Several big-name players cut as NFL prepares for regular season..

There were several big-names that got released on Saturday, so let’s begin in Arizona:

Former Heisman Trophy Winner Matt Leinart was released from the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, which ends a disappoing 4-year tenure there.

Leinart started 12 games in his rookie season (2006-07) & was mostly unimpressive as he completed 56.8% of his passes for 2,547 yards with 11 touchdowns & 12 interceptions for a 74.0 quarterback rating.

Arizona will go with Derek Anderson as their starter, as rookie quarterback Max Hall will serve as their backup.

The Seattle Seahawks released 1-time Pro Bowl wide receiver T.J. Houshmanzadeh on Saturday, even though they will be responsible for $6 million of his contract.

Since having back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving season in 2006 & ’07 for Cincinnati, Houshmanzadeh has barely cracked 900 yards receiving in each of his last 2 seasons for Seattle, as his combined touchdown totals (7 in last 2 years) still doesn’t top the career-high 12 TD receptions he had in ’07 for the Bengals.

The Seahawks will give former USC star Mike Williams another shot to revive his career, as he’s expected to start alongside veteran wideout Deion Branch.

Kris Brown was cut from the Houston Texans on Saturday, as he was the last original remaining player from their inaugural roster in 2001.

He only connected on 21 of 32 field goal attempts for a career-low 65.6%, which might have sealed his fate.

Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers will start in Week 1 against Indianapolis.

The San Diego Chargers cut former Chicgo Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher on Saturday, who has had inconsistinency & injury issues in each of his last 3 seasons.

After totaling 16 interceptions in his first three NFL seasons, Vasher has just 3 interceptions since & is now looking for work.

Antoine Cason will start at right cornerback for San Diego, as he will replace the departed Antonio Cromartie.

Former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Troy Smith was released from the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, as he became expandable after the team picked up Marc Bulger to backup starter Joe Flacco.

Smith appeared in just 13 games in his 3 NFL seasons, as he completed 53.9% of his passes for 558 yards, 3 touchdowns & 1 interception.

He also showed good mobility with 7.8 yards per carry on the ground.

Willie Parker was cut by the Washington Redskins on Saturday, as he will try to regain the form that he showed from 2005-07 with three straight 1,000 yards rushing seasons.

Since then, Parker has struggled to stay healthy & also lost his starting job to Rashard Mendenhall last season.

Larry Johnson will now serve as the backup to starter Clinton Portis.

The Minnesota Vikings didn’t give Javon Walker much of a chance, as he was released on Saturday in a little under 2 weeks since agreeing to a deal.

Walker has had injury problems since his last 1,000 yard season in 2006 with Denver.

The team is already rumored to be interested in T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who was cut by Seattle.