I don't know about our readers, but I've always been a huge fan of the period of cuts after a season ends. Bad contracts, bad attitudes and bad performances all get wiped clean...a beautiful thing. Some of the highlights of day 1:
- Adam Jones was officially cut, hence the picture. I could still see him getting signed by someone someday, even if he is trouble. Bengals, anyone?
- Michael Koenen will likely become the 2nd punter ever to be franchised and will make $2.48 million a year. Considering that he's the only punter in the league who kicks off, pretty worth it. Also, fun fact: A few years back the Falcons toyed with not having a kicker, instead having Koenen do everything. Sadly he kind of failed as a kicker and so now he's just a real good punter
- Giants make a few moves, David Carr is resigned, Reuben Droughns, Sam Madison and Sammy Knight are cut. Droughns didn't have a carry after leading the Giants in TDs the year before. Madison and Knight used to be excellent DBs (Madison especially good) but their better days are behind them.
- The Browns cut Ken Dorsey, Bruce Gradkowski, Antwan Peek, Terry Cousin, Mike Dragosavich, Jason Reda, and Eric Young. Most of these guys were either nobodies and Gradkowski and Dragosavich were just late season injury replacements. But Peek actually seemed decent. He's a huge injury risk but he had some upside, so it'll be interesting to see if anyone takes a look.
- The NFL worst Detroit Lions probably made the biggest splash of the day. They cut Leigh Bodden, Mike Furrey, Edwin Mulitalo, Dwight Smith, Dan Campbell, and Jon Dunn. Bodden seems like a huge head scratcher as he has potential and was acquired from Cleveland in the Shaun Rogers trade. But he was due an $8.6 million dollar bonus and so that was a good move. I could still see him doing okay as a (much cheaper) nickel back somewhere next year. Furrey was a good possession WR and should be picked up, as should Mulitalo (a veteran guard) and Smith (a skilled ballhawk/veteran safety). Even Campbell could see a team next year given his history before the last 2 years. Yet even though most of these players should be rostered, I am a fan of Detroit's approach of blowing the 0-16 team up, as you don't really want that winless feeling to linger any longer than it has to and renovation is a great way to forget.
That's about it for today. I'll try to keep tabs as more cuts/re-signings occur.
NFL Transactions Day 1 - A Quick Summary
