No real surprises among Titans' cuts

There were no real surprises among the Tennessee Titans' final cuts on Saturday.

Tennessee needed only to release 20 players to get to the 53-man limit, because linebackers Gerald McRath and David Thornton were placed on the suspended and PUP lists, respectively.

Here is the complete list of the players who were released Saturday.

As expected, two rookies who had some shining moments during the preseason were kept on the 53-man roster rather than risked to waivers.

The Titans chose to go with rookie prospect Rusty Smith as their third-string quarterback over veteran Chris Simms.

Smith's 45-yard completion to Dominique Edison was a reminder of the potential the sixth-round pick from Florida Atlantic possess. He will spend this season learning under Vince Young and Kerry Collins.

Also, in the battle for the third-string running back, the Titans decided to go with battering ram rookie LeGarrette Blount instead of journeyman Samkon Gado. Both had played well in training camp and preseason, but the Titans opted to go with Blount's upside over Gado's immediate contributions on special teams.

Blount has virtually no experience covering kicks – he did it for only one half of one game at Oregon – and has plenty of work to do in blitz pickup and pass protection, but he gives the Titans a back back who has the ability to get tough yards between the tackles.

Other players were cut simply because of numbers issues at their positions. That was especially true on the defensive line where veteran end Raheem Brock, second-year end Eric Bakhtiari and seventh-round tackle David Howard were all let go. Bakhtiari and Howard are potential practice squad candidates.

Tight end Sean Ryan was released as the Titans elected to go with just three players at that position.

Also, rookie sixth-round pick Myron Rolle was waived as well. Rolle had played OK on special teams, but had fallen behind fellow rookie Robert Johnson and second-year man Nick Schommer in the race for backup spots at safety.

Another veteran who was let go was cornerback Tye Hill, leaving that position a place where the Titans might sift through the waiver wire to find veteran help. Other than Cortland Finnegan, the Titans have little experience at corner, with Jason McCourty on the other side and Alterraun Verner, a rookie, and Ryan Mouton behind them.