On the same day the Titans cut quarterback Patrick Ramsey in order to create room for a practice-squad player at a position of immediate need, the Seahawks pulled a similar maneuver.
Specifically, they released Week One starting fullback Justin Griffith, because the ‘Hawks needed to promote tackle Kyle Williams from the practice squad. Starting left tackle Walter Jones is out (again), and his replacement, Brandon Frye, missed practice Wednesday and was limited on Thursday and Friday with a groin injury.
So cutting Griffith, who was questionable for today’s game against the Colts with a knee injury, gives the Seahawks an extra roster spot. And, like Ramsey (and Bucs linebacker Matt McCoy and Saints offensive lineman Nick Leckey a week ago), Griffith undoubtedly will be re-signed by the team that cut him in the coming days.
As we pointed out last week, it’s a legitimate move as long as the team doesn’t seek an assurance from the player that he won’t sign with someone else.
Since all players involved are vested veterans, they are not required to pass through waivers. After the trading deadline, however, the 54-man roster trick won’t be so easy; at that point, the player who is cut will be subject to a waiver claim from another team.
Mind blowing stuff here.
Is this really worth reporting? Apparently it is perfectly acceptable and not a trick at all.
Boy, this really bugs you, doesn’t it? Anything that you can attach even a whiff of conspiracy theory to, huh? Do you really think these teams are pulling the wool over the eyes of the league or something? Did it ever occur to you that the league allowed this rule into the CBA to allow teams some roster flexibility in the early part of the season?
If they didn’t realize how this rule was going to be used, why would they have closed the “loophole” after the trade deadline? Bottom line- the league new how this rule would be used and providing this flexibility was in fact the intent of the league when they passed it.