FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons released running back Jamal Anderson on Monday, a move expected after the team added two running backs in the off-season.

The Falcons signed free agent Warrick Dunn and took T.J. Duckett in the first round of the NFL draft to replace Anderson, who's coming off his second season-ending knee injury in three years.

Reserve running back Rodney Thomas also was released Monday.

By waiting until after June 1 to cut Anderson, the Falcons didn't have to absorb the entire $3.5 million salary-cap charge his contract calls for this year.

Instead, cap rules will allow Atlanta to spread out the charge over a two-year period. Anderson, who signed a five-year, $32 million contract in 1999, will count $1.5 million against the 2002 cap and $1.5 million against the 2003 cap.

``This is the most difficult part of a great business,'' coach Dan Reeves said. ``Jamal was a model professional, and he influenced a lot of younger players with his work ethic.''

Anderson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Sept. 30 against Arizona; he suffered the same injury to his right knee in 1999.

Anderson, a seventh-round draft choice out of Utah in 1994, rushed for 5,336 yards with the Falcons. Only Gerald Riggs and William Andrews had more.

In 1998, Anderson led Atlanta to the Super Bowl by setting a franchise record of 1,846 yards and an NFL single-season record with 410 carries.

Jaguars cut pair of veterans
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars released receiver Keenan McCardell and linebacker Hardy Nickerson on Monday, making official a pair of expected money-saving moves they've been planning for this offseason.

By releasing the pair, Jacksonville frees $6.5 million under its salary cap.

``I want to thank Keenan and Hardy for all that they contributed to this team and to this community,'' said Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin. ``Both of these men are a tribute to their profession.''

Like Tony Boselli, who was let go in the expansion draft, McCardell was part of the backbone of this franchise, one of the core players the Jaguars used to make it to two AFC title games in their first five years.

He had 94 and 93 receptions the last two seasons and surpassed 1,000 yards in four of his six years with the Jaguars.

The Jaguars signed Nickerson as a free agent before the 2000 season, thinking he might be the missing piece to their Super Bowl puzzle. But the team faltered, finishing 7-9 and 6-10 the last two seasons, and changes were due.

McCardell teamed with Jimmy Smith to form the most productive receiving duo in NFL history over a six-year period (1,061 receptions from 1996-2001). They were nicknamed ``Thunder and Lightning,'' and when the Jaguars made their intentions to release McCardell clear, Smith voiced his displeasure.

``It's unfortunate that you've got to do that to guys who've grown together, broken records year in and year out, and been really the only thing this team has had over the years,'' Smith said during minicamp in April. ``We've been there every game. We really built this franchise.''

McCardell did not immediately return messages left at his house by The Associated Press. In an interview in April, he said he felt the Jaguars had betrayed him, promising him a future with the club when he routinely renegotiated his contracts to help them with their salary-cap troubles.

``If I weren't bitter, I wouldn't be human,'' he said.

Making things worse was Jacksonville's decision to release him after June 1 -- a move that helped their salary cap but hurt McCardell's position in free agency.

Freeman cut by Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Antonio Freeman, one of Brett Favre's favorite targets for the last half-dozen seasons, was cut Monday by the Green Bay Packers, part of the expected purge of veterans.

The Packers will save $4.3 million in salary this season but Freeman's departure will cost the team about that much against the 2003 salary cap. Green Bay had wanted him to play for $1 million and incentives this year. Under the league's collective bargaining agreement, teams can pro-rate the signing bonus against the cap for a player cut after June 1.

The release was expected. The team even allowed him to shop his services to other teams.

But Freeman was upset after the Packers traded for receiver Terry Glenn last winter and said he'd rather play elsewhere than take such a big paycut.

With the savings from Freeman's release, the team can sign their six draft picks and even pursue free agents, including a linebacker to address their biggest need.

Freeman and Favre were the top active touchdown tandem in the NFL with 57 scores, fifth-most in NFL history. He also caught 10 touchdown passes in the postseason.

Freeman, drafted out of Virginia Tech in 1995 as a punt returner, leaves Green Bay as the fifth-ranking receiver in team history with 417 receptions.

Chiefs part ways with Alexander
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- As expected, the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday released wide receiver Derrick Alexander.

Alexander was the team's MVP in 2000 with 1,391 receiving yards, but missed several games last season with injuries.

The eight-year veteran doesn't fit the quick-hitting passing offense coach Dick Vermeil has tried to copy from his 1999 Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams. But he is expected to be signed quickly by another team.

While with Kansas City, Alexander caught 213 passes for 3,685 yards and 19 touchdowns. He ranks third in team history with 12 100-yard receiving games.

