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| Friday, May 26 Looking into the June 1 crystal ball By John Clayton Special to ESPN.com |
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As usual, the list of free agents who will be available after June 1 will be more of a disappointment than a success.
There are a few players who will be successful and could turn teams around. Deion Sanders obviously will make an impact on any team. Eric Swann might or might not make an impact, but he's attractive in that he is only 29 years old, in spite of his knee problems. He still has a few years in which he could still dominate. Carl Pickens should have an immediate effect on his new team. Steve Young, if he becomes available, must be included on the list of impact players, although there is a greater chance that he will retire or remain in San Francisco. Following is the list of players that I expect either to be cut on June 1 or sometime during the month of June (the dollar figure is the amount teams will save toward the salary cap):
Arizona He will become very popular for two teams that could lose defensive tackles because of possible suspensions -- Baltimore with Larry Webster and Tennessee with Josh Evans. Personally, Swann would love to take a job with Carolina, although the Panthers might not have enough money to sign him. Nevertheless, he has a fondness for playing in North Carolina, his home state. Seattle would also be interested. After Deion Sanders, Swann might be the most attractive free agent.
Atlanta A team like San Francisco could look at Booker, if the 49ers can sign him cheaply. Another possibility is the New York Giants. The Giants have not been able to replace Phillippi Sparks, and Booker would be an attractive player. However, the teams aren't really revealing much about which cornerbacks they would prefer.
Cincinnati The Jets and the Broncos will be the two teams looking at him the most, but he has made it clear that he would like to become a Jet. For whatever reason, he has developed a friendship with Vinny Testaverde. The problem with Pickens is when he would be released. The ideal thing for the Bengals would be to let him go before June 1. That's being held up by the players association, which feels the Bengals violated the franchise-tag rule by having him sign his contract two weeks after he'd signed the franchise tag. The players association feels there was a long-term deal on the table and the Bengals should lose the franchise tag for the length of Pickens' contract. A hearing is tentatively scheduled for late June. If the Bengals and the players association can reach a settlement that gets the franchise tag back, the Bengals will release him before June 1. If not, the Bengals will hold onto Pickens until they find out what happens to their franchise tag. There's a desire from both the Jets and the Bengals to get something done. The Jets had talked to the Bengals about a trade possibility before the draft, but they couldn't accommodate anything because of the franchise-tag possibility and Pickens' $3 million salary. Pickens, who already has $8 million in his pocket from when he signed last year, has enough money now that he would be able to work a cap-friendly deal with the Jets and just get out of Cincinnati. It's just a matter of when that's going to happen.
Dallas
It looks like the Redskins have the best chance for Sanders. There is the added possibility that he could come to Washington without any baseball commitments either at the beginning or in the middle of training camp. After his 10-day stint in Louisville, Deion was basically training with Tom Shaw and trying to get his legs ready for football. There is still the possibility of him getting called up with the Reds. He did steal 10 out of 14 bases and showed that his leg strength is sound. If the Reds aren't interested in promoting him, he would just concentrate on running for football. The Redskins probably would best be able to meet his salary demands. They will pay him his value, while most teams would be unable to do that. Sanders wants a big signing bonus somewhere between $6 million and $8 million, if not more, along with a large salary. Minnesota would love to have him, but the Vikings can't afford him. It's logical that Sanders will be able to work out a deal with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. Bruce Smith, Jeff George and Mark Carrier all did. They have mollified Darrell Green over the possibility of adding Deion. Once they sign Deion, the Redskins would let Brian Mitchell go. Mitchell will stay on the roster until they sign Deion. Nobody has a chance to really compete with Snyder's money and desire to get Deion. The Broncos are also a possibility for Deion because they have the cap room. But the chance to join the Redskins and remain in the NFC appeals to him. But naturally, Deion could use the Broncos to try to get the best money possible.
Green Bay It looks like Chmura will retire once his case is resolved. He has enough questions about his neck and how this incident has taken a lot away from him. In a pinch, he might have a friend in Steve Mariucci in San Francisco, but it's probably a pinch he won't want to take advantage of.
Koonce might be very popular in terms of opportunities more than money. Baltimore is looking at him as an insurance policy in case there is a need because of the Ray Lewis trial. Secondly, Seattle might be interested because Mike Holmgren knows him, and the Seahawks still have some question marks at linebacker. DeShone Myles did a good job for Seattle at minicamp, but he has a history of knee problems. If Koonce can come in for the right number, he would be a possibility for Seattle.
Indianapolis McCoy probably will get a lot of interest from the teams that are looking for defensive tackles -- Carolina, Baltimore, Seattle and maybe even Cleveland or New Orleans. McCoy is an overachieving defensive tackle who won't immediately start for some teams, but he has started and is good enough to be a starter if necessary.
Jacksonville Paup might have to sit. He has to play almost entirely in a 3-4 scheme, and he's having difficulty talking Buffalo into signing him. He could go to Green Bay. The Packers and the Bills, his two former teams, are the only ones that interest Paup the most. But right now they don't seem willing to take him. He might have to wait to see which team has an injury and can bring him in.
Kansas City It might be tough for Rison because he has lost a little speed. It's not out of the question that the Chiefs might try to keep him. They have already reworked his contract once to save cap room. If he comes free, he would join a group of free-agent receivers that includes Andre Reed, Courtney Hawkins and Leslie Shepherd. These receivers have had a difficult time getting offers for even the minimum of $440,000. Rison might have to sit and wait until a team has injuries before he gets an opportunity to sign someplace else.
