I think it sends a much stronger message if a franchise cuts someone rather than trade them. In a trade, you are admitting the player still has value to you, but when you cut him, especially with this timing, it makes a statement. Carrol could not retain coaching. He made the same mistakes all game, every game. By cutting him, a 1st round draft pick with (still) big potential, it tells team members that failure to perform is not tolerated. You always hear this in these situations, but I think this is a big statement by the new coaching staff that has a lot of young, inexperienced players.
Marvin Lewis & Co. in Cincy made a similar move when they said goodbye to Odell Thurman and made Henry (the WR) sit out the game cause he was in the car when OT got his 2nd DUI. I like it.
We'll have to see how this pans out in the short term, but I think the no-nonsense approach is a great launch point.