David Tyree held on for a catch crucial to New York winning the third Super Bowl in Giants history. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)Wide receiver David Tyree was let go by the New York Giants on Saturday, just over 18 months after making what is arguably the greatest catch in Super Bowl history.
The Giants made the move as NFL teams faced the deadline to get their active rosters down to 53 players.
Tyree has actually made only 54 regular season catches over five years, in a career bedevilled by injuries.
The 29-year-old will forever be linked with such other unlikely Super Bowl heroes as Timmy Smith and Max McGee, however.
Tyree caught the first touchdown of Super Bowl XLII, putting the Giants up early in the fourth quarter against the undefeated New England Patriots.
The Patriots regained the lead, but Tyree made an improbable 32-yard reception on New York's winning drive late in the game. Tyree fought off hard-hitting safety Rodney Harrison, leaping and wedging the ball between his hand and his helmet.
Quarterback Jeff Garcia was probably the biggest name to fall prey on Saturday.
Garcia, 39, has been hampered by a calf injury and was unimpressive in brief appearances for Oakland. The Raiders were also buoyed by the preseason play of reserves Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye, who each have NFL experience as starters.
JaMarcus Russell will be Oakland's starter.
Garcia left the Calgary Stampeders and the CFL after a Grey Cup win in 1998, going on to spend five largely productive seasons with San Francisco. Since leaving the 49ers in 2004, he has played for Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay.
He has thrown for 161 touchdowns and 25,537 yards, with 83 interceptions, in his NFL career. He has also rushed for 2,142 yards and 26 touchdowns.
The day also saw some other player movement. Tampa Bay traded backup pivot Josh McCown to Jacksonville for an undisclosed draft pick, while Seattle signed 36-year-old safety Lawyer Milloy, letting go of Brian Russell in the process.
College QBs don't make the grade
The Buffalo Bills jettisoned veteran running back Dominic Rhodes, who was expected to get work with starter Marshawn Lynch suspended for three games to begin the season.
Rhodes impressed in the team's first pre-season game, but then was limited to 13 yards on eight carries since.
A number of former star college quarterbacks were let go as well: Brian Brohm (Green Bay), Chase Daniels (Washington), D.J. Shockley (Atlanta) and Andre Woodson (New York Giants).
Redskins quarterback Colt Brennan, who held the all-time NCAA record for most career touchdown passes, was placed on injured reserve and will miss the season with a torn hamstring.
Quarterback Joey Harrington, the former first round pick of Detroit, parted ways with New Orleans.
A trio of former Toronto Argonauts were let go on Saturday.
Return whiz Dominique Dorsey was let go by Washington, wide receiver James Robinson was cut by Miami, and Buffalo said goodbye to defensive tackle Corey Mace.
Former Bishop's University star running back Jamall Lee was waived by Carolina.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has already said that former B.C. Lion Stefan Logan will make the Steelers.
Some young players who get cut on Saturday can still be offered spots on an NFL team's practice squad.
Among the other notable players released, in alphabetical order by team:
- Corey Ivy, CB, Cleveland.
- Darius Walker, RB, Denver.
- Aveion Cason, RB, Detroit.
- Billy Cundiff, K, Detroit.
- Deltha O'Neal, CB, Houston.
- Paul Spicer, DE, New Orleans.
- Dan Klecko, DT, Philadelphia.
- Tim Carter, RB, St. Louis.
- Ronald Curry, WR, St. Louis.
- Antonio Pittman, RB, St. Louis.
- Matt Bryant, K, Tampa Bay.
- Dave Rayner, K, Washington.
