Cap cuts

June 1 will bring few surprises to the open market

It's routinely characterized as the second wave of free agency, but in reality, once again, it will be more of a modest ripple. With teams signaling their intentions so early in terms of potential post-June 1 salary-cap cuts -- Uh, no, Mr. Batch, you won't be required to take part in any of our offseason workouts -- there will be precious few surprises when teams start releasing players early next week.

True, the receiver market has some real sizzle, with the likes of Jacksonville's Keenan McCardell, Kansas City's Derrick Alexander, Green Bay's Antonio Freeman and Detroit's Herman Moore all expected to be turned loose. But we've known those names for weeks and in some cases months now.

For the most part, June free-agent shopping is all about bargains. Teams go looking to pick up one or two experienced players who will fill a remaining need or who are just too enticing to turn down for the relative pittance it will take to sign them. Remember, last year at this time, the New England Patriots were still a week away from landing Antowain Smith, who turned out to be the best acquisition made by the eventual Super Bowl champions.

Receiver isn't the only position that will draw interest. Players like running back Jamal Anderson, linebacker Keith Mitchell, the aforementioned quarterback Charlie Batch and defensive ends Marco Coleman and Jay Williams should get their fair share of free-agent attention as well if they are released as expected.

But be forewarned, big money will be in short supply. Especially since there still are a few attractive unrestricted free agents on the market (Re: defensive tackle Sam Adams, running back Dorsey Levens, receiver Michael Westbrook) who will compete for those same dollars.

With the opening of training camps still about six weeks away, some teams will be looking to realize enough cap savings to sign their draft class and do a little last-minute shopping. Unless you're the roster-challenged Baltimore Ravens, who must address their thinned ranks before late July, or risk bringing a whole new meaning to the term “mini-camp.”

Here's a look at 10 names who should be in the thick of the summer shopping season:

Keenan McCardell, Jacksonville, WR
Yet another victim of the Jaguars' two-year cap purge, McCardell is the most coveted of the expected June cuts. He's no Jimmy Smith, but his 93 catches for 1,110 yards and six touchdowns in 2001 ranked ninth in the league in terms of receptions. At 32, with 10 years of NFL experience, McCardell remains one of the league's better No. 2 receivers.

Teams likely to be interested: | |

Early indications were that Tampa Bay would be the most aggressive, but late word has Houston prepared to throw the most money at McCardell. Kansas City also figures to be heard from in the three-team chase. Atlanta and Baltimore both have need of his services, but they won't make the cut.

Derrick Alexander, Kansas City, WR
The Chiefs still could use a receiver, but it's apparently not Alexander, who struggled with injuries last season. At least not when they can save $750,000 under their 2002 cap by cutting him loose. Just a year removed from a Pro Bowl appearance, Alexander's fate was sealed when K.C. signed free agent Johnnie Morton.

Teams likely to be interested: | |

Minnesota is said to be ready and willing to step up and out-bid all comers for Alexander, whom the Vikings view as an excellent complement speed threat to their No. 1 man, Randy Moss. If something goes wrong in Minnesota, look for Atlanta and San Diego to be in the picture.

Antonio Freeman, Green Bay, WR
There remains the slightest glimmer of hope that Freeman will restructure his huge contract and stay with the Packers. But then again, he was told he could skip the team's recent minicamp, which is never a good sign in terms of negotiations. Freeman's game has declined in each of the past three years, and he's clearly not the same threat he was in the Packers' Super Bowl glory days. But his 52 catches for 818 yards and six touchdowns last season means he still has something left, and he only turned 30 the other day.

Teams likely to be interested: | | | | |

Round up the usual suspects. Freeman's market likely will depend on where McCardell and Alexander land. Minnesota and Tampa Bay will have interest if their fail to land their top priorities, and Baltimore also is said to have Freeman high on its list. Atlanta, Kansas City, and San Diego could use an extra pair of hands as well.

Herman Moore, Detroit, WR
After three consecutive years of low or no production, Moore will be in the position of having to sign a veteran minimum deal just to get the chance to go to camp with a team. And he may have to work out for a team first before any contract offer comes his way. Moore's seven-year streak of 900-yard-plus receiving seasons (1992-98) seems like it was a very long time ago.

Teams likely to be interested:

Baltimore, with its cap problems and dearth of experience at receiver (only Travis Taylor and Brandon Stokely have even played) might be a sensible option. But whichever team doesn't land one of the big three receivers might take a flyer on Moore, 32.

