Allen Park, MI (My Sportsbook) - Defensive linemen Chuck Darby and Shaun Smith, as well as wide receiver John Standeford, were among the players released when the
Detroit Lions trimmed their roster to 53 players on Saturday.
Darby and Smith were expected to contend for starting jobs in 2009, but failed to make enough of an impact during the preseason in order to deliver on that promise.
The 33-year-old Darby started 15 games with the Lions last season, and previously served extended stints with the Seahawks (2005-07) and Buccaneers (2001-04) as well. He was credited with 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the 0-16 Lions last season.
Smith, who signed with Detroit as a free agent on Aug. 10th, had started 20 games as a member of the Browns over the past two seasons but was probably best-known for a reported physical altercation with Cleveland quarterback Brady Quinn during his time there. The South Carolina product had 36 tackles with the Browns a year ago.
Standeford entered training camp as the second most-experienced wide receiver in terms of service with the Lions, second to only Calvin Johnson, having caught 15 passes for 244 yards a year ago. The Purdue alumnus appeared in nine games last season, starting four.
The following players were also released: linebacker Rufus Alexander, quarterback Brooks Bollinger, guard Milford Brown, tight end Carson Butler, running back Aveion Cason, wide receiver Keary Colbert, defensive end Sean Conover, kicker Billy Cundiff, running back Tristan Davis, linebacker Zack Follett, center Dan Gerberry, tight end Dan Gronkowski, wide receiver Dane Looker, defensive back Calvin Lowry, tackle Lydon Murtha, defensive back Ramzee Robinson, safety Stuart Schweigert, and linebacker Spenser Smith.
Notables among that group include the recently-signed Bollinger, a former starter with the Jets and Vikings; Brown, who started 47 games with four different NFL teams between 2003 and 2008; Colbert, the former second-round bust who caught five passes as a Lion a year ago; Cundiff, the Cowboys' starting kicker from 2002 through 2004; and Looker, who had 112 catches as a member of the Rams from 2002 through 2008.
In another move, the Lions placed cornerback Chris Roberson on season-ending injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. Roberson appeared in one game with the team a year ago.
Detroit will open its 2009 regular season slate on Sept. 13, when it opens the Jim Schwartz era on the road against the New Orleans Saints.
