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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Biggest surprise: The Rams cut former special-teams captain Todd Johnson, a safety, and they also flushed out two veteran receivers they hoped would contribute, Ronald Curry and Tim Carter. Keeping rookie quarterback Keith Null over the more experienced Brock Berlin made sense because the Rams' top two quarterbacks, Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller, have lots of seasoning. The biggest roster surprise came when the team traded 2006 first-round cornerback Tye Hill to the Falcons. Free-agent addition Quincy Butler stuck on the 53-man roster after a strong training camp and preseason. He looked better than Hill, frankly, and the Rams' new leadership wasn't afraid to part with symbols of past failures. Placing defensive tackle Adam Carriker on injured reserve cleared another spot.

No-brainers: The Rams also released linebacker K.C. Asiodu, defensive tackle Antwon Burton, tight end Eric Butler, defensive end Ian Campbell, linebacker Dominic Douglas, tackle Renardo Foster, fullback Jerome Johnson, center Tim Mattran, running back Chris Ogbonnaya, cornerback Cord Parks, running back Antonio Pittman, safety Mark Rubin, guard Roy Schuening, tackle Phil Trautwein and receiver Sean Walker.

What's next: The Rams still need to make one move by the 6 p.m. ET deadline for complying with the 53-man limit. With only four running backs on the roster, counting fullback Mike Karney, the team probably needs to seek help at the position. Backup Samkon Gado suffered injured ribs in the final exhibition game. The Rams lack quality depth and they are starting over. As a result, the team could pursue players released from other teams.

Update: The Rams placed defensive lineman Eric Moore on injured reserve to comply with the 53-man limit.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

View the Vikings' official list of cuts here, where you can also access their 53-man roster as it stands now.

Biggest surprise: There were no shockers among the releases. Probably the biggest surprise was the release of receiver Martin Nance, who had a productive preseason. Ultimately, however, it was going to be hard for him to beat out Aundrae Allison or Robert Ferguson. Otherwise, there were some mild surprises among the players the Vikings kept - at least for now. Tight end Garrett Mills was a summer disappointment because of a leg injury but he remains one of four tight ends on the roster. The other surprise was safety Michael Boulware going on injured reserve. Boulware played in the preseason finale Thursday at Dallas and was not a part of the post-game injury report.

No-brainers: Quarterback Brooks Bollinger was destined to be a roster casualty as soon as the Vikings drafted John David Booty in the fifth round. Booty didn't have an impressive summer, but he would have had to fall on his face for the Vikings to keep Bollinger another year. Meanwhile, linebacker Rufus Alexander wasn't the same this summer as he attempted to return from major knee surgery.

What's next: Several young players made the final 53-man roster but could ultimately become practice squad material. By making them part of their initial roster, the Vikings will avoid exposing them to the first round of waivers. That list includes linebackers David Herron and Erin Henderson, as well as cornerback Husain Abdullah. They could be the first to go if the Vikings sign any veterans or make any waiver claims this weekend.

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Biggest surprise: Can't say that I noticed any huge surprises. I know that GM Jerry Reese had high hopes for rookie quarterback Andre' Woodson when he took him in the sixth-round, but maybe they'll try to put him on the practice squad. Cutting that extra quarterback gives the Giants a little more flexibility. Honestly, I think Wallace Gilberry is the one who surprises me the most. When I stopped by training camp a couple of weeks ago in Albany, Gilberry's teammates were raving about him. Justin Tuck thought the kid had a chance to help the team immediately. I'm sure the Giants will try to add him to the their practice squad.

Wide receiver Brandon London had a spirited competition with Sinorice Moss for that last receiver spot. But remember that Moss is a former second-round draft pick. They say that stuff doesn't matter, but it sure seems like it does. In Moss' defense, he did have a nice camp, and unlike several teammates, remained healthy. Hated to see Digger Bujnoch get hurt late in the preseason. From what I've heard, he had a great chance of making the practice squad. Maybe the biggest news is that the Giants found a way to keep veteran cornerbacks Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters on the roster.

No-brainers: The Giants have plenty of competition at safety, so there was no reason to keep Stuart Schweigert around. Schweigert has now been released by half the teams in the NFC East this preseason. He started out at Washington, but coaches said he wanted to do everything like he did with the Raiders. Some of you might recall that Geoffrey Pope played in a couple of playoff games last season, but now he'll probably end up on the practice squad. The Giants decided to go with age over a guy who could've helped them more on special teams.

