NFL Cut Day Strikes Temple Alums

The mandated roster cut down day, from 75 to 53, has come and gone, and for some former Temple players, the day didn't go as planned.

One of the more notable cuts comes in the form of fullback Dan Klecko with the Atlanta Falcons. The former 2003 fourth round draft pick by the New England Patriots will now have to look elsewhere for a job, and if his past suggests anything, the chance of him finding a new team is very likely.

Another former Temple fullback will be looking for a job, Jason McKie. While at Temple, McKie started 26 games, was a two-time team captain, rushed for 700 yards and scored eight times. He's played for a handful of NFL teams since his emergence in the league in 2002 where he began with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Former Indianapolis Colts defensive end, Raheem Brock (who signed with the Tennessee Titans this offseason) ended up being a cut day casualty. Being a former Super Bowl champ, Brock seemed to be a lock for the team after signing with them this offseason, but a youth movement appears to have struck Tennessee, and he was among a handful of veterans who were dismissed from the team.

Other Temple grads who ended up being cut were offensive tackle Devin Tyler, defensive end Brian Sanford, and offensive tackle Steve Maneri. Tyler won't have to search long for another team, as he has already been placed on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad (the team originally cut him). The same goes for Steve Maneri, who is now on the Houston Texans' practice squad. Just like Tyler and Maneri, Brian Sanford ended up joining the Cleveland Browns' practice squad.

Unfortunately, linebacker Alex Joseph did not make the Green Bay Packers 53-man roster, or the team's practice squad. He can still sign with another team and be placed on their practice squad, so let's hope for the best for the young talent.

In a surprise turn of events, cornerback Domonique Harris ended up making the Buffalo Bills 53-man roster, but after the team ended up signing two new players, he fell victim to the new acquisitions, and will now look elsewhere for a job.

But the day wasn't bad for all of Temple's former players.

Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton will look to follow up his stellar rookie season in Jacksonville with another solid season, and with the help of former Green Bay Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, the likelihood of Knighton seeing a bump in his numbers is very likely.

Defensive tackle Andre Neblett made the Carolina Panthers final roster. He wasn't guaranteed a spot by any means, and considering that he went undrafted and was added to be an extra body in camp, the fact that he ended up finding a spot on the team is rather impressive.

Well Temple fans, it seems that just two former Temple alumni will be playing during the NFL regular season (unless one of the practice squad members get called up). I do expect that Raheem Brock will find a new home, so most likely there will be three former Owls representing Temple in the NFL.