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No formula for free agency
Posted: Saturday February 12, 2000 08:17 PM
For NFL front-office people, free agency may be the toughest game of all. The Jets realized they made a mistake signing tight end Eric Green and safety Steve Atwater to multiyear deals. The Jets paid $2.8 million in signing bonuses to these two less than a year ago, but they didn't play up to the salaries they made, and both are now gone to create more space under the salary cap. The Jaguars will eventually let linebacker Bryce Paup go for the same reasons -- but not until June, so they don't get charged the $3.6 million left in his signing bonus until 2001. GMs also have to be aware of the contract ripple effect. The Giants gave defensive end Michael Strahan a four-year, $32 million contract extension in August. Now other defensive ends like Chuck Smith and Lester Archambeau are going to demand a lot more money. Two months ago Archambeau might have been worth $1 million a year, but he may now be a bargain at nearly twice that. Look for some players to be offered a pay cut. The trick here is to offer a player a lower salary, but one that the player's agent feels is still better than his client could get in the open market. Randall Cunningham of the Vikings is that kind of player now that he's clearly a backup. Seven teams have new coaches this offseason and coaches who move love to bring their favorite players with them. The good news for these players is that coaches will probably overpay to get them. So expect new Saints coach Jim Haslett, who spent three seasons on the Steelers staff, to go after Pittsburgh defensive end Orpheus Roye. And it wouldn't surprise me if new Patriots boss Bill Belichick tries to sign linebacker Mo Lewis, who played under Belichick with the Jets. And finally, watch for trades involving players under contract, for whom the acquiring team does not have to come up with a huge signing bonus. Cincinnati wide receiver Carl Pickens and Denver running back Olandis Gary are all good candidates to be moved. Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years in the NFL as a coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated. The opinions expressed here are those of the writer.
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