The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • C8

C8 Sports The Boston Globe SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012 PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK Fletcher's mind at work while body rests period of three exhibitions in 10 days. "There are some things that we need to do that are Patriot things that don't relate to any specific opponent that we play," said coach Bill Belichick. "Just things that we need to work on that we haven't been able to do so far in training camp, and then there are other things that we need to work on relative to the early part of our season." The Titans, who won their final three exhibition outings this summer, have been far from a towering opponent for New England, which has won the last four meetings and 10 of 13. The Patriots hung a 59-0 wipeout on Tennessee in the snow in their last encounter in October 2009, with Tom Brady tossing an NFL-record five touchdown passes in the second quarter. John Powers can be reached For an unsettled day between when the club put him on waivers and then moved him to injured reserve, Fletcher was worried that he wouldn't be here any longer, even though he figured that no other club wanted a man with a freshly sundered knee ligament.

"I understand why the Patriots did it, but yeah, after you tear your ACL, be on waivers for 24 hours, I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't nervous for 24 hours just for the fact that you might have to pick up and move," he said. "And that would be a tough transition in that kind of situation." Since he'll be on salary on IR, Fletcher will be able to resume his tutorial while he rehabs. "I look at this in a positive light," he said. "I just say this is my year to harness in and study the game, and learn from head to toe what I can in one season." By John Powers GLOBE STAFF FOXBOROUGH What's the benefit of having your season end in the first quarter of the opening exhibition game? "At least it happened early in the year so I have a full year to recover and be back for next year," linebacker Dane Fletcher said Friday morning in his first locker-room interview since he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament against the Saints Aug. 9.

"That's the way I look at it." Fletcher, who is scheduled for surgery next week, still has been coming to meetings to absorb as much pigskin knowledge as he can. "You learn so much around here," said the third-year veteran out of Montana State. "Until I got here I thought I knew football. And then I got here and I didn't know anything about football." Defensive end Rob Ninkovich, who was cut multiple times by the Saints and Dolphins before finding his star-spangled home, can empathize with his 22 teammates who were released Friday or placed on injured reserve. "I've been there a few times," said the seventh-year veteran, who was on the golf course when the Patriots called him during the summer of 2009.

"I've been cut. You just tell those guys, just keep working hard. It's all about opportunity." Ninkovich, who started every game last season, had nothing to worry about when the roster was chopped from 75 to the 53-man limit, but he acknowledged the anxiety in the dressing room as his colleagues awaited the deletions that ended up claiming former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch, former Pro Bowler Dan Koppen, sixth-year safety James Ihedigbo, and back up quarterback Brian Hoyer, among others. "When you've got to cut down the team, it's definitely not a good day," Ninkovich said. "A lot of your buddies are going to be leaving, so obviously it's difficult." Chandler Jones, who already had a job sewn up at defensive end, had been encouraging his fellow rookies who might have been fearing the ax.

"No matter what happens there will always be a place for you somewhere else, so just don't give up on your dreams," he assured them. "That's the biggest thing, never giving up." Time well spent With five more practices scheduled before the Patriots fly to Nashville on Saturday, the trimmed-down team will be able to deal with a few items it didn't have time to focus on during a NFL NOTEBOOK Negotiations reopen between league, refs Branch, Koppen, Hoyer waived BILL KOSTROUNASSOCIATED PRESS Quarterback Brian Hoyer won't be backing up Tom Brady; he was one of 22 players cut by the Patriots Friday. "we feel like the quarterback that gives us the best chance to win right now is John Skelton." Skelton's brother Steve, a tight end, was among Arizona's cuts One day after a throwing a touchdown pass in the Browns' final exhibition game, Seneca Wallace was waived, shedding Cleveland of his $2.4 million contract. Wallace, 31, was acquired in a 201 1 trade from Seattle. The Browns named Thad Lewis the No.

3 quarterback behind rookie starter Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy Trent Edwards, who sat out the 201 1 season, made the Eagles as the third-string quarterback behind Michael Vick and rookie Nick Foles. That left Mike Kafka out of the mix Other quarterbacks looking for new teams include Josh McCown (cut by the Bears), Case Keenum (Texans), Curtis Painter (Ravens), Josh Johnson (49ers), and Sage Rosenfels (Vikings). Hightower hits road The Redskins cut Tim High-tower in the latest twist in coach Mike Shanahan's 2 -year search for a consistent starter at running back. Hightower, who was returning from knee surgery, appeared in only one preseason game Trai Essex, who started 27 of 76 games on the Steelers' offensive line over seven seasons, was among Pittsburgh's cuts. Backup quarterback Charlie Batch wasn't, assuring him of a 15th NFL season.

