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HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Wide receiver Justin McCareins and cornerback Andre Dyson were released, and starting left guard Adrien Clarke was waived by the New York Jets on Tuesday.
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The veterans were cut three days before the start of the NFL's free agent period as the Jets attempt to create additional salary cap room.
McCareins, acquired in 2004 in a trade with Tennessee, never developed into the impact receiver the Jets hoped he'd become. In four seasons in New York, he had 141 catches for 2,062 and seven touchdowns. He saw limited action last season, catching just 19 passes for 232 yards.
McCareins never seemed to get consistent action in the offense and was surpassed by former college quarterback Brad Smith as the team's No. 3 wide receiver. A few costly drops hurt him, including when he couldn't handle a potential touchdown pass from Kellen Clemens that would have tied the game late against Baltimore in Week 2. McCareins had another pass glance off his hands that resulted in a game-ending interception in the 20-13 loss.
Dyson, signed by the Jets as a free agent from Seattle in 2006, had five interceptions in two seasons with the Jets, but just one in nine games last season as a backup. He started every game at left cornerback until he was injured in Week 15 of the 2006 season, and was then replaced by rookie Darrelle Revis last season.
Dyson, bothered by a foot injury throughout training camp, was inactive for six games and didn't play in the Jets' last five games. He spent his first four NFL seasons with Tennessee and one with the Seahawks.
Clarke struggled as the replacement for Pete Kendall, starting 14 games at left guard for the Jets last season. After Kendall was traded to Washington following a bitter contract dispute, the Jets plugged in Clarke, who was signed before last season after two years with Philadelphia.
He may have sealed his fate when he was beaten by Richard Seymour on Clemens' first pass attempt against New England in Week 14. Clemens was intercepted on the play by Eugene Wilson, who returned it for a touchdown, and the quarterback missed the rest of the game and the following week with a rib injury. Clarke was inactive the last two games.