What's next: The Giants will be scouring the waiver wire for help at defensive end, and they'll take a look at some linebackers. If the Eagles cut defensive end Jerome McDougle, who's had a nice preseason, the Giants might try to strike quickly. This team is stacked at running back right now. A team (like the Packers last year) should be looking at all these running backs. Somehow the Giants manage to keep four or five tailbacks every season. And again, that's where cutting that third quarterback can create some room.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Biggest surprise: The Seahawks went with six running backs, a mild surprise, but the big news dealt with players the team will miss. The NFL has suspended safety Jordan Babineaux and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard for the season-opening game at Buffalo. Babineaux violated terms of the substance-abuse policy, the league said. Bernard's suspension stems from an off-field incident involving an estranged girlfriend. With Bernard on the suspended list, the Seahawks were able to keep Baraka Atkins and Jason Babin on the defensive line.

The Seahawks also kept kickers Olindo Mare and Brandon Coutu, at least for now.

No-brainers: The Seahawks had little choice but to put receiver Ben Obomanu on injured reserve. Obomanu's broken clavicle could be healed in time for him to contribute this season, at least in theory. But other injuries at receiver forced the Seahawks' hand. The team simply couldn't justify opening the season with as many as three injured reserves holding roster spots. Bobby Engram and Deion Branch are also hurting.

What's next: The Seahawks spent the offseason recommitting to their ground game. They'll need to flex that aspect of their offense early in the season because so many receivers are unavailable.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

View the Bears' official list of cuts and their 53-man roster here.

Biggest surprise: The Bears gave up on defensive end Dan Bazuin pretty quickly. Bazuin was a second-round draft choice in 2007 but missed the season after suffering a knee injury during rookie mini-camp. He told the Chicago Sun-Times that he wasn't 100 percent during training camp, but nevertheless the Bears aren't willing to give him any more time to develop. Linebacker Mike Okwo, a third-round pick last season, also ran out of time to prove himself. The receiver-thin Bears also cut two wideouts who have been productive this summer: Mike Hass and Brandon Rideau.

No-brainers: Quarterback Caleb Hanie was one of the Bears' few offensive bright spots this preseason. The original plan was to save a roster spot and enter the season with Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman as the only quarterbacks on the active roster. In that scenario, the Bears would have a third quarterback on the practice squad. But Hanie's performance opened enough eyes that he probably wouldn't have made it through waivers. Rather than risk losing him, the Bears kept him on the 53-man roster.

What's next: It's still not out of the question that the Bears could seek additional depth at quarterback. Hanie might be easier to get through waivers after the first cycle of claims happen. Otherwise, this is pretty much the team that Bears will take into the season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Biggest surprise: The Jets decided to keep all four of their QBs, fueling speculation in New York Kellen Clemens might be on the move. Jets coach Eric Mangini defused that talk by suggesting Clemens would be on the roster opening day as Brett Favre's primary backup. Because Brett Ratliff had performed so admirably, many observers were skeptical fifth-round draft pick Erik Ainge would stick. Ainge looked shaky throughout training camp, but he closed out the preseason with a fine performance Thursday night.

The most significant veterans dropped were eighth-year CB Hank Poteat and ninth-year LB and special-teamer Matt Chatham. Poteat was beaten out by fourth-round draft pick Dwight Lowery. Marques Murrell showed the Jets enough to bump Chatham.

No-brainers: Division I-AA record-setting WR David Ball got lost at a position that includes Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery, Brad Smith, Chansi Stuckey and David Clowney. The same fate befell WRs Larry Brackins and Paul Raymond, who never had much of a chance.

TEs Jason Pociask and A.J. Schable were on the outside looking in at veterans Chris Baker and Bubba Franks and first-round pick Dustin Keller.

What's next: The Jets, like many other teams, will be looking for offensive line depth. They kept seven receivers and nine defensive backs, so those look like areas to trim if they find some players they like on the waiver wire.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

Biggest surprise: The Bucs traded up to draft defensive tackle Dre Moore in the fourth round. Only a starter through about half of his college career at Maryland, Moore was more about potential than production. The potential never showed through training camp and the preseason and Moore was released.

