There were some surprises that stuck and some veterans that were released Friday evening as the Bills coaching staff trimmed 21 players from the active roster and placed rookie Zebrie Sanders on injured reserve to get down to the required 53 by 9 pm.
Quarterback Tyler Thigpen was retained following an 18-30 passing performance for 186 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in the preseason finale Thursday night at Detroit. Recently acquired Tarvaris Jackson was also kept on the roster giving the team four signal callers.
Seen by outside observers as a solid second wave player on the interior of Buffalo's defensive line in Buffalo's new 4-3 system, the Bills chose to go with youth and waived veteran DT Dwan Edwards in one of their surprise moves.
There were a handful of other familiar names to Bills fans trimmed from the roster Friday including Buffalo native and U.B. product Naaman Roosevelt, who was part of a gutting at the wide receiver position.
Though it was believed the Bills might keep as many as six receivers for their spread offense, Buffalo retained just four the team cutting more (5) than they kept. Third quarterback Brad Smith essentially will serve as the fifth wideout.
Here is the full list of cuts.
WR Kamar Aiken
OL Mark Asper
TE Kevin Brock
RB Zach Brown
LB Tank Carder
OL James Carmon
WR Marcus Easley
DE Robert Eddins
DT Dwan Edwards
DT Jarron Gilbert
DB Isaiah Green
WR Derek Hagan
DT Kellen Heard
WR Ruvell Martin
LB Scott McKillop
P Shawn Powell
WR Naaman Roosevelt
DB Nick Saenz
OL David Snow
RB Johnny White
OL Keith Williams
