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Thursday, February 27
Updated: March 25, 4:03 PM ET
 
Christy selects free agency over reduced salary

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Ten-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowl performer Jeff Christy has rejected a proposal from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers which would have dramatically reduced his 2003 base salary, ESPN.com confirmed, and the team's starting center will now be released.

The defending Super Bowl champions requested last weekend that Christy drop his $2.405 million base salary to $1 million, with no opportunity to recoup the difference through incentives. The team also told Christy and agent Ralph Cindrich they would not pay a $750,000 roster bonus.

Christy, 34, considered the proposal for a few days and decided that he will test the free agent market instead.

Tampa Bay will save about $2.35 million on its 2003 cap when it officially releases Christy. The Bucs on Wednesday restructured the contract of NFL defensive player of the year Derrick Brooks, and that maneuver with the standout weakside linebacker also helped create some cap room.

It remains to be seen what kind of market Christy will generate. Center has never been a priority position in free agency but several teams need to find a snapper and Christy still feels he has some productive years remaining.

Christy started all 16 regular-season games for the Bucs in 2002 and all three postseason contests, including Super Bowl XXXVII.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.






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