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While it probably won't have the same impact this year, given that there aren't expected to be many overpaid and underachieving players of high profile cut loose and cast into the unemployment line, June 1 has become a notable date on the NFL calendar.
But beyond the normal implications of the June 1 marker, when league general managers and coaches always like to think there will be a few contributors of note entering the market, there is this other significance to the date: It marks the start of the unofficial countdown to training camp and, truth be told, a time when many veterans still trolling for jobs begin to panic about not yet having a contract.
In any year, that characteristically means a signing scramble, with veterans more willing to swallow their pride and accept minimum-salary contracts. This spring, in what is still a buyer's market, teams have more leverage than ever before. That is especially true at a few positions, like safety and wide receiver, where there is a glut of unemployed veterans.
And where few teams are going to overspend, knowing that they have options, and that if one prideful player rejects a minimum deal, someone else is apt to jump at it.
"The teams have the hammer now and, while some of your clients don't necessarily want to hear that, it's the reality of the situation," said one prominent agent still attempting to line up deals for three unrestricted players. "But it's like I tell them: 'If you think you can find a job in the real world, where you're going to make more than the league minimum, God bless you.' Part of an agent's job at this point is to make his clients see the light. I mean, there aren't many million-dollar pay days left out there, you know? You're going to see a lot of minimum (salary) contracts signed in the next month or so."
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Dead money
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When teams release some veterans next week in the annual post-June 1 purge, they will create more "dead money," the term used for salary cap space taken up by veterans who are no longer with the club. Here are 22 players who each account for more than $2.5 million in "dead money" against their former teams' salary-cap totals for 2003:
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Player
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Team
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Amount (millions)
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Jason Sehorn
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NYG
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$8.0
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Stephen Davis
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Was.
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$6.214
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Junior Seau
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SDG
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$6.174
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Daryl Gardener
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Mia.
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$6.032
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John Fina
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Buf.
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$5.693
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Emmitt Smith
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Dal.
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$4.955
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Charlie Batch
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Det.
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$4.918
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Sean Gilbert
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Car.
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$4.6
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Antonio Freeman
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GNB
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$4.285
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Ellis Johnson
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Ind.
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$4.103
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Herman Moore
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Det.
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$4.015
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Marco Coleman
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Was.
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$3.883
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Dwayne Rudd
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Cle.
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$3.39
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Wally Williams
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N.O.
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$3.041
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Ashley Ambrose
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Atl.
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$3.0
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Marcus Jones
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T.B.
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$3.0
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Greg Biekert
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Oak.
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$2.924
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Hardy Nickerson
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T.B.
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$2.9
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Rocket Ismail
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Dal.
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$2.816
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Keenan McCardell
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Jac.
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$2.815
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Denard Walker
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Den.
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$2.667
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Derrick Alexander
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K.C.
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$2.548
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-- Len Pasquarelli
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Even though the post-June 1 cap casualties won't amount to much, in terms of quality or quantity, the next few days will see an increase in the unemployment rolls. And that just exacerbates the difficulty for players to receive offers above the minimum levels. Smart teams will use the leverage to their advantage, no doubt, and pluck off the few remaining veterans who might be able to legitimately contribute in 2003.
And there are, despite perceptions to the contrary, a few players still in the market who might be bargain basement bonanzas if signed for the minimum salaries. Enhancing the motivation for teams to look at those players is a rule instituted last year which provides a salary-cap discount for clubs that sign veterans to minimum deals. For a cap charge of just $450,000, or $475,000 if a team awards a player a signing bonus of $25,000, there are a handful of guys worth consideration.
Here are a few of them:
Oronde Gadsden, wide receiver (minimum salary: $530,000): The former Miami starter might not have exercised much sense in rejecting an extension last year that would have paid him a signing bonus of $750,000, but his poor judgement has nothing to do with his skills as a player. Gadsden has some drawbacks, like his age (32) and lack of deep speed, but his size makes him a viable "red zone" threat and he can still make the acrobatic catch at times. The market has dried up on him and some team, probably Miami, which would take him back at its price, will get a solid No. 3 receiver at a very reasonable price.
