March 3 (Bloomberg) -- Warren Sapp and Jevon Kearse hit the open market today, and the Pro Bowl defensive linemen headline the available players as the National Football League's free- agent and trading period begins.
Sapp and Kearse are unrestricted free agents and can sign with any team, with no compensation owed their old clubs. Sapp has spent his nine-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Kearse has played all five of his NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
They might be among the players changing teams as NFL clubs officially start trying to fill holes on their rosters.
``There is so much going on this year that I think it's unique,'' Buccaneers General Manager Bruce Allen said this week during a news conference. ``And there's been more trade talks than any year I can remember.''
The Buccaneers have been involved in negotiations on a wide- receiver swap that would send Keyshawn Johnson to the Dallas Cowboys for Joey Galloway.
Among the biggest moves that might be completed is a trade involving Denver Broncos running back Clinton Portis and Washington Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey, provided both players reach contract agreements with their new teams. ESPN reported that both have done so in the last two days, as Portis agreed on an eight-year, $50.5 million contract with the Redskins and Bailey came to terms on a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Broncos.
Washington made the biggest offseason splash of any NFL team last season -- signing four free agents from the New York Jets including receiver Laveranues Coles -- and is poised to do so again this year under new coach Joe Gibbs.
``This is a huge opportunity because we're looking at (free agency) as the first place we can really solve problem areas on the team,'' Gibbs told reporters.
Salary Cap
Gibbs won three Super Bowl championships with the Redskins from 1981-92, but never has had to operate under the constraints of the salary cap, which was instituted in 1994.
Sapp, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, and Kearse, a three- time Pro Bowler, are among the biggest names on this year's free- agent market. They'll probably be among the most sought-after as well.
``I think everybody in the league would have an interest in Jevon Kearse,'' Gibbs said. ``A guy like that who is unrestricted, you figure everybody in the league is going to be talking to him. So it's going to be a matter of who wins out.''
Quarterback Jeff Garcia is available after being released by the San Francisco 49ers yesterday in a cost-cutting move. Bobby Taylor of the Philadelphia Eagles heads a group of talented free- agent cornerbacks that also includes San Francisco's Ahmed Plummer, Seattle's Shawn Springs and Buffalo's Antoine Winfield.
Free Agents
Among this year's other top unrestricted free agents are Eagles running back Duce Staley, New England Patriots center Damien Woody, Seahawks receiver Darrell Jackson and Denver Broncos linebacker Ian Gold. Restricted free agents such as Miami defensive end Adewale Ogunleye also are available, though teams would have to give up draft picks to sign them.
``We intend to be busy,'' said Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci, who has almost $15 million available under the NFL's $80.6 million salary cap this season. ``We will get our game face on and get some things done to add to our team.''
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver said many teams would try to copy the Patriots, who have used free agency to fill gaps in their roster while winning the Super Bowl two of the past three years.
New England bypassed major free agents, but spent wisely on key players such as linebackers Mike Vrabel and Roman Phifer, safety Rodney Harrison, cornerback Tyrone Poole, running back Antowain Smith, tight end Christian Fauria and receiver David Patten.
Second Tier
``There's a lot of talent just behind the top candidates,'' Weaver said. ``New England has done the best job of finding those players.''
The Minnesota Vikings have the most flexibility under the salary cap -- $33.3 million -- and might be among the most active teams. The Eagles, Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints also are more than $15 million under the league's payroll limit.
While several moves probably will be made today, Eagles vice president of player personnel Tom Heckert doesn't expect a rush of signings. He said free agents, with the opportunity to gauge their value on the open market, probably would talk with as many teams as possible.
``Agents want to make sure they get the best deals for their clients,'' Heckert said. ``I don't think you'll see a lot of deals done on the first day. A few, but not a ton.''
http://quote.bloomberg.com
Sapp and Kearse are unrestricted free agents and can sign with any team, with no compensation owed their old clubs. Sapp has spent his nine-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Kearse has played all five of his NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
They might be among the players changing teams as NFL clubs officially start trying to fill holes on their rosters.
``There is so much going on this year that I think it's unique,'' Buccaneers General Manager Bruce Allen said this week during a news conference. ``And there's been more trade talks than any year I can remember.''
The Buccaneers have been involved in negotiations on a wide- receiver swap that would send Keyshawn Johnson to the Dallas Cowboys for Joey Galloway.
Among the biggest moves that might be completed is a trade involving Denver Broncos running back Clinton Portis and Washington Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey, provided both players reach contract agreements with their new teams. ESPN reported that both have done so in the last two days, as Portis agreed on an eight-year, $50.5 million contract with the Redskins and Bailey came to terms on a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Broncos.
Washington made the biggest offseason splash of any NFL team last season -- signing four free agents from the New York Jets including receiver Laveranues Coles -- and is poised to do so again this year under new coach Joe Gibbs.
``This is a huge opportunity because we're looking at (free agency) as the first place we can really solve problem areas on the team,'' Gibbs told reporters.
Salary Cap
Gibbs won three Super Bowl championships with the Redskins from 1981-92, but never has had to operate under the constraints of the salary cap, which was instituted in 1994.
Sapp, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, and Kearse, a three- time Pro Bowler, are among the biggest names on this year's free- agent market. They'll probably be among the most sought-after as well.
``I think everybody in the league would have an interest in Jevon Kearse,'' Gibbs said. ``A guy like that who is unrestricted, you figure everybody in the league is going to be talking to him. So it's going to be a matter of who wins out.''
Quarterback Jeff Garcia is available after being released by the San Francisco 49ers yesterday in a cost-cutting move. Bobby Taylor of the Philadelphia Eagles heads a group of talented free- agent cornerbacks that also includes San Francisco's Ahmed Plummer, Seattle's Shawn Springs and Buffalo's Antoine Winfield.
Free Agents
Among this year's other top unrestricted free agents are Eagles running back Duce Staley, New England Patriots center Damien Woody, Seahawks receiver Darrell Jackson and Denver Broncos linebacker Ian Gold. Restricted free agents such as Miami defensive end Adewale Ogunleye also are available, though teams would have to give up draft picks to sign them.
``We intend to be busy,'' said Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci, who has almost $15 million available under the NFL's $80.6 million salary cap this season. ``We will get our game face on and get some things done to add to our team.''
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver said many teams would try to copy the Patriots, who have used free agency to fill gaps in their roster while winning the Super Bowl two of the past three years.
New England bypassed major free agents, but spent wisely on key players such as linebackers Mike Vrabel and Roman Phifer, safety Rodney Harrison, cornerback Tyrone Poole, running back Antowain Smith, tight end Christian Fauria and receiver David Patten.
Second Tier
``There's a lot of talent just behind the top candidates,'' Weaver said. ``New England has done the best job of finding those players.''
The Minnesota Vikings have the most flexibility under the salary cap -- $33.3 million -- and might be among the most active teams. The Eagles, Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints also are more than $15 million under the league's payroll limit.
While several moves probably will be made today, Eagles vice president of player personnel Tom Heckert doesn't expect a rush of signings. He said free agents, with the opportunity to gauge their value on the open market, probably would talk with as many teams as possible.
``Agents want to make sure they get the best deals for their clients,'' Heckert said. ``I don't think you'll see a lot of deals done on the first day. A few, but not a ton.''
http://quote.bloomberg.com
