Eleven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks was released by the Buccaneers on Wednesday, part of a purge of veterans to help Tampa Bay get ready for free agency.
Cut along with Brooks were running back Warrick Dunn, wide receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard and linebacker Cato June. All but June, who is 29, are well over 30 years old.
“There is no way to adequately thank Derrick Brooks for his years of dedication and service to this team and community, or for his impact on me personally,” said Raheem Morris, the Bucs’ new coach, who at 32 is younger than all the players cut except June.
“He is a once in a lifetime kind of player and man, and I am very fortunate to have had the chance to work with him and learn from him. Those who played with him and coached him are better because of it.”
Brooks, who will turn 36 in April, was also a leader in the community and the 2000 NFL Man of the Year, honored for contributions on the field and off.
He and the others were apparently cut for age reasons – the Bucs already are under the $123 million salary cap.
Friday.
St. Louis released veteran quarterback Trent Green and wide receiver Drew Bennett on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old Green, a two-time Pro Bowl pick, was in his second stint with the Rams. He played in three games last season, completing 38 of 72 passes for 525 yards with no touchdowns and six interceptions.
Bennett signed a six-year, $30 million deal two years ago after six seasons with the Titans. But he struggled in 2007 and broke his leg in the first quarter of this past season’s opener, missing the remainder of the season.
Carolina released wide receiver D.J. Hackett, backup offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges and running back Nick Goings, saving $4 million. They already had restructured the contracts of cornerback Chris Gamble and linebacker Landon Johnson to create more cap room.
Hackett was signed to a two-year, $3.5 million free-agent deal before last season, but was plagued by injuries and never challenged Muhsin Muhammad for the No. 2 receiver job and finished with just 13 receptions for 181 yards.
Houston, meanwhile, released defensive end Anthony Weaver, safety Will Demps and defensive tackle Ephraim Salaam.
Weaver, who spent three years with the team, started each game last season opposite Mario Williams and finished with 45 tackles. Though he started all but four games in his time with the Texans, Weaver leaves the team with just one sack.
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