Pittsburgh also placed linebacker Sean Spence on injured reserve after the third-round pick tore ligaments in his left knee in a preseason game The Giants released two members of their Super Bowl-champion team, running back D.J. Ware and linebacker Greg Jones Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hart-line rejoined workouts after missing all four exhibition games because of a left calf injury. His return coincided with three wideouts getting cut: Ro berto Wallace, B.J. Cunningham, and Clyde Gates. Also released by Miami was former Patriots linebacker Gary Guy-ton Veteran cornerback Drayton Florence was let go by the Broncos, who kept Caleb Hanie as a third quarterback as insurance for Peyton Manning The Colts released their longest-tenured player, long snapper Justin Snow, who had played in 192 consecutive games The Chargers moved on from defensive end Jacques Cesaire, who spent nine seasons with San Diego.

Big fine for rookie Vikings rookie safety Harrison Smith was fined $21,000 by the NFL for a hit on Chargers receiver Mike Willie on Aug. 24. The hefty fine sends a stern message to the first-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, who has already established a reputation as a hard-nosed, big hitter Redskins safety Tanard Jackson was suspended indefinitely without pay by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy. It is Jackson's third drug-related suspension, and he will be eligible for reinstatement in exactly one year. Fan dies from fall A 25-year-old fan died after tumbling about 60 feet from a fifth-floor escalator at Reliant Stadium in Houston during an exhibition game between the Vikings and Texans Thursday night.

Jonathon Kelly of Houston fell to the ground floor and witnesses called police to report where his body had landed, police spokesman John Cannon said. The fall appeared to be an accident. Two medical teams working at the stadium treated Kelly at the scene before he was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he died, said Mark Miller, general manager of SMG-Reliant Park. Staffers monitor fan safety at each escalator landing, Miller said. ASSOCIATED PRESS The NFL and its on-field officials' union began negotiating again Friday, hoping to end the lockout that resulted in replacement officials working the preseason.

The league locked out the NFL Referees Association in early June, then hired replacements, whose work in exhibition games has been heavily criticized. There even was some optimism surrounding Friday's talks, as Michael Arnold, lead negotiator for the officials, said in a statement: "Reports on the economic gap between the NFL and NFLRA are inaccurate." League spokesman Greg Aiello said that statement was accurate. Earlier this week, NFL executive Ray Anderson said the regular season would open with replacement officials and that the league was prepared to use them "as much as necessary" afterward. But the NFL has seen and heard the problems the replacements have had this summer, something that tests the integrity of the sport. Anderson told the clubs in a memo Wednesday that the replacements will work "as much of the regular season as necessary," adding that training with each crew will continue.

With talks reopening for the first time in more than a month, the regular officials could be back to work before the Cowboys visit the Giants on Wednesday night to open the schedule. Arnold said, "Ongoing negotiations with the NFL will be conducted in a confidential and professional manner." Skelton's the pick The Cardinals are going with John Skelton as their starting quarterback. Coach Ken Whisenhunt explained his decision to go with the third-year player over big-money investment Kevin Kolb, saying, PATRIOTS Continued from Page CI lier in the week that Branch had a chance to stick, but for now at least that isn't the case. The Patriots now have just four wide receivers on the roster Brandon Lloyd, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and Matthew Slater and Slater is almost strictly a special teams player. Coach Bill Belichick indicated on Thursday that the players on the roster Friday night might not be the same ones come the Sept.

9 opener against Tennessee, which is really nothing new. Last year, for example, the Patriots signed guard Brian Waters and claimed long snapper Danny Aiken off waivers eight days before the opener. New England was looking for a fullback on Friday, and two better ones were released: Ovie Mughelli and Jacob Hester. Mughelli was with the Rams in camp, but has spent the last five seasons with the Falcons; a 2010 Pro Bowler, he missed nine games last season because of a knee injury. Hester was a third-round pick of the Chargers in 2008.

