The versatile Troy Brown might not be a part of the New England Patriots' quest for a fourth Super Bowl title in five years.

The 33-year-old Brown, a 12-year veteran who was both a wide receiver and return man for New England, was cut Tuesday as NFL teams released players to get under the $85.5 million salary cap hours before the league's free agent period began.

Once one of the Patriots' most dependable receivers, Brown's biggest contribution in the most recent Super Bowl season was on defense. With the New England secondary weakened by injuries, Brown filled in as an extra defensive back.

In his career, he has 475 catches for 5,516 yards and 25 touchdowns.

"As a team player, Troy is right at the top of the list," quarterback Tom Brady said in Jacksonville, Fla. "There is no other guy who has the respect of his teammates like Troy."

Brown is the third high-profile player the Patriots have released in the last week, joining linebacker Roman Phifer and four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also cut ties with two of the stars of its Super Bowl team from 2003 when they released quarterback Brad Johnson and wide receiver Joe Jurevicius.

The release of the 36-year-old Johnson had been expected.

"I have been where Brad is. Nobody likes to be told that they're fired," said Brian Griese, who started most of last year for Tampa Bay and restructured his contract to help the Bucs get under the cap.

"But I think Brad is the type of guy who will use that as motivation. I know he still has some good days left and I know he wants to go and prove himself. I don't have any doubts he'll go somewhere. And wherever he goes, that team will be getting a heck of a player and heck of a leader."

Some of those players could be re-signed if they don't sign elsewhere, although Johnson is unlikely to be among them. He would join a group of veteran quarterbacks already on the market including Jeff Garcia, Vinny Testaverde and Kurt Warner.

The Dallas Cowboys released three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Dexter Coakley. He would have been due a $500,000 roster bonus if he was still on the team Wednesday.

The Cleveland Browns were close to finalizing a trade that would send defensive tackle Gerard Warren to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round draft choice, a football source told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.