Jamal Anderson, Atlanta, RB
When the Falcons signed Warrick Dunn, Anderson had to wonder. When they drafted T.J. Duckett in the first round, Anderson had to pack. His two major knee injuries in three years will keep a lot of teams from calling, but all he wants is a chance to show that his career isn't over and his legs are still an asset. Anderson might make a nice change-of-pace back for some team looking for a 1b-type option.

Teams likely to be interested: | |

Dallas is still in the market for a backup/successor to Emmitt Smith, but artificial turf wouldn't seem to be Anderson's best surface at this point. That might eliminate Philadelphia as well, given that the Eagles' home rug is already a punch line, but don't dismiss Philly. Baltimore needs a cheap insurance policy for Jamal Lewis, who is trying to overcome his second major knee injury in recent years, and Arizona still would like to have a veteran behind Thomas Jones.

Charlie Batch, Detroit, QB
The Lions didn't do Batch any favors this offseason. For cap reasons, he had to sit and cool his heels until June while one by one teams filled their needs at quarterback. What's left for a 27-year-old with a pretty decent collection of career numbers (46 starts, 9,016 yards passing, 49 touchdowns and 40 interceptions)? No starting opportunities, that's for sure. But Batch may be able to revive his career if he falls into just the right backup situation.

Teams likely to be interested: | |

Denver makes a lot of sense, given that the Broncos lost Gus Frerotte and still have questions about backup Steve Beuerlein's elbow. With Brian Griese having to re-prove himself this season, Denver may be the best bet for Batch's future. The Broncos liked Batch coming out of college quite a bit. Jacksonville also is believed to have their eyes on Batch as an option behind Mark Brunell. Lastly, Houston could add Batch to their QB mix, behind David Carr and Kent Graham.

James Stewart, Detroit, RB
Don't count on Stewart being released in a post-June 1 move, but don't rule it out either. The Lions running game can't afford to lose Stewart, but Detroit can't afford to keep him without restructuring his $5.3 million 2002 cap value. A deal will probably get done before the Lions face releasing Stewart, but then again he could be calling Detroit's bluff, leading the situation to who knows where? His biggest payday is in Detroit, but it wouldn't be the first time that logic didn't carry the day.

Teams likely to be interested: | | |

Baltimore might view Stewart as the perfect fall-back plan for Lewis's rehabilitation efforts, and Philadelphia might find his power-running style attactive as well. Again, Arizona and Dallas also figure to keep an eye on the running back market.

Marco Coleman, Washington, DE
Barring a last-minute breakthrough on the contract front, Coleman will be cut loose early next week, saving the Redskins almost $4 million in 2002 cap space. That move was all but ensured when Washington signed Renaldo Wynn in free agency, installing him at Coleman's starting left end slot. But once the Redskins release Coleman, they will immediately begin trying to re-sign him, probably for the veteran minimum of $750,000.

Teams likely to be interested: | |

Other than the Redskins, whom Coleman wouldn't mind remaining with, Philadelphia and Miami are expected to inquire about Coleman's market. The Eagles, with plenty of cap room and Coleman's friend and former Dolphins teammate, Troy Vincent, in tow, might have the inside track.

Keith Mitchell, New Orleans, LB
Mitchell would be just the latest example of the Saints losing a player who looked like one of their stalwarts as recently as 2000. La'Roi Glover, Willie Roaf, Ricky Williams, Jeff Blake and Joe Johnson all preceded him out the door. Just a year removed from his Pro Bowl trip of 2000, Mitchell turns 28 in July and would be the top available outside linebacker.

Teams likely to be interested:

The linebacker market was fairly soft this offseason, but Mitchell is enticing enough to spark some interest from teams that don't have an obvious need. If Baltimore doesn't have enough linebacking to pull off its switch to the 3-4 defense, or if the Ravens want to prepare for the possibility of losing Peter Boulware next year, they might come after Mitchell.

Jay Williams, Carolina, DE
He's not the biggest name player expected to be in the June pool, but he will get some offers if he's cut loose. With rookie Julius Peppers expected to take his spot in the starting lineup, Williams looks like the odd man out in Carolina. But the Panthers still could opt to keep him as insurance in case Peppers struggles, or as a rotation player. Williams probably didn't help his cause by being an unhappy player at times last season, and going into the tank in the second half. He's entering the third and final season of his contract, so if he's cut, it's not a matter of cap savings as much as he no longer fits into Carolina's plans.

Teams likely to be interested: | | |

The teams still searching for defensive end help, Washington, Miami, Philadelphia and Kansas City, figure to make up Williams' market.

Don Banks covers pro football for CNNSI.com.

 

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