Saturday, Sep 01, 2007 05:15 PM

Cowboys cut CB Glenn, put Gramatica on IR

IRVING, Texas -- Veteran cornerback Aaron Glenn's contract was by the Dallas Cowboys, who also put kicker Martin Gramatica on injured reserve.

The Cowboys also cut 20 other players, including rookie quarterbacks Matt Moore and Richard Bartel, to get their roster to the mandatory 53 players. All eight players drafted in April made the team, including rookie kicker Nick Folk.

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» Cuts roundup

Glenn played 13 NFL seasons for the New York Jets (1994-2001), Houston (2002-04) and Dallas (2005-06), and was a Pro Bowl player in 2000 and 2001.

Even though starting cornerback Terence Newman is uncertain for the Sept. 9 opener because of a slight tear in the tissue in his foot, the Cowboys didn't keep the 35-year-old Glenn, normally a nickel corner who started the final three preseason games.

Gramatica missed the preseason finale Thursday night because of a strained right hamstring he sustained after missing an extra point and a 51-yard field goal attempt in the preseason. Folk made all three of his field goals during the preseason, including a 52-yarder.

The Cowboys could reach an injury settlement with Gramatica, which would make him ineligible to return to the roster for at least six weeks. He was supposed to make a base salary of $800,000 this season.

Gramatica played for Tampa Bay from 1999-2004, winning a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2002. He spent four games late in 2004 with Indianapolis and three games with the Colts early last season before going to Dallas. He didn't kick in the NFL in 2005.

Folk was a sixth-round draft pick out of Arizona.

The other Cowboys cuts were defensive tackle Remi Ayodele; running backs Arliss Beach and Alonzo Coleman; tight ends Adam Bergen and Rodney Hannah; receivers Damarius Bilbo, Mike Jefferson and Jerheme Urban; cornerbacks Quincy Butler and Joey Thomas; center Trey Darilek; linebackers Junior Glymph, Khari Long, Blair Phillips and John Saldi; fullback Lousaka Polite; defensive end Marcus Smith; and offensive lineman Matthew Tarullo.

Without Glenn, the Cowboys will be depending on Jacques Reeves, Nate Jones and rookies Alan Ball and Courtney Brown to back up Ken Hamlin and Newman and be extra defenders in pass coverage.

By cutting Moore and Bartel, the only quarterbacks on the 53-man roster were starter Tony Romo and backup Brad Johnson. If Moore isn't picked up by another team, it seems certain that he would be added to the Cowboys practice squad.

First-round draft pick Anthony Spencer is closer to being the starting outside linebacker when the Cowboys play their opener against the New York Giants.

Linebacker Greg Ellis, who has been rehabilitating the Achilles' tendon he tore last November was put on the 53-man roster, even though he hasn't practiced and was unable to go again Saturday. Ellis is going into his 10th season, all with the Cowboys, making him the longest-tenured player on the team.

Receiver Terry Glenn was on the field Saturday, runnining routes and catching passes for the first time since he had arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 1. Glenn, in his 12th NFL season, could play in the opener, even after missing all four preseason games.