Waiver Weekend Blog

Ken Kelly

cuts

As training camp comes to a close, teams will have to get their rosters down to the required limit of 53 by Saturday at 3:00 PDT.  Stay with us all weekend as we update and analyze the moves from the NFL’s dreaded waiver weekend.

Trent Edwards was cut by Oakland. It seems like a long time ago when he was supposed to be the future of the Buffalo Bills.

The Browns put Brandon Jackson on IR, thus ending a terrible Summer for his value. As a result, it looks like they’ll be keeping Armond Smith around.

Lonyae Miller was a victim of the numbers game in Dallas today as he was released. Phillip Tanner did indeed make the final roster from all initial indications.

The Saints announced their cuts today and they didn’t include Adrian Arrington or Joique Bell.

We haven’t had too many IDP updates on here, but Mark Herzlich made the Giants and that’s the feel good story of the day in my book. Sage Rosenfels was also put on IR, so David Carr is going to be Eli’s backup this season.

When Javarris James was released earlier today, speculation surfaced that Darren Evans or Chad Spann would make the Colts roster – surprisingly, it’s being reported they both did. Rumors are the Colts are attempting to complete a trade or could put Spann on the practice squad. Could Donald Brown be on the move?

Curtains for Evan Royster, who suffered a concussion in this week’s game and was unable to push Ryan Torain off the Redskins roster. It looks like he’ll be on the practice squad if he’s left unclaimed.

Donnie Avery was cut by the Rams today in what has to be categorized as a surprise.  Similarly, it looks like Danario Alexander made the team over him.

The Dolphins dumped Pat Devlin and Nic Grigsby today. Devlin was once projected to be a second round pick, but he’s gone in the tank over the last twelve months. Grigsby was an intriguing scat back prospect from Arizona, but the Dolphins already have one of those in Reggie Bush, though they think he’s much more at the moment.

Caleb King’s stint in Minnesota is over as he was just released.  It’s going to be tough for him to find a job.

The comeback of Larry Johnson is quickly over as he was released by the Dolphins. Lex Hilliard will likely make the team as the third running back behind Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas. If Johnson would have been kept, that would have been an even bigger red flag on Thomas. This is likely the end of the L-Train in fantasy…unless Shanahan brings him back.

Andre Brown was reportedly just cut by the Giants, meaning Da’Rel Scott should make the team as we predicted he would earlier this week. Scott was just too explosive to sneak on to the practice squad.

Some of the biggest news of the day comes from Jacksonville where Rashad Jennings has been placed on IR. Deji Karim becomes the backup to MJD, but watch the wire to see if the Jags look elsewhere for help.  Big blow to Jennings’ value as the injury is obviously something significant.

Brandon Tate was officially waived by New England, confirming speculation this week that he’d be shown the door. This is a huge disappointment since he had every opportunity in the world to produce.

If you needed any more of a confirmation that Tyrod Taylor has the faith of the Ravens coaching staff, consider the fact they’re keeping just two quarterbacks – Taylor and Joe Flacco.

Looks like Ryan Torain has made the Redskins roster as the third running back behind Tim Hightower and Roy Helu. Still, a huge fall from grace for Torain. Can it really be considered a surprise with his injury history and Shanny at the controls?

Graham Harrell was surprisingly released by Green Bay and should be picked up on waivers by a quarterback needy team. Monitor his situation because he’s looked very good this preseason.

Merril Hoge will have to wait for a bit to say, “I was right,” as the Broncos cut Adam Weber, assuring Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn of roster spots. There really was no question, but the pressure the media was putting on the Broncos to just cut ties with Tebow (mostly for their own personal gain) was getting ridiculous.

The Colts have waived Dan Orlovsky, giving Curtis Painter another paycheck this year. They also waived preseason darling Taj Smith, who seems to make a play every time he enters a stadium.

Another one of DLF’s favorite sleepers was just let go as Dorin Dickerson was cut by the Texans. He has freakish athletic ability, but has really struggled in his conversion from tight end to wide receiver.

Jeremiah Johnson wasn’t able to crack the Broncos roster and was released by the team today. The Broncos kept Brandon Minor and put him on IR.

The Pats have cut Sammy Morris, likely ending what was actually a pretty productive career. His release is good news for Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen who are both vying for spots in the backfield.

Reports are swirling that Tony Moeaki has a torn ACL and is out for the year. If that’s the case, it’s huge news a big blow to Matt Cassel.

