Post by TheShadow on Sept 2, 2006 20:41:17 GMT -5
By BARRY WILNER
The Associated Press
Any NFL teams looking for help in the backfield might be encouraged by the availability of a few running backs who were cut Saturday. That includes Ron Dayne, Lee Suggs and Najeh Davenport.
Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner who entered the Broncos' training camp as the starter, was released as Denver got down to the 53-man limit. Suggs, traded by Cleveland to the New York Jets, then returned to the Browns when he failed a physical, also was cut.
Green Bay cut veteran back Najeh Davenport, who missed much of last season with a broken ankle.
Also cut were Detroit's Charles Rogers, the second overall draft pick by Detroit three years ago, and Denver's Darius Watts, both wide receivers.
"I kind of understand. Once I got hurt, the other guys stepped up," said Dayne, who was surpassed by undrafted rookie Mike Bell and then suffered turf toe in the preseason opener and didn't play again.
Dayne also was a flop with the New York Giants, who drafted him in 2000 out of Wisconsin, where he set the NCAA career rushing record.
But he could find a taker in Houston, which is coached by former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. The Texans placed their top runner, Domanick Davis, on injured reserve Saturday.
Watts' release by Denver was a surprise. The second-round pick in 2004 was expected to be the Broncos' No. 3 receiver.
"I didn't see it coming," Watts said. "Tell me if anybody did."
Suggs led the Browns with 744 yards rushing two years ago. But his biggest problem was he couldn't stay on the field. Suggs missed 23 of 48 career games with neck, shoulder, toe, ankle and thumb injuries.
Coach Romeo Crennel said Suggs' medical history had no bearing on the decision.
"If that had been a major factor, he would have been cut last year," Crennel said.
The Browns also placed on injured reserve running back William Green, who led them to the playoffs as a rookie and has overcome personal problems. They added yet another center to their roster by acquiring Hank Fraley from Philadelphia for a conditional 2008 draft choice. Cleveland has been scrambling for a center since free agent addition LeCharles Bentley wrecked his knee in training camp.
Packers
Davenport was a punishing runner in four seasons in Green Bay, but couldn't stay healthy. He had nagging injuries in training camp and averaged only 2.7 yards per carry.
"I'm sure he'll be working somewhere tomorrow," GM Ted Thompson said.
Wide receiver Rod Gardner, picked up on waivers near the end of last season, also was released.
Bengals
Another sidelined runner, at least for the first six weeks of the season, is Cincinnati's Chris Perry. He is on the physically-unable-to-perform list after knee and ankle surgery in the offseason prevented him from playing in the preseason.
Lions
Rogers' career in Detroit ended with just 36 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns along with two broken collarbones and a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy.
"We picked the men that are right for this football team," coach Rod Marinelli said. "It's behind us. I wish him the very best. We just move on."
Steelers
The Super Bowl champion Steelers kept veteran RB Duce Staley, although he might not suit up much early in the season. Staley dropped to No. 3 on the depth chart. He was signed to start two years ago and was averaging 101 yards a game through seven games, but has played little since then after injuring a hamstring.
Texans
Davis, Houston's top rusher the last three seasons, has been out for a month with soreness in his left knee caused by a bone bruise.
"He's done everything he can do," Kubiak said. "It's been disappointing for him and disappointing for everybody."
Davis has 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns in three NFL seasons.
"It's sad I won't be here in light of what is going on, because I feel that the team is going to be very good this season," he said. "I'd love to be part of it, but right now I have to get myself together. I'm glad they supported me. They felt good about what I have done in the past and what I can do."
The Texans also released veteran tackle Seth Wand.
Patriots
With Deion Branch still a holdout, New England acquired Doug Gabriel from Oakland to bolster the receiving corps. Gabriel was scheduled to start for Oakland across from Randy Moss; he has 71 receptions in three seasons.
Branch, who has one year left on his contract worth $1.045 million, filed a grievance against the Patriots on Friday. New England gave him permission to seek a trade and he worked out a contract with the Jets, but the Patriots nixed a deal.
Vikings
WR Todd Pinkston, who spent his first six seasons with the Eagles signed with Minnesota. Pinkston, who played the last four under current Vikings coach Brad Childress when he was an Eagles assistant coach, missed all of last season with a torn right Achilles' tendon.
Eagles
In addition to Fraley, the Eagles sent fullback Josh Parry to Seattle for an undisclosed pick in the 2008 draft. They also cut veteran wide receivers Jabar Gaffney and Darnerien McCants.
Safety/return specialist J.R. Reed, who cut the back of his knee last year while jumping over a fence and damaged a nerve that affects the use of his lower leg and foot, was released, along with cornerback Matt Ware.
