Waiting deep into Friday night to announce their cuts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers produced a list short on surprises but long on heartbreak for Jordan Shipley.
The third-year pro was let go by the Buccaneers, along with 21 other waived players and two who were released. It signals a possible end to the career of the popular pass catcher out of Texas.
Cut tracker
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch was just one of Friday's many releases. Who else was cut? **More ...**
The Bucs were the only organization to take a chance on Shipley after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament last September as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. Shipley caught 52 passes for 600 yards as a Bengals rookie in 2010. He wasn't a great fit in Jay Gruden's new scheme in Cincinnati last season and didn't do enough to win over Greg Schiano's coaching staff in Tampa Bay.
Shipley might have a future as a country singer, based on the wedding song he co-delivered to Colt and Rachel McCoy on their wedding day in 2010. Maybe we're stretching here.
Meanwhile, quarterback Brett Ratliff -- after spending most of the preseason asleep at the wheel -- was among the victims of Friday's cuts. He'll now scan the want ads at dawn.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
