Sam, Bailey top list of NFL cuts

For the first time in his career, Champ Bailey was told he isn't good enough.

Jettisoned by the New Orleans Saints after a difficult training camp, the 12-time Pro Bowl cornerback was one of the most notable names when NFL teams trimmed their rosters to 53 active players Saturday.

Another was Rams rookie Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team.

The seventh-round draft pick, watched as closely as any rookie in the league this summer, couldn't make a team stacked with pass-rushers. He still has a chance to get picked up by another team or make the Rams' practice squad.

Players with fewer than four seasons in the league are subject to waivers. Those who clear waivers and have practice squad eligibility can sign today when teams fill out their 10-member developmental units.

"There will be no challenge, no challenges whatsoever," for whatever team picks up Sam, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said at a news conference.

"He's not about drawing attention to himself. He kept his head down and worked and you can't ask anything more out of any player for that matter."

On Twitter, roughly an hour after he was cut, Sam wrote "The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I've always known. The journey continues."

He also thanked the Rams and city of St. Louis on Twitter, adding that he looks forward to a long and successful career.

The Rams selected Sam, the SEC co-defensive player of the year at Missouri, with the 249th overall pick out of 256 overall. He kissed his boyfriend as a national television audience looked on.

Vested veterans who were released this weekend are free agents who can sign with anybody. But some might have to wait to get scooped up because their full 2014 salaries are in effect guaranteed if they're on a roster in Week 1.

It just might be the end of a stellar career for Bailey, who said after the Super Bowl that he wouldn't retire "because I still know I can play this game."

Only seven players in NFL history have more Pro Bowl selections than Bailey, who signed with the Saints following his release from the Denver Broncos in the spring.

Bailey missed 11 games last season after hurting his left foot in the preseason. He returned for Denver's stretch run and reached his first Super Bowl but clearly wasn't the same player.

Broncos GM John Elway said it was difficult to let Bailey go this offseason as he retooled his defense following Denver's Super Bowl dud against Seattle.

Among the other players Elway dismissed was nine-year defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson, who started 25 games for the defending AFC champs over the past two seasons. Vickerson was beaten out by Marvin Austin, the latest veteran whom Elway signed to a one-year, no-bonus deal for a shot at resurrecting his career with the Peyton Manning-led Broncos.

Elsewhere:

• Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham isn't going to get a second chance with the New York Giants, and neither is backup quarterback Curtis Painter.

The Giants placed Manningham on injured reserve along with fellow receiver Trindon Holliday, and released Painter. Three other members of last year's team -- fullback John Conner, running back Michael Cox and receiver Julian Talley -- were among the 22 roster moves.

• The Dallas Cowboys waived running back Ryan Williams and receivers LaRon Byrd and Jamar Newsome, while acquiring defensive end Lavar Edwards in a trade with Tennessee. Two of the team's five seventh-round draft picks this year were waived Saturday, cornerback Terrance Mitchell and linebacker Will Smith.

• Dimitri Patterson went from likely starting cornerback for the New York Jets to being out of a job, all in the span of one bizarre week that included an unexcused absence, accusations from both the cornerback and the team, and a suspension.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to keep third-string Landry Jones quarterback despite a lackluster preseason from the former Oklahoma star. Jones failed to produce a battle with veteran Bruce Gradkowski for the backup spot behind Ben Roethlisberger but the team opted to keep Jones around for another season to see if he develops.

Pittsburgh also held on to wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.

• The Cleveland Browns released veteran wide receiver Nate Burleson and running backs Dion Lewis and Chris Ogbonnaya. Burleson was slowed by a hamstring injury during training camp and missed three preseason games. Ogbonnaya started seven games for Cleveland in 2013, rushing for 240 yards with 48 receptions. Undrafted free agent running back Isaiah Crowell made Cleveland's roster.

• The Carolina Panthers cut Tavarres King, the only wide receiver remaining from last year's roster.

• The Miami Dolphins waived Daniel Thomas, who had four of the team's six rushing touchdowns from running backs last season.

• The Bills lured Kyle Orton to Buffalo to back up second-year starter EJ Manuel in their latest QB shuffle. Orton, who backed up Tony Romo in Dallas the past two seasons, could be in line for significant playing time in Buffalo, where Manuel was both injury-prone and inconsistent as a rookie last year.