 |
| Desmond Howard |
The second wave of free agency typically prompted by a massive wave of June 1 cuts
didn’t materialize in full force this year. Yes, some big-name players were released
in cost-cutting moves, but there were fewer than usual.
One of the marquee players to be let go was FB Larry Centers, who was considered the
heart and soul of the Cardinals’ locker room. Arizona GM Bob Ferguson said that he
agonized over the decision, but because of Centers’ high salary-cap figure and the
presence of some younger fullbacks on the roster, he became expendable.
The Giants released FS Tito Wooten in a move that will save the team $1.1 million under
the cap this season. Wooten didn’t have a stellar 1998 season, and the Giants believe
that Percy Ellsworth or last year’s first-round pick, Shaun Williams, can take over
without any drop-off in performance.
The Raiders felt backup Harvey Williams’ salary was not in line with what he could
do on the field, so he was released. The Raiders believe a player such as recently signed
Rashaan Salaam can do what Williams was doing, but at a lower cost. Oakland also bounced
KR Desmond Howard, who became expendable when the Raiders signed ex-Bronco Darrien Gordon.
Gordon is a very good return man and can also double as a cornerback.
The Patriots gave up on CB Chris Canty, a first-round draft pick in 1997. Canty failed
to win a starting job and failed to impress the Patriots with his less-than-stellar work
habits.
The Rams released S Toby Wright, who has battled injuries the past couple of seasons.
After St. Louis signed ex-Falcon Devin Bush in February, Wright became the odd man out.
Philadelphia got rid of LB James Willis and TE Jason Dunn. Willis was the team’s
starting middle linebacker the past few seasons, but the Eagles want to give a younger guy
a shot at the job. It will be either second-year pro Jeremiah Trotter or second-round
rookie Barry Gardner. Dunn never lived up to his potential and will be replaced by
free-agent signee Jamie Asher.
Several players who were released after June 1 weren’t searching for a new job for
long. As of presstime, five notable veterans who were cap casualties had already landed
with new teams. Howard has agreed to a multiyear deal with the Packers. OT Andy Heck was
released by the Bears but signed shortly after with the Redskins, agreeing to a one-year
deal worth $450,000. Heck is expected to battle Shar Pourdanesh and Joe Patton for the
starting OLT job.
WR Billy Davis was slated to earn $800,000 in base salary this season with the Cowboys,
who weren’t willing to pay that much, especially after signing Rocket Ismail. Davis
landed on the WR-starved Ravens roster after agreeing to a one-year, $475,000 deal.
OG Corbin Lacina had a short stay in Carolina. He signed a three-year, $4.5 million
deal with a $1 million signing bonus in 1998 but was released by the Panthers in June. He
then signed with the Vikings. Minnesota had very little depth at the OG position, and with
Randall McDaniel unhappy with his contract status, Lacina could be pressed into action if
there’s a holdout or if McDaniel decides to retire.
The Vikings cleared a little cap room by releasing LB Dixon Edwards, whose level of
play didn’t justify his ’99 cap figure of more than $2 million. The Dolphins
then signed him to a one-year deal worth more than the veteran minimum of $400,000 but
less than $1 million. Expect to see Edwards, who played strong-side linebacker in
Minnesota, challenge Derrick Rodgers at the weak-side position in Miami.
|
