NFL 2010 Roster Cuts: THe Most Interesting Transactions Thus Far

Today marks the final day of roster cuts, with five days until the 2010 opener.

All 32 teams will be forced to make tough decisions on players who are fighting for roster spots, or on first and second year players looking to make a name for themselves.

Thus far we have seen multiple veterans get cut who have seen success in this league.

A trade also went down between the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles.

This will get updated throughout the day if there are any more cuts that are note worthy.

Follow me on twitter for more updates from around the league: http://twitter.com/MattMiselis

1. Seattle Seahawks Release T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

SEATTLE , WA - JANUARY 03: T.J. Houshmandzadeh #84 of the Seattle Seahawks runs after making a catch against Rod Hood #37 of the Tennessee Titans at Qwest Field on January 3, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

This release did not come as a surprise to many sources around the league.

The Seahawks released wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh today, which was expected for the last few days.

Clearly there was no trade market, as no team would be willing to pick up the five year $40 million contract he signed last year.

So far the Jets, Vikings, and Redskins were among teams rumored to be interested in the veteran wide out, but nobody really knows where he will end up.

2. Arizona Cardinals Will Release Matt Leinart

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Matt Leinart #7 of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sidelines during preseason NFL game against the Washington Redskins at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Car

The Matt Leinart era was expected to come to an end sometime this week. Moments ago, according to Adam Schefter, the Cardinals cut ties with their former first round pick.

Leinart lost his starting job in the preseason to Derek Anderson and no team was willing to give anything to Arizona on the trade market, knowing he was going to be released.

3. Cincinnati Bengals Cut Ties With Matt Jones

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Matt Jones #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs downfield after catching a pass in front of Jamar Wall #30 of the Dallas Cowboys during the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium

The Cincinnati Bengals took a chance on the Matt Jones experiment in March and have already decided to give up on it.

The former Jaguars receiver was released today by the Bengals, which according to the media, was expected to happen.

Cincinnati feels comfortable with the depth at wide receiver, prompting this move.

This may be the end of a disappointing career for Jones in the NFL.

4. Shayne Graham Loses Kicking Battle, Released By Ravens

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 29: Shayne Graham #17 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on November 29, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Shayne Graham was brought in during the early parts of the summer by the Baltimore Ravens hoping he could be the starting kicker this season.

He was in a competition against former Dallas Cowboy kicker Billy Cundiff.

The result? Graham loses the kicking battle and will be released by Baltimore today.

Having reported on the Ravens and keeping an eye on training camp, I expected Cundiff to win the job in the end.

However, I'm sure some are surprised that the former Pro-Bowl kicker is now jobless.

5. Willie Parker Expected to Be Released By Washington Redskins

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Runningback Willie Parker #39 of the Washington Redskins rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during preseason NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinal

During Redskins training camp it was expected that one of the three running backs (Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker) would be released.

According to Adam Schefter, Willie Parker is reportedly the odd man out.

Parker has seen a drop off in his skill set the past few years and now hopes to find a job within the next few weeks.

6. Denver Broncos Surprisingly Release Jarvis Green

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - AUGUST 21: Defensive end Jarvis Green #93 of the Denver Broncos reveals a recovered fumble against the Detroit Lions during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 21, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Lions defeated the Broncos

The Denver Broncos release of defensive end Jarvis Green might be the biggest surprise of the weekend thus far.

Green was expected to play a key role in the pass rush with the loss of Elvis Dumervil for the season.

I guess the disappointment in the former Patriot frustrated Josh McDaniels enough to release him.

7. Baltimore Ravens Trade Antwan Barnes To the Philadelphia Eagles

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 20: Antwan Barnes #50 of the Baltimore Ravens runs downfield against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on December 20, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bears 31-7. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The first trade of Saturday's roster deadline involved the Ravens and the Eagles.

Linebacker Antwan Barnes was dealt to Philadelphia for an undisclosed draft pick (believed to be a fourth rounder).

Baltimore had high hopes for Barnes, who was viewed as one of their better pass rushers. However, with a lot of linebackers on the depth chart, Barnes was clearly not in the Ravens future plans.

8. Miami Dolphins Release 2009 Pick Pat White

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 08: Pat White #6 of the Miami Dolphins avoids Brandon Meriweather #31 of the New England Patriots on November 8, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Pat White's once hopeful NFL career may be coming to an end.

The 2009 draft pick and former West Virginia quarterback was released by the Miami Dolphins today (he reportedly fell all the way to the fourth spot on the depth chart).

White may either be forced to change his position or improve his quarterback skills in the UFL or CFL before playing at the highest level.

9. Baltimore Ravens Cut Back Up Quarterback Troy Smith

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 2: Troy Smith #10 of the Baltimore Ravens hands the ball off against the St. Louis Rams during an NFL preseason game at the Edward Jones Dome on September 2, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The future of Troy Smith in Baltimore was questionable for quite some time.

From losing the starting job two years ago due to health concerns, to the constant trade requests, it appeared Smith was going to make the Ravens roster as a third quarterback.

However, after giving his last shot for the Ravens in the pre-season finale against St. Louis, Baltimore has finally cut ties with him.

A big reason for this is the signing/emergence of Marc Bulger as the number two quarterback.

10. Denver Broncos Trade Cornerback Alphonso Smith to The Detroit Lions

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DENVER - AUGUST 21: Cornerback Alphonso Smith #22 of the Denver Broncos signals to the bench against the Detroit Lions during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 21, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Lions defeated the Broncos 25-20.

The Alphonso experiment didn't last as long as hoped. After being traded for a first round pick a few years ago, Smith was shipped off to the Detroit Lions today for tight end Dan Gronkowski.

Smith could contribute to a Lions secondary that is near the bottom of the league.