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Bailey, Sam placed on the NFL chop block

Saints cut the veteran corner, while the Rams cut the openly gay defensive end
St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam played well this preseason, but the defensive end trying to become the first openly gay player in the NFL didn’t make the cut because of a numbers-crunch at one of the Rams’ deepest postitions.

For the first time in his career, Champ Bailey was told he isn’t good enough.

Jettisoned by the New Orleans Saints after a difficult training camp, the 12-time Pro Bowl cornerback was the most notable name when NFL teams trimmed their rosters to 53 active players Saturday.

A close second was Rams rookie Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team.

The seventh-round draft pick, watched as closely as any rookie in the league this summer, couldn’t make a team stacked with pass-rushers. He still has a chance to get picked up by another team or to make the Rams’ practice squad.

Rams’ head coach Jeff Fisher repeated over and over that cutting Sam purely was a football decision.

“I will tell you this: I was pulling for Mike,” Fisher said. “I really was, and I don’t say that very often. Mike came in here and did everything we asked him to do.”

On Twitter, roughly an hour after he was cut, Sam wrote: “The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I’ve always known. The journey continues.”

He also thanked the Rams and city of St. Louis on Twitter, adding that he looks forward to a long and successful career.

The Rams selected Sam, the Southeastern Conference co-defensive player of the year at Missouri, with the 249th overall pick out of 256 overall. Fisher called the draft pick a “second historic moment” for a franchise that signed running back Kenny Washington in 1946 as the league’s first black player in the modern era.

Ultimately, he wasn’t good enough to make the Rams’ roster.

Generally, players such as Sam with fewer than four seasons in the league are subject to waivers. Those who clear waivers and have practice-squad eligibility can sign Sunday when teams fill out their 10-member developmental units.

Vested veterans who were released this weekend are free agents who can sign with anybody. But some might have to wait to get scooped up because their full 2014 salaries are in effect guaranteed if they’re on a roster in Week 1.

It just might be the end of a stellar career for Bailey, who said after the Super Bowl that he wouldn’t retire, “because I still know I can play this game.”

Only seven players in NFL history have more Pro Bowl selections than Bailey, who signed with the Saints after his release from the Denver Broncos in the spring only to spend much of training camp dealing with nagging injuries.

“Well, whatever happens to him now in the short term is not going to change his legacy,” Broncos general manager John Elway said. “He’s still going to go down as one of the greatest corners to ever play the game and will always in our minds be a Denver Bronco.”

Bailey missed 11 games last season after hurting his left foot in the preseason. He returned for Denver’s stretch run and reached his first Super Bowl but clearly wasn’t the same player.

In his prime, Bailey often wasn’t challenged by quarterbacks, yet he still managed 52 interceptions, more than any active cornerback.

Elway said it was difficult to let Bailey go this offseason as he retooled his defense after Denver’s Super Bowl dud against Seattle.

Elway also dreads cut-down day.

“(Cut-down day) is obviously the toughest part of my job,” Elway said. “It’s hard breaking dreams.”

Among the players he dismissed Saturday was nine-year defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson, who started 25 games for the defending AFC champs over the last two seasons.

Vickerson was beaten out by Marvin Austin, the latest veteran whom Elway signed to a one-year, no-bonus deal for a shot at resurrecting his career with the Peyton Manning-led Broncos.

Elway also cut third-year safety Duke Ihenacho, who was the odd-man out in a crowded defensive backfield featuring free agent acquisition T.J. Ward.

Other notable players who were either released or waived this weekend, depending on their experience level, included:

Jets wide receiver Stephen Hill, a 2012 second-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech who failed to follow in the footsteps of fellow alumni Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas. He finished the last two seasons on injured reserve.

Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the team’s top rusher the last two seasons who was made expendable when the team drafted LSU’s Jeremy Hill in the second round.

Browns wide receiver Nate Burleson, an 11-year veteran who was slowed by a hamstring injury in camp. The Browns are thin at wide receiver after Pro Bowler Josh Gordon was suspended for the entire 2014 season for another violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy.

Jets cornerback Dimitri Patterson, ending a bizarre week that began when he left the team before its preseason game against the Giants on Aug. 22, leading to a suspension.

Saints kickers Derek Dimke and Shayne Graham. The Saints did not immediately indicate what their intentions were at kicker after cutting both the rookie Dimke and veteran Graham. But they could have in mind one of a number of proven kickers cut by other clubs, including Jay Feely, recently cut by the Cardinals, or Ryan Succop, who was cut by Kansas City.

