Following roster cuts for teams getting down to the 53-man totals for the start of the NFL season, a number of notable players and former starters were released and waived and now are free agents looking for new homes, including players like Michael Turner and Willis McGahee as well as Chris Kluwe, Vince Young, Max Starks, Kenny Phillips, Andre Carter and Michael Robinson and one player in Jonathan Dwyer has already been picked up.
Most teams had to make some significant cuts after bringing in new players in the draft and having undrafted players shine in the preseason and one team that had a surprise cut was the Steelers, as they let last season's leading rusher go in Jonathan Dwyer after he did not show the coaches what they wanted to see this offseason and preseason. Dwyer was set to be the starting running back after being the leading rusher last season with Le'Veon Bell injured, but now clearly that isn't happening.
The Steelers are planning on using Isaac Redman and Felix Jones until Bell returns and after thinking that the rookie will need foot surgery, he only had a bad sprain and could miss just a few weeks. Dwyer was the leading rusher last season with over 600 yards, but after showing up to camp overweight, he could be in line for a backup job somewhere after being released. It's never good to be released for those reasons, but if Dwyer can show off his talent, someone in the league will give him a chance to catch on with them
The Seahawks released fullback Michael Robinson after a couple of seasons due to his $2.5 million contract and after being one of the best blockers in the NFL over the past couple years for Marshawn Lynch, he could find work somewhere else as well. Stephen Peterman was cut by the Jets and could be a depth option for teams at guard despite getting cut early and someone like the Giants or Cardinals could snag him after dealing with some line issues.
Chris Kluwe is a free agent once again, as he was released by the Raiders in favor of Marquette King and now it is the second time he was cut, as the Vikings also released him earlier this offseason. Kluwe was slowly decreasing his totals over the past couple years for average yards per punt, but he still is very consistent and could be an option for someone if they come down or deal with an injury.
Vince Young, Jimmy Clausen and Tim Tebow all were released as quarterbacks and that is one position that could get back loaded, as a number of players were released and signed over the past week. Seneca Wallace bounced to the Packers, while Brady Quinn bounced to the Jets and now Young, Clausen and Tebow especially will have to wait and see if any openings or opportunities come along.
Max Starks was looked at as one of the top free agent signings by the Chargers, but after getting beat handily by King Dunlap, he now is a free agent. Last season he started 16 games for the Steelers and as he gets older he could be a solid backup option for depth. Braylon Edwards and Austin Collie are two wide receivers that could be options after being released, but both are coming off injuries. Kenny Phillips was cut by the Eagles and Giants fans are screaming to sign him back after losing Stevie Brown, but that remains to be seen.
