The moves are now coming in at a rapid pace around the National Football League as teams attempt to get into the best possible cap situation heading into March.
Here’s a quick look at moves that have gone down over the past several hours.
Steven Jackson, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
The St. Louis Rams all-time leading rusher was released by Atlanta Thursday evening. At 31 years old and coming off a season that saw him average just 3.7 yards per rush, Jackson was seen as expendable. That’s only magnified by the fact that Atlanta saved $3.7 million by releasing him.
Justin Blalock, Guard, Atlanta Falcons
See a theme here? New Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is obviously attempting to make his imprint on his team. Blalock, 31, had been a constant in the Falcons starting lineup since they selected him in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. In eight seasons with the team, the veteran started 125 of a possible 128 games. The team saves about $3.8 million be releasing him.
Todd Herremans, Guard, Philadelphia Eagles
Poised to make a strong push in free agency next month, Philadelphia added about $2.8 million in cap room by releasing this 10-year veteran. A consistent force along the offensive line for most of his career, Herremans has seen injuries take over recently, as he’s missed 16 games over the past three seasons. Despite adding room under the cap, Philadelphia now needs to find a replacement for the veteran guard.
Harry Douglas, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons
This was a bit surprising. Douglas has stepped up in each of the past two seasons with both Roddy White and Julio Jones limited by injury. In fact, he has put up 136 receptions for over 1,600 yards in the past two seasons. With White and Jones seemingly healthy and the ability to save $3.5 million by releasing Douglas, one could say this is a solid move for the team. After all, wide receiver is the least of its concerns.
Brian Hartline, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
With Jarvis Landry fully prepared to take on a starting role in Miami, it made little sense for the team to hang on to this regressing veteran. Hartline, who had tallied two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons prior to 2014, saw his production dip big time last year. He recorded just 39 receptions for 474 yards and two touchdowns while taking a back seat to Landry. The move saves Miami anywhere between $3.2 and $6 million depending on whether it designates him a post June 1st cut.
Chris Canty, Defensive End, Baltimore Ravens
Looking to remain viable under the cap, Baltimore has dropped two veteran talents. On the heels of releasing wide receiver Jacoby Jones earlier in the week, Baltimore sent veteran defensive end Chris Canty packing on Friday. Signed as a free agent from the New York Giants in 2013, Canty started 24 games and recorded 2.5 sacks in two seasons with the Ravens. This move frees up $2.6 million in cap room.
Barry Cofield, Defensive Tackle, Washington Redskins
After signing Ricky Jean-Francois to a three-year, $9 million contract on Thursday, the Redskins released this veteran defensive tackle Friday. Cofield had started all 16 games for the Redskins in each of his first three seasons with the team prior to an injury-plagued 2014 campaign. The moves saves Washington $4.1 million against the cap.
Tyvon Branch, Safety, Oakland Raiders
This wasn’t too surprising. Seen as a talented but injury-riddled safety, Branch was set to count $9.7 million against the cap. Releasing him saved the team just $3 million. After jumping on to the scene as a Pro Bowl caliber player in 2009, Branch’s last two seasons have been cut short by injury. In fact, he’s played a total of five games since the start of the 2013 campaign.
Photo: USA Today