NFL Roster Cuts: Most Surprising Names Let Go Heading into Regular Season

NFL teams were forced to make some tough roster decisions recently, with more than a few notable names shown the door. While roster cuts are part of the game, here are some of the most surprising ones of late.

WR Jabar Gaffney

The New England Patriots decided to part ways with wide receiver Jabar Gaffney for the second time in his career despite his success since leaving the team in 2008.

Gaffney was a Patriot from 2006-2008, but never produced over 500 yards with Tom Brady throwing him the football. After the player and team parted ways, however, Gaffney went to Denver and Washington, where he saw his receiving yard totals improve each season from 2009-2011.

In his two seasons with the Broncos, Gaffney had 1,598 receiving yards combined and 947 yards during his one year with the Redskins.

Deion Branch, who beat out Gaffney for the spot on the Pats roster, hasn't had a 900-yard receiving year since 2005.

QB Vince Young

Young isn't the former Pro Bowl and Madden cover boy-caliber player he was during his time with the Tennessee Titans anymore, but Buffalo choosing Tarvaris Jackson over him is staggering.

The Bills decided to release Young and trade for the former Seahawks starter, who posted his first season with more than nine passing touchdowns just last year. 

Over his six seasons in the NFL, Young has posted nine or more touchdowns in four seasons and had four with Philadelphia last year when filling in for starter Michael Vick.

Young looked far from fantastic with Philly in 2011 and with the Bills this preseason, but even Jackson's best years don't exactly make him look superior to Young.

WR Terrell Owens

The Seattle Seahawks decided they had seen one too many drops from Owens to warrant a final roster spot, with the controversial receiver announcing his release via his personal Twitter account:

"

I'm no longer a Seahawk. I THANK the organization 4 the opportunity, I'm truly blessed beyond belief. My FAITH is intact & will NOT waiver.

— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) August 26, 2012"

Owens has had a roller coaster time since he left the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010 and he hasn't gotten any younger since then, but that doesn't mean he can't still play.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll spoke highly of Owens to the Associated Press (via ESPN), saying he'd be surprised if T.O. did not find a roster spot with another NFL team.

While the whole stint in the IFL with the Allen Wranglers didn't exactly go as planned, Owens' last year with the Bengals was a season during which he put up 983 yards and nine touchdowns. Potential Seattle No. 2 receiver Golden Tate has posted just 609 receiving yards and three touchdowns over two NFL seasons.

Tate may be the younger of the two, but Owens is the more talented—even at his age. The future Hall of Fame receiver deserves one more stint in the league before calling it a career and it's unexpected to see Seattle not give him that opportunity.