeMario Minter CB Waived Anthony Morelli QB Waived Alex Shor TE Waived Chris Vincent RB Waived Travarous Bain CB Waived Steve Baylark RB Waived Peter Clifford OL Waived Chris Harrington LB Waived Jasper Harvey OL Waived

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The Cardinals' practice squad is coming together with the signing of seven players. One spot remains open. Five of the seven spent training camp with Arizona. Two others, receiver Onrea Jones and cornerback Wilrey Fontenot, were elsewhere.

The chart shows every Cardinals player with practice-squad eligibility.

Re-signing Pat Ross to the practice squad gives the Cardinals needed depth at the position. The team couldn't justify setting aside a spot on its 53-man roster for him, and that made sense. Ross isn't one of the Cardinals' 53 best players.

But with starting center Al Johnson sidelined for the short term, the team wasn't going to proceed with only Lyle Sendlein at the position.

The Cardinals
liked offensive lineman Elliot Vallejo's potential enough to carry him on the 53-man roster. They also thought linebacker Ali Highsmith, though undrafted, played well enough this summer to catch scouts' attention around the league.

This is the tough part for NFL teams. They tend to overvalue their own practice-squad-eligible prospects -- not enough to sign them to the 53-man roster, but enough to sweat the time it takes for these players to pass through waivers. The fear isn't justified most of the time.

Lance Long had a very good rookie camp for the Cardinals. No one signed him. Jamar Adams and Michael Bumpus had strong camps for Seattle. The 49ers like running back Thomas Clayton and receiver Dominique Zeigler.

Yet, these players made it through waivers. Other teams can sign them at any time, but teams get comfortable with their own players. They rarely sign players from another team's practice squad. When they do, it's usually a short-term fix.

Cardinals eligible for practice squad Pos. Probable Status Calais Campbell DE Keeper Tim Castille FB Keeper Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Keeper Early Doucet WR Keeper Tim Hightower RB Keeper Kenny Iwebema WR Keeper Brandon Keith OL Keeper Ben Patrick TE Keeper Pat Ross C Keeper Brian St. Pierre QB Keeper Ali Highsmith LB Bubble Dennis Keyes S Bubble Lance Long WR Bubble Carlton Medder OL Likely cut Brent Miller TE Likely cut Demario Minter CB Likely cut Anthony Morelli QB Likely cut Alex Shor TE Likely cut Elliot Vallejo OL Likely cut Chris Vincent RB Likely cut Michael Adams CB Likely cut Travarous Bain CB Likely cut Jason Banks DL Likely cut Steve Baylark RB Likely cut Peter Clifford OL Likely cut Keilen Dykes DL Likely cut Chris Harrington LB Likely cut Jasper Harvey OL Likely cut

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The chart shows each of the Cardinals' players with practice-squad eligibility, according to the team.

Practice-squad rules can be confusing, and exceptions sometimes apply to relatively experienced players. Brian St. Pierre has been around longer than most players with eligibility. He'll make the 53-man roster, though, so the practice squad won't be an issue for him.

I've categorized each player based on his perceived likelihood of earning a spot on the 53-man roster. Those are rough characterizations. Teams still have not made decisions. It's conceivable that a player listed as a "keeper" could face his release.

As noted: Rosters spots are serious business for NFL players lacking job security. For some, the next 30 hours or so will determine whether they'll earn $17,352.94 per week or whatever the real world pays.

The minimum NFL salary is $295,000. Players get paid in 17 installments, one for every week they spend as a paid member of the organization.

NFL teams must trim rosters from 75 players to 53 players by Saturday afternoon. Teams can establish eight-man practice squads beginning Sunday. Practice-squad players earn a minimum of $5,200 per week during the regular season and playoffs.

Once a player signs with a practice squad, he can practice with the team. He becomes eligible to play in games only if a team signs him to its 53-man roster. Practice-squad players are free to sign with any team's active roster at any time during the season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the precise breakdown on what the Rams are fining Steven Jackson for each day of camp he misses: $15,116. The total is $181,392, but we should expect Jackson to get that back, and then some, if he reaches agreement on a new deal. Coats says the offense has hit its stride and found its rhythm after a slow start to camp. That becomes much more sustainable with Jackson in the lineup.

Peter King of SI.com expects the Rams to reach agreement with Jackson by the middle of the month. Reasons King: "The team knows how important Jackson is to its offense, and I think the front office will crack the safe for him."

Matt Maiocco of Instant 49ers sizes up the quarterback situation for San Francisco. He thinks Alex Smith still has to be considered the favorite. The 49ers seem to be waiting for Smith to assert himself. Smith's laid-back personality might not lend itself to that approach. You don't get the feeling, ever, that Mike Nolan and Mike Martz are pulling for Smith. This is by design; they've gone out of their way to create a fair competition, accounting for every last snap. They want Smith to earn it, and so far that hasn't happened.

Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News thinks the league should standardize statkeeping for tackles. He points out that the 49ers' Patrick Willis supposedly collected 117 more tackles than the Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu last season. Gosselin is right. Statistics for tackles are a joke. He thinks the league should hire a former coach to chart tackles from every game every week. I respect the thoughts of anyone who includes the following sentence in a story about this subject: "The first time I put together a league-wide tackle chart in 1992, there were three teams that averaged better than two tackles per play."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals' sketchy depth on the offensive line faces another test after a broken arm sidelined backup guard Carlton Medder. Starting center Al Johnson is already out until the regular season. Third-team center Scott Peters is finished for the season. The offensive line is one area where the Cardinals cannot afford injuries.

Clare Farnsworth of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer singles out receiver Ben Obomanu as the Seahawks' offensive player of the day. This quote from Obomanu suggests he "gets" what needs to be done at the position: "If (Matt) Hasselbeck is not comfortable with how you're getting into your route and where you're going, you're not one of those guys he's going to call upon during the season. I think it was a pretty good day to be in the right spot and to make those catches." Obomanu appears to be taking the lead for that fourth receiver role. It's still early, of course, but this is a good sign for Obomanu.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says Obomanu did enough in practice for coach Mike Holmgren to offer accolades during the session. Holmgren wasn't happy Monday when the defense dominated his offense. He always in a better mood when the offense does its part.

Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune breaks down the receivers in Seahawks camp, questioning Courtney Taylor's form on a dropped pass in the end zone. He also says Jordan Kent's footwork continues to improve.