Larry Whigham, safety ($655,000): One of the league's premier special teams players of the last decade, he is still a terrific "gunner" on punt coverage, even at age 30. He might not add much in terms of "nickel" or "dime" help, but his enthusiasm is contagious, and we know of two special teams coaches begging their teams to contact him. Even if he does nothing more than run down under kickoffs and punts, he will be an upgrade, and is still capable of 15-20 tackles on the specialty units.
Kwamie Lassiter, safety ($655,000): At age 33, the former Arizona Cardinals star doesn't run as well as he once did but, then again, he was never a burner. His interceptions fell off to just two in 2003, after nabbing nine the previous season, and he has never been noted as a physical hitter. But the eight-year pro still reads quarterbacks well, can break on the ball and make a play, and at worst would be able to contribute in "nickel" packages. Like some other veterans still seeking work, his expectations have been dashed, but he might still feel there is a better-than-minimum deal out there for him. At this point, he would be wise just to secure a job.
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| Freeman |
Antonio Freeman, wide receiver ($655,000): Might not be willing to play for just the minimum salary and San Francisco officials, who are very interested, suggested this week his demands were a bit too rich for them. The former Packers star was productive in a No. 3 role for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002, with 46 catches for 600 yards. There were just five No. 3 receivers with more receptions and Freeman demonstrated he still knows how to move the chains and create separation in "red zone" situations. There are at least five teams who want him, but all of them will sit back and wait for him to lower his asking price before making a move on him.
Floyd Wedderburn, offensive lineman ($530,000): The four-year veteran and occasional starter in Seattle can play tackle or guard and has enough size to engulf defenders. He isn't as powerful in-line as he should be, and doesn't have great feet, but he ought to be on the radar screen of any club still seeking offensive line depth at this late date. Teams that are interested will need to conduct some due diligence and check out a shoulder injury that truncated his 2002 campaign. But if the four-year veteran is indeed healthy, at age 27, he is certainly worth consideration.
Henry Ford, defensive lineman ($655,000): You can never have enough defensive line depth and the former Tennessee Titans starter can play inside or outside. There seemed to be a few times this spring when he was close to an agreement but, for whatever reason, nothing was consummated. Never noted as having a big motor and, frankly, has been an underachiever much of his career. But the former first-rounder (1994) can provide some team 15-20 snaps in a defensive line rotation.
James "Big Cat" Williams, offensive tackle ($755,000): The longtime Chicago Bears strong-side blocker is 35 years old and, after 12 seasons and 143 starts, might not have a lot left in the gas tank. For all we know, he might not even want to play anymore, and could fade into retirement. But if Williams still has the itch, and is willing to put himself through the rigors of a training camp for a minimum pay check, he would be a pretty nice security blanket for a team that needs a No. 3 tackle.
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| Ismail |
Qadry Ismail, wide receiver ($755,000): Things didn't work out for him in Indianapolis last year and he only registered 44 catches for 462 yards, and was released this spring. His long speed isn't what it used to be, but Ismail has some quickness and run-after-catch skill, and might be a decent No. 4 receiver for some teams. His career average of 14.6 yards per catch is very good and he did have a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in Baltimore.
Marcus Spriggs, offensive tackle ($530,000): Has just 18 regular-season starts in seven seasons, but has played both tackle spots and, in a pinch, could probably move inside and give a team some snaps at guard. Not an overpowering blocker, but has greatly improved his mechanics in the last couple seasons.
Bernard Whittington, defensive lineman ($655,000): Just like Ford, he can play inside and outside and always gives a solid effort. He may not be special, but he certainly is a high-character player whose versatility should be attractive to some team looking for another veteran body on its front four unit. His resume includes 95 starts.
