Final Cut Friday: Your Cheat Sheet To The Biggest Names To Get Cut

The day is finally here, Aug. 31 marks the the NFL deadline for the 53-man roster cuts, which means a ton of players will be finding themselves unemployed, at least temporarily. Some players have worked their way onto a roster through their play during the preseason. Other could not make the cut, but will shortly end up on another team in another city fighting for a spot or playing time. For others it will mean signing to a practice squad, making good money but never seeing the field on Sunday. To others, both young and old, it means the end of the road, their last moments in the NFL. Here is the most up-to-date news from the Rams and around the league.

So far, the Rams have release an addition 13 players, most of which are not surprising:

C Tim Barnes, CB Kendric Burney, QB Tom Brandstater, DE Mason Brodine, OLB Sammy Brown, DE Vernon Gholston, FB Ben Guidugli,  C Bob Hebert, WR Nick Johnson, OT Joe Long, FB Ovie Mughelli, TE DeAngelo Peterson, RB Chase Reynolds

Of the names listed, most are fringe players that saw limited time during the preseason and practice. The most notable of the names may be tight end DeAngelo Peterson, who had been impressive all camp after being brought in as an UDFA. With the healthy return of Michael Hoomanawanui, there was not simply not enough spots for Peterson on the roster. Mughelli was a big name player brought in during the offseason from waivers, but was outplayed by Brit Miller as the first team blocker for Steven Jackson. Some had hoped that Joe Long was be able to replicate the production of his brother, Pro Bowl OT Jake Long of the the Miami Dolphins. Long was another fringe man brought in as an UDFA, but with the competition at the right tackle spot, did not see a lot of reps. Reynolds and Guidugli both got some good playing time last night, with Reynolds having an impressive showing working with the twos and threes. It may also be notable the Brandstater was released, mean that Austin Davis may have played his way into the #3 spot on the depth chart behind Bradford and Clemens.

There were a number of other big names around the league that got the ax today. Included in those names was ex-Ram WR Mardy Gilyard, who was picked up in the offseason by the Philadelphia Eagles after being released by the St. Louis Rams. Sticking with the Eagles, they also cut ex-Ram S O.J. Atogwe, who was controversially released by the  Rams a season ago, leaving a gaping hole in a pitiful secondary, which would later be filled by ex-Eagle, Quintin Mikell. Other names from the around the league…

Cleveland Browns, TE Evan Moore

Cleveland Browns, QB Seneca Wallace

Washington Redskins, RB Tim Hightower

New England Patriots, WR Deion Branch

Philadelphia Eagles, TE Brett Bracket

Philadelphia Eagles, WR Marvin McMutt

New York Giants, RB Danny Ware

Here are a couple of responses to the cuts via Twitter,