Fred Davis was by far outplaying Cooley anyway. Plus, he's cheaper. It was the skins saying, "earn your paycheck if you want a job"

Bring in Cooley, just to see his pen!s

Bears cut Rashied Davis
Posted by Josh Alper on August 29, 2012, 2:44 PM EDT
Wide receiver Rashied Davis‘ second stint with the Bears didn’t last as long as his first.

Davis told the Chicago Tribune that he was released on Wednesday morning. Davis was signed after Devin Thomas retired earlier this month and was trying to win a spot on the team as a special teamer in addition to anything he brought to the table as a receiver. That was the role he played for six seasons with the team before heading to Detroit last season.

The move brings the Bears down to 74 players before they and every other NFL team have to reduce their rosters to 53 players. It also brings their total wide receiver corps into focus.

Barring a totally unforeseen turn of events, Dane Sanzenbacher will be the sixth receiver. Quarterback Jay Cutler has given Sanzenbacher high marks over the summer, which couldn’t have hurt his bid for the job. He’ll join Brandon Marshall, Devin Hester, Alshon Jeffery, Eric Weems and Earl Bennett to make up one of the better receiving depth charts we’ve seen in Chicago for quite a while.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ied-davis/

Raiders add Coye Francies
Posted by Mike Florio on August 29, 2012, 2:51 PM EDT

The post-75, pre-53 roster churn continues.

The Raiders, a day after adding receiver/kick returner Roscoe Parrish, have claimed defensive back/kick returner Coye Francies on waivers from the Seahawks.

A sixth-round pick of the Browns in 2009, Francies also has played in the UFL.

If nothing else, Francies will help fill out the depth chart at kick returner in the preseason finale, given that Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore aren’t available.

To create space for Francies, the Raiders waived defensive back Conroy Black.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -francies/

Eagles cut Mat McBriar, Chas Henry wins punting job
Posted by Michael David Smith on August 29, 2012, 3:07 PM EDT

The Eagles have made their choice at punter.

Mat McBriar has been released by the Eagles, according to Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com, leaving Chas Henry as the only punter on the roster in Philadelphia.

McBriar, a former Australian rules football player, had played his entire eight-year NFL career with the Cowboys before signing with Philadelphia this offseason. He’ll now become an unrestricted free agent and may still have time to make a punter-needy team.

Henry signed with the Eagles last year as an undrafted free agent out of Florida and averaged 42.9 yards a punt.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... nting-job/

Fifth-round pick Danny Coale among Cowboys’ cuts
Posted by Michael David Smith on August 30, 2012, 5:18 PM EDT

Fifth-round draft picks are usually a fairly safe bet to make the 53-man roster. But in Dallas, a fifth-round pick is on the way out.

Danny Coale, a wide receiver out of Virginia Tech whom the Cowboys took with their fifth-round selection, No. 152 overall, will be released. Coale has been slowed by a broken foot this year and never made his mark in the Cowboys’ offense.

The Cowboys have reportedly informed most of the players who won’t make their 53-man roster that they have been cut, and although the team hasn’t announced all the players who will be released, another player reportedly being let go in Dallas is undrafted free agent guard Ronald Leary, whom Cowboys owner Jerry Jones liked so much that he guaranteed him $214,000 in signing bonus and base salary — much more money than undrafted free agents usually receive in guarantees.

Other players reportedly cut by the Cowboys include defensive end Clifton Geathers, defensive tackle Ben Bass, outside linebacker Adrian Hamilton, offensive tackle Pat McQuistan, guard Daniel Loper, center Harland Gunn, offensive tackle Jeff Adams, quarterback Rudy Carpenter, fullback Shaun Chapas and linebacker Orie Lemon.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... boys-cuts/

Jets make early cuts, including some family connections
Posted by Darin Gantt on August 31, 2012, 8:49 AM EDT

The Jets have started making their cuts, with 19 of their 22 needed moves in the books, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.

They have waived safety D’Anton Lynn (the son of running backs coach Anthony Lynn) and quarterback Matt Simms (son of former Giants quarterback Phil Simms).

Also released, per Mehta: Wide receivers Joseph Collins and Eron Riley, tight end Tarren Lloyd, offensive linemen Paul Cornick, Fred Koloto, and Matt Kroul, defensive linemen Jay Richardson, Damon Harrison and Martin Tevaseu, linebackers Ricky Sapp, Marcus Dowtin and Brett Roy (injury settlement) defensive backs Donnie Fletcher, LeQuan Lewis, Julian Posey, and Ryan Steed and punter Spencer Lanning.