Around the league
Teams like to insist they never have an inkling of when a player is in trouble with the league's substance abuse policy, but it's hard to believe the New York Jets were blind to the festering problem of defensive tackle Josh Evans, especially after the club made such a bold move in the draft to secure Dewayne Robertson with the fourth overall selection. According to The New York Times, the veteran Evans recently tested positive again for marijuana and faces the second year-long suspension of his career. Evans is one of the most likeable players in the NFL, a tough interior defender whose statistics usually belie his true contribution, but his personal problems always made him a risk. Certainly the Jets had no hint of a positive test early this offseason, when they awarded Evans a $3 million option payment to trigger the final three seasons of the four-year deal he signed last year, but they must have gotten a heads-up before the draft. The potential loss of Evans -- who is appealing the results of the test, but isn't likely to beat the system for a second time, having won an appeal last year -- isn't devastating to the New York defense. But if commissioner Paul Tagliabue upholds the test, the absence of Evans means the Jets won't have nearly as good a tackle rotation, and Robertson almost certainly will be forced into the starting lineup next to Jason Ferguson. The potential loss of Evans for all of 2003 might also be a factor in the Jets' early negotiations with Robertson. Look for a deal with the former University of Kentucky star to be struck before the beginning of July. One more note about a Robertson deal: It might not include some of the "back end" elements of most current first-round contracts. New York officials are philosophically opposed to the kinds of "escalator" clauses and incentives that can balloon the value of a deal. They might be willing to pay more in upfront money, or to guarantee a good segment of the contract, to avoid the "back end" features and get Robertson signed.
The early draft ratings of college seniors by the two combine services to which most NFL teams subscribe are usually flawed, history has demonstrated, and that is likely true again with the 2003 class. Case in point: ESPN.com has learned that National Football Scouting, Inc., which recently concluded its spring meetings, does not have Eli Manning of Mississippi ranked as the top quarterback prospect. Instead, that honor goes to J.P. Losman of Tulane, who has a 7.2 grade compared to Manning's 6.2 rating.
Smart move by the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, signing defensive end Jamaal Green, the team's fourth-round draft choice, to a four-year, $1.695 million contract. But one has to wonder, unless there is an "escalator" clause for the 2006 season or that year is "voidable," why an agent would tie up a second-day draft pick for four years instead of the standard three-year deal. By adding an extra year, Green got a slightly larger signing bonus, $325,000, than he normally would have. The corresponding choice in the fourth round of the 2002 draft received a signing bonus of $255,000 but on a three-year contract. But the potential downside is that Green apparently bypassed his restricted free-agency season, which would have come following the 2005 campaign. The deal is a terrific one for the Eagles, and savvy team president and chief negotiator Joe Banner, since coaches are raving already about Green's performance. The former University of Miami standout might be part of the combination of players defensive coordinator Jim Johnson employs at right end to help replace Hugh Douglas, who defected to Jacksonville as an unrestricted free agent. Green had 16 sacks the past two seasons at Miami -- three more than fellow Hurricanes star and Eagles' first-round choice Jerome McDougle posted over the same period -- and registered 24 sacks for his career. He isn't quite as polished or rounded as McDougle, but might have a bit more quickness.
As first noted in this space last week, unrestricted free agent strong safety Lee Flowers has all but decided to sign with the Denver Broncos and, barring an unexpected collapse of negotiations, the deal will be completed early next week. Coach Mike Shanahan has taken a personal role in recruiting Flowers, the former Pittsburgh starter who fell out of favor with Steelers coaches who feel his quickness has waned, and the veteran feels that the Broncos have a legitimate chance to make a run deep into the playoffs in 2003. Once the Broncos release quarterback Brian Griese on Monday, and clear salary-cap space, the deal with Flowers will be consummated.
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| Griese |
No secret here, but Griese will sign with the Miami Dolphins within hours of his release by the Broncos, just after his name appears on the league's official transactions wire. The financial details of the contract are not yet available, but sources tell ESPN.com that the deal will be for two years, not one as has been speculated. Griese will participate in the organized workouts the Dolphins have scheduled for next week.
San Francisco officials are trying hard to downplay the seriousness of the arthroscopic surgery that cornerback Jason Webster had on his left ankle Thursday, but there are some 49ers coaches more than a little concerned about the physical viability of the three-year veteran for training camp. The 49ers were already thin at cornerback, thus their interest in free agents Fred Weary and Emmanuel McDaniel (who will actually audition for the club at this week's organized workouts), and losing Webster for any kind of extended period could be catastrophic. Webster, 25, has started 42 games at right cornerback and he has six interceptions and 32 passes defensed for his career. He started all 16 games in each of the past two seasons and is generally regarded as the Niners' best cover defender, with a slight edge over Ahmed Plummer. The team's No. 3 cornerback, 2002 first-round choice Mike Rumph, was a whipping boy for opposition quarterbacks in "nickel" situations as a rookie and, while he has improved, doesn't yet look like a starter. That's why coaches will be holding their collective breath over Webster's recovery. Coach Dennis Erickson said this week that Webster will be ready for the start of camp. Some assistants feel he might have been assessing the situation more with his heart than his head.
