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NFL 2009: Major Players Cut as Teams get Ready for Kickoff

September 8, 2009

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HOLLYWOOD, CA (RPRN) 09/08/09 — David Tyree and Jeff Garcia are two of the well-known casualties as teams cut their rosters down to 53 players

By Adam Shapiro

(left-photo Jeff Garcia sent off the field)

- It is a bloodbath out there as the drive to Super Bowl XLIV officially kicks off this Thursday, NFL teams fine-tuned their rosters on Saturday in the final cutdown. Only 53 players are allowed to make an NFL roster, leaving coaches and general managers with the arduous task of crushing the dreams of untested rookies, who are looking to make their mark in the NFL and proven veterans just wanting one more opportunity for a shot at glory.

Among the most notable cuts on Saturday was New York Giants wide receiver, David Tyree, who has gone from Super Bowl hero to unemployed. A sixth-round pick in 2003, Tyree was on the receiving end of one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history. With the New York Giants trailing the heavily favoured and undefeated New England Patriots 14 -10 in the dying minutes of Super Bowl XLII, Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning eluded a sack on the team’s final drive of the game and threw a 32-yard pass to Tyree. Tyree leaped and caught the ball fully extended but in an act of desperation, pinned the ball against his helmet with his right hand as Patriots’ safety Rodney Harrison pulled him to the ground and attempted to steal the ball from him. The play, which has been called “the catch,” set up Eli Manning’s winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress, propelling the New York Giants to a 17-14 victory and an upset of gigantic proportions. Despite his heroics, the move was unexpected as Tyree missed all of last season with a lingering hamstring injury. Furthermore, the 29-year old struggled during training camp while battling minor groin, knee and hamstring injuries and dealing with inconsistent performances in the two preseason games he played in.

“It’s obviously a time of mixed feelings,” Tyree said Saturday. “This is part of the journey. It’s not like it’s a great day. But at the same time I’m filled with expectations about what’s next on this track, and I’m excited, as well.”

“David Tyree is such a class act,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “What a great guy he is. When he came in to see me, I had a lot of emotions running through my head. He put everything at ease, he had a big smile on his face. I told David he is forever etched in the annals of New York Giants history. That will never change. That moment in history will stand forever in time,” he told AP.

Another high-profile cut from Saturday was four-time pro bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia, whom after signing a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders was among 22 players let go before the season began. With 116 starts in 10 NFL seasons, Garcia was expected to serve as a backup and mentor to former No. 1 overall pick, JaMarcus Russell. However, even after signing with the Raiders in April, Garcia acknowledged that the idea of being a backup was difficult to get accustomed to despite being 39 years old.

Now that cutdown Saturday has passed, football fans can rejoice in the return of the NFL this week. Several teams have reloaded their offensive and defensive arsenals in an effort to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy this February. The biggest story of the offseason was the second retirement and second return of the great Brett Favre, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings and instantly turned them into a true Super Bowl contender. Teaming with Adrian Peterson, arguably the best running back in the NFL, Favre gives the Vikings 269 games of experience at the quarterback position, a position that was their Achilles’ heel last year. Another team who made a significant upgrade at the quarterback position were the Chicago Bears. The Bears, always known for their menacing defense, acquired former Broncos’ quarterback Jay Cutler via trade. The transaction gives them a young impact quarterback for the first time in years and an excellent shot at competing with the Minnesota Vikings for first place in the NFC North. Staying with the quarterback position, the return to full health for Tom Brady instantly transforms the New England Patriots into the class of the NFL. After suffering a season-ending knee injury during the first quarter of last year’s opener, the four-time pro bowl quarterback is looking to once again lead an offense that was the most prolific in NFL history two years ago and capture his fourth Super Bowl championship. According to SI.com and columnist Peter King, the outlook for the Patriots this season is SUPER!

With Super Bowl XLIV scheduled for February 7, 2010, the next five months will offer excitement, disappointment and plenty of beer for football fans, as well as the opportunity for a select group of fans to refer to their team as World Champions.

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