Cleveland Gary's salary and fumbling finally cost him a job with the Los Angeles Rams.
He may not be out of a job long, however. Dallas, which tried to trade for him last year, is looking for a backup running back.Gary, who two years ago rushed for 1,125 yards and caught 52 passes, was cut Sunday by the Rams, the biggest name released on a day when NFL teams reached the regular-season limit of 53 players.
Eric Martin, New Orleans' career receiving leader, was also cut, as was linebacker Jimmy Williams, a 13-year veteran, by Tampa Bay.
Philadelphia made a quick decision on its second-round draft pick, defensive tackle Bruce Walker, the 37th player taken and the highest draft pick to be released this season.
Miami linebacker John Offerdahl announced his retirement. He had started only 24 of 50 games since 1991 because of many injuries.
"I never wanted to be the type of player that is sometimes viewed as a player that should've got out of the game earlier," Offerdahl said.
"There was a moment on the field when I realized that this decision was going to be made. When it came to me, to be honest, I felt sad and at peace. I knew it was my time."
Gary, the Rams' No. 1 draft choice in 1989, had lost his starting job a year ago to Jerome Bettis, the eventual rookie of the year, after four games. He had nine fumbles in 1992 and backup status and a $450,000 salary made him expendable.
But if Gary is willing to take a pay cut to fill under the cap, he could end up in Dallas, which held on to Lincoln Coleman as Emmitt Smith's backup despite three fumbles in the last two exhibitions.
"We'll still keep looking at the waiver wire," coach Barry Switzer said.
Most of those released Sunday were free agents and marginal players. That was in part because teams already had gotten under the salary cap by releasing declining, high-salaried veterans before training camp.
Martin, 33, a 10-year veteran who holds Saints record for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, and has caught passes in 105 straight games, was an example of player who had already been a salary-cap casualty. He had his salary reduced in the offseason from $1.24 million to $300,000.
Rams
In addition to Gary, the Rams released cornerback Darryl Henley, who is awaiting trial for allegedly running a nationwide cocaine network.
Henley was a second-round choice in 1989 and started at cornerback in 1991 and 1992 before taking a leave of absence last year after being charged in the drug case. Last week, a judge ruled that to travel with the Rams, he would have to post $1 million bail and pay cost for a court officer to accompany him on road trips.
The Rams also cut offensive lineman Bill Schultz, defensive tackle Marc Boutte and safety Deral Boykin and placed linebacker Ernest Jones, their third-round draft pick, on injured reserve.
Cowboys
Seeking their third straight title, the Cowboys will go with a rookie kicker, Chris Boniol, as well as Coleman as a backup to Emmitt Smith.
"If Emmitt goes down we have a guy who knows the position, who gives us a chance," Switzer said. "He's worked with the Cowboys the last five months."
The Cowboys also traded a 1996 draft pick to Chicago for linebacker Jim Schwantz,
Others cut were wide receiver Shelby Hill, tight end Coleman Bell, linebackers Roosevelt Collins and Dewane Dotson, offensive lineman Matt Joyce, tight end John Davis, running back Tony Richardson and safety Darren Studstill.
Colts
Indianapolis kept both Don Majkowski and Browning Nagle as backups to starting quarterback Jim Harbaugh and waived Paul Justin, the fourth quarterback.
Among others cut was running back Rodney Culver, who scored three of the Colts' four rushing touchdowns in 1993. He recently rejoined the team after a preseason holdout.
Dolphins
The cutdown task was made simpler with Offerdahl's surprise retirement. He had signed just 11 days ago.
The Dolphins waived seven-year offensive tackle Mark Dennis along with running back Aaron Craver to reach the roster limit. Craver's release allowed veteran Mark Higgs, who had expected to be cut, to make the roster.
Also waived were wide receiver Demeris Johnson, defensive tackle George Rooks, defensive end Jay Williams and tight end Rob Coons.
49ers
The 49ers waived fullback John Ivlow and tight end Bryce Burnett to reduce their roster to 52, one below the maximum.
On Saturday, in something of a surprise, the 49ers released third-year defensive end Martin Harrison and second-year safety Damien Russell.
Vikings
Safety Lamar McGriggs, a starter for part of last year, was among those cut, as was Cary Blanchard, who kicked for the New York Jets last year. Minnesota also cut linebacker Pete Bercich, fullback Robert Staten and offensive lineman Mike Wells.