NFL cuts

FOOTBALL

National Football League

ARIZONA CARDINALS – Released RB Zach Bauman, LB Marcus Benard, C-G Philip Blake, LB Jonathan Brown, WR Dan Buckner, C John Estes, DT Bruce Gaston, WR Brittan Golden, TE Andre Hardy, CB Jimmy Legree, CB Bryan McCann, OT Kelvin Palmer, RB Jalen Parmele, DT Isaac Sopoaga, G-C Anthony Steen, S Curtis Taylor, LB Adrian Tracy, DT Christian Tupou, S Anthony Walters and CB Teddy Williams. Placed CB Eddie Whitley on injured reserve. Waived/injured OT Nate Potter.

ATLANTA FALCONS – Released CB Ricardo Allen, DT Travian Robertson, WR Jeremy Ebert, G Harland Gunn, WR Bernard Reedy, OT Terren Jones, S Sean Baker, LB Jacques Smith and TE Mickey Shuler. Waived/injured WR Geraldo Boldewijn.

BALTIMORE RAVENS – Waived G A.Q. Shipley, LB John Simon, CB Dominique Franks and CB Derek Cox. Placed WR Jeremy Butler on injured reserve. Placed DL Terrence Cody on the PUP list. Placed RB Ray Rice and S Will Hill on the reserve-suspended list.

BUFFALO BILLS – Signed QB Kyle Orton and P Colton Schmidt to one-year contracts. Released S Deon Broomfield, LB Jimmy Gaines, WR T.J. Graham, WR Caleb Holley, DE Ikponmwosa Igbinosun, DE Bryan Johnson, S Kenny Ladler, C Doug Legursky, G Antoine McClain and QB Jeff Tuel.

CAROLINA PANTHERS – Waived WR Tavarres King, RB Darrin Reeves, FB Mike Zordich, WR Marcus Lucas, OL Chris Scott, OL Andrew McDonald, OL Derek Dennis, OL Kevin Hughes, DT Drake Nevis, DT Micanor Regis, DT Casey Walker, LB Denicos Allen, LB Adarius Glanton, LB D.J. Smith, CB Carrington Byndom, CB James Dockery, CB Josh Thomas, S Robert Lester and S Tom Nelson. Waived/injured TE Mike McNeill and S Anderson Russell. Placed DE Frank Alexander on the reserve-suspended list.

CHICAGO BEARS – Waived WR Josh Bellamy, C Taylor Boggs, DT Brandon Dunn, LB Jerry Franklin, G Ryan Groy, LB DeDe Lattimore, CB Al Louis-Jean, WR Dale Moss, DT Lee Pegues, DT Tracy Robertson, S Marcus Trice, WR Chris Williams and CB C. J. Wilson. Terminated the contracts of OT Eben Britton, CB Kelvin Hayden and CB Austen Lane. Waived/injured S M. D. Jennings.

CINCINNATI BENGALS – Waived WR Cobi Hamilton, DE Dontay Moch, HB Orson Charles, OT Dan France, CB Victor Hampton, DT David King, WR Colin Lockett, CB Onterio McCalebb, DE Sam Montgomery, FB Nikita Whitlock, HB James Wilder Jr., C Trevor Robinson and DT Devon Still. Terminated the contract of S Danieal Manning and OT Will Svitek. Placed QB AJ McCarron on the reserve/non-football injury list. Placed G Trey Hopkins on injured reserve. Placed CB Chris Lewis-Harris on the reserved-suspended list. Waived/injured CB Lavelle Westbrooks.

CLEVELAND BROWNS – Terminated the contracts of WR Nate Burleson, LB Zac Diles, LB Jamal Westerman and RB Chris Ogbonnaya. Waived DB Josh Aubrey, DB Leon McFadden, DL Calvin Barnett, DL Jacobbi McDaniel, DL Justin Staples, OL Reid Fragel, OL Garrett Gilkey, OL Donald Hawkins, OL Alex Parsons, OL Abasi Salimu, QB Connor Shaw, TE-FB MarQueis Gray, RB Dion Lewis, TE Emmanuel Ogbuehi and WR Willie Snead. Placed CB Isaiah Trufant on injured reserve.

DALLAS COWBOYS – Released WR Desmon Briscoe and G Uche Nwaneri. Waived RB D.J. Adams, OT Josh Aladenoye, DE Kenneth Boatright, DT Dartwan Bush, WR LaRon Byrd, G Stephen Goodin, CB Terrance Mitchell, WR Jamar Newsome, C Ronald Patrick, DE Caesar Rayford, LB Dontavis Sapp, LB Keith Smith, S Ryan Smith, LB Will Smith, RB Phillip Tanner, TE Asa Watson and RB Ryan Williams. Waived/injured LB Orie Lemon and DT Zach Minter. Placed S Jakar Hamilton and CB Orlando Scandrick on the reserve/suspended list.

