NFL Releases

Well, the Super Bowl is officially 1 month behind us and the Combine is over, that means it is time for people to get released into free agency. While players due this either of their own free will or due to a cut from a team is of little regard to most readers, but getting cut can be shocking to most. Below are my top 4 players that have recently been cut from their team.

Reggie Bush
The 2005 Heisman Trophy winner was cut last week by the Lions. After 2 season in Detroit, Bush had racked up 1,303 yards and only 6 TDs. Not very impressive stats from a RB who helped the Saints win their first Super Bowl back in 2010. The problem with Bush is that he is constantly injured. The past 2 seasons, Bush has missed 7 games due to his ankle, and he's not getting any younger. His speed is impressive, both running and being a passing threat on the outside, but his injuries are what hold teams back from signing him.

Will he get resigned?
Bush, entering his 10th season as a RB, will not draw much appeal from team as their starting RB. With the draft coming up and the RB pool being as deep as it is, I do not see why a team would want him when they can have a fresh guy, ready to truck people over. If he goes anywhere, it will be for his veteran mindset. He will be there to mentor new RBs or ones that just need some fine tuning. My top 3 slots for Bush to go are the Titans, Jaguars, and Vikings (if they do not sign Peterson back).

Darnell Dockett
Now entering his 12th season, the Cardinals dropped their 3-time Pro-Bowl DT. Only missing 2 games before this past season started, Dockett was a monster. With 459 tackles and 56 stuffs, Dockett could have been signed for another season. This past season changed that when Dockett tore his ACL 2 weeks before the start of the regular season. Not many people can recover fully from an injury like that.

Will he get resigned?
ACL + 12th season = <1% interest. This injury could possibly sideline Dockett enough for him to call it a career. The only way I could see Dockett being resigned is if someone wants to give him a shot while they have a desperate need at DT. Many teams have this need, but will likely fill it in the draft with young blood. If, by some chance, he were to get resigned, I believe it would only be for the preseason, so that the team can make an accurate assessment of his ability after the injury. Interested teams could be the Jaguars, Cowboys, and Saints.

Jacoby Jones
Now entering his 9th season, the Ravens have decided to part ways with their explosive WR/KR. Jones, who was originally drafted by the Texans, never really took off as a reliable WR in either Houston or Baltimore. What Jones is known for is 2 plays in the 2013 playoffs: the long bomb TD to tie the game against the Broncos and the 108 yard kick return for a TD to start the second half of the Super Bowl. Since then, Jones has found the end zone 4 times, 2 of them on kickoffs, in 2 seasons. This past season, Jones had a limited role due to the signing of Steve Smith. Jones would have only 9 catches for 131 yards this season as a WR.

Will he get resigned?
Yes. Someone will signed Jones for a season. He has some moments when he looks go for a return man, but not on offense. Jones will be a Special Teams guy and maybe a WR4. Look for a team with a problem with Special Teams and would also like some depth at receiver. Teams like the Giants, Patriots, and Vikings.

Chris Canty
DE Chris Canty was released by the Ravens over the past weekend. There had been some speculation that this would happen to the 11 year veteran, but now it's hard to see as a reality. Canty was always a solid DE, but due to missing 6 games in 2 years due to injury, Canty's production does not match what his need is to the team right now. This last season, Canty had a total of 33 tackles and 0.5 sacks. While he did not have the stats to be seen as a great DE, he contributed to the DL unit as a whole with other play makers like Haloti Ngata and Courtney Upshaw.

Will he get resigned?
Yes, but no. He will get resigned, but Canty will not be a starter. His value would be better suited to a line that needs some depth, but not on the front lines. Look for a team that needs help with developing their pass rushers on the outside. Teams like the Titans, Cowboys, and Colts.