Its a controversial topic. Its difficult from our perpsective to discern truth from misperception.
If, and I do think its IF based on what I said above, the decision makers believe its time to part ways with TO it will be done in a manner to minimize his financial impact on the team for the future. For 2009 his salary would be replaced on the 2009 cap by non-amortized bonus money from the past plus about $800k if I recall.
But the dead money (unamortized bonuses from the past) from cutting him would last only for 2009. In 2010 we would reclaim about $9mil in cap space, available for whoever and whatever.
If we adopt your strategy of "sending him home" during 2009, then we will be paying salary in 2009 plus still have unamortized bonus $ to deal with in 2010. Your strategy extends the pain.
Actually releasing him before anymore bonus money or salary is paid is the cheaper long term option. Its not the same as simply sending him home.