DENVER BRONCOS – Released DE Brian Sanford, DT Kevin Vickerson, TE Jameson Konz, TE Cameron Morrah and CB Jerome Murphy. Waived LB Shaquil Barrett, RB Kapri Bibbs, S John Boyett, QB Zac Dysert, LB L.J. Fort, WR Bennie Fowler, DT Sione Fua, S Duke Ihenacho, G Ryan Miller, G Vinston Painter, WR Nathan Palmer, C Matt Paradis, TE Gerell Robinson, CB Jordan Sullen and CB Louis Young. Placed DE Kenny Anunike on injured reserve. Placed K Matt Prater on the reserve/suspended list.

DETROIT LIONS – Released G Rodney Austin, LB Shamari Benton, WR Kris Durham, WR Patrick Edwards, TE Michael Egnew, DT Andre Fluellen, CB Chris Greenwood, FB Emil Igwengu, LB Brandon Hepburn, C Darren Keyton, RB Mikel Leshoure, WR Andrew Peacock, DT Xavier Proctor, S Nate Ness, G Garrett Reynolds, DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen, CB Mohammed Seisay, LB Julian Stanford, TE Jordan Thompson, DE Darryl Tapp, OT Michael Williams and RB George Winn. Waived/injured S DeJon Gomes.

GREEN BAY PACKERS – Released S Chris Banjo, WR Kevin Dorsey, LB Jake Doughty, OT John Fullington, C Garth Gerhart, WR Alex Gillett, DT Carlos Gray, RB Michael Hill, LB Adrian Hubbard, G Jordan McCray, S Tanner Miller, TE Justin Perillo, RB LaDarius Perkins, DE Luther Robinson, CB Jumal Rolle, OT Jeremy Vujnovich, WR Myles White and CB Ryan White. Placed OT Aaron Adams, LB Nate Palmer, TE Jake Stoneburner and DT Khyri Thornton on injured reserve.

HOUSTON TEXANS – Released WR Lacoltan Bester, CB Brandon Harris, LB Quentin Groves, K Chris Boswell, WR Travis Labhart, DE Keith Browner, LB Max Bullough, TE Anthony Denham, OT Mike Farrell, OT Matt Feiler, C James Ferentz, G Bronson Irwin, G Alex Kupper, NT Ricardo Matthews, LB Chris McAllister, WR Uzoma Nwachukwu, FB Toben Opurum, TE Zach Potter, S Jawanza Starling, DE Julius Warmsley, CB Marcus Williams and LB Chris Young.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – Traded CB Marcus Burley to Seattle for a 2015 sixth-round draft pick. Waived/injured and OL Matt Hall and S Delano Howell. Released DL Gannon Conway, DL Brandon McKinney, DL Nnamdi Obukwelu, LB Phillip Hunt, LB Andrew Jackson, LB Rob Ruggiero, LB Kelvin Sheppard, WR Ryan Lankford, WR Josh Lenz, OL FN Lutz, OL Josh Walker, TE Weslye Saunders, TE Erik Swoope, RB David Fluellen, QB Chandler Harnish, DE Tyler Hoover, S Dewey McDonald and CB Sheldon Price. Placed LB Robert Mathis on the reserve-suspended list.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – Waived CB Jamell Fleming, S Sherrod Martin, LB Nate Stupar and WR Kerry Taylor. Re-signed G Tyler Shatley. Placed WR Ace Sanders on the reserve-suspended list.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – Placed QB Tyler Bray and WR Kyle Williams on injured reserve. Waived K Ryan Succop, DB Malcolm Bronson, DB Jonathon Amaya, DB DeMarcus Van Dyke, DB Justin Rogers, LB Alonzo Highsmith, LB Devan Walker, LB Nico Johnson, DL Kyle Love, DL, Kona Schwenke, DL Dominique Hamilton, OL Ricky Henry, OL J’Marcus Webb, WR Mark Harrison, WR Fred Williams, FB Jordan Campbell and RB Charcandrick West.

