NFL Offseason: Peyton Manning and 7 Other Veterans Who Could Be Cut

The 2011 NFL season has only just ended, but already teams must prepare their rosters for the 2012 campaign.

Even during this seemingly quiet part of the calendar, there are roster bonuses to be handed out and paychecks to be given.

This provides some of the intrigue of the offseason: finding out who will be cut and where they may be headed.

Some guys are released simply because there is not enough roster space for them; others because their price tag has risen too high.

Whatever the case, an NFL offseason is never complete without its fair share of rumors and speculation.

Let's look at eight veterans who are poised to change jerseys in the coming months.

8. Michael Roos

Michael Roos has a contract worth over $7 million per season.

The Tennessee Titans cannot realistically afford to continue paying that kind of money to a player who is long removed from the All-Pro talent he once was.

At 30 years old, Roos is regressing both in pass protection and run blocking.

This not a player who has completely worn out his welcome as an NFL starter, but he is not worth his current price tag.

Look for an attempt at restructuring his contract this offseason or an outright cut.

7. Will Smith

The New Orleans Saints are headed into an offseason in which they have to try and re-sign Drew Brees, Marques Colston and Carl Nicks.

Cutting the ever increasing salary of defensive end Will Smith is a scenario that makes a lot of sense.

Smith is due over $10 million in 2012, and that number will only increase in the coming years.

Re-working his contract is an option, but the Saints have enough depth to get by without Smith if needed.

6. DeMeco Ryans

DeMeco Ryans has had great seasons as a Houston Texan.

In 2009 alone he recorded 123 tackles, but that number regressed to a meager 71 in 2011.

It appears the issue is that Ryans is not well suited to Houston's 3-4 defensive scheme, and with the Texans attempting to retain Mario Williams, Ryans' $7.2 million price tag may become an issue.

Cutting Ryans is by no means the likeliest scenario in Houston but it is one to consider, especially with other linebackers on the roster more adept at the 3-4 scheme.

5. Terence Newman

It has already been reported by The Fort Worth Star-Telegram that Terence Newman is on his way out of the Dallas Cowboys organization.

Moving Newman makes sense for the Cowboys. He is 33 years old and will count for $8 million against the salary cap next season.

There are a bevy of free agent cornerbacks for Dallas to look at, and removing Newman from the roster is the first step in that process.

4. Lee Evans

Lee Evans was brought in by the Baltimore Ravens to bolster a receiving core that desperately needed to provide weapons for the young Joe Flacco.

What they got was a 30-year-old wideout that was only able to catch four passes during the entirety of the regular season. Not to mention the fact that he dropped the touchdown pass that would have sent Baltimore to the Super Bowl.

Evans' likely one-and-done scenario is eerily reminiscent of T.J. Houshmandzadeh just one season ago. 

With Evans due a $1 million roster bonus in March and a $3.27 million salary in 2012, it simply does not make much sense for the Ravens to retain him.

3. Aaron Kampman

Aaron Kampman is an unfortunate victim of the injury bug, and it has prevented him from flourishing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jags knew it was risky to bring him in from the Green Bay Packers, and that risk has resulted in a player who has started just 11 games over the course of two seasons, tallying a mere four sacks.

Kampman is due $8 million in 2012, and I cannot see Jacksonville paying him that kind of money for another season.

2. Marcus McNeill

Marcus McNeill is aging, and injuries are beginning to wear down the two-time Pro Bowler.

His 2011 season ended due to a neck injury, and it seems unlikely that the San Diego Chargers will bring him back for a 2012 season in which he is due $10.5 million.

This leaves the Chargers with a gaping hole at left tackle, especially since McNeill's replacement, Jared Gaither, is a free agent this offseason.

Re-signing Gaither is an option, but bringing back 28-year-old McNeill likely is not.

1. Peyton Manning

The situation between Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts has been well-publicized and documented. He is likely not headed back to Indy in 2012.

It has been an odd set of circumstances to be sure, but it makes sense for the Colts to utilize their No. 1 overall pick and take Andrew Luck in an attempt to begin the next era for the team.

Manning is due around $17 million against Indy's cap in 2012, and they cannot afford to pay two quarterbacks top dollar.

Manning is on his way out the door, and there will be no shortage of teams interested in the future Hall of Famer's services.