It would not be unexpected to see either end up with the Patriots. They also are likely in the market for another receiver. The release of Hoyer, who is beginning his fourth season, was something of a surprise, primarily because it means that second-year Ryan Mallett is the safety net in case something happens to Brady. Hoyer was a restricted free agent, and the Patriots had tendered him at the second-round level, meaning he was due to make a guaranteed $1,927 million. New England was pleased with his development, particularly his footwork, and Hoyer remained an accurate passer.

shoulder injury that required surgery after the season. Ihedigbo did miss some time in camp, which could have hurt his chances; also, rookie Tavon Wilson proved to be a versatile addition to the secondary. Linebackers Niko Koutou-vides, who played in eight games, and Jeff Tarpinian, who made the roster as an undraft-ed rookie and played in seven games last season, were cut. Also released: DBs Derrick Martin and Malcolm Williams, DE Aaron Lavarias, OL Matt Kopa, FB Eric Kettani, TE Alex Silvestro, WRs Jesse Holley and Kerry Taylor, and DL Marcus Harrison; as well as rookies Jeremy Ebert, a seventh-round draft pick; Darrion Weems, Derek Dennis, Dustin Wal-dron, and Jeremiah Warren, all offensive linemen; and TE Tyler Urban. Shalise Manza Young can be reached at syoungglobe.com.

Follow her on Twitter Though he was not impressive in his preseason appearances, Mallett has shown growth since his rookie year, and apparently showed enough to make the Patriots comfortable with the move to jettison Hoyer. As for Koppen, he was another player who seemed to be in the clear once he made it through Monday's round of cuts, though he has been on the bubble since camp began. It is believed that Ryan Wendell had outplayed him. The release of Branch and Koppen means there are just two players on the Patriots' roster who won Super Bowl rings with the team: Brady and Vince Wilfork. Currently, New England has just 22 players on offense and 27 on defense, plus its three specialists.

Other veteran players released included safety James Ihedigbo, who played in all 19 games last season (including playoffs), starting 15, despite a NFL transactions WR Brett Swain, Michael Thomas, OT Kenny Wiggins and LB Michael Wilhoite. Seattle (NFC): Waived DB Phillip Adams, DE Pierre Allen, LB Allen Bradford, WR Deon Butler, WR Kris Durham, Paul Fanaika, Rishaw Johnson, WR Jermaine Kearse, LB Kyle Knox, DE Cordarro Law, WR Ricardo Lockette, TE Sean McGrath, Kris O'Dowd, QB Josh Portis, DB DeShawn Shead, LB Korey Toomer and WR Lavasier Tuinei. Waivedinjured TE Cooper Helfet and RB Vai Taua. Waivedinjury settlement DL Lazarius Lev-ingston. Placed LB Matt McCoy on injured reserve.

Placed DB Walter Thurmond on the reservephysically unable to perform list. Placed Allen Barbre on the reservesuspended list. Tampa Bay (NFC): Waived DT Frank Okam, DT Amobi Okoye (injury settlement), Larry Asante, Sean Baker, WR Landon Cox, LB Rennie Curran, LB Jacob Cutrera, TE Drake Dunsmore, Kai Forbath, Jermarcus Hardrick, RB Robert Hughes, FB Cody Johnson, RB Mossis Madu, DT Jordan Nix, Moe Petrus, TE Zack Pianalto, QB Brett Ratliff, CB James Rogers, WR Jordan Shipley, WR Tiquan Underwood, DT Teryl White, DL EJ. Wilson and Desmond Wynn (waivedinjured). Tennessee (AFC): Waived WR Devin Agui-lar, TE Brandon Barden, DT Zach Clayton, Kyle DeVan, DT Lamar Divens, Aaron Francisco, TE Cameron Graham, CB Chris Hawkins, Michael Jasper, WR James Kirkendoll, FB Collin Mooney, Chris Morris, WR Michael Preston, DE Malcolm Sheppard, Tracy Wilson and WR DJ Woods.

Placed DE Dave Ball, DE Leger Douzable, Ryan Durand, LB Kevin Malast and CB Terrence Wheatley on injured reserve. Washington (NFC): Released CB David Jones, LB Bryan Kehl, DL Darrion Scott, WR Anthony Armstrong, WR Terrence Austin, DB Travon Bellamy, OT Tom Compton, Erik Cook, QB Jonathan Crompton, RB Tristan Davis, NT Marlon Favorite, Grant Garner, LB Donnell Holt, NT Delvin Johnson, TE Richard Quinn, OT Willie Smith, CB Brandyn Thompson, LB Markus White and DE Doug Wor-thington, Waivedinjured FB Dorson Boyce and LB Brian McNally. Placed DE Kentwan Balmer on the reserveleft squad list Placed Tanard Jackson on the reservesuspended list. Arizona (NFC): Released CB Crezdon Butler, LB Antonio Coleman, Blake Gideon, LB Clark Haggans, Russ Hochstein, DT Ricky Lumpkin, LB Colin Parker, CB Larry Parker, WR Demarco Sampson, TE Steve Skelton, RB Alfonso Smith, LB Quan Sturdivant, DE Ronald Talley, DE Everrette Thompson, TE Mar-tell Webb, Scott Wedige, WR Isaiah Williams and OT DJ. Young.