Miami The Titans, the team he left to sign with the Dolphins, might show some interest in Donnalley. He didn't play like a $2.4 million guard in Miami. Philadelphia would show some interest in Donnalley for his experience. Maybe even Cleveland or New England would consider him. The Patriots will be looking for bargains. If Donnalley comes in at a low price, they might grab him.
Minnesota
Tampa Bay has some interest, but there is somewhat of a mixed view of Cunningham. However, he is a nice fit for a team with a young quarterback like Shaun King and a good coach like Tony Dungy. It's not like the Bucs are enamored with the idea of adding Cunningham, but that's the best chance for him to go somewhere. Baltimore could be another option, even though the Ravens don't have an opening. In a pinch, Brian Billick might be able to find a place for Cunningham.
New England Brisby might get some interest from Seattle or other teams looking for a bigger receiver. He would gravitate toward the top of the list of available receivers because of his size (6-foot-3) and age (29).
New Orleans Tolliver might not find a home. He will be held on the Saints' roster until they sign a veteran backup quarterback. If they can find someone better than Tolliver, they will sign the veteran and let Tolliver go.
N.Y. Giants Widmer might have a hard time finding a new team. Teams that don't sign Koonce might consider Widmer because of his experience. Two options could be Baltmore or Seattle.
N.Y. Jets
Phifer could be a valuable linebacker somewhere. His agent, Marvin Demoff, says he doesn't think Phifer will be released because he has been told by the Jets that Phifer will stay. But cap-wise, it will be tough for the Jets to keep Phifer. They are already paying Mo Lewis a high salary and just drafted John Abraham in the first round. You have to wonder how that will all work. Nevertheless, Phifer is someone Philadelphia might consider because he is a good, experienced player. Maybe St. Louis could take Phifer back, but it would have to be at a low cap number.
I don't see any interest anywhere for Smith. Unless some injury happens in New England, and the Pats want to bring him to camp. He could be used as a nickel back because he is more of a system type of cornerback. Obviously, he knows Bill Belichick's system, which has some value, but the Patriots already have their starters pretty well lined up.
Oakland There is more of a likelihood that Husted will be traded. Chicago has an interest in a trade. If he gets cut, the Eagles might consider taking him. They have been looking for someone to compete in training camp. He is valuable from the standpoint that he is very good on kickoffs. But because the Raiders drafted Sebastian Janikowski, there is no need for Husted in Oakland. The Raiders could get a fifth-round pick in a trade, but the best offer they are getting so far is a seventh-round pick. The Bears don't have enough interest yet to meet the Raiders' trade demand.
Pittsburgh Steed is a question mark because his knees might be a long-term problem. That's the reason Pittsburgh will be letting the former Pro Bowler go. Still, he's a valuable player for teams who don't get Swann or McCoy. He will be the third option at defensive tackle. That's the richest part of free agency after June 1. While normally there aren't many defensive tackle options, now there will be three. Cincinnati might be the best fit for Steed because Dick LeBeau, his former defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, might try to find a spot for Steed.
It might be a while before Davis can latch on with a team because there is a backlog of free-agent safeties. No team seems to be knocking on his door.
San Francisco I think Seattle would look at Wilkins. The Seahawks are interested in finding a defensive lineman who will be willing to sign for about $440,000. They will be looking at all the defensive tackles who will be free on June 1. Because Wilkins has played for Mike Holmgren in Green Bay, Wilkins might be willing to play in Seattle and fit under the Seahawks' salary cap. New England will be a player in the June 1 market too, so the Patriots might look at Wilkins as well. In addition, any defensive lineman will get consideration from Carolina.
McQuarters would be a candidate to join the Redskins if they don't get Deion Sanders because he's a cornerback who can double as a return man. He's also young (23), and Vinny Cerrato drafted him in San Francisco. The Redskins can't take both Deion and McQuarters. Minnesota will also look at McQuarters because the Vikings certainly have some cornerback needs.
Seattle The only reason he would be released is if he doesn't sign a contract very similar to the three-year, $5.1-million contract for Derrick Mayes. Dawkins' base salary is $1.9 million. As much as they would like to keep him, the Seahawks would release Dawkins to free up some cap room to sign their draft choices. If he doesn't take a deal with Seattle, he will be set free. The Jets, if they don't get Pickens, would show some interest in Dawkins. The Raiders would also be interested. Dawkins might have to take the minimum salary. He and Brisby would probably rank near the top of the list of receivers.
Tennessee It all depends on Josh Evans' situation. If his suspension is upheld for alleged chemical violations, it would save the Titans $1.4 million against the cap. If Evans is not suspended, the Titans would look to cut Sanders or Mike D. Jones ($1.65 million), but they would more than likely release Sanders to prevent the loss of another defensive lineman. The Titans will hear about Evans' suspension sometime in June. If Sanders is cut, he would move near the top of the list of available receivers because he has speed.
Washington The Lions, who are looking to re-sign Desmond Howard, would consider Mitchell because his ability to return kicks and play in the backfield are really attractive. He might draw interest from Miami, Buffalo or Minnesota. Mitchell could be popular with any playoff team looking for a return man who can also play in the backfield.
The Saints drafted a fullback, but they might still consider a veteran fullback like Bowie. The Giants have been looking for a fullback, so he might be a consideration for them, depending on Charles Way's health. He won't be instantly signed. |
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