The 2007 NFL preseason is over. Teams are down to 53 active players, give or take an exemption or two. It's just a day until the Indianapolis Colts officially kick off their quest for a repeat at home against the New Orleans Saints. Fantasy drafts are done and lineups set.
But before we dive full on into the future, let's take a few minutes to remember those who were left behind, those who gave their all in camps, who sweat and bled with the stars, but, in the end, just didn't have enough to stick.
This is the first annual NFL All-Cut Team, made up entirely of players whose dreams of NFL stardom have taken a blow over the past week. Some have had long NFL careers and are trying to hang on for just one or two more years/paychecks. Others are bound for practice squads, and still hold out hope for future stardom.
We wish these fallen comrades well in their quest for resurrection, and we honor their contributions.
As much as possible, only those players who have not yet caught on with another team are included. But with the pace of NFL transactions, there are bound to be a few who slip by.
Today, the offense. Tomorrow, the defense and special teams.
QB: Byron Leftwich, Jacksonville
NFL cut-down day always throws a few surprises, but few as shocking as the Jaguars jettisoning starting QB Byron Leftwich. It won't have a huge negative impact on the Jags this year — I actually think David Garrard has just as good or better chance of success — but the way the situation was handled is a terrible move in terms of creating a trust within a franchise. Don't think other players, both within and outside the organization, will overlook the shoddy treatment of the guy who was supposed to be the face of the franchise.
As for Leftwich's future, who knows? Kansas City popped out as the most likely destination, but passed. Atlanta has spent so much energy propping up Joey Harrington, I'm not sure they can bring in Leftwich without seriously undermining Harrington's confidence. Detroit could certainly use a QB, but the Mike Martz offense isn't one you pickup quickly. Minnesota and Washington have young guys making the jump and unsteady backups, and Baltimore has already been rumored to have made contact (which would bring up the question of whether they would cut Kyle Boller or Troy Smith).
Honorable mention: Tim Rattay (Tennessee), Ken Dorsey (Cleveland; Personally, I would have kept Dorsey and cut/traded Derek Anderson), David Green (Seattle; Former Georgia star should give the Falcons a call), Vinny Testaverde (New England; he'll be back), Drew Henson (Minnesota; biggest two-sport bust ever)
RB: Wali Lundy, Houston
The second-year back from Virginia gets the nod over others with more career production (Verron Haynes, Kevan Barlow) due to his remaining potential for stardom. In back-to-back weeks last year against Jacksonville and Tennessee, Lundy totaled 209 yards rushing on 37 carries (5.64 yards per rush), with an additional 9 receptions for 48 yards.
Honorable mention: Haynes (Pittsburgh), Barlow (Pittsburgh), Eric Shelton (Carolina), Justin Vincent (Atlanta), DeDe Dorsey (Indianapolis)
FB: Zack Crockett, Oakland
One of the most prolific goal-line touchdown machines in recent history (and a tormenter of fantasy owners with Tyrone Wheatley), Crockett scored 21 touchdowns between 2000 and 2003 — on only 188 combined attempts.
Honorable mention: Cory Schlesinger (Miami), Patrick Pass (Houston)
WR: Keenan McCardell, Houston; Todd Pinkston, Washington
In 16 seasons, McCardell caught 861 passes for 11,117 yards and 62 touchdowns. He had 7 seasons of 70+ catches, including 94 and 93 in back-to-back years with the Jaguars in 2000-2001. I am 100 percent convinced he can contribute this year, and teams with weak/unproven WR corps (Atlanta, Tennessee and Oakland come to mind) would be crazy not to at least give him a look.
Pinkston posted 184 career receptions between 2000 and 2004 before rupturing his achilles prior to the 2005 season and being out of football in 2006. In 2002 with Philly, he caught 60 passes for nearly 800 yards, 7 TDs, and a remarkable 40 first downs.
Honorable mention: Alvis Whitted (Oakland), Frisman Jackson (NY Jets), Courtney Roby (Tennessee), Reche Caldwell (New England), Taye Biddle (Cut by Carolina, signed by Tampa, cut by Tampa)
TE: Jermaine Wiggins, Jacksonville
Wiggins has 236 career receptions and 14 touchdowns over six years with the Jets, New England, Indianapolis, Carolina, and Minnesota, including 146 receptions over the last three years with the Vikings.
OT: Rob Pettiti, New Orleans; Ryan Tucker, Cleveland
Pettiti started all 16 games for the Cowboys in 2005. On the one hand, Dallas gave up a league-high 50 sacks that year and only averaged 3.5 yards per carry on the season. On the other hand, Drew Bledsoe was the quarterback. Draw your own conclusions.
As for Tucker, he's been a stalwart for a bad Browns franchise since 2002. He's started all 93 games in which he's appeared since 2000, his second-to-last year with St. Louis. He was suspended for the first four games of this season for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but there is absolutely no doubt he plays in the NFL this year.
Honorable mention: Kenyatta Walker (Carolina)
OG: Tuten Reyes, Jacksonville; Keydrick Vincent, Baltimore
Reyes started all 16 games for Carolina in 2005, then the first six in Buffalo last year before mysteriously finding the pine for the rest of the year (I haven't been able to find any record of an injury or confirm rumors that it was an attitude benching).
Vincent has played in 59 career games, with 48 starts for Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Honorable mention: Zach Piller (NY Giants), Mike Jones (San Diego)
C: Chukky Okobi, Pittsburgh
After six years as a reserve, Okobi was finally going to get his turn as the starting center for the Steelers, taking over for Jeff Hartings. But then Sean Mahan, a free agent from Tampa, beat him out and the Steelers decided $2 million was a bit much for a backup center. Life in the NFL. It's a bitch sometimes.
Honorable mention: Donovan Raiola (Pittsburgh)
Already picked up:
RB Antonio Pittman (Cut by New Orleans, signed by St. Louis)
TE Garrett Mills (Cut by New England, signed by Minnesota)
FB/RB Kyle Eckel (Cut by Miami, signed to New England practice squad)
Re-signed to team's practice squad:
WR Bam Childress (New England)
RB Kenneth Darby (Tampa Bay)
QB Jared Zabransky (Houston)
TE Ben Patrick (Arizona)
WR Bobby Sippio (Kansas City)
Seth Doria is a freelance writer based out of St. Louis. For the only daily column that mixes sports, politics, and entertainment news in one, visit The Left Calf.
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