Teams have until 9 p.m. to get to the 53-man regular season limit, and we’ll keep track of all today’s moves for you here.

So warm up your F5 finger, and stay with us all day.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... nnections/

Giants part ways with Marcus Thomas
Posted by Josh Alper on August 31, 2012, 9:33 AM EDT
Marcus Thomas AP

An incorrect picture in the latest edition of the Madden video game isn’t defensive tackle Marcus Thomas‘ biggest problem anymore.

Thomas needs to find a team to pick him up in real life so that he can make it worth the effort to change his profile picture in the game. The Giants haven’t officially announced any cuts as they make their way to 53 players on Friday, but Thomas took to Twitter to let the world know that he’s no longer a member of Big Blue.

Clyde Gates gets cut by the Dolphins
Posted by Mike Florio on August 31, 2012, 10:15 AM EDT

Dolphins Clyde Gates was expected to step up and contribute in 2012. If he does, it will be for another team.

Gates has been waived, according to Barry Jackon of the Miami Herald. The fourth round pick in the 2011 draft had only two catches last season, but there were high hopes for Gates entering camp.

Gates also returned 34 kickoffs and three punts during his rookie season. On Thursday, he was optimistic that he’d make the cut. “I feel very confident that I will make this team,” Gates said, via the Palm Beach Post. “I feel like I had a pretty good camp once I overcame the [hamstring] injury.”

Also gone, per Jackson, are receiver B.J. Cunningham and defensive end Jamal Westerman. Cunningham was an undrafted rookie, and Westerman signed with the Dolphins after appearing in 16 games last season for the Jets.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -dolphins/

Giants early cuts include linebacker Greg Jones, running back Danny Ware
Posted by Mike Florio on August 31, 2012, 10:46 AM EDT

With Week One of the 2012 regular season only five days away for the Giants, the Giants have released the player who started at middle linebacker for the team in Week One of the 2011 regular season.

Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that linebacker Greg Jones has been waived. The sixth-round pick in the 2011 draft appeared in every game last year, starting five.

Running back Danny Ware also has been released; he announced the move on his Twitter page. The departure of Ware means that Andre Brown and Da’Rel Scott likely will make the 53-man roster.

Also gone (per Garafolo) are receiver Dan DePalma (who at 5’11″ towers over his uncle Louie), receiver David Douglas, sixth-round rookie Matt McCants, receiver Isaiah Stanback. Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports that linebacker Jake Muasau, defensive end Matt Broha, tight end Larry Donnell, and defensive end Craig Marshall have been cut. Safety Tyler Sash has been placed on the reserve/suspended list.

All teams must be at 53 by 9:00 p.m. ET tonight. (And, yes, there is an echo in here.)

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... reg-jones/

Amobi Okoye out in Tampa, headed back to Chicago
Posted by Darin Gantt on August 31, 2012, 10:51 AM EDT

Today’s cut-down day in the NFL, but there are apparently some incomings too.

Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Bears are finalizing a deal to bring back defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, who is being released by the Buccaneers.

Okoye was reportedly close to a return from knee surgery in June, but had missed three preseason games and the Bucs apparently ran out of patience.

The former No. 10 overall pick hasn’t developed into a dominant player, but can help with interior pass-rush and with the Bears banged up at the position as well, they needed the depth.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... o-chicago/

Bears cut nine, including Josh McCown
Posted by Evan Silva on August 31, 2012, 11:57 AM EDT

Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports the Bears have released quarterback Josh McCown.

The move leaves Chicago with only Jason Campbell and Jay Cutler on the roster at quarterback. They could look to the waiver wire for a third-stringer following Friday’s final cuts, or perhaps keep a No. 3 like Matt Blanchard on the practice squad.

McCown, 33, performed admirably down the stretch last season after taking over for Caleb Hanie, who was brutal. Unfortunately for the Bears, the season had already circled the drain by that point.

The Bears also have waived linebacker Jabara Williams, wide receiver Brittan Golden, safety Mark LeGree, and cornerbacks Cornelius Brown and Greg McCoy, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. They hope to re-sign Williams to the practice squad. Mike C. Wright of ESPN Chicago reports rookie cornerback Isaiah Frey has been waived and should join Williams as an in-season practice body.

