NFL Training Camp: Who's Still Fighting for a Roster Spot, and Who Was Released?
The NFL season starts in early September, but for many young players and newly signed players trying to make the team, the season starts right when training camp starts. It's now late into the training camp season, and many players in the NFL have already been released from the teams they started with earlier this summer.
Here are some of the notable cuts and releases so far this training camp:
Jay Feely, Kicker
Feely is a 13-year veteran kicker who's been with five different teams. Most recently, he was the Arizona Cardinals, kicking for them for the last three seasons. He was a pretty good kicker for them, he went 19 for 24, 25 for 28 and 30 for 36 respectively in those three seasons. He's a career 82.7 percent kicker and has made appearances in 207 games in his career. During the Cardinals preseason game against the Bengals, Feely pushed a 48-yard field goal way off to the right and that was the last straw for Arizona. They cut him and decided to keep rookie Chandler Catanzaro instead.
Adrian Wilson, Safety
Wilson latched on with the Bears earlier this summer. The team didn't see enough in him to keep him. He was on the Patriots squad last season, but never played a down after getting injured in the preseason. Wilson is a five-time pro bowler with 27 interceptions, but he's 34 and been in the NFL since 2001. NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal thinks it's the end of Wilson's career.
Thad Lewis, Quarterback
The Bills grew tired of Lewis' ineffectiveness this summer (and probably last season too). He's just a fourth-year player, but he's 29. He has only five touchdown passes in seven career games. The Bills picked up Jordan Palmer to replace Lewis. Palmer was just released by the Bears over the weekend.
Possible Cut? Michael Sam, D-Line
The St. Louis Rams took a late round flyer on Michael Sam. He was a seventh round pick, and many teams and scouts expressed doubt on his skills. He's the first openly gay NFL player to be signed to a team, but that isn't the issue right now. It's finding a spot for Sam on the Rams' crowded roster. He has three sacks this season, including two of popular Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel. Scouts have complained of Sam's lack of size and effectiveness.
Sam could lose out on a spot because the Rams are returning all four linemen from last year's league leading pass rushing team. He's also facing stiff competition from undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrooks.
Sam could make the team if the Rams decide he is the real deal and he can continue to sack the quarterback. Special teams coach Jim Fassel even says Sam could be a great asset to the Rams' special teams units.
What do you think about the recent NFL cuts? Do you think Michael Sam will make the St. Louis Rams roster?
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