Cuts Mean Super Transition

By DARREN URBAN

 Safety Aaron Francisco (47) was among the Cardinals' final cuts Friday, while undrafted rookie linebacker Reggie Walker (55) made the team.

The night before the Cardinals’ final preseason game, coach Ken Whisenhunt lamented all the players he was going to have to cut a couple of days later, noting that some of them had played in the Super Bowl for him.

Friday, Whisenhunt delivered the bad news to the 21 players he needed to shave off the roster to get down to the 53-man limit, including a couple who had been on the field in Tampa for the Cards’ near-win.

Safety Aaron Francisco, one of the Cardinals’ special-teams captains from a year ago and one of a trio of defensive backs who couldn’t quite knock down the Steelers’ game-winning touchdown pass in the Super Bowl, was one of the

That left room for a couple of roster surprises as well. Making the final cut – at least for now – is wide receiver Lance Long, meaning the Cards kept seven receivers. Also making the team was undrafted rookie inside linebacker Reggie Walker, who parlayed a strong preseason into a spot over veteran Victor Hobson, who was released.

The Cardinals save one other roster spot because tight end Ben Patrick, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s steroids and related substances policy, will not count against the roster until his suspension ends.

Pope was the only tight end cut. Dominique Byrd, a long shot when he signed in the offseason, joins Anthony Becht and Stephen Spach as the available tight ends in Week One.

Besides Francisco, Pope and Hobson, the cut list included quarterback Tyler Palko; receivers Steve Sanders, Ed Gant and Onrea Jones; running backs Chris Vincent, Tim Castille and Reagan Maui’a; offensive linemen Oliver Ross, Carlton Medder, Trevor Canfield and Melvin Fowler; defensive linemen Keilen Dykes, Rodney Leisle and Alex Field; linebackers Chase Bullock and David Holloway; and cornerbacks Wilrey Fontenot and Jameel Dowling.

The Cards are heavy not only at receiver but tailback (four, with rookie LaRod Stephens-Howling sticking). Dan Kreider is the lone fullback. Cornerback Michael Adams, at 5-foot-7, also made the team.

The cuts aren’t completely a surprise. It probably didn’t help Francisco that he was scheduled to make $1.25 million in salary this season, about double what fellow veteran safety and special-teamer Matt Ware is scheduled to make. Pope was being outplayed by his fellow tight ends. And while Long struggled in his final two preseason games, the likelihood another team would pick him up is released was high.

Of course, the final roster isn’t "final." The Cardinals will look closely at the cuts made by other teams – the lists must be submitted to the NFL by 1 p.m. Arizona time Saturday – and could still bring in another player or two by Monday’s practice.

There is also always the possibility of a veteran returning after the first game. By NFL rule, a veteran not on a roster in Week One does not have a guaranteed salary, so bringing a veteran in after the first game gives a team flexibility with that player the rest of the year if they need to release him.