NFL Cuts: Ranking the 10 Most Notable Releases

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The NFL offseason can be an emotional roller coaster for some players on the bubble. The thought of being an NFL vet waiting for a phone call or a word from the coach is enough to put me on the edge of my seat.

Anyone can be the victim of a cut.

There are always a few notable cuts, and although some of these may not have been so surprising, here are my choices for the top 10 most noteworthy cuts from this Saturday.

Sources: NFL.com

10. Tye Hill

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Four years removed from being a first-round selection by the St. Louis Rams, Tye Hill is now packing up his locker for his third NFL team in under two years' time.

He may have been a reach in the draft at the time, but Hill would be bust-worthy even if he was taken in the second or third round instead of the middle of the first.

The Tennessee Titans obviously don't like his lack of physicality against the run, but he also doesn't have good coverage skills.

One has to wonder where things went wrong for Hill.

Will another team take a chance on him?: No.

9. Jarvis Green

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The Denver Broncos have several questions surrounding their defense.

Not only has the league's sack leader, Elvis Dumervil, landed on injured reserve, but defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, to whom much of the defense's success last year was attributed, was shown the door.

Jarvis Green is a great veteran presence on the line in a 3-4 defense, and he learned the tools of the trade from some of the best in the business.

Will another team take a chance on him?: Yes.

8. Nathan Vasher

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Not only has Nathan Vasher failed to produce over the past few years, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy, either.

Once a great asset to a Bears defense that prided itself on stopping big plays, one has to wonder how much Vasher has left if the Chargers, who are thin at cornerback, were willing to cut him.

Will another team take a chance on him?: No.

7. Willie Parker

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Once a fearsome, explosive back, "Fast Willie" has watched his nickname dissipate before his very eyes.

When he lost a step last year, he began playing second fiddle to Rashard Mendenhall, and never looked the part of a big-time contributor this preseason.

It's clear that the Redskins are confident in Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson, so releasing Parker was a no-brainer, especially since it's not likely any other team will sign him.

Will another team take a chance on him?: No.

6. Michael Clayton

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It's surprising that the Bucs kept Clayton around as long as he did. He hasn't been highly productive since his rookie year, and hasn't even flashed the success he had that year since then. Injuries and poor play have swallowed his once-promising career whole. This is not a good sign for Clayton, as the Bucs clearly lack depth at receiver and need as much as they can get with sophomore quarterback Josh Freeman under center. Clayton's really that bad.

Will another team take a chance on him?: No.

5. Justin Hartwig

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Hartwig's cut is especially surprising because of his consistency. He was the starter at center for the Steelers' over the past two years, not missing a single start in the process.

Injury problems seemed to be a thing of the past for Hartwig, and his age (31) isn't all that high for someone at his position.

The Steelers must have supreme confidence in Maurkice Pouncey to produce right out of the gate for them.

Will another team take a chance on him?: Yes.

4. Matt Leinart

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Matt "Whine-art" was shown the door in Arizona after years of underachieving and not going through his progressions in a way that head coach Ken Whisenhunt approved of.

It's unclear whether Leinart can be a starting quarterback in this league, though he's had the vote of confidence from a majority of his teammates over the past few years.

Where he'll go from here is anyone's guess, but chances are where ever it is, he won't be starting.

Will another team take a chance on him?: Yes.

3. Derrick Burgess

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The major question mark for the Patriots this offseason has been their ability (or lack thereof) to create pressure on the quarterback.

Releasing Burgess certainly doesn't seem like the solution to that problem, but apparently Belichick had enough evidence on this guy to show him that he wasn't worth the time.

Burgess started to look good toward the end of the season last year, but failed to show signs of progress in his development into a 3-4 outside linebacker, the primary scheme which New England runs.

Will another team take a chance on him?: Yes.

2. Brandon McDonald

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It appeared to most that Brandon McDonald could still contribute in a very positive way to the Browns defense.

The team drafted Joe Haden, but in a pass-happy league, the presence of four solid cornerbacks was seen as a great tool to success.

The team is apparently heavily confident in the talents of Sheldon Brown, Eric Wright, and Haden in their rebuilding journey.

Will another team take a chance on him?: Yes.

1. TJ Houshmandzadeh

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The selection of second-rounder Golden Tate out of Notre Dame in conjunction with the rejuvenation of Mike Williams' career seems to be enough for the Seahawks to say goodbye to Houshmandzadeh.

He's more of a deep-ball receiver, not really the type of receiver that Pete Carroll likes in his dink-and-dunk offense.

His tremendous payroll makes this an odd decision, but only time will tell if it's the right one.

Will another team take a chance on him?: Yes.