McClure reports running back Armando Allen has also been waived.

Adam Caplan previously reported that fullback Tyler Clutts will likely be waived by the Bears.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... sh-mccown/

Packers make eight early cuts
Posted by Evan Silva on August 31, 2012, 12:19 PM EDT

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the Packers have begun making final cuts ahead of tonight’s deadline. G.M. Ted Thompson has said goodbye to safety Anthony Levine, center Sampson Genus, tackle Andrew Datko, offensive lineman Reggie Wells, wide receiver Dale Moss, and guard Greg Van Roten.

Wells is a versatile journeyman capable of playing guard, center, and tackle. Thompson clearly believed he was a jack of many trades, but master of none. Datko was the Packers’ seventh-round pick this spring. Van Roten and Moss were undrafted rookies. Per Silverstein, they latter two are both “strong candidates” for the Packers’ practice squad.

Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that tackle Shea Allard and tight end Brandon Bostick are also among today’s cuts.

And the Packers have many more to go.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... arly-cuts/

Eagles waive Mardy Gilyard, expected to release Joselio Hanson
Posted by Evan Silva on August 31, 2012, 12:33 PM EDT

In perhaps the first mild surprise of cut-down day for the Philadelphia Eagles, the team is expected to release cornerback Joselio Hanson, per Adam Caplan.

Hanson has spent the past six seasons with the Eagles, primarily as a slot corner and nickel back. The Eagles will turn to impressive rookie fourth-rounder Brandon Boykin in that role moving forward. According to Caplan, Curtis Marsh will be Philadelphia’s dime back and top backup at both outside corner positions, behind Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports wide receiver Mardy Gilyard has joined Hanson among Philly’s final cuts.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... y-gilyard/

John Beck beats out Case Keenum for No. 3 in Houston
Posted by Josh Alper on August 31, 2012, 12:49 PM EDT

Quarterback Case Keenum had hoped to follow up a standout college career at the University of Houston by becoming a member of the city’s NFL team.

That could still happen, but it looks like Keenum will need to do it from the practice squad. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Texans will waive Keenum as they make their way to the 53-man roster limit on Friday.

McClain expects Keenum to be added to the practice squad if he passes through waivers without getting claimed by another team. While you can never count out the possibility of one man falling in love with Keenum’s ability, that seems like a pretty good bet since Keenum didn’t do enough in his preseason work to make a spot on the 53-man roster somewhere else seem like a possibility.

McClain’s colleague Tania Ganguli reports that John Beck will not be cut, which means he’ll be the third-string quarterback behind Matt Schaub and T.J. Yates to start the season. Ganguli also reports that center Cody Wallace and wide receiver Jerrell Jackson will also get their walking papers. PFT has also learned that the team will be parting ways with veteran fullback Moran Norris.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... n-houston/

Anthony Allen among Ravens final cuts
Posted by Evan Silva on August 31, 2012, 12:52 PM EDT

We’ve already passed along some of the Ravens’ roster moves on cut-down day.

And, inevitably, there are many more.

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Ravens have waived running back Anthony Allen, linebacker Nigel Carr, defensive lineman Terrence Moore, offensive lineman Cord Howard, wide receiver Dorian Graham, defensive lineman Nick Jean-Baptiste, and linebacker Chavis Williams.

Per Wilson, the Ravens will also be making forthcoming roster moves involving tight end Matt Balasavage, linebacker Josh Bynes, linebacker Ricky Brown, guard/center Justin Boren, tackle Jah Reid, and tight end Bruce Figgins.

In other words, those guys are not going to be on the final 53-man roster.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... inal-cuts/

Donahue cut, Graham won starting job.

Detroit Lions officially announce the release of 11 players
By Anwar S. Richardson | arichar2@mlive.com
The Detroit Lions have announced the release of 11 players, including receiver Wallace Miles.
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have informed the following players that they will be released today:
G Pat Boyle
P Ryan Donahue
DE Ugo Chinasa
TE Alex Gottlieb
WR Nate Hughes
DT Edmon McClam
LB Carmen Messina
WR Wallace Miles
DT Tracy Robertson
CB Ross Weaver
TE Austin Wells
Detroit's roster has been reduced from 75 to 64. The Lions must reduce their roster down to 53 before 9 p.m.