He entered the NFL as a second-round draft pick of Cleveland in 1994. In 1998, he signed with the Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent from Baltimore.

Moore, Batch cut loose by Lions
DETROIT -- As expected, the Detroit Lions cut quarterback Charlie Batch and receiver Herman Moore on Monday to clear salary-cap space.

Batch, who had three years and $10 million left on his deal, completed 56 percent of his passes for 9,016 yards with 49 touchdowns and 40 interceptions as a starter in parts of four injury-plagued seasons in Detroit.

Moore, who had four seasons and nearly $16 million left on his contract, was the Lions' career receiving leader and a four-time Pro Bowler. However, he made just four catches last season for 76 yards before his 11th year ended with a hip injury.

The Lions will go with second-year quarterback Mike McMahon, rookie Joey Harrington and Ty Detmer at quarterback, and Germane Crowell, Az-Zahir Hakim and Bill Schroeder at receiver.

Redskins will try to re-sign cut Coleman
ASHBURN, Va. -- Marco Coleman, a strong locker room leader and a Pro Bowl defensive end two years ago, was cut by the Washington Redskins on Monday to save money under the salary cap.

By cutting Coleman after June 1, the Redskins will save $3.5 million under this year's $71 million cap. The move needed to happen quickly because he was due a bonus of $500,000 if he were still on the roster June 5.

``If there was no salary cap, I can assure you he probably would be on our team,'' coach Steve Spurrier said. ``He's a good player and a good person.''

Spurrier said the Redskins will try to re-sign Coleman, but attempts to work out a new deal before June 1 did not go very far. The Redskins want to pay Coleman a salary close to the veteran minimum of $750,000, but other teams in need of a solid pass-rushing end will almost certainly make better offers.

The Redskins, still paying the price for their spending spree of two years ago, had very little room under the cap. The money saved by cutting Coleman will be used to sign the team's draft picks.

Steelers waive goodbye to LB Jones
PITTSBURGH -- Mike Jones, one of the heroes of the 2000 Super Bowl, was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday.

Jones' release did not come as a surprise. He was signed by the Steelers last year as insurance to protect Kendrell Bell, who was drafted in the second round. But Bell developed more quickly than expected, taking most of the playing time away from Jones.

Bell went on to be named the NFL defensive rookie of the year.

Jones, 33, is best known for the game-saving tackle on Tennessee's Kevin Dyson on the final play of the Rams' 23-16 Super Bowl victory in January 2000.

Although Jones, who signed a three-year contract last year which included a $250,000 signing bonus, did not start a game with the Steelers, he played in 15 games. Jones finished last season filling in for Earl Holmes, who was sidelined with a knee injury, in some defensive schemes late in the season.

Veteran Fina cut by Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Offensive tackle John Fina, the last link to the Bills' four straight AFC championship teams of the early 1990s, was released by Buffalo on Monday.

The move was not unexpected, allowing the Bills to free up about $3 million under the NFL salary cap for next season. Fina had five years left on a hefty contract, and had spent last week attempting to negotiate a substantial paycut to stay with the team.

``I am pleased, proud and honored to have been a part of the Buffalo Bills franchise for the past 10 years,'' Fina said from his home in Tucson, Ariz. ``I'll truly miss living in Buffalo. ... It was a place where I enjoyed some of the best times of my life.''

The Bills are estimated to be about $4.7 million under the salary cap, more than enough room to sign their draft picks, including top prospect Mike Williams.

Fina, who played collegiately at the University of Arizona, had become expendable after the Bills spent this off-season bolstering a line that had been banged-up and in disarray for most of last year.

Along with drafting Williams, a right offensive tackle, with the fourth overall pick last April, the Bills signed free-agent linemen Trey Teague and Marcus Price.

``Decisions such as this are never easy,'' Bills president Tom Donahoe said. ``We want to thank John for his years of service and dedication to our franchise. We wish him and his family the best.''

Buffalo's first-round pick in the 1992 draft, Fina anchored the left side of the Bills' offensive line for the last nine years. Fina started 131 of 148 games he appeared in for Buffalo. He also appeared in the Bills' final two Super Bowl losses, in 1993 and '94.

Age and a nagging knee injury eventually caught up to the 33-year-old Fina last season, forcing him to miss three games, the second most of his career. Fina also appeared to lose a step in holding up blocks in passing situations.

Fina's release completes a major overhaul of the Bills lineup, following last season's release of 10-year veteran safety Henry Jones and nine-year veteran kicker Steve Christie. Last January, defensive end Phil Hansen retired after 11 seasons with the Bills.

The longest-serving member of the team on the roster now becomes offensive guard Jerry Ostroski, who is entering his ninth season in Buffalo.