A method of separating discrete articles from a continuous web, the method comprising: providing a cutting roll comprising: a first axis of rotation; a first radial outer surface; and a cutting device extending radially outwardly, relative to the first axis of rotation, from the first radial outer surface; providing a bearer ring on the cutting roll that extends more radially outwardly than the first radial outer surface of the cutting roll relative to the first axis of rotation, wherein the bearer ring comprises a second radial outer surface; providing a bearing member positioned at least partially intermediate a portion of the cutting roll and the bearer ring, wherein the bearer ring is configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation independent of the cutting roll; providing an anvil roll comprising: a second axis of rotation; a third radial outer surface; and a plurality of angularly spaced anvil surfaces on, or extending radially outwardly from, the third radial outer surface; positioning the anvil roll and the cutting roll such that the first axis of rotation is generally parallel to the second axis of rotation, and such that the second radial outer surface of the bearer ring is in contact with a portion of the anvil roll; rotating the anvil roll about the second axis of rotation; using the anvil roll to drive the bearer ring about the first axis of rotation at a first speed; rotating the cutting roll at a second, different speed about the first axis of rotation independent of the anvil roll and the bearer ring; conveying the web intermediate the anvil roll and the cutting roll; and separating a discrete article from the continuous web by cutting the continuous web intermediate one of the plurality of anvil surfaces and the cutting device in a separation zone. providing a cutting roll comprising: a first axis of rotation; a first radial outer surface; and a cutting device extending radially outwardly, relative to the first axis of rotation, from the first radial outer surface; a first axis of rotation; a first radial outer surface; and a cutting device extending radially outwardly, relative to the first axis of rotation, from the first radial outer surface; providing a bearer ring on the cutting roll that extends more radially outwardly than the first radial outer surface of the cutting roll relative to the first axis of rotation, wherein the bearer ring comprises a second radial outer surface; providing a bearing member positioned at least partially intermediate a portion of the cutting roll and the bearer ring, wherein the bearer ring is configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation independent of the cutting roll; providing an anvil roll comprising: a second axis of rotation; a third radial outer surface; and a plurality of angularly spaced anvil surfaces on, or extending radially outwardly from, the third radial outer surface; a second axis of rotation; a third radial outer surface; and a plurality of angularly spaced anvil surfaces on, or extending radially outwardly from, the third radial outer surface; positioning the anvil roll and the cutting roll such that the first axis of rotation is generally parallel to the second axis of rotation, and such that the second radial outer surface of the bearer ring is in contact with a portion of the anvil roll; rotating the anvil roll about the second axis of rotation; using the anvil roll to drive the bearer ring about the first axis of rotation at a first speed; rotating the cutting roll at a second, different speed about the first axis of rotation independent of the anvil roll and the bearer ring; conveying the web intermediate the anvil roll and the cutting roll; and separating a discrete article from the continuous web by cutting the continuous web intermediate one of the plurality of anvil surfaces and the cutting device in a separation zone. <EOS>