On a day 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford found out he’ll be the starting quarterback for the St. Louis Rams, Heisman winners Matt Leinart and Troy Smith found themselves looking for jobs.
It was cut down Saturday in the NFL, with teams required to trim their rosters to 53.
Leinart, the 2004 Heisman winner from USC, was released by the Arizona Cardinals, who will open the season on Sept. 12 with Derek Anderson at quarterback against Bradford and the Rams.
Smith, the 2006 Heisman winner from Ohio State, was cut by the Baltimore Ravens after playing in 14 games over three seasons. The Ravens will open the season with two quarterbacks, starter Joe Flacco and Marc Bulger.
In a mild surprise, wide receiver David Clowney and running backs Danny Woodhead and Chauncey Washington weren’t among the 21 players cut by the New York Jets. The Jets have seven running backs on the roster.
Leinart was among the biggest names to be let go. He came into the preseason expecting to take over for the retired Kurt Warner. But he was unimpressive in his first two games.
Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo tabbed $70 million man Bradford his starter, saying “it’s well deserved.”
Bradford, a former Oklahoma star, got plenty of playing time in the preseason, completing 33 of 55 passes for 338 yards with no interceptions. A.J. Feeley and Thad Lewis are the backups.
In other moves:
• Cleveland’s most notable cuts were to two draft picks: former Nebraska defensive back Larry Asante (fifth round) and former South Carolina defensive lineman Clifton Geathers (sixth round). The team also terminated the contract of receiver Bobby Engram.
• The New York Giants released former Nebraska safety Matt O’Hanlon.
• The Oakland Raiders cut veteran defensive lineman Chris Cooper, who played at UNO.
• Willie Parker became the odd man out in the Washington Redskins’ three-way veteran running back competition when he was released. Former Chiefs star Larry Johnson will be the backup to Clinton Portis.
• Seattle cut receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
• The Minnesota Vikings cut five wide receivers to leave them with just four players on the active roster at that position. Recently signed Javon Walker and training camp standout Logan Payne were among those waived.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars’ cut list included several veterans, including receiver Troy Williamson, tight end Ernest Wilford, running back Kolby Smith, and linebackers Alvin Bowen and Teddy Lehman.
• Safety Ed Reed will miss the first six weeks of the season after being placed on the reserve physically unable to perform list by Baltimore. Also, Billy Cundiff won the kicker’s job over Shayne Graham
• Adam “Pacman” Jones made the Bengals’ roster as a third cornerback.
• Denver placed NFL sack leader Elvis Dumervil (chest muscle) and wide receiver Brandon Stokley (groin) on injured reserve, officially ending their seasons.
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