Despite a strong game in the Cincinnati Bengals' final preseason game, former Yale standout Nate Lawrie got caught up in the roster numbers game.

With Cincinnati opting to keep veterans Ben Utecht and Reggie Kelly and hold onto rookie Matt Sherry, Lawrie was released on Saturday.

Lawrie played eight games for Tampa Bay in the 2004 and 2005 seasons and recorded his first career NFL catch, a 15-yard gain, in a Jan. 2, 2005 game against Arizona. He moved to New Orleans and played in seven games in 2006, recording a 17-yard catch in a 27-24 win over Philadelphia on Oct. 15.

In the preseason Lawrie had five catches for 48 yards. He had two catches for 37 yards in Thursday's 27-7 win over Indianapolis.

The biggest news among the Cincinnati cuts came with the release of veteran running back Rudi Johnson and offensive tackle Willie Anderson.