Highly Paid Subs Among Roster Cuts

In the NFL, being well-paid sometimes doesn’t pay.

As teams got down to the 53-man limit Sunday, many used the most common method of the salary-cap era - when in doubt, cut the guy with the higher salary.

Indianapolis, for example, released Craig Erickson, obtained last year in a trade to be their long-term quarterback. But he was beaten out early last season by Jim Harbaugh, who signed a four-year, $13 million deal this year, making Erickson’s $2 million too much to carry.

“We felt we could not keep Craig on our roster at the salary that was in his contract. That’s just the way this game is played now,” said Bill Tobin, the Colts’ director of football operations. “We researched the salaries of every quarterback in the National Football League and found out it was considerably higher than other backups.”

Only the Cincinnati Bengals, traditionally one of the league’s lowest paying teams, deviated markedly. They kept Garrison Hearst and his $2.1 million salary after picking him up off waivers last week from Arizona. Hearst, slated to back up KiJana Carter at running back, has so far refused to renegotiate his contract to take less.

Hearst said he expects to stay in Cincinnati and would be surprised if he gets cut again or traded. The Baltimore Ravens, among others, were set to try and sign him as a free agent - for a lot less money - when the Bengals jumped in and claimed him.

“It’s hard thinking about what’s going on,” said the third pick in the 1993 draft by Arizona.

“I can’t control what they do. Sometimes I sit and think, ‘What situation am I going to be thrown into or what’s going to happen later on in the season or later in the week?”’

Another cut by the Bengals was 32-year-old cornerback Rod Jones, in the fourth year of a contract averaging $756,000. Jones had started 37 straight games until he was injured last season but was slated to be a backup.

Also, Cincinnati released former Eastern Washington University offensive lineman Trent Pollard, who played two seasons for the Bengals.

The New York Jets cut Brad Baxter, their starting fullback the last five seasons. Baxter led the team in rushing in 1992, was seventh overall in team history and had 35 touchdowns.

But he also would have cost the Jets about $650,000 under the cap.

For most teams, Sunday’s cuts were only a step along the way to establishing a final 53-man roster for the start of the season next week.

Some players may be brought back by their previous teams at reduced salaries. Others may be claimed off waivers, and many of the rookies cut could turn up on five-man practice squads.

Several fixtures were released, including Antonio Goss, San Francisco’s special teams captain for five years but a player who rarely got on the field in regular play. He’s been cut before and could be back. The 49ers also cut rookie linebacker Sam Manuel, the last player taken in the draft, but kept his twin brother Sean, a tight end also taken late in the seventh round.

New England’s Bill Parcells cut one of his favorites, Steve DeOssie, once a linebacker but now just a long snapper. He was made expendable when the Patriots obtained tight end Mike Bartrum from Green Bay for past considerations.

The best-known cut may have been kicker Eddie Murray, who turns 40 on Thursday. Washington kept Scott Blanton, who has never kicked in a regular-season game.

“I’m not ready to quit yet,” said Murray, who is only six short of the NFL record of 234 points after touchdown - his last miss was Dec. 11, 1988.

“There’s still a lot of kicks left in my leg. My desire is still extremely high,” he said.

His only complaint was that he may have been released too late to catch on with another team.

Not every team announced its cuts. Some will wait until after the 24-hour waiver period to make their cuts public.

Rocket launched

The Oakland Raiders traded wide receiver Rocket Ismail and released veteran kicker Jeff Jaeger.

Ismail was traded to the Carolina Panthers for an undisclosed draft choice. Also, defensive lineman Austin Robbins was traded to the New Orleans Saints for an undisclosed draft choice.

“He’s a talented football player,” Oakland coach Mike White said of Ismail. “He made a lot of big plays for us. The emergence of (Kenny) Shedd and (Olanda) Truitt made it possible. I wish him the best, but these are the hazards of the business.”

Ismail, who caught just three passes in the preseason, has been a disappointment for the Raiders since joining the team in 1993. He caught 88 passes in three seasons.

Peete will play

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Rodney Peete will play against the Washington Redskins in next weekend’s season opener.

Peete practiced Sunday with a brace on his left knee, which he sprained when New England defensive end Willie McGinest hit him one time too many during an Aug. 18 preseason game.

“He was able to do everything we put him through,” coach Ray Rhodes said.

“I’m trying to push it as much as I can,” Peete said after practice, his knee wrapped in an ice pack.

Hostetler will sit

Jeff Hostetler, nursing strained ligaments in his right knee, will miss the Raiders’ opener Sunday at Baltimore.

Raiders coach Mike White said the injury is strain and not a tear to the posterior-cruciate ligament as has been rumored. He said it’s unclear whether Hostetler will be ready to play Sept. 8 at Kansas City.

Backup Billy Joe Hobert will start against the Ravens, as he did against the New York Jets in the final exhibition game Friday.

In that game, Hobert completed 8 of 18 passes for 93 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Hobert said getting the start doesn’t come as much of surprise.

“I had a gut feeling about it last week,” he said.