Raiders
Jeff George's comeback didn't last long. George, who has not played in an NFL game since 2001, was released a week after he joined the Raiders.
Oakland also cut veteran cornerback Duane Starks and linebacker Danny Clark and placed tight end O.J. Santiago, wide receiver Carlos Francis, linebacker Darnell Bing and safety Alvin Nnabuife on injured reserve.
Bears
DL Michael Haynes, the team's 2003 first-round draft pick, was cut. Haynes, who'd switched to defensive tackle from end during the preseason, started four games in his three years, playing in 43. He had 5 1/2 sacks in his three seasons and also an interception return for a touchdown in 2004.
49ers
Andy Lee beat out 14-year veteran Tom Rouen as the punter, and longtime special-teams stalwart Terry Jackson was released. Jackson had been with the 49ers since 1999, playing mostly on kicking units and as a blocking back on third downs. Rouen punted for Seattle in the Super Bowl last season.
Vikings
The Vikings cut OL Chris Liwienski, who started 75 consecutive games between 2001 and 2005 and, along with center Matt Birk, was the longest-tenured Viking. QB Mike McMahon and safety Willie Offord were released and Minnesota traded veteran offensive lineman Adam Goldberg to St. Louis.
McMahon lost his backup job to Brooks Bollinger, acquired from the Jets this week. Offord, one of the Vikings' standouts on special teams, was coming off a knee injury that sidelined him for 13 games last season.
Goldberg, entering his fourth season, started 12 games at right guard last season.
Seahawks
Wideout-kick returner Peter Warrick was let go by Seattle. Cincinnati's first-round pick (fourth overall) in 2000 had a nagging leg injury throughout 2005 and was beaten out this summer as punt returner by Jimmy Williams.
Veteran safety Mike Green went on IR with torn foot ligaments.
Titans
Tennessee released receiver Tyrone Calico, a second-round pick in 2003 who never developed and couldn't stay healthy. The Titans also cut RB Jarrett Payton, son of the late Hall of Fame back Walter Payton.
Jets
Veteran cornerback Ray Mickens, who re-signed in May to provide experience and depth in the secondary, was released. The Jets kept third-year player Derrick Strait as their nickel back instead of Mickens _ even though the team traded Strait to the Browns in the failed deal for Lee Suggs last month.
The Associated Press
Any NFL teams looking for help in the backfield might be encouraged by the availability of a few running backs who were cut Saturday. That includes Ron Dayne, Lee Suggs and Najeh Davenport.
Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner who entered the Broncos' training camp as the starter, was released as Denver got down to the 53-man limit. Suggs, traded by Cleveland to the New York Jets, then returned to the Browns when he failed a physical, also was cut.
Green Bay cut veteran back Najeh Davenport, who missed much of last season with a broken ankle.
Also cut were Detroit's Charles Rogers, the second overall draft pick by Detroit three years ago, and Denver's Darius Watts, both wide receivers.
"I kind of understand. Once I got hurt, the other guys stepped up," said Dayne, who was surpassed by undrafted rookie Mike Bell and then suffered turf toe in the preseason opener and didn't play again.
Dayne also was a flop with the New York Giants, who drafted him in 2000 out of Wisconsin, where he set the NCAA career rushing record.
But he could find a taker in Houston, which is coached by former Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. The Texans placed their top runner, Domanick Davis, on injured reserve Saturday.
Watts' release by Denver was a surprise. The second-round pick in 2004 was expected to be the Broncos' No. 3 receiver.
"I didn't see it coming," Watts said. "Tell me if anybody did."
Suggs led the Browns with 744 yards rushing two years ago. But his biggest problem was he couldn't stay on the field. Suggs missed 23 of 48 career games with neck, shoulder, toe, ankle and thumb injuries.
Coach Romeo Crennel said Suggs' medical history had no bearing on the decision.
"If that had been a major factor, he would have been cut last year," Crennel said.
The Browns also placed on injured reserve running back William Green, who led them to the playoffs as a rookie and has overcome personal problems. They added yet another center to their roster by acquiring Hank Fraley from Philadelphia for a conditional 2008 draft choice. Cleveland has been scrambling for a center since free agent addition LeCharles Bentley wrecked his knee in training camp.
Packers
Davenport was a punishing runner in four seasons in Green Bay, but couldn't stay healthy. He had nagging injuries in training camp and averaged only 2.7 yards per carry.
"I'm sure he'll be working somewhere tomorrow," GM Ted Thompson said.
Wide receiver Rod Gardner, picked up on waivers near the end of last season, also was released.
