Cutting Time
We like our NFL action to come all at once, better to gorge on. That's how Sundays work, and the free agency period is no different. While baseball's decent free agents can stay on the market for months, most of the NFL's important action will be wrapped up in a week.
Tomorrow will be a bloodbath; A very busy day for our news page (Get those fingers loose Evan!). A lot of players will get cut as teams prepare for free agency beginning Friday. All of the restricted free agent tenders will also be announced.
On the free agency eve eve, teams often release veterans who they want to give an extra day in free agency as a show of respect. Today was no different and it contained a few surprises.
The Texans are ending Eric Moulds’ contract after only season. I don’t have his contract figures, but he’ll still cost roughly $3.75 million against the cap this year. His signing bonus will accelerate. The team probably saves some cap room by releasing him, but no more than $1 million or so.
It's surprising Houston would essentially pay to give up offensive talent, but it also says a lot about Moulds. I tend to give NFL GMs and coaches the benefit of the doubt, except Charley Casserly. It's not like baseball; they just have so much more information than any fan could. Moulds seemed like a pain in the ass in the locker room, he wasn’t a long-term answer, and he fell below ten yards-per-catch this year. That's Peerless Price territory. Perhaps they shouldn't have signed Moulds in the first place, but that was Casserly’s fault.
The next most surprising news was that the 49ers are expected to release Antonio Bryant. They really can’t afford to lose offensive talent, and Bryant, unlike Moulds, is in his prime. It would be a strong statement by Mike Nolan that he doesn’t tolerate off-the-field problems. Maybe too strong. The 49ers will likely overpay some free agent, perhaps Donte’ Stallworth or Drew Bennett, to fill the void.
Cincinnati releasing LB Brian Simmons took my by surprise at first, but his salary was rising and he didn’t stay healthy last year. He also wasn't drafted by Marvin Lewis and isn't a natural fit for the Tampa 2. That’s a recipe to lose your job, no matter how many knuckleheads play around you.
Brad Johnson’s release from Minnesota was a formality. I still think he’ll get a backup job somewhere.
Jamal Lewis’ release was also expected. There’s still a good chance he’ll return to Baltimore, just like last year after he was released. For the Ravens’ sake, I hope they try to upgrade. How can they not?
As appetizers go, Wednesday was pretty filling. Stick around on Rotoworld throughout the week, for the main course.
Comments
Hey Greg, I was wondering how many leagues you play in during a typical season?
Posted by: Josh | February 28, 2007 09:17 PM
It's fluctuated. I REALLY want to keep it down this year. I play in one dynasty league team I care a lot about. After that, usually a work league and then at least 5-6 "Expert leagues", maybe more. Those leagues are less important to me to be honest. Same as the rest of the owners. I want to do less this year. I had played in 'high stakes' leagues for 3 straight years until last and those were fun.
Posted by: gregg | March 1, 2007 01:18 PM
alright, I was just wondering because I know some guys that do 20 or so leagues a year and there is no way I could do that, I felt I was in way to many last year with 6. By the way if you know anyone interseted in joining another I've got 3 spots left open in a 14 team, cheap ($60) dynasty league haah.
Posted by: Josh | March 2, 2007 11:03 AM