MIAMI DOLPHINS – Waived QB Seth Lobato, DL Isaako Aaitui, DL Tevin Mims, DL D’Aundre Reed, DL Garrison Smith, OL David Arkin, OL Sam Brenner, OL Evan Finkenburg, WR Kevin Cone, WR Matt Hazel, WR Marcus Thigpen, S Jordan Kovacs, TE Kyle Miller, TE Evan Wilson, LB Andrew Wilson and K Jake Rogers. Placed DT Kamal Johnson on injured reserve. Terminated the contract of G Tony Hills. Placed S Reshad Jones and DE Dion Jordan on the reserve-suspended list.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS – Released G Jeff Baca, DT Chase Baker, RB Joe Banyard, S Kurt Coleman, WR Kain Colter, S Chris Crocker, DT Fred Evans, DT Isame Faciane, TE Chase Ford, WR Donte Foster, LB Justin Jackson, CB Kendall James, C Zac Kerin, CB Julian Posey, TE Allen Reisner, T Mike Remmers, DE Justin Trattou, RB Dominique Williams and LB Mike Zimmer. Placed T Antonio Richardson and S Jamarca Sanford on injured reserve.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – Released LS Danny Aiken, LB Steve Beauharnais, DL Jake Bequette, WR Josh Boyce, TE Steve Maneri, DL Jerel Worthy, OL Braxston Cave, LB Ja’Gared Davis, S Kanorris Davis, RB Jonas Gray and DB Daxton Swanson, OL Jon Halapio, WR Jeremy Gallon, RB Roy Finch, S Shamiel Gary, DL Eathyn Manumaleuna, OL Chris Martin, LB Taylor McCuller and DL L.T. Tuipulotu. Placed LB James Morris on injured reserve.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – Waived C Matt Armstrong, CB Derrius Brooks, WR Brandon Coleman, LB Todd Davis, K Derek Dimke, CB Terrence Frederick, WR Charles Hawkins, TE Nic Jacobs, G Marcel Jones, WR Seantavious Jones, OT Tavon Rooks, RB Derrick Strozier, NT Lawrence Virgil, CB Trevin Wade, S Pierre Warren and T-G Jason Weaver. Terminated the contracts of CB Champ Bailey, OLB Keyunta Dawson, K Shayne Graham, FB Greg Jones, WR Robert Meachem and OT Thomas Welch.

NEW YORK GIANTS – Terminated the contracts of QB Curtis Painter, FB John Conner, TE Kellen Davis and DE Israel Idonije. Waived/injured OT Rogers Gaines. Waived RB Michael Cox, WR Julian Talley, RB Kendall Gaskins, OT Mark Asper, OT Adam Gress, G Jamaal Johnson-Webb, LB Terrell Manning, LB Dan Fox, DB Chandler Fenner, DB Thomas Gordon, DT Kelcy Quarles, CB Bennett Jackson and DE Jordan Stanton. Placed WR Mario Manningham and WR Trindon Holliday on injured reserve. Placed G Eric Herman and CB Jayron Hosley on the reserve-suspended list.

NEW YORK JETS – Waived WR Stephen Hill, RB Daryl Richardson, RB Alex Green, LB A.J. Edds, QB Tajh Boyd, CB Johnny Patrick, WR Clyde Gates, LB Garrett McIntyre, LB Troy Davis, LB A.J. Edds, TE Chris Pantale, DL Tevita Finau, DL Kerry Hyder, DL Zach Thompson, G Will Campbell, G Caleb Schlauderaff, OT Brent Qvale, CB Brandon Dixon, CB Johnny Patrick, CB Jeremy Reeves and S Rontez Miles. Released CB Dimitri Patterson.