Waivedinjured LB Brandon Williams and WR Stephen Williams. Placed QB Richard Bartel and RB Javarris James on injured reserve. Atlanta (NFC): Reached injury settlements with TE Lamark Brown and Andrew Jackson. Waived LB Spencer Adkins, LB Rico Council, WR Drew Davis, CB Dominique Franks, OT Bryce Harris, LB Jerrell Harris, Tyler Horn, WR Marcus Jackson, CB Marty Markett, RB Dimitri Nance, DT Conrad Obi, DT Micanor Regis, WR James Rodgers, LB Pat Schiller, CB Peyton Thompson and Suaesi Tuimaunei. Waivedinjured WR Kerry Meier.

Placed Shann Schillinger on injured reserve. Released FB Mike Cox and LS Joe Zelenka. Baltimore (AFC): Waived RB Anthony Allen, Omar Brown, LB Josh Bynes, LB Nigel Carr, G-T Jack Cornell, WR Dorian Graham, G-TCord Howard, NT Nicholas Jean-Baptiste, NT Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, Antoine McClain, DE Terrence Moore, QB Curtis Painter, WR Logan Payne, Cyhl Quarles, LB Chavis Williams and Tony Wragge. Placed TE Matt Balasavage, RB Damien Berry, G-C Justin Bo-ren, LB Ricky Brown, TE Bruce Figgins and WR Tommy Streeter on injured reserve. Buffalo (AFC): Released WR Kamar Aiken, OL Mark Asper, TE Kevin Brock, RB Zach Brown, LB Tank Carder, OL James Carmon, WR Marcus Easley, DE Robert Eddins, DT Dwan Edwards, DT Jarron Gilbert, DB Isaiah Green, WR Derek Hagan, DT Kellen Heard, WR Ruvell Martin, LB Scott McKillop, Shawn Powell, WR Naaman Roosevelt, DB Nick Saenz, OL David Snow, RB Johnny White and OL Keith Williams.

Placed OL Zebrie Sanders on injured reserve. Carolina (NFC): Acquired Colin Jones from San Francisco for a future undisclosed draft pick. Waived WR Seyi Ajirotutu, CB Darius Butler, LB David Nixon, DT Ogemdi Nwag-buo, RB Tauren Poole, CB RJ. Stanford, DL Ryan Van Bergen, LB Kion Wilson. Waivedinjured WR Jared Green and OT Matt Reynolds.

Chicago (NFC): Waived RB Armando Allen, WR Joe Anderson, OT Cory Brandon, OT Cornelius Brown, OT James Brown, WR Terriun Crump, CB Isaiah Frey, WR Brittan Golden, OT A.J. Greene, Ricky Henry, Mark LeGree, CB-KR Greg McCoy, DT Jordan Miller, TE Brandon Venson, DE Aston Whiteside and LB Jabara Williams. Terminated the contracts of LB Xavier Adibi, DE Chauncey Davis, WR Rashied Davis, QB Josh McCown and DB Jonathan Wilhite. Placed DT Nate Collins on the reservesuspended list. Cincinnati (AFC): Waived CB TJ.

Heath, RB Dan Herron, Otis Hudson, LB Grant Hunter, DE Micah Johnson, LB Emmanuel Lamur, CB Chris Lewis-Harris, DT Vaughn Meatoga, LB Roddrick Muckelroy, Matthew O'Donnell, QB Zac Robinson, FB Jourdan Brooks, TE Colin Cochart, LS Bryce Davis, FB James Develin, DE DeQuin Evans, WR Vidal Hazelton and Reggie Stephens. Waivedinjured DT Nick Hayden. Placed DT Pat Sims on the reserve physically unable to perform list. Moved LB Dontay Moch to the reservesuspended by commissioner list. Placed Tony Dye on injured reserve.

