Welcome to the silly season.
Now that the free agency frenzy has officially commenced, here's a quick look at some of the bigger names released, as teams chopped down rosters and dumped salaries to prepare.
» Nnamdi Asomugha, cornerback, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles cut Asomugha on Tuesday after two disappointing seasons. He was slated to make $15 million in the 2013 season and will still cost the team a $4 million cap hit. Signing a five-year, $60 million contract, the hope was Asomugha would give the Eagles a shutdown corner. Instead, he was a bystander in an Eagles defense that plummeted to 24th in the league last season.
» Kellen Davis, tight end, Chicago Bears: Davis, the Bears' starting tight end over the past two seasons, has been cut, according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times. The move was expected after the Bears agreed to terms on a four-year deal with former New York Giants tight end Martellus Bennett on Tuesday.
» Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback, Buffalo Bills: The Bills announced Tuesday that they have cut the starting quarterback. The Bills will eat $10 million in dead money just to get rid of Fitzpatrick, who now becomes the best free-agent quarterback available in an awful market.
» Darrius Heyward-Bey, wide receiver, Oakland Raiders: The Raiders announced Tuesday that they have released the seventh overall pick from the 2009 NFL Draft. "DHB" averaged almost 800 receiving yards the past two years, but he was never a reliable starter.
» Michael Huff, safety, Oakland Raiders: The Raiders announced Tuesday that they have cut Huff, the seventh overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Reports suggested recently that the Raiders wanted Huff to take a pay cut, and he clearly balked. Look for Huff to find work quickly.
» Bernard Pollard, safety, Baltimore Ravens: Despite playing most of the season with broken ribs, the Ravens parted ways with the veteran on Wednesday, a source informed of the team's plans told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. Pollard later tweeted that he had been released: "Well Raven Nation it's been fun. My time in Baltimore is done... Thank you!"
» Karlos Dansby, linebacker, Miami Dolphins: Dansby will be released by the Dolphins, a team source told NFL.com's Jeff Darlington on Tuesday. The move comes after the Dolphins reached an agreement on a five-year, $35 million deal with former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.
» Antoine Winfield, cornerback, Minnesota Vikings: Due to earn $7.25 million in 2013, Winfield refused to take a pay cut and was released Tuesday. "It's financial," agent Ashanti Webb confirmed to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. A Vikings coach spoke highly of Winfield, telling Rapoport, "Winfield is a valuable contributor, an excellent leader. Someone will be lucky to have him."
» DeAngelo Hall, cornerback, Washington Redskins: The Redskins made a move that has been expected for months, releasing Hall to help trim excessive money from their salary-cap total, reports the Washington Post.
» D.J. Williams, linebacker, Denver Broncos: Williams, a first-round draft choice of the Broncos in 2004, has been released by the team after nine seasons of service. The move was announced by the Broncos in conjunction with another cut on the eve of free agency, that of quarterback Caleb Hanie.
»*James Harrison*, linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers: The 34-year-old pass rusher was released by the Steelers on Saturday. "Thank you Steelers Nation I will miss you all!" Harrison tweeted after starting 95 of 131 games and racking up 64 sacks to rank fourth in team history. His best days are behind him, but Harrison still can impact a defense, and there should be plenty of interest in his services.
» Dan Connor, linebacker, Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys cut Connor, a source close to the player told NFL Network's Albert Breer. Dallas is trimming its cap numbers with a raft of restructure and releases of lesser players. This is unlikely the last item of news from Jerry Jones' team in the next 48 hours.
» Beanie Wells and Fozzy Whittaker, running backs, Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals released Wells -- a first-round draft selection in 2009 -- as well as Whittaker. Wells averaged just 2.7 yards a carry in an injury-riddled 2012 season.
»*Adrian Wilson*, safety, Arizona Cardinals: Wilson, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, spent the past 12 seasons in Arizona after the Cardinals made him their third-round pick in 2001. At 33, his starting days might be over, but it's not implausible that Wilson -- now part of a strong group of free-agent defensive backs -- will catch on with another club.
*»*Dawan Landry, safety, Jacksonville Jaguars: The team's starting safety was released Friday after signing a five-year, $27.5 million deal with the Jaguars in 2011. It's clear Gus Bradley is rebooting the machine in a secondary that ranked 22nd against the pass last season.
»*Aaron Ross*, cornerback, Jaguars: More changes for the Jags. Ross was released by the team Friday just one season into the three-year, $9.75 million contract he signed in 2012. That leaves Kevin Rutland and Mike Harris as the only corners under contract in Jacksonville.
»*Chris Gamble*, cornerback, Carolina Panthers: The team announced the move Friday. Gamble's release saves Carolina $7.9 million against the salary cap, according to reports. Gamble turns 30 on Monday ... Happy Birthday?
» Atari Bigby, safety, San Diego Chargers: The Chargers signed the seven-year veteran during the 2012 offseason, but his campaign was hampered by a groin injury that landed him on injured reserve. Bigby finished fourth on the team in total tackles with 79.
» Bobbie Williams, guard, Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens on Friday terminated the contract of guard Bobbie Williams, who was due $1.2 million this season. The 37-year-old veteran battled an ankle injury this year and started just six games.
» Quintin Mikell, safety, St. Louis Rams: The Rams will release Mikell, who tweeted a thank-you note to the organization.
» Randy McMichael, tight end, San Diego Chargers: The team announced McMichael's release Tuesday. The move was expected, as he was due a $250,000 roster bonus. The 10-year veteran spent three seasons in San Diego.
» Sione Pouha, defensive tackle, New York Jets: The Jets are expected to release the nose tackle Tuesday. Pouha started 54 games for the Jets the past four seasons. Pouha would count $6.2 million against the cap if he still were on the roster come Thursday.
» Antonio Garay, defensive tackle, San Diego Chargers: Numerous reports say the team will release Garay on Tuesday. The team can clear another $5 million in cap space by cutting the veteran, who was due $3.5 million in 2013.
» Kevin Walter, wide receiver, Houston Texans: The team released Walter on Tuesday after six years as a Texan.
» James Anderson, linebacker, Carolina Panthers: Anderson was released Tuesday. He received a five-year, $22 million contract with the Panthers two years ago.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
