NFL Roster Cuts: Highlighting the Most Shocking Releases This Preseason

Monday officially culminated the first round of training camp cut season in the NFL as teams had until 4 p.m. EDT to trim rosters down from 90 players to 75.

For most teams, the early cut process is all about getting desirable guys on the practice squad or simply saving money. If a player clears waivers, he is then eligible for the team's practice squad or to be re-signed outright without any guarantees.

And though most of the names cut so far are guys you never heard of in the first place and probably will never see again, some of the names are shocking considering teams only had to get down to 75 roster spots.

With that in mind, here's a look at the most shocking releases so far during the 2012 NFL preseason.

Jordan Shipley (WR, Cincinnati Bengals)

In one of the most shocking early cuts of the preseason, the Bengals let go of the former Longhorn on Aug. 17, a full 10 days before the NFL's mandated deadline.

The move was not only surprising due to its timing, but also because Shipley has undeniable top-three receiver talent.

After settling in wonderfully in his rookie season in Cincinnati in 2010, catching 52 balls for 600 yards as the team's No. 3 receiver, a knee injury cut Shipley's second season short after two games.

It seems only logical that the Bengals were not satisfied enough with his progress and chose to move forward without their former third-round pick rather than play the situation out.

But according to Shipley, who was claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on waivers, he's ready to head into 2012 at full strength.

Via ESPN:

"

It's one of those deals where I spend extra time warming it up and I will be icing it afterwards. It feels good, ready to go. I am honestly not sure what (the Bengals') thought process was. I'm just glad to be in Tampa. I think this is a team where there is a lot of discipline going on, and this team is going to get better and better.

"

If the 26-year-old receiver really is ready for the season, the Bengals may have made a critical error in judgment.

Jabar Gaffney (WR, New England Patriots)

The Patriots seemingly make a cut that shocks the football world every preseason and this year was no different as team let go of Jabar Gaffney on Monday.

Gaffney caught 68 passes for 947 yards and five touchdowns last season with the Washington Redskins and was in his second stint with the Patriots after playing for the franchise from 2006 to 2008.

The 31-year-old's release is shocking for a myriad of reasons, but most of all because he's quietly one of the most effective receivers in football. As Randall Liu, the league's director of communications for the NFC, reported, Gaffney is one of just 12 receivers in the NFL to go over 65 catches and 875 yards in each of the past two seasons.

That level of consistency isn't usually found on the preseason waiver wire and the veteran receiver should have little trouble finding work.

In fact, Sports Illustrated's Peter King had a memo for Jeff Ireland, the general manager of Patriots rival and receiver-needy Miami Dolphins.

"

Memo to Jeff Ireland: Go get Jabar Gaffney. Don't tarry.

— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) August 27, 2012"

Deuce Lutui (OG, Seattle Seahawks)

Though Lutui had lost his position battle to seventh-round pick J.R. Sweezy in training camp, his release is questionable simply because of the dearth of offensive line talent in the NFL.

The seven-year veteran is by no means a top-tier guard, but he's just 29 years old and an above-average run blocker who could've been more than a serviceable backup for when a player went down with injury or was ineffective.

Considering Pete Carroll's penchant for rehabilitating his former Trojans in Seattle, the former USC coach must have been especially down on his former star's performance.

Regardless, Lutui will get work and may even start for a new team. Offensive line troubles seemingly plague more than half of the league and Lutui is still talented enough to plug a hole somewhere.