Cleveland (AFC): Waived OL Dominic Al-ford, DL Ronnie Cameron, WR Josh Cooper, OL Stanley Daniels, DB James Dockery, OL Garth Gerhart, DL William Green, TE Dan Gronkowski, LB Benjamin Jacobs, DL Ernest Owusu, DL Brian Schaefering, OL Jarrod Shaw OL Jeff Shugarts, FB Brad Smelley, LB Quinton Spears, RB Adonis Thomas, DL Ki-ante Tripp, WR Rod Windsor, TE Evan Moore and QB Seneca Wallace. Traded David Sims to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a conditional 2013 draft choice. Dallas (NFC): Waived OL Jeff Adams, LB Baraka Atkins, DT Ben Bass, WR Tim Benford, NT Robert Callaway, QB Rudy Carpenter, WR Danny Coale, RB Lance Dunbar, FB Shaun Shapas, DT Clifton Geathers, OL Harland Gunn, WR Saalim Hakim, LB Adrian Hamilton, OL Ronald Leary, LB Orie Lemon, OL Pat Mc-Quistan, RB Jamize Olawale, CB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB Lionel Smith, TE Andrew Szczerba, CB Teddy Williams and Eddie Whitley. Waivedinjured OL Daniel Loper. Denver (AFC): Placed DE Jeremy Beal on injured reserve.

Released CB Drayton Flor ence, Rafael Bush, OT Ryan Harris, RB Jeremiah Johnson, LB Mike Mohamed, LB Jerry Franklin, TE Cornelius Ingram, DE Jamie Blat-nick, Adam Grant, DT Ben Garland, CB Syd'Quan Thompson and QB Adam Weber. Placed LB DJ. Williams and TE Virgil Green on the reservesuspended list. Detroit (NFC): Released Rodney Austin, Pat Boyle, DE Everette Brown, DE Ugo Chi-nasa, Ryan Donahue, WR Patrick Edwards, DT Andre Fluellen, Dan Gerberry, TE Alex Gottlieb, WR Nate Hughes, Reshard Lang-ford, WR Lance Long, DE Edmon McClam, LB Carmen Messina, WR Wallace Miles, CB Justin Miller, DT Tracy Robertson, CB Alphonso Smith, WR Maurice Stovall, CB Ross Weaver and TE Austin Wells. Green Bay (NFC): Released OT Shea Allard, WR Diondre Borel, TE Brandon Bostick, QB BJ.

Coleman, FB Nic Cooper, OT Andrew Dat-ko, C-G Tommie Draheim, C-G Sampson Genus, WR Curenski Gilleylen, WR Tori Gurley, DE Lawrence Guy, Anthony Levine, CB Otis Merrill, WR Dale Moss, DT Daniel Muir, RB Marc Tyler, Greg Van Roten and G-T Reggie Wells. Placed OT Derek Sherrod on the reservephysically unable to perform list. Placed LB Vic So'oto on injured reserve. Houston (AFC): Traded CB Sherrick Mc-Manis to Chicago for FB Tyler Clutts. Released QB Case Keenum, FB Moran Norris, WR Juaquin Iglesias, RB Jonathan Grimes, Eddie Pleasant, TE Logan Brock, DE Keith Browner, LB DJ.

Bryant, NT Hebron Fangupo, DE David Hunter, LB Delano Johnson, DE Mitch King, LB Shawn Loiseau, WR Jeff Mae-hl, OT Nathan Menkin, LB Rennie Moore, TE Phillip Supernaw, Cody Wallace and Cody White. Indianpolis (AFC): Waived WR Kashif Moore, WR Jeremy Ross, RB Darren Evans, TE Andre Smith, TE Kyle Miller, OL Steven Baker, OL Hayworth Hicks, OL MikeTepper, OLZane Taylor, DL Chigbo Anunoby, DL Jason Shirley, LB Greg Lloyd, LB Jerry Brown, Latarrius Thomas and LS Justin Snow. Waivedinjured RB Deji Karim, DE James Aiono, LB Tim Fug-ger, DB Brandon King and DB Mike Newton. Placed WR Jabin Sambrano and CB Korey Lindsey on injured reserve. Released OT George Foster from injured reserve.