Bengals
Another sidelined runner, at least for the first six weeks of the season, is Cincinnati's Chris Perry. He is on the physically-unable-to-perform list after knee and ankle surgery in the offseason prevented him from playing in the preseason.
Lions
Rogers' career in Detroit ended with just 36 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns along with two broken collarbones and a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy.
"We picked the men that are right for this football team," coach Rod Marinelli said. "It's behind us. I wish him the very best. We just move on."
Steelers
The Super Bowl champion Steelers kept veteran RB Duce Staley, although he might not suit up much early in the season. Staley dropped to No. 3 on the depth chart. He was signed to start two years ago and was averaging 101 yards a game through seven games, but has played little since then after injuring a hamstring.
Texans
Davis, Houston's top rusher the last three seasons, has been out for a month with soreness in his left knee caused by a bone bruise.
"He's done everything he can do," Kubiak said. "It's been disappointing for him and disappointing for everybody."
Davis has 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns in three NFL seasons.
"It's sad I won't be here in light of what is going on, because I feel that the team is going to be very good this season," he said. "I'd love to be part of it, but right now I have to get myself together. I'm glad they supported me. They felt good about what I have done in the past and what I can do."
The Texans also released veteran tackle Seth Wand.
Patriots
With Deion Branch still a holdout, New England acquired Doug Gabriel from Oakland to bolster the receiving corps. Gabriel was scheduled to start for Oakland across from Randy Moss; he has 71 receptions in three seasons.
Branch, who has one year left on his contract worth $1.045 million, filed a grievance against the Patriots on Friday. New England gave him permission to seek a trade and he worked out a contract with the Jets, but the Patriots nixed a deal.
Vikings
WR Todd Pinkston, who spent his first six seasons with the Eagles signed with Minnesota. Pinkston, who played the last four under current Vikings coach Brad Childress when he was an Eagles assistant coach, missed all of last season with a torn right Achilles' tendon.
Eagles
In addition to Fraley, the Eagles sent fullback Josh Parry to Seattle for an undisclosed pick in the 2008 draft. They also cut veteran wide receivers Jabar Gaffney and Darnerien McCants.
Safety/return specialist J.R. Reed, who cut the back of his knee last year while jumping over a fence and damaged a nerve that affects the use of his lower leg and foot, was released, along with cornerback Matt Ware.
Raiders
Jeff George's comeback didn't last long. George, who has not played in an NFL game since 2001, was released a week after he joined the Raiders.
Oakland also cut veteran cornerback Duane Starks and linebacker Danny Clark and placed tight end O.J. Santiago, wide receiver Carlos Francis, linebacker Darnell Bing and safety Alvin Nnabuife on injured reserve.
Bears
DL Michael Haynes, the team's 2003 first-round draft pick, was cut. Haynes, who'd switched to defensive tackle from end during the preseason, started four games in his three years, playing in 43. He had 5 1/2 sacks in his three seasons and also an interception return for a touchdown in 2004.
49ers
Andy Lee beat out 14-year veteran Tom Rouen as the punter, and longtime special-teams stalwart Terry Jackson was released. Jackson had been with the 49ers since 1999, playing mostly on kicking units and as a blocking back on third downs. Rouen punted for Seattle in the Super Bowl last season.
Vikings
The Vikings cut OL Chris Liwienski, who started 75 consecutive games between 2001 and 2005 and, along with center Matt Birk, was the longest-tenured Viking. QB Mike McMahon and safety Willie Offord were released and Minnesota traded veteran offensive lineman Adam Goldberg to St. Louis.
McMahon lost his backup job to Brooks Bollinger, acquired from the Jets this week. Offord, one of the Vikings' standouts on special teams, was coming off a knee injury that sidelined him for 13 games last season.
Goldberg, entering his fourth season, started 12 games at right guard last season.
Seahawks
Wideout-kick returner Peter Warrick was let go by Seattle. Cincinnati's first-round pick (fourth overall) in 2000 had a nagging leg injury throughout 2005 and was beaten out this summer as punt returner by Jimmy Williams.
Veteran safety Mike Green went on IR with torn foot ligaments.
Titans
Tennessee released receiver Tyrone Calico, a second-round pick in 2003 who never developed and couldn't stay healthy. The Titans also cut RB Jarrett Payton, son of the late Hall of Fame back Walter Payton.
Jets
Veteran cornerback Ray Mickens, who re-signed in May to provide experience and depth in the secondary, was released. The Jets kept third-year player Derrick Strait as their nickel back instead of Mickens _ even though the team traded Strait to the Browns in the failed deal for Lee Suggs last month.