No-brainer: Back in the offseason and as recently as a couple days ago, the Bucs were telling other teams they had trade offers for Chris Simms. It now seems obvious they must never have had any solid offers for Simms, who they ended up releasing. Simms had begged out of Tampa Bay months ago and the Bucs insisted on dragging him through training camp even though it was apparent he never was in their plans. What did they get out of that whole charade? Nothing. The end of this scenario wasn't that difficult to see because Simms hadn't played in a regular-season game in almost two years and the rest of the league knew Simms had no chance of sticking in Tampa Bay. The Bucs came off looking really bad in this situation and it could have been avoided if Tampa Bay had shown a little decency and Simms was given his release a lot earlier.

What's next: Kicker Matt Bryant had a tough preseason, but the Bucs are sticking with him because he's been solid in the past. But the Bucs aren't known for their patience. Bryant's going to be under the microscope. If he struggles at the start of the season, the confidence the Bucs have in Bryant could be lost. There are a lot of veteran kickers available and Bryant will start the season on a short leash.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Biggest surprise: The Buffalo Bills haven't had a go-to TE for years, but they must be confident Robert Royal is ready to claim that role. Royal is the only healthy TE on the roster after the Bills released Courtney Anderson and Tim Massaquoi. Anderson has 28 starts over his five NFL seasons, while Massaquoi played in four games without a catch last year for the Bills. Royal did have an impressive preseason, but behind him are Derek Schouman (knee) and fourth-round pick Derek Fine (recent thumb surgery), both of whom are out indefinitely.

No-brainers: DT Jason Jefferson spent three seasons as a Bills reserve, but he wasn't going to make the roster after they acquired Marcus Stroud and Spencer Johnson. His only hope was an injury or some other cataclysmic event, but Stroud has been a monster and Johnson has been solid, too.

The Bills also had to give up on 2007 fourth-round draft pick Dwayne Wright because he couldn't stop fumbling and was beaten out by Xavier Omon, a perceived project player who was drafted in the sixth round and earmarked for the practice squad.

What's next: The Bills were thin on the offensive line, and they released five blockers. The return of Pro Bowl holdout LT Jason Peters would help rectify that, but if there has been no progress made in his contract dispute, they might be interested in Cincinnati Bengals castoff Willie Anderson (if he's a better fit at LT he could allow Langston Walker to move back to RT) or perhaps more depth.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Biggest surprise: The Chargers' list of cuts was one of the most straightforward in the league. There was little room for change and, as a result, very few surprises. The most recognizable name on the list is linebacker Carlos Polk, who was with the team since 2001. Rookie running back Marcus Thomas, the team's fifth-round pick was cut because there just wasn't any room for him. The Chargers likely will try to get Thomas on the practice squad but it wouldn't be a surprise if he is claimed off waivers Sunday. Sixth-round pick DeJuan Tribble and seventh-round pick Corey Clark squeezed their way onto the roster. Three of San Diego's five draft picks made the 53-man roster.

No-brainer: Undrafted free agent rookie Mike Tolbert made the team at fullback. The Coastal Carolina product opened eyes beginning in the offseason program. He was a preeseason standout and basically secured his spot on the roster weeks ago. The Chargers think they really have something in Tolbert.

What's next: The Chargers will monitor their injury situation but if this team can stay healthy, don't expect many changes. With Scott Chandler being put on the injured reserve Saturday, the team could use some help at tight end and depending on what happens with Shawne Merriman down the road, linebacker could be an area San Diego considers.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Biggest surprises: One sign of a bad team is their inability to cut good players. They don't have enough of them to have a surplus. While the New England Patriots were cutting starters such as CB Fernando Bryant and LB Victor Hobson, the Dolphins' most-experienced deduction was TE Justin Peelle, who has 39 starts in his six-year career. The fact a rebuilding team would cut a draft pick, sixth-round RB Lex Hilliard, also was surprising.

No-brainers: Virtually every player the Dolphins let go was foreseeable. TE Matthew Mulligan faced the longest odds. The undrafted rookie was up against veterans Anthony Fasano, David Martin and Sean Ryan. Mulligan, a basketball player, didn't begin playing organized football until he tried out for Division III Husson College. He later transferred to Division I-AA Maine and played just two seasons. Despite his inexperience, he's being considered for the Dolphins practice squad.

What's next: A flurry of waiver-wire pickups is likely. The Dolphins have been looking forward to this weekend as a preseason draft of sorts. For a team that went 1-15 last year and could not manage to attract many free agents in the offseason, rummaging through the castoff bin will strengthen the roster. Another team's 54th or 55th best player might be Miami's 47th or 48th.

The most likely place to trim are wide receiver and defensive end, where the Dolphins kept six players at each position.