Release
The Lions release Bush, saving the team $1.7 million in salary space. Had the Lions kept Bush, they would have had a $5.28 million cap charge for 2015. Lions general manager Mayhew:
It’s not about Reggie Bush. It’s about the process of evaluating where you are as a football team. We have a bunch of meetings after the season. The coaching staff meets. The scouting department meets together and we evaluate everybody’s performance.
Part of that, from my standpoint as GM and in terms of setting up our team, is how much of a contribution each guy made to the football team that year. In Reggie’s situation, obviously last year he was injured so you have to look at the contribution versus how much you’re paying a player. It’s not just Reggie. It’s every player on the team.
Released
The Giants release Kiwanuka. The Giants list the move as “failed physical.” Releasing him saves the Giants $4.825 million against 2015’s salary cap and leaves Kiwanuka free to sign with any team, even before free agency begins. Coach Tom Coughlin:
The thing that has always impressed me about Kiwi is how serious he is about the game. He was always prepared and always in outstanding condition and played very hard. And he had some nasty in him. I always felt like you could count on certain things from him: eight [or] nine sacks, harass the quarterback, and you could move him around, inside, outside. He is dependable, reliable and there is no question about his professionalism. His character and professionalism and serious approach to the game will be missed.
Released
The Giants release Hillis. His contract was worth $945,000 against the salary cap this season.
Released after Pacquiao jibe
After making fun of Pacquiao’s basketball ability, Orton is released by Purefoods Star Hotshots. He is also fined $5,650.
[Pacquiao playing] is a joke… Professional boxer? Yeah. Congressman? All right. But professional basketball player? Seriously? It’s a joke.
Rene Pardo of the Hotshots:
Everyone is angry at him. It is like he went to the United States and insulted the name of Martin Luther King.
PBA commissioner Chito Salud:
This office disapproves of and frowns upon the cavalier manner in which Mr. Orton issued his comments and the unwarranted antics and liberties he has taken with the league and a fellow player. This insulting behavior will never be condoned by the league.
https://twitter.com/D_Orton33/status/569846326961311744
Released
The Indianapolis Colts cut Francois. By releasing him, the Colts save $4.875 million in salary-cap space.
Cap increased
Chiefs release A.J Jenkins and Donnie Avery, increasing the cap room from less than a million to $4.8 million.
Wide receiver released
Due to injuries and lack of effective plays, The Chiefs make room on their roster by letting Donnie Avery go.
Released
Due to injuries and lack of effective plays, The Kansas City Chiefs make room on their roster by letting Jenkins go.
Released by Steelers
The Steelers release Blount. The announcement comes one day after he left the field early during the Steelers’ victory against the Titans. According to an insider with the Steelers organization Blount had been exhibiting inappropriate behavior for some time, and the incident during the Titans game was the last straw. Coach Tomlin:
We believe the decision to release LeGarrette is in the best interest of the organization and wish him the best of luck.