If the Bengals are going to release first-round flop Akili Smith, they have yet to tell the four-year veteran quarterback, and that might be because Cincinnati officials haven't yet decided his fate. "If I see (personnel director) Jim Lippincott standing at my locker and waiting for me on Monday, then I'll know something is coming down," Smith said earlier this week, when asked to speculate on his future. Despite his failure to ever live up to his draft status, as the third overall player chosen in the 1999 lottery, Smith still has enough skills to intrigue some members of the Bengals staff. That said, most coaches believe he lacks confidence, and that a change of scenery is his only hope of resurrecting his career. What the Bengals have to decide is if rookie Carson Palmer is truly ready to serve as the primary backup to starter Jon Kitna. If he is, the team will likely sign a young veteran, and probably will choose from between journeymen Todd Husak and Greg Zolman. But if Marvin Lewis decides he needs a more veteran backup, look for the Bengals to sign the much-traveled Jamie Martin, who has played for assistant Ken Zampese in the past.
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| Haley |
His DUI arrest over the Memorial Day weekend notwithstanding, Washington Redskins officials and sources close to Jermaine Haley do not feel that the defensive tackle will be suspended by the league. There are several inconsistencies with the manner in which police handled the arrest, some serious suggestions by Haley that are better left unreported at this point, and more than a few gray areas. The Redskins signed Haley away from the Miami Dolphins as a restricted free agent, rewarding him with a four-year deal that is worth just shy of $4 million, and they have already dug pretty deep into the charges and his standing with the league's substance and alcohol abuse policies. The bet here is that Haley will receive nothing more than a one-game suspension, and more likely just a fine, if that, from league officials.
There is still a chance that St. Louis will release starting free safety Kim Herring sometime next week, as part of the league's post-June 1 salary cap purge, but the odds are better that the Rams will hold onto the six-year veteran a bit longer. The reason: No one is completely certain yet that Jason Sehorn will make a speedy transition from cornerback to free safety, even though he played the latter position in college, and Herring could be a nice security blanket to have around. Were the Rams to release Herring after Saturday, they would gain about $2 million in cap space for 2003, but would still have to carry a hit of $1.2 million for the veteran safety against their 2004 spending limit. The Sehorn deal, by the way, includes a signing bonus of $345,000, a base salary of $655,000 and another $5,600 in potential workout bonuses.
Houston Texans offensive tackle Tony Boselli, who missed the entire 2002 season and privately concedes to questions about his future, got some mixed results when he returned to the practice field this week. Boselli moved well and his conditioning was better than even he anticipated. But even without contact, the kind that would test a left shoulder that has thrice been surgically repaired, Boselli acknowledged some concerns and allowed that he still has a long way to go. Houston officials remain publicly optimistic that Boselli can return, and knock off the rust of more than a year of inactivity, but general manager Charley Casserly and coach Dom Capers continue to hope for the best and to plan for the worst-case scenario.
With less than $1 million of cap space, the Tennessee Titans still need to figure a way to re-sign punter Craig Hentrich and backup quarterback Neil O'Donnell, but there are very few veterans they can approach about reworking existing contracts to create cap room. That means a veteran starting player, most likely middle linebacker Randall Godfrey but perhaps offensive right tackle Fred Miller, will soon be released.
Punts: Still seeking depth and competition at tailback, Tampa Bay is considering signing free agent Terry Kirby, who played for Bucs coach Jon Gruden while in Oakland. … The Carolina Panthers have told wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, whose $3.9 million base salary is very high for a player who has been injured as often as he has recently, that he will not be a post-June 1 cap casualty. The Panthers haven't asked Muhammad to rework his contract, either, and apparently feel he will rebound from a couple subpar seasons. … The Arizona Cardinals are likely to sign free agent defensive lineman Steve White, who auditioned for coaches this week, but want to wait and see what players are released after June 1 before making a final determination. … The Bucs are heartened by the progress of backup quarterback Jim Miller, who is coming off shoulder surgery, but seems to be ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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