Eleven Players Released In First Round of Cuts

With three preseason games out of the way and only one to go, it's the time of the year where players' hopes and dreams of playing in the NFL are shattered as they are released in order to narrow down the roster.  When training camp first began there were over 90 total players on the Lions roster; after the final preseason game, that number will be decreased to just 53.

The very first round of cuts happened today, in which some obvious choices and maybe a few surprises in some people's minds occurred.  The list of players that were let go was totaled to eleven, which means there is still a drastic cut coming very soon.  I'd expect a few players here and there to be released during this week, and then the annual enormous cut after the final preseason game.

Until that final cut happens, here's the list of players that didn't make it past the first:

• QB Joel Klatt
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• FB Will Matthews
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• WR Paris Hamilton
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• WR Brett Fischer
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• TE Jed Weaver
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• TE Kori Dickerson
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• DT Marcus Parker
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• CB Harrison Smith
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• S  Vernon Fox
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• K  Matt Prater
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• P  Adam Anderson

Out of that list a few names will jump out at you because of a lot of preseason playing time or simply because of other similar things.  The first name I personally noticed when looking at the list was kicker Matt Prater.  Most would've figured that Prater would be released as the Lions already have a veteran in Jason Hanson.  Although Hanson is growing older and his power is decreasing, his accuracy is still superb.  Prater showcased his leg in the first two preseason games by making all four of his attempted field goals.  I'm sure it won't be long until another team picks him up as he's a great talent, and I'm sad that there wasn't enough space to keep him on board with Detroit, but that's the way the NFL works.

Another name that jumps out on the list of released players is 2005 special teams MVP Vernon Fox. Fox is a 5-year veteran and made 20 tackles last season on special teams. Rod Marinelli said that it was a "brutal" decision to cut Fox, but it had to be done with a packed roster.

As of right now, the Lions have to say goodbye to one more player before the 4:00 p.m. ET deadline tomorrow (Tuesday) to meet the mandated 75-man roster. After that, a total of 22 more players will be released by 6:00 p.m. ET on September 2nd to cut down the roster to 53 players. Who exactly will those players be?  Find out later this week here at Pride of Detroit.  A full prediction of what the 53-man roster will look like, along with some analysis of the tough choices will be posted.  There's a few big-name players that are on the bubble and may actually get cut, so stay tuned for the latest info regarding roster changes.