Quarterback Tim Couch, the top overall choice in the 1999 draft, was cut by the Green Bay Packers as teams got down to the 53-man roster limit for the NFL regular season on Sunday.
Couch was drafted by Cleveland and released by the Browns in June. He joined the Packers and was projected as Brett Favre's backup. But he never progressed.
"He just wasn't productive enough," Packers coach-general manager Mike Sherman said. "We took a shot in hoping he could be the guy. I don't think it's the first time in the league that you were wrong on somebody. It certainly won't be my last time and it wasn't my first time.
"It's unfortunate," Couch said. "I'm disappointed it didn't work out. I really thought with the tapes I studied last year, I really thought it would work out. It didn't."
Couch, who got a US$625,000 roster bonus from Green Bay when he signed, completed just 11 of 34 passes for 96 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in three preseason games.
Two other former Packers, running back Dorsey Levens and wide receiver Antonio Freeman, also had brief stints with new teams before being cut on Sunday.
Levens, 34, was signed two weeks ago after the Eagles lost Correll Buckhalter to a season-ending knee injury. Levens ran for 37 yards on 12 carries in his only game against the New York Jets.
Freeman joined the Dolphins earlier this summer after David Boston was lost for the season. But his lack of speed and inability to make any plays in the preseason got him released.
Morten Andersen, the second-leading scorer in NFL history, had his contract terminated by Kansas City. Andersen was beaten out by Lawrence Tynes, who kicked the past two seasons in the Canadian Football League.
"I am sure he will find a place," Vermeil said of Andersen. "He could end up kicking against us."
The 44-year-old Andersen has 2,259 points.
New Orleans cut 15-year veteran center Jerry Fontenot, who lost his position to LeCharles Bentley, who moved over from guard. Fontenot, 37, started all 80 games the past five seasons and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate last season.
"I certainly hold my head high, knowing that I did everything the coaches asked of me and everything the organization asked of me," Fontenot said. "I feel very blessed in my career."
The Saints also let go of linebacker Darrin Smith, who was with them since 2000.
San Diego cut receiver Kevin Dyson, a member of the Titans and Panthers when each played in the Super Bowl, and safety Kwamie Lassiter. Lassiter, a nine-year pro, started for the Chargers last year.
The Chargers kept four quarterbacks: Projected starter Drew Brees, first-round draft choice Philip Rivers, veteran Doug Flutie, and Cleo Lemon.
Other notable moves:
-- Veteran DL Bryan Robinson, who had been with the Bears since 1998, was cut. Robinson played both defensive end and tackle in 100 games, with 82 starts.
-- Damien Robinson went on Seattle's injured reserve list. He missed several practices with a bruised shoulder.
The Seahawks also announced second-year tackle Wayne Hunter has been suspended one game by the NFL for violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Hunter was involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend last summer.
-- Jarrett Payton, son of the late Walter Payton who was a former teammate of Titans coach Jeff Fisher's in Chicago, was cut by Tennessee. Fisher said Payton knew the situation from the start.
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