OAKLAND RAIDERS – Waived RB George Atkinson III, DE Denico Autry, CB Chance Casey, OT Jack Cornell, DE Jack Crawford, LB Carlos Fields, LB Bojay Filimoeatu, LB Spencer Hadley, OT Dan Kistler, OT Erle Ladson, WR Greg Little, DT Ricky Lumpkin, G Lamar Mady, TE Jake Murphy, WR Seth Roberts, DE Ryan Robinson, S Brandian Ross, OL Jarrod Shaw, TE Scott Simonson, RB Jeremy Stewart, K Giorgio Tavecchio and FB Karl Williams.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – Released K Alex Henery, CB Curtis Marsh, CB Roc Carmichael, RB Matthew Tucker, RB Henry Josey, QB G.J. Kinne, WR Damaris Johnson, WR Ifeanyi Momah, WR Will Murphy, WR Quaron Pratt, LB Emmanuel Acho, LB Josh Kaddu, DT Wade Kelikipi, DT Damion Square, OL Kevin Graf, OL Josh Andrews, S Keelan Johnson and S Ed Reynolds. Waived/injured RB Kenjon Barner. Placed WR Arrelious Benn and LB Travis Long on injured reserve. Placed OT Lane Johnson on the reserve-suspended list.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS – Released TE Rob Blanchflower, TE Bryce Davis, TE David Paulson, DB Isaiah Green, DB Dayonne Nunley, DB Shaquille Richardson, DB Ross Ventrone, RB Josh Harris, RB Stephen Houston, DL Ethan Hemer, DL Josh Mauro, DL Roy Philon, DL Nick Williams, LB Chris Carter, LB Howard Jones, LB Dan Molls, QB Brendon Kay, WR Derek Moye, WR Lanear Sampson, OL Graham Pocic, OL Will Simmons and OL Guy Whimper.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – Released LB Victor Aiyewa, DT Chas Alecxih, WR Torrence Allen, CB Crezdon Butler, S Alden Darby, CB Greg Ducre, TE Michael Flacco, T Mike Harris, WR Javontee Herndon, OLB Thomas Keiser, DL Joe Kruger, OLB Cordarro Law, S Adrian Phillips, WR Tevin Reese, T Jeremiah Sirles, QB Brad Sorensen, OLB Colton Underwood, G Craig Watts, T Kenny Wiggins, C Khalil Wilkes and DL Doug Worthington. Waived/injured WR Vincent Brown,

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – Waived OL Adam Snyder, S C.J. Spillman, S Bubba Ventrone, WR Kassim Osgood, OT Carter Bykowski, TE Asante Cleveland, WR Lance Lewis, CB Darryl Morris, G Al Netter, DL Lawrence Okoye, OT Michael Philipp, NT Mike Purcell, G Ryan Seymour, LB Shayne Skov, RB Alfonso Smith, LB Chase Thomas, WR L’Damian Washington, RB Glenn Winston and LS Kevin McDermott. Placed CB Kenneth Acker and FB Will Tukuafu on the injured reserve list.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – Terminated the contracts of CB Phillip Adams and OT Eric Winston. Waived TE RaShaun Allen, CB Akeem Auguste, RB Demitrius Bronson, WR Arceto Clark, QB B.J. Daniels, G Caylin Hauptmann, OT Nate Isles, C Patrick Lewis, WR Chris Matthews, DE Benson Mayowa, S Terrance Parks, TE Morrell Presley, QB Terrelle Pryor, DT Andru Pulu, FB Kiero Small, DT Jimmy Staten, S Steven Terrell, LB Korey Toomer, WR Bryan Walters and RB Spencer Ware. Placed DT D’Anthony Smith on injured reserve.

ST. LOUIS RAMS – Waived LB Michael Sam, QB Garrett Gilbert, S Christian Bryant, OT Mitchell Van Dyk, WR Emory Blake, G Travis Bond, DE Kourtnei Brown, DT Matt Conrath, S Avery Cunningham, WR Austin Franklin, DT Deantre Harlan, LB Aaron Hill, OT Sean Hooey, DB Greg Reid, LB Etienne Sabino, TE Brad Smelley, LB Phillip Steward, WR Justin Veltung, OL Brandon Washington, LB Lawrence Wilson and CB Darren Woodard. Placed WR Stedman Bailey on the reserve/suspended list.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – Waived TE Cameron Brate, RB Jeff Demps, QB Mike Kafka, LB Brandon Magee, DT Matthew Masifilo and WR Solomon Patton. Released DT Ronald Talley and S Major Wright.

TENNESSEE TITANS – Waived OT Jeff Adams, CB Ri’Shard Anderson, RB Antonio Andrews, DL Chigbo Anunoby, K Maikon Bonani, CB Tommie Campbell, TE Chase Coffman, LB Brandon Copeland, QB Dominique Davis, DE Marcus Dixon, LB Moise Fokou, WR Marc Mariani, G Justin McCray, FB Collin Mooney, OL Eric Olsen, OT Will Poehls, WR Rico Richadson, WR Brian Robiskie, TE Jason Schepler and CB Winston Wright. Placed DL Antonio Johnson on injured reserve. Traded DL Lavar Edwards to Dallas for an undisclosed future draft pick.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS – Released K Zach Hocker, LB Everette Brown, OL Maurice Hurt, CB Chase Minnifield, S Phillip Thomas, WR Nick Williams, RB Evan Royster, RB Lache Seastrunk and RB Chris Thompson. Placed LB Darryl Sharpton and NT Chris Neild on injured reserve. Placed DE Stephen Bowen and WR Leonard Hankerson on the PUP list.

Aug 30, 2014
Elway says ‘it’s hard breaking dreams’


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