David Patten
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One of the dates that the league and fans look to is June 1. In the past, that
was the date when teams could release a player and put a portion of the salary
cap hit in to next year's cap. Because of the new collective bargaining agreement, things have changed.
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According to the NFLPA, before the new league year starts in March, teams can
choose up to two players each year who may be released before June 1 to sign
with another team, but whose salary cap amount is still carried with the team
until June 1 (such salary cap amount shall not reflect any renegotiation of the
player's contract that occurred after the last regular season game prior to
last season).
By releasing the players early so they can find another team to play for, teams
are in a sense rewarded for this by spreading out the remaining accelerated
signing bonus in to next year's cap. So they only get charged for one
season of the remaining bonus not the entire bonus acceleration in the current
season.
Because so many teams made moves earlier this year and the salary cap has
risen, the June 1 cut down date probably will be anticlimactic.
While there's a good chance you won't see any big name players released in
early June, here is scout.com's list of possible salary cuts:
Running Back
Marcel Shipp/Arizona/base salary-$1.425 million (final year of his contract) -
That's a lot of money to a player whose play as deteriorated in recent years
and who isn't certain to win the No.2 job.
Lee Suggs/Cleveland/base salary-$950,000 - While there hasn't been an
indication that his job is in jeopardy, RB William Green is ahead of him on the
depth chart and the team selected RB Jerome Harrison in April's draft. If Suggs
isn't released, he could be dealt some time during training camp to a team that
loses a back due to injury.
Wide Receiver
David Patten/Washington/base salary-$1.085 million - Patten doesn't figure to
be any better than their fourth receiver so his salary seems quite high for
player in that role.
Defensive Line
Paul Grasmanis (DT)/Philadelphia/base salary-$710,000 (final year of his
contract) - The Eagles don't usually release players post June 1 because
they’re usually in great cap shape at this time and they're in solid cap shape
again so they don't need to make a move. However, it should be noted Grasmanis
hasn't contributed much over the past three years mostly due to injury and he's
projected to be no better than No.5 on the depth chart--that is if he beats out
fellow veteran DT Ed Jasper. The team would be doing Gramanis a favor of
releasing him in early June so he could hook up with another team.
Bobby Hamilton (DE)/Oakland/base salary-$1.335 million - The veteran end is
probably a better fit for a 3-4 scheme and the team went back to using four
down linemen last season. Hamilton is also slated to be a backup this season
and his salary is high for a player in his role.
Linebacker
Courtney Watson (MLB)/New Orleans/base salary-$425,000 - He would have been
traded to Miami had the deal not been voided due to LB Eddie Moore flunking the
Saints' physical. Watson has been a big disappointment for the club since being
selected in the second round of the 2004 draft.
Kailee Wong (OLB)/Houston/base salary-$2,000,000 - He's still coming back from
knee surgery and may not be ready for the start of the regular season. Wong is
also on the hook for over $10.5 million over the next four seasons.
Defensive Back
Mark Roman (SS)/Green Bay/base salary-$800,000 - He was competing against free
agent signee Marquand Manuel during their most recent mimicamp so he could
stick but Roman's play signed he signed with Green Bay prior to the 2004 has
been inconsistent at best.
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