Eagles
In addition to Walker, Philadelphia released two veteran backups, tight end Joey Mickey and guard Eric Floyd, as well as wide receiver Tom Garlick, linebacker Jock Jones and running backs Markus Thomas and Al Wooten. They also placed linebacker Corey Barlow on injured reserve and claimed offensive lieman Mike Finn off waivers from Pittsburgh.
Walker was the only surprise.
"He really didn't have much motivation," coach Rich Kotite said. "It's a darned shame."
Bears
Keith Jennings, a fourth-year tight end, was waived and Schwantz was traded to Dallas.
Also cut were third-year guard Paul Siever, wide receiver Tyrone Williams, cornerback Donny Brooks, defensive end Arthur Bussie and safety Anthony Marshall.
Patriots
Kick returner Troy Brown, who fumbled a punt that was returned for a touchdown in Friday's exhibition loss to Green Bay, was cut, leaving the team with no punt returner.
Also waived were tight end Paul Francisco, wide receiver Mario Henry, safety Dion Lambert, defensive tackle John Washington, offensive tackle Mark Staten and center Joe Burch, a third-round draft choice.
Lions
Cornerback Kevin Scott was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
The Lions also waived cornerback Vaughn Bryant, wide receiver Eric Green, defensive end Kyle Moore, running back John Oglesby, tight end Marty Thompson, defensive end James Wilson and wide receiver Richard Woodley.
Bucs
Williams, who spent much of his career with Detroit, was cut along with safety-linebacker Vidal Mills, cornerback Roger Jones, wide receiver Tyree Davis, offensive tackle Pete Pierson and defensive end Israel Stanley. The Bucs also placed Lawrence Dawsey, their top receiver in two of the last three years, on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he can't play for six games.
Giants
Despite hints they might cut tight end Derek Brown, their top draft choice in 1992, the Giants cut only free agents - wide receivers Garry Harrell and Eric Weir, defensive ends Milton Jones and Leonard Ray, linebackers Shawn Smith and Pete Shufelt and tackle Ivory Dillard.
Falcons
Guard Alai Kalaniuvalu, a third-round draft pick, was cut along with free agent defensive ends Tyoka Jackson and Thomas Williams.
On Saturday, the club waived three players safety Bryan Addison, a free agent from Hawaii; guard Keith Alex, who played in 14 games last season, and fourth-round draft pick Mitch Davis, a linebacker from Georgia.
Saints
In addition to Martin, New Orleans released linebacker Reggie Freeman, the team's second-round draft pick last year, guard Royce Nelson, cornerback Israel Byrd, tackle Alan Kline, and tight end Patt Evans.
The Saints put offensive lineman Tom Ricketts on injured reserve.
Redskins
Washington cut center Greg Huntington, running back Cedric Smith, wide receiver Damon Wright, and running back Tyrone Rush as well as two veterans, defensive end Rick Graf and cornerback Robert Williams,
Guard Darryl Moore was traded to the Green Bay Packers for a conditional 1995 draft choice.
Bills
Buffalo waived fourth-year veteran running Eddie Fuller and defensive lineman John Parrella, a second-round draft picks last year.
Also released linebacker Glen Young; defensive backs Sean Crocker and Filmel Johnson, defensive backs, and offensive linemen Craig Hendrickson and Jerry Ostroski.
Packers
Third-year fullback Dexter McNabb was cut and the Packers traded for wide receiver Charles Jordan from the Los Angeles Raiders and Moore from Washington.
Jordan helped the Raiders to a win over Houston in their preseason finale Saturday when he made an acrobatic catch of a 15-yard pass in the final minute.
The Packers waived offensive linemen Ed King, Lance Zeno and Charles Hope, linebacker Bernard Carter and wide receivers Bill Schroeder and Willie Harris were released. Cornerback Sammy Walker was placed on injured reserve and the Packers put guard Aaron Taylor, their top draft pick, on the reserve-physically unable to perform list with a knee injury suffered in June.
Jets
Jeff Blake, the third-string quarterback, was cut, meaning rookie quarterback Glenn Foley has made the final 53-man roster.
The other cuts included rookie fullback Fred Lester, the team's sixth-round draft pick and free-agent rookie defensive back Chico Nelson of Ohio State.
In addition, the team announced an injury settlement with defensive back Damon Pieri, who was unable to play the final two preseason games due to acute knee bursitis. The team did not want to announce its three final cuts until the coaching staff had spoken to the players first.