WSR Gridiron Report

(Updates with some of cuts Sept. 4 … Lionel Dotson, Nate Ness, Syndric Steptoe, Chris Henry, Chris Jennings, Vuna Tuihalamaka and seven-year vet Bobby Wade don't survive the cuts)

Let's make this your one-stop resource to follow the former Arizona Wildcats in the NFL. As of Sept. 3, there are 13 ex-Cats on NFL rosters. If you see a story about one of these guys, post a link in this thread and we'll all be able to keep up on how the ex-Cats are doing.

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Mike Bell, RB, Philadelphia

Experience: 5th season

Earned a Super Bowl ring with New Orleans last season, leading the Saints in carries during the regular season (172 for 654 yards).

Signed a one-year free-agent deal with the Eagles worth $1.7 million.

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Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago

Experience: 8th season

Five-time Pro Bowl selection.

Has had six consecutive 100-tackle seasons.

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Eben Britton, OT, Jacksonville

Experience: 2nd season

Second-round pick in 2009 after declaring for the draft as a junior.

Started 15 games at right tackle as a rookie last season.

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Antoine Cason, CB, San Diego

Experience: 3rd season

Expected to take over as a starting cornerback after the Chargers traded Antonio Cromartie in the offseason.

Made two interceptions in each of his first two years.

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Nick Folk, PK, New York Jets

Experience: 4th season

Cut by the Dallas Cowboys in December after he struggled in his comeback from hip surgery.

Was super in his first two seasons with the Cowboys, making 46 of 53 field goal attempts and earning Pro Bowl honors as a rookie in 2007.

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Chris Gronkowski, FB, Dallas

Experience: Rookie

Undrafted free agent.

Earning positive reviews in training camp from coach Wade Phillips.

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Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots

Experience: Rookie

Second-round rookie is helping to remake the position in New England, which also drafted Florida's Aaron Hernandez in the fourth round.

Back injury cost him the 2009 season at Arizona, but he's a physical specimen who is an all-around tight end.

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Michael Johnson, FS, N.Y. Giants

Experience: 4th season

Won a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in the 2007 season and became a starter in 2008, but neither he nor the team's secondary was stellar in 2009.

Started 25 games in his first three seasons, with 156 tackles.

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Spencer Larsen, FB, Denver

Experience: 3rd season

Former All-Pac-10 linebacker was a two-way player for his first two seasons in Denver, famously starting at fullback and at linebacker as a rookie.

Is making the transition this year to a full-time offensive player.

* * * * *

Brandon Manumaleuna, TE, Chicago

Experience: 10th season

First year in Chicago after spending five years with the St. Louis Rams and four with the San Diego Chargers.

Manumaleuna, a true blocking tight end, signed a five-year contract with the Bears in the offseason.

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Earl Mitchell, DT, Houston

Experience: Rookie

Big Earl, after playing defensive tackle for only two seasons at Arizona, was a third-round pick in 2010.

Battling Amobi Okoye for a starting spot in camp.

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Dennis Northcutt, WR, Detroit

Experience: 11th season

He's had a productive 10-year career, with 399 catches for 4,941 yards, and three career punt returns for touchdowns.

Northcutt, who was traded from Jacksonville after the 2008 season, made 35 receptions for the Lions last season.

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Mike Thomas, WR, Jacksonville

Experience: 2nd season

The 2009 fourth-rounder overcame a hamstring injury in training camp to set a franchise rookie record with 48 catches, good for 453 yards.

Thomas, who can also return punts, could be the Jags' No. 2 receiver this season behind Mike Sims-Walker.

* * * * *

Waived:

Lionel Dotson, DE, Miami
Chris Henry, RB, Houston
Chris Jennings, RB, Cleveland
Nate Ness, DB, Miami
Syndric Steptoe, WR, Cleveland
Vuna Tuihalamaka, LB, Indianapolis
Bobby Wade, WR, Washington

Injured reserve
Copeland Bryan, DE, Detroit (knee injury, out for season)