Jacksonville (AFC): Placed Will Rackley, Jason Spitz and John Estes on injured re serve. Waived Courtney Greene, DT Corvey Irvin, DB Rod Issac, CB Trumaine McBride, RB Richard Murphy, QB Jordan Palmer, OT William Robinson, CB Leigh Torrence, WR Demetrius Williams, Daniel Baldridge, TE Colin Cloherty, DE Odrick Ray, FB Will Ta'ufo'ou, DE Kendrick Adams, OT Lee Barbi-asz, WR Mike Brown, DE Ryan Davis, CB Antonio Dennard, DJ. Hall, LB Joshua Jones and LBJ.K. Schaffer. Kansas City (AFC): Released DT Amon Gordon, LB Leon Williams, FB Patrick DiMarco, OL Darryl Harris, OL David Mims, DL Brandon Bair, DB Neiko Thorpe, DB Terrance Parks, DB Chandler Fenner, DB Mikail Baker, OL Darryl Harris, OL Lucas Patterson, OL Rob Brugge-man, OL Rich Ranglin, DL Jerome Long, LB Gabe Miller, WR Jamar Newsome, WR Josh Bellamy, WR Junior Hemingway and Donald Washington.

Placed DB De'Quan Menzie and QB AlexTanney on injured reserve. Placed LB Tamba Hali on the reservesuspended list. Miami (AFC): Traded OL Ryan Cook to Dallas Cowboys for a 2013 late-round draft pick. Waived WR Roberto Wallace, WR BJ. Cunningham, WR Clyde Gates, WR Chris Hogan, WR Jeff Fuller, DE Jamaal Westerman, OT Ly-don Murtha, OT Ray Feinga, OT Will Barker, OL Andrew McDonald, OL Chandler Burden, CB Vincent Agnew, DB Anderson Russell, CB Quinten Lawrence, LB Cameron Collins, LB Shelly Lyons, DT Isaako Aaitui and DT Ryan Baker.

Waivedinjured DEJarrell Root and DB Kevyn Scott. Terminated the contract of LB Gary Guyton. Minnesota (NFC): Placed OT DeMarcus Love on injured reserve. Terminated the contracts of CB Chris Carr, DE Jeff Charleston, Eric Frampton and QB Sage Rosenfels. Waived WR Emmanuel Arceneaux, DT Chase Baker, Chris DeGeare, FB Ryan D'lmperio, CB Bobby Felder, DT Trevor Guyton, RB Lex Hilliard Trevor Holmes, CB Reggie Jones, OT Kevin Murphy, LB Corey Paredes, Austin Pasztor, DE Nick Reed, Quentin Sauls-berry, TE Mickey Shuler and RB Jordan Tod-man.

New England (AFC): Released WR Deion Branch, Sergio Brown, DL Marcus Harrison, WR Jesse Holley, QB Brian Hoyer, James Ihedigbo, OL Matt Kopa, Dan Koppen, LB Niko Koutouvides, Derrick Martin, LB Jeff Tarpinian, Malcolm Williams, FB Eric Ket tani, DL Aaron Lavarias, TE Alex Silvestro, WR Kerry Taylor, WR Jeremy Ebert, OL Derek Dennis, TE Tyler Urban, OL Dustin Waldron, OL Jeremiah Warren and OL Darrion Weems. Placed RB Jeff Demps on injured reserve. New Orleans (NFC): Terminated the contracts of WR Greg Camarillo, John Kasay and TE Derek Schouman. Waived LB Kadar-ron Anderson, DE Braylon Broughton, LB Ezra Butler, QB Sean Canfield, DE Alex Daniels, TE Michael Higgins, CB Nick Hixson, Jerico Nelson, DeOnt'ae Pannell, Aderious Simmons, WR Andy Tanner, C-G Matt Tennant and LB Lawrence Wilson. Placed RB Joe Ban-yard, Jose Gumbs, CB Marquis Johnson and WR Nick Toon on injured reserve.

Placed LB Ramon Humber and DE Will Smith on the reservesuspended list. NY Giants (NFC): Waived WR Greg Jones, WR David Douglas, WR Dan DePalma, DE Craig Marshall, DE Matt Broha, DT Dwayne Hendricks, LB Jake Larry Donnell, OL Matt McCants, OL Selvish Capers, OL Stephen Goodin, QB Ryan Perrilloux and DB La-ron Scott. Terminated the contracts of RB DJ. Ware, CB Dante Hughes, DT Marcus Thomas, WR Isaiah Stanback and OL Chris White. Waivedinjured CB Bruce Johnson.

