by By Rick Alonzo ralonzo@pioneerpress.com , St. Paul Pioneer Press

The Vikings couldn't afford to use a precious roster spot on a fourth quarterback, so they released Booty. That was the team's most high-profile cut in meeting the NFL's Saturday deadline for deciding the 53-man regular-season roster.

The Vikings haven't kept four quarterbacks on the roster since 1999, and this won't be the year, either. Behind Brett Favre, the Vikings kept Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.

Booty's release would seem to clear up things at quarterback. Booty is eligible for the practice squad.

Meanwhile, this is reminiscent of 2006, when the Vikings cut Tyler Thigpen and hoped he would end up on their practice squad. Though Booty hasn't been outstanding, he does show potential, and he could end up being claimed by another club.

Friday night in the exhibition finale, Booty threw an interception that was returned 44 yards for a touchdown in his first series. He had been prone to turnovers in each of his two training camps with the Vikings , who drafted Booty in the fifth round in 2008 after a standout college career at Southern California.

But his arm strength was questionable at the NFL level, and he didn't help himself by making mistakes.

The other high-profile cut the Vikings made was letting go cornerback Marcus McCauley, a 2007 third-round pick. He never lived up to expectations.

McCauley has talent, so he should be claimed by another team. At one point in his college career at Fresno State, he was projected as a possible first-round pick.

Running back Ian Johnson was a notable cut as well. It would have been difficult for him to make a team that already featured Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. Johnson made a name for himself at Boise State but wasn't drafted and was hoping to make the Vikings' roster as a rookie free agent.

Johnson said he was a little disappointed, but he knew the challenge he faced. He said the Vikings had mentioned to him that the practice squad could be a possibility. Teams can establish eight-man practice squads today.

"That's not the ideal route, but if this is the route I have to take to play in the NFL, this is the first step for me getting what I want," Johnson said.

Veteran tight end Garrett Mills was also let go. He had speed and good hands but was plagued by injuries.

Notable newcomers: Center Jon Cooper made the team after signing as a rookie free agent. The Vikings have shown a knack for finding talent among rookie free agents. Last year, safety Husain Abdullah, running back Albert Young and linebacker Erin Henderson were all signed after the draft ended.

Abdullah went on to lead the team in special-teams tackles. Young won the third running back role this year after spending last season on the practice squad. Henderson will be a contributor on special teams for the second year.

Cooper said after Friday night's game that he wasn't too nervous because he felt optimistic about his chances of making the team. He got a lot of snaps during training camp with the second-team offensive line, and he believed he fared well in the preseason against bigger opponents despite being undersized (6 feet 2, 291 pounds).

Seventh-round draft pick Jamarca Sanford, a safety who's a physical player, made the team as well. He is a cousin of former Vikings first-round pick Dwayne Rudd.

Henderson out: Reserve linebacker Erin Henderson is expected to miss about a month with a foot injury he suffered while playing special teams against Dallas. Henderson made the 53-man roster despite his injury. He is expected to be a key contributor on special teams once he recovers.

Briefly: Also released: defensive backs Colt Anderson, Marcus Walker and De'von Hall; fullback Nehemiah Broughton; defensive ends Martail Burnett and Otis Grigsby; offensive linemen Chris Clark, Brian Daniels, Juan Garcia, Andy Kemp and Drew Radovich; linebacker David Herron; defensive tackles Antoine Holmes and Tremaine Johnson; receivers Nick Moore, Vinny Perretta and Bobby Williams; and tight end Jake Nordin.

Staff writer Sean Jensen contributed to this report.

Copyright 2009 St. Paul Pioneer Press All Rights Reserved
	Terms & Conditions     Privacy Copyright © 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.