Indianapolis Colts Cut Day: Surprises on Both Sides of the Waver Wire

(Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

It's hard to even imagine how difficult this day must be for the fringe NFL player. The NFL is stocked with the best football players in the world, so it must be painful for someone to hear they simply aren't good enough to make the team. It may be the first time they've ever heard that statement in their life.

Like the league's other 31 teams, today was cut day for the Indianapolis Colts. It was time to trim the roster down to the 53 players that would start the 2009 season.

This is a no sweat day for guys like Reggie Wayne or Dwight Freeney. However, there were several bubble guys who were going to dread the decisions the Colts would make.

For some, the decision was easy. For example, poor Nick Graham should have known his name would be called after allowing a 40 yard pass play against the Lions. 

For others, the choice to keep or cut would be much harder. As with every preseason, there were some surprises, both in terms of who got cut and who made the team.

So Long, Sorry to See You Go

RB - Mike Hart

Hart joined the Colts as a rookie in 2008 after a stellar career at Michigan. Hart looked as if he had some promise as a short yardage back for the Colts. A devastating kneed injury derailed his rookie campaign.

Try as he might, Hart simply couldn't get the reps he needed to impress the coaches. Chad Simpson takes his spot, in part because Simpson can also play special teams.

DE - Marcus Howard

Like Hart, Howard was a Colts rookie from 2008. Howard's rookie season was mainly spent on special teams. He did manage to log a sack and a half from limited duty in nine games. Howard looked to have some promise during this preseason, recording a sack against Detroit.

However, a miserable outing against Cincinnati in the final game proved that Howard is a one trick pony. Howard has some potential as an edge rusher, but he's a liability in the run game and can be pushed out of a play. Still, it was a shame to see him go after only a year on the team.

DB - Dante Hughes

Many people had high hopes for Hughes, a third round pick from 2007. A very productive player while at Cal, Hughes looked to be a perfect fit for the Colts cover two system. Hughes simply couldn't get a spot in the regular rotation.

He managed just one interception in his two years with the Colts. Hughes' lack of production eventually caught up to him. It's always disappointing when a relatively high draft pick gets cut so early in his career.

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