Placed CB Terrell Thomas and DT Shaun Rogers on injured reserve. Placed Tyler Sash on the reservesuspended list. NY Jets (AFC): Waived WR Joseph Collins, LB Marcus Dowtin, OT Robert Griffin, Fredrick Koloto, Matt Kroul, Spencer Lan-ning, DB LeQuan Lewis, TE Tarren Lloyd, D'Anton Lynn, DB Julian Posey, DE Jay Richardson, WR Eron Riley, LB Brett Roy, QB Matt Simms, DB Donnie Fletcher, LB Ricky Sapp, WR Royce Pollard, WR Jordan White OT Paul Cornick, TE Hayden Smith, RB Terrance Gan-away and NT Martin Tevaseu. Oakland (AFC): Placed LB Aaron Curry on the physically unable to perform list Waived KR Roscoe Parrish, LB Nathan Stupar, LB Kaelin Burnett, LB Chad Kilgore, WR Derek Carrier, WR Brandon Carswell, WR Eddie Mc-Gee, WR Travionte Session, OL Kevin Haslam, OL Nick Howell, OL Dan Knapp, OL Colin Miller, DL Hall Davis, DL Dominique Hamilton, TE Kyle Efaw, RB Lonyae Miller, Curtis Taylor and Eddy Carmona. Placed TE Tory Humphrey, Marquette King and Brandon Underwood on the reserve-injured list.

Philadelphia (NFC): Acquired DB David Sims from Cleveland for a conditional draft piuk. Released DB Joselio Hanson, DB OJ. Atogwe WR Chad Hall, WR Mardy Gilyard, WR Marvin McNutt, LB Keenan Clayton, TE Brett Brackett, TE Chase Ford, Mat McBriar, DT Antonio Dixon, DT Ollie Ogbu, DT Frank Trotter, DT Landon Cohen, FB Emil Igwenagu, OT DJ. Jones, LB Adrian Moten, LB Ryan Rau, DE Monte Taylor, Phillip Thomas, OL Steve Vallos, QB Mike Kafka and OL Brandon Washington. Pittsburgh (AFC): Released OL Trai Essex, Jeremy Kapinos, QB Jerrod Johnson, DB Damon Cromartie-Smith, DB Terrence Frederick, DB Josh Victorian, LB Brandon Hicks, LB Marshall McFadden, DL Corbin Bryant, DL Ig-binosun Ikponmwosa, DL Jake Stoller, RB Du-Juan Harris, WR Tyler Beiler, WR Toney demons, WR David Gilreath, WR Marquis Maze, WR Derrick Williams, OL linemen Ryan Lee, OL John Malecki and OL Chris Scott.

Placed LB Sean Spence on injured reserve. St Louis (NFC): Released DT Cornell Banks, Tim Barnes, QB Tom Brandstater, DE Mason Brodine, LB Aaron Brown, LB Sammy Brown, CB Kendric Burney, QB Kellen Clemens, DE Vernon Gholston, FB Ben Cory Harkey, OL T. Bob Hebert, DE Jamaar Jarrett, WR Nick Johnson, Joe Long, Bryan Mattison, FB Ovie Mughelli, TE Deangelo Peterson, RB Chase Reynolds, DE Scott Smith, OL Jose Valdez. Placed WR Austin Pettis on the reservesuspended list. San Diego (AFC): terminated the contracts of DE Jacques Cesaire, OT Anthony Davis, OT Mario Henderson, RB Jacob Hester and Nick Novak.

Waived RB Edwin Baker, Colin Baxter, LB Bront Bird, DT Charlie Bryant, LB Ricky Elmore, LB Daryl Gamble, DB Gregory Gatson, DE Logan Harrell, DE Arthur Hobbs, QB Jarrett Lee, Robert Malone, DB DeAndre Presley, DE DamikScafe, Stephen Schilling, TE Kory Sperry and WR Mike Willie. Placed Sean Cattouse on injured reserve. San Francisco (NFC): Released LB Ikaika Alama-Francis, LB Eric Bakhtiari, RB Rock Cartwright, OT Derek Hall, LB Joe Holland, DT Tony Jerod-Eddie, LB Cam Johnson, QB Josh Johnson, DT Matthew Masifilo, CB Anthony Mosley, TE Kyle Nelson, OT Al Netter, WR Chris Owusu, WR Nathan Palmer, OT Mike Person, TE Konrad Reuland, LB Kenny Rowe,.