Running back Edgerrin James was released but at least the team received three years of production out of James. Cornerback Rod Hood had been with the team just two seasons, and outside linebacker Travis LaBoy played only one season. LaBoy's release shows just how damaging a free-agent mistake can be in terms of the cap. The team already had paid him a $5.75 million signing bonus and a $1.5 million roster bonus this spring.

If the club had kept LaBoy, he would have counted $4.65 million against the cap in 2009, but the signing bonus acceleration increases that to $6.1 million.

By releasing all three, the Cardinals gain at least $5.5 million of cap space, which they will need if they are to re-sign linebacker Karlos Dansby, strong safety Adrian Wilson and receiver Anquan Boldin.

But the release of those three free agents should make the club wary of spending big in free agency. Last year, it released free safety Terrence Holt and center Al Johnson after just one year with the club.

The Cardinals think their roster is in good enough shape to handle the most recent departures. The selection of running back Beanie Wells in the first round allowed the team to cut James.

It drafted two outside linebackers, which should help make up for the loss of LaBoy. And it also took a corner and a safety in the draft, which allowed them to release Hood.