NO matter what a player may have achieved in the past, the NFL is a ruthless business.
Evidence of this can be found in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' recent decision to cut veteran kicker Rodrigo Blankenship.
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The bespectacled specialist, who was looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season, has hit free agency once again after losing the battle for a roster spot to Chase McLaughlin.
The 26-year-old made a name for himself during his four years at Georgia.
Named to the All-SEC Second-Team as a junior, during his senior year Blankenship made the jump to First-teamer, as well as being named the Lou Groza Award Winner (the nation's best kicker).
Upon the conclusion of his Bulldogs career, Blankenship could boost a 100-percent completion record with extra point attempts during his four years in Athens - having gone 200 of 200.
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He subsequently went undrafted, being picked up by the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent.
Here Blankenship faced the daunting task of replacing one of the best kickers in NFL history, Adam Vinatieri.
Winning the job over none other than McLaughlin, he starred his rookie year, being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
His second season was cut short by a hip injury that limited him to just five appearances and while he was able to return for the 2022 season, a poor start ultimately cost him his job.
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The Arizona Cardinals subsequently came calling, with Blankenship bouncing between the active roster and practice squad, making just two appearances.
In November, he was waived with an injury settlement.
Thankfully for Blankenship, being waived with time to spare this preseason allows him the opportunity to potentially find another team ahead of Week 1.
Until then, the avid Lego collector may want to find himself a new kit or two to keep himself occupied, just as he did when awaiting his fate ahead of roster cuts in 2020, as per NFL Films.
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