(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

In the first cut downs of the 2007 season the Arizona Cardinals made a few surprise cuts.

The expected cuts of players such as cornerback Travarous Bain, defensive tackle Ray Blagman, guard Jon Hameister-Ries and kicker Ricky Schmitt won't raise any eyebrows as these were all free agents and camp bodies in for a look.

However, the release of former Pro-Bowl special team ace Hanik Milligan, 7th round speedster Todd Watkins and former University of Pittsburgh star Greg Lee would qualify as mild to moderate surprises. Rounding out the roster moves are tight end John Bronson being cut and Ahmad Merritt and Oliver Ross being moved to injured reserve.

The Cardinals have said they were going to have to let go of some good young receivers as they are over loaded at that position, and seeing both Watkins and Lee released indicates that players such as Steve Breaston, LeRon McCoy, Michael Spurlock and the surprising Matt Trannon are all still in the fight for the 5th receiver slot and special teams duty. I think Breaston has the punt job locked up so it really comes down to McCoy, Spurlock and Trannon as to who contributes the most on special teams.

Hanik Milligan being let go, which I'd say is the biggest surprise here, means that the Cardinals feel as if they may have found a player in Brandon Keeler, the free agent rookie out of Eastern Washington. I noticed Keeler was getting a decent amount of reps and was busy on special teams, so possibly this means the door is open for him to stick now that Milligan has been waived.

Finally, it is interesting that the Cardinals did NOT put Chike Okeafor on injured reserve. Given the total void the team has at the OLB position, and with Okeafor's reputation for dedication and working to stay in shape that they just might be holding a roster spot for him in the hope that he is ready in late November. It just shows how incredibly thin they are at that position and they are probably going to hold off until the final cuts and see who other teams might release before they lose Okeafor for a full year with an IR move.

The Cardinals have their last pre-season scrimmage, ( I refuse to call these games anymore.) with Denver on Thursday and it will be the last chance for the bubble guys to make an impression. Basically at this point it will come down to injuries, who else is available from other teams on the waiver wire and coaching decisions as to who is going to make the final roster.

Original post by Eli Wahlstrom

Join the discussion at The Fanster Forums. Arizona Sports 24/7.