Super Bowl hero David Tyree and veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia were two noticeable names cut by NFL teams.
Tyree cut by Giants, Oakland axe falls on Garcia
Super Bowl hero David Tyree and veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia were two of the big-name casualties as NFL teams cut their rosters down to the 53 players allowed by the league.
Wide receiver Tyree caught an amazing pass for the New York Giants to help them win the Super Bowl in 2008 against the New England Patriots, but after missing last season through injury he has again struggled to get fit during the pre-season.
29-year-old Tyree made one of the most memorable catches in Super Bowl history when he claimed a 32-yard pass from Eli Manning by pressing the ball against his helmet as he was dragged to the ground by Rodney Harrison.
That play, late in the fourth quarter, helped the Giants to go on and score a late touchdown to claim the Super Bowl, but just 19 months after his heroics Tyree was cut by the Giants.
"This is part of the journey," Tyree said. "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."
Super catch
Tyree added, of that Super Bowl catch: "It's a moment that will never be taken, it's a moment that I will cherish. I said after the game, if I never get a chance to play football again, I can't be upset with the way my career went."
"He has been a great team-mate, a great friend of mine since I have gotten here," Manning said. "Honestly, I will always have a special place in my heart, not only because of the play he made in the Super Bowl, but just the person he is and the friend he has been for me."
39-year-old quarterback Garcia was also a victim of the final cuts in the NFL, as he was let go by the Oakland Raiders despite only being signed during this off-season.
Garcia started 24 games in the last two season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after spending five seasons in San Francisco before playing for Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.
Garcia was signed as a back-up and mentor to starter JaMarcus Russell, but was one of 22 players let go by Oakland as he was preparing for his 11th NFL season.
Starter
"First and foremost, we are committed to JaMarcus as our starter," Raiders coach Tom Cable told reporters.
"When you look at the preseason and practices and camp and the games, Bruce (Gradkowski) and Charlie (Frye) were the most productive (backups) in terms of scoring points and moving the football team."
Quarterback John David Booty is the casualty of Brett Favre's move to Minnesota, as he was cut by the Vikings who surprisingly kept hold of both Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.
Rex Grossman will be the Houston Texans' back-up after he impressed in the final pre-season game, while running back Danny Woodhead made the New York Jets roster after running in two TDs against Philadelphia on Thursday.
Veteran rusher Dominic Rhodes did not make the final cut though, as he was released by the Buffalo Bills despite expected to be a back-up to Fred Jackson during Marshawn Lynch's suspension.
