With preseason over, all 32 teams need to be down to 53 players. It’s not an easy time to be a 3rd-string player, a late-round draft pick, or an aging veteran.
The cuts have already started pouring in, and big names were not safe. Among the known names who found themselves unemployed are New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers, and San Francisco 49ers d-lineman Darnell Dockett.
Dockett was probably the biggest shock. After never missing a game for the first 10 seasons of his career and earning three Pro Bowl selections with the Arizona Cardinals, Dockett just hasn’t been the same (apparently) since missing last season with a knee injury.
Dockett was given a chance with the 49ers, but he just couldn’t make the roster. He must be in a pretty tough position if he couldn’t crack the top 53 out there, especially given all the defensive bleeding they suffered through this offseason.
There is also a notable name missing from that list, and that is Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball. There’s been rumors swirling that the 2nd round pick from 2013 wouldn’t make the team after losing basically all of his play time to C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman.
“We still think that Montee can continue to improve…He was in the top 53 in our mind,” said John Elway.
Not sure what he’s shown to give Elway or anyone else that idea. Ball has been nothing but a liablity since the day he stepped on the field in Mile High Stadium. For every solid run of his, he has 15 fumbles to match.
I exaggerate for effect, of course, but Ball does fumble…a lot.
Personally, I think Elway was just lying through his teeth. Ball has been drawing some interest (Lord Knows why) from other teams, including the Dallas Cowboys. Keeping Ball on the roster and trading him away is like getting something, even if it’s just a mid-to-late-round draft pick for a player they would have cut anyways.
For the Broncos sake, let’s just hope they’re able to trade him.