The first big roster cut of the NFL preseason came on Tuesday and while a number of players were released to get down to the 75-man rosters by 4 PM, there is still another massive cut to come as teams must get down to 53-men by Saturday and names like Tim Tebow, Robert Meachem, Brian Banks, Taylor Mays and AJ Jenkins are still on the bubble.
According to ESPN.com, some of the big names released included Braylon Edwards, Joe McKnight, Donte Stallworth, Dan Carpenter, Matt Blanchard, Graham Harrell, Ricky Stanzi, AJ Hawkins, Aaron Curry, Scott Tolzien, Lawrence Okoye and many more and now there are a number of players who could be on the chopping block again by Saturday. Brian Banks is one name and while his story of coming back after a false rape charge years ago is amazing, it could come to an end if he is cut, but so far he made it through the first cut down with no issues.
According to Pro Football Talk, Banks said that he wasn't worried about the first cut down and that he wasn't nervous about it, although he said he wants to make the team. Banks said that he is working as hard as he can and it is likely that he will play in the final preseason game before final roster decisions are made. Banks has been one of the best stories in the NFL this year and hopefully he will make it.
Another player that has had plenty of scrutiny when it comes to cuts is Tim Tebow on the Patriots, as he did not play in the third preseason game against the Lions, making everyone think that he could also be on the chopping block. Tebow made it past the 75-man cut after Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett played the entire game and a similar situation happened last year when Brian Hoyer was released after not playing in the third game, but Tebow could be different since he is Tebow and he signed a two year deal with the Pats.
Tebow's only option is the 53-man roster and he can't make it on the practice squad roster and now he may be playing for his spot in the finale against the New York Giants in the preseason. There are a number of other players who could also be on the block, including Robert Meachem, Taylor Mays and AJ Jenkins as well as Tony Scheffler, Danny Watkins and Tyler Wilson. Jenkins was just traded from the 49ers for Jon Baldwin to the Chiefs, but he has been a disappointment since being drafted and he still could get released.
Scheffler, Mays and Watkins all could go as well after underperforming and Robert Meachem could be another high profile cut for the Chargers despite wideout injuries in San Diego. The team has not been happy with Meachem since he signed a big contract and the 28-year-old could be gone despite the team losing Danario Alexander to a season ending injury. Mays was a draft pick for the 49ers and is now with the Bengals and after the team has made safety a priority in the draft, he could be done for this year.