Dominique Zeigler was released by the 49ers as he was unable to come back from the torn ACL he suffered last year. Tough break for him.

Damien Berry was cut by the Ravens. That move, combined with the release of Jalen Parmele, should mean that Anthony Allen has won the number three job behind Ray Rice and Ricky Williams.

Javarris James has been cut by the Colts, meaning Darren Evans or Chad Spann may have cracked the roster. Stay tuned on that one.

NO!  Fendi Onobun released by the Rams.  Curse you Lance Kendricks!

Keiland Williams joins the likes of Selvin Young, Tatum Bell, Mike Bell, Mike Anderson and a host of others who were once prominent runners for Mike Shanahan who get released or traded a short time later. Take note if you own Tim Hightower.

Seyi Ajirotutu takes his vowels elsewhere as he was cut by San Diego today.

Looks like Dan Bailey has won the kicking job in Dallas as the Cowboys have dumped both Shayne Graham and Dave Rayner.

Jay Finley was a moderately intriguing late round rookie pick this Summer, but he couldn’t crack the Bengals roster. This is probably good news for Brian Leonard being the third back behind Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott. Finley could be headed to the practice squad for Cincinnati.

If you needed any more proof that Julius Thomas is the real deal, Dante Rosario was released by the Broncos.

We’ve been saying for years that Justin Gage is just a guy in terms of fantasy value. He’s now just a guy looking for a job after getting cut by the Titans.

Rudy Carpenter won’t be making a run at Josh Johnson to back up Josh Freeman this season as he was released by Tampa after a pretty solid preseason.

Aldrick Robinson’s time on the active roster in Washington is over. He was released today and could be a candidate for the practice squad. He was a semi-hot prospect earlier this offseason, but couldn’t move up the depth chart fast enough.

While Chester Taylor’s fall from grace was slow and painful, Jalen Parmele’s was just the opposite. A month ago, he was a hot sleeper as the potential backup to Ray Rice. Today, he’s been cut by the Ravens. It wouldn’t surprise us if he was claimed by somebody.

Chester Taylor was finally let go by the Bears. It wasn’t too long ago that Taylor was a huge asset in dynasty leagues when he signed his free agent contract in Minnesota. The arrival of Adrian Peterson and what seemed to be rapid aging have left Taylor in search of a job – one that won’t come easy. He shouldn’t be on any dynasty roster at this point.

Mardy Gilyard is the first of the crowded Rams wide receiving corps to be let go. It’s a pretty big disappointment for a player who had a great Senior Bowl and multiple workouts leading up to the 2010 draft.

Tyrell Sutton is the first relatively big name to be cut on Saturday. We’ve always liked his potential and leaving Carolina is probably the best thing for his potential. Keep an eye on where he lands because he could easily be on the radar again.
New Orleans has put training camp star Joseph Morgan on IR. Hopefully you have an IR spot available for Morgan if you have him on your roster – it’s worth keeping him around for a year if you have the ability to. He’s a long term project but was a major surprise in camp.

The Saints have put Chris Ivory on the PUP list f0r the first six weeks of the year. With the addition of Mark Ingram and now this designation (it was previously reported to be the entire season), Ivory can likely be dropped in even the deepest of dynasty leagues – any value he had left is virtually gone.

Jaymar Johnson was cut by the Vikings. A once promising sleeper, Johnson may have a hard time latching on someplace else. Perhaps he can go to Hattiesburg and catch passes from his old friend.

The Steelers have cut John Clay. At one point, he was a highly regarded player coming out of Wisconsin, but he didn’t show much in camp. Byron Leftwich was also put on IR – that’s probably the last we hear from Lefty.

The Titans have cut Stafon Johnson. It’s probably the end of the road for Johnson, well known for his weightlifting accident that nearly took his life last year.

Cornelius Ingram was cut by the Eagles. That’s a sad tale because his career was ruined by injuries. He may headed for the practice squad, but this throws cold water on his future sleeper potential.

Evan Moore was signed by Cleveland to a two year extension – he could be a nice backup or even a low end TE1 if you’re really hurting this year at the tight end position.

Remember when Brodie Croyle was supposed to be the future in Kansas City?  He’s now the past of the Arizona Cardinals after being waived Friday.

Kevin Curtis broke his hand in the Titans game this week and is rumored to be headed to injured reserve. Can this guy ever catch a break?

ken kelly