‘Hard day’ as players get bad news of cuts
the first time, NFL coaches had 90 players at their disposal for the final preseason games, thanks to the league eliminating one of the roster cut-down dates. Starters and prominent backups didn’t have to risk injury one more time before the real games.
The downside to that started to hit Friday morning. There are a lot more pink slips for coaches to hand out quickly, as teams must get down to 53 players by Saturday afternoon.
“It’s a hard day,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. “It’s really the hardest thing that we do is to have to tell young men that are really dedicated and giving us everything that they have and really have a great desire to be here and then tell them that that dream is over.”
With 37 players to cut, some have already gotten the bad news. Like tight end Gabe Holmes, who made the active roster for nine games in 2015 before being injured last seaportunities son. Like running back George Atkinson III, who ran for 60 yards on nine carries in Thursday’s game against the Seahawks.
Atkinson was picked up by the Browns after he was cut last year at this time by the Raiders, and that’s been part of the message from Del Rio and his staff the last few weeks.
“They get an opportunity here, they get an opportunity in the rest of the league, and they also get an opportunity on the practice squad,” Del Rio said. “Not only here, but the rest of the league. There are a lot of opportunities, and I hope as many of these young men can find squads as possible.”
The players on the chopping block are given a grade by the coaching staff and then the scouts. And then Del Rio and general manager Reggie McKenzie walk through the roster.
“It’s very inclusive and a lot of information,” Del Rio said. “A lot of tape to look at . ... (You) understand what’s out there with the league and opFor that become available. I think you’re always open-minded. But you do your best to get yourself a 53 that is going to be ready to go through the regular season the way we need to.”
Some players have forced their way into a longer conversation, like linebackers LaTroy Lewis and Nicholas Morrow. Lewis, from Tennessee, had his third sack of the preseason Thursday, to go with a touchdown return off of a fumble.
“I am extremely excited about the body of work I have put on film now, and I hope that helps,” Lewis said. Del Rio has been impressed. “I think he’s taken full advantage of the reps he’s had,” Del Rio said. “He’s been a guy that’s been able to come in there and make some plays for us. Certainly, had some nice moments throughout the preseason. That’ll be good tape to evaluate.”
It’s hard to imagine that outside linebacker Shilique Calhoun is on the bubble, just a year after he was the Raiders’ third-round pick. But he hasn’t done much, save for a late sack against the Seahawks.
Some players, like receiver Jaydon Mickens and rookie running back Elijah Hood, weren’t given the chance to make plays Thursday night. Coaches will never admit this, but yes they do hide players in hopes that they clear waivers and can be signed to their practice squads.
“The practice squad is an important piece as you go throughout the year,” Del Rio said. “You typically want to be able to, hopefully not too many, but you want to be able to dip down and pull guys up as you have some injuries or issues. It’s important that you have guys that can really develop.”
Being on the practice squad for an entire season pays more than $100,000, so that’s not a bad consolation prize to guys like Lewis and Morrow. Mickens was on it last season and might be a little less enthused.
The main thing is for the players to try to relax before they get the big phone call Saturday.
“I am going to try not to stress,” Lewis said. “Spend time talking with my mom and my family, and it always feels like a fire is lit under you until it is all said and done.”