NFL Cuts 2010: Matt Leinart and the Biggest Surprise Cuts

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The deadline for final cuts to NFL team rosters came on Sept. 4.

Just like most years, there were plenty of surprises regarding the newest additions to the free agent pool.

Upon examining the aftermath, there are Heisman winners, former Pro-Bowl selections, and Super Bowl champions among those let loose by NFL teams.

Here are 10 of the biggest surprise cuts from the NFL.

10. St. Louis Rams: Bobby Carpenter, LB

Carpenter was a former first-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys.

Along with A.J. Hawk, the pair, formed a potent linebacker tandem at Ohio State.

This past April, after not being able to solidify a starting position during his time in Dallas, Carpenter was traded to the St. Louis Rams for OT Alex Barron.

But St. Louis decided to let him go after only a few months with the organization.

Possible destination: Cowboys

9. Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Hartwig, OT

Not only did Hartwig lose his starting job, he also lost $2.08 million in salary after getting cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rookie first-round draft pick Maurkice Pouncey outplayed Hartwig during training camp and ultimately cost Hartwig his spot on the roster.

Hartwig was a part of the Super Bowl XLIII-winning Steelers team.

Possible destination: Giants

8. Buffalo Bills: James Hardy, WR

The Buffalo Bills invested a second-round draft pick on Hardy in the 2008 NFL draft.

At 6'5" and 220 pounds, they projected him to be a large end-zone target.

He played in 14 games during his rookie season, but an injury took him out of commission for nearly a year.

That year, he had 9 receptions for 87 yards and 2 TDs.

Hardy appeared in only two games last season.

At only 24 years old, he's likely to get another look with another NFL team.

Possible destination: Unknown

7. Carolina Panthers: Tank Tyler, DT

Tyler is a veteran defensive tackle who was acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs a year ago for a fifth-round draft pick.

However, he was outplayed during the preseason by undrafted rookie Andre Neblett, who is a younger and cheaper alternative.

He expected to begin camp as a starter in the Panthers defensive line.  However, without Tyler, the Panthers defense looked strong in the preseason.  Thus, he was cut.

Possible destination: Unknown

6. Baltimore Ravens: Troy Smith, QB

Smith is a former Heisman award winner who appears to have had his best years behind him.

As the starting quarterback at Ohio State, he led the Buckeyes to the 2007 National Championship Game against Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators.

But his entire NFL career has been spent with the Ravens and he has been the backup to Kyle Boller and Joe Flacco.

His ability to be a two-way threat could still appeal to plenty of other teams.

Possible destination: Unknown.

5. New England Patriots: Derrick Burgess, OLB

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He was acquired by the Patriots last season from the Oakland Raiders for a pair of draft picks, and was expected to bolster their defensive line.

With the Raiders, Burgess made the Pro Bowl teams twice.  But he failed to regain his All-Pro form with the Pats.

Burgess was a training camp no-show this year and only appeared after the first preseason game.

New England finally cut ties with the veteran despite a weakness in their pass-rush defense.

Possible destination: Unknown

4. Denver Broncos: Jarvis Green, DE

Only months after signing a 4-year, $20 million contract with the Denver Broncos, Green was cut loose without even playing a regular season game.

Green was guaranteed $2.5 million by the Broncos.

The Patriots could certainly use his services again.

Possible destination: Patriots

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mark Clayton, WR

Despite Clayton being guaranteed $3 million in salary this season, the Buccaneers still decided to cut him.

A year ago, Clayton signed a five-year, $26 million contract with the team.

His first year with the Bucs was unimpressive, with only 16 receptions, 230 yards and 1 touchdown.

Possible destination: Unknown

2. Seattle Seahawks: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR

It didn't take very long for the new Seattle management to decide that they wanted a change, even though Houshmandzadeh was their top receiver last year.

The Pete Carroll era has arrived in Seattle, and T.J.'s diva ways weren't a part of the long-term plan.

Despite being cut, he is guaranteed $7 million this season.

Possible destination: Vikings, Chargers, Bengals

1. Arizona Cardinals: Matt Leinart, QB

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The Cardinals had high hopes for Leinart after selecting the Heisman award winner with the 10th pick of the 2006 NFL draft pick.

But he never established himself as a solid starter for the team.

Leinart completed 340/595 passes for 3,893 yards, 14 TDs and 20 INTs during his time with the Cardinals.

Four years later, the Matt Leinart experiment is over.

New team: Texans