NFL roster cuts week usually marks the coldest season of the football year. As teams begin to reduce their rosters, Around The League will keep you updated on the biggest names as they hit the open market. Teams have until 4 p.m. ET Tuesday to reduce their rosters to a maximum of 75 players. You can get the complete list on the roster cuts tracker.
Havard Rugland, Detroit Lions
"Kickalicious," the Norwegian YouTube sensation, exceeded expectations in Lions' training camp and the preseason, but he never was a real threat to beat out veteran David Akers and replace the newly-retired Jason Hanson.
Braylon Edwards, New York Jets
The Jets re-signed Edwards last month hoping to add a veteran presence and some depth to their suspect wide receiver position. But Edwards never showed the ability that made him an impact player during his 2009 to 2010 run with Rex Ryan. He was working with the third-team offense before suffering a leg injury last week. The Jetscut Edwards loose Monday morning.
NFL roster cut tracker
Teams have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to reduce their rosters to a maximum of 75 players. Who's been cut? **More ...**
Scott Tolzien, San Francisco 49ers
The writing was on the wall for Tolzien after the 49ers signed Seneca Wallace last week. Tolzien's fate was sealed when he wasn't among four quarterbacks to play for the Niners in Sunday's preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings. He never took a regular season-snap in two seasons by The Bay.
Giorgio Tavecchio, Green Bay Packers
Brought aboard five months ago to compete with kicker Mason Crosby, Tavecchio was released after the Packers signed Zach Ramirez. Tavecchio had a nice camp, making 86 percent of his kicks. Crosby has outlasted one challenger, but he's not out of the woods yet.
Josh Cribbs, Oakland Raiders
After an offseason workout tour, the special-teamer landed with the Raiders. His surgically repaired knee, however, just never seemed to come all the way back, and the team parted ways, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. The Raiders later confirmed the news. NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah summed up Cribbs' physical situation best:
Donte' Stallworth, Washington Redskins
Joe McKnight, New York Jets
Aaron Curry, New York Giants
The Seattle Seahawks' No. 4 overall draft pick in 2009, Curry appeared in just two games with the Oakland Raiders last season because of chronic knee troubles.
Kenny Phillips, Phildelphia Eagles
A Pro Bowl-caliber safety early in his career, Phillips was a 41-game starter for the Giants from 2008 to 2012, but he has lost a few steps because of chronic knee injuries.
Jamar Chaney, Philadelphia Eagles
The linebacker is better suited to the 4-3 defensive scheme than the 3-4 scheme that Chip Kelly now is running in Philly. Chaney's release continues the Eagles' theme of jettisoning defensive players.
Graham Harrell, Green Bay Packers
Harrell had an opportunity in the Week 3 preseason matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, but he was outplayed by Vince Young. Mike McCarthy always spoke highly of Harrell, but the QB never seemed to blossom. McCarthy did Harrell a slight favor by clipping him earlier in the process. With the current quarterback situation on some rosters, Harrell could find another job in short order.
Visanthe Shiancoe, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens terminated the contract of the tight end less than one month after signing him. Even with Dennis Pitta out for the season and Ed Dickson struggling to come back from a hamstring injury, Shiancoe couldn't make it to final cuts. As Chris Wesseling pointed out, Shiancoe struggled with drops and looked slow in his brief time with the Ravens.
Tom Zbikowski, Chicago Bears
Zbikowski started 11 games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He never seemed to find a burst after signing with the Bears as a free agent in the offseason. The well-known safety/professional boxer had an uphill battle from the start just to take a backup spot.
Ricky Stanzi, Kansas City Chiefs
Selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Stanzi never threw a regular-season pass for the Chiefs even though they went through an assortment of quarterback issues the past two years. Stanzi's inability to beat out the likes of Tyler Palko, Brady Quinn and undrafted rookie Tyler Bray speaks volumes about his NFL potential.
Lawrence Jackson, Minnesota Vikings
The Seattle Seahawks' No. 28 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Jackson flashed as a situational pass rusher a couple years back.
The "Around The League Podcast" is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.
