NFL Free Agents 2011: Reviewing Most Surprising Cuts of the Early Going

The free agency market was expected by many to be a non-stop frenzy of deal after deal, and so far, it hasn't disappointing.

But along the way there have been some shocking cuts from NFL teams that not too many saw coming.

This morning I want to quickly go over some shocking cuts that have happened in the last 48 hours.

WR – Derrick Mason – WR

When the news was released that Mason was cut, it was a shocking piece indeed.

Even the fantasy football world felt the wave as explained here.

But the 37 year old possession receiver is currently without a job, and the likely hood of him going elsewhere isn’t so good, but not out of the question.

Mason himself said that if the team wants him to return at a lower salary then he will, but if other teams come knocking then he will certainly answer the door.

My guess is, his days as a Raven are over, since the Ravens have too many possession receivers as is.

QB – Matt Hasselbeck – Seahawks

The Seahawks have one of the bigger checkbooks to play around with in order to reach the minimum salary floor, and could’ve easily re-signed Matt Hasselbeck, but as shocking as it is, Hasselbeck will not return.

There is a host of teams that will throw their hat in the mix, but it is believed that the Titans—as I predicted—are the front runners.

The 49ers and the Vikings are also the other teams in the hunt,. but the Vikings have their own set of cap issues, and the 49ers are unlikely to close in after offering Alex Smith a one-year $5 million dollar deal.

LB – Stewart Bradley – Eagles

One of the biggest surprises thus far is news from Philadelphia regarding the Eagles letting LB Stewart Bradley walk.

The Eagles aren’t exactly stocked at the linebacker slot, and many felt—including most Eagles beat writers—that the Eagles were planning on not only keeping him, but also moving him to the outside where he played in college.

The only thing I can see here, is that the eagles could be ramping up for something big in regard to another undisclosed signing, buy letting Bradley, and a host of other players, out the door.

LB – Takeo Spikes – 49ers

I don’t know what is more shocking, the fact that the 49er didn’t even express much interest in re-signing Spikes—or so he says—or the fact that the guy who Spikes beat out for the starting job (Navorro Bowman) will likely start in Spike’s place.

It was assumed that it was a no-brainer for the 49ers to re-sign Spikes, but that’s out the window, and the Chargers now own him.

I hope the 49ers know what they’re doing, because right now it doesn’t appear so.

TE – Todd Heap – Ravens

If letting Todd Heap go isn’t shocking then I don’t know what is.

Todd Heap was one of the most dependable and versatile pass catching TEs in Ravens history, and with nobody to fill the void at that level, the move seems unreal.

It is reported, however, that the Ravens will try and re-sign Heap, but the possibility is getting further and further away, and teams in need of a pass-catching TE are simply licking their chops, like St. Louis.