The window for roster cuts can usually be one of the harshest times of the year in the NFL.

Hundreds of guys across the league are going to find out in the coming days that they won't get to live out their dream, or that their dream is about to become that much harder to live out due to a difficult path forward.

Regardless, this is a business where winning and money are kings, so keeping guys on rosters that don't actually help is an issue. Cuts do matter, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers probably need to start their cuts with running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn.

Vaughn feels like he has been on the hot seat for a little while now after failing to do much despite getting chance after chance to take and earn a spot, and now it seems like it will be a foregone conclusion that Vaughn could be gone very soon.

There are obviously some things to like in Vaughn's game, and his experience with this team does help, but it would be silly for anyone to argue that he has been one of the top-three backs on this team during the preseason.

Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds, and Sean Tucker are locks to make the roster as three players with different skillsets that will compliment the offense in various ways. Why should the Bucs keep a fourth back on the roster just to never use him?

Even last year, the Bucs barely made it to their third back. Pretending that Vaughn brings anything to the team in that role and on special teams is a bit too optimistic in a "show me" league.

The experiment is done. The Bucs reached and everyone on the planet knew it. If it worked out, it would be one thing, but a handful of good games over three years is not what you want when you are way higher than consensus on a certain player. 

The Buccaneers need to recognize this and move on, even if it can be a tough move to make.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn heading into a make or break season with Buccaneers

Time is running out.