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NFL teams, not their players, in charge in free-agent period

Overspending in seasons past and a glut of talent mean paydays will be drastically slashed for many veterans.

By RICK STROUD

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 30, 2001

PALM DESERT, Calif. -- It was a matter of time before somebody had the courage to sign a quarterback from the Super Bowl champion Ravens.

Not the one who won 16 of his last 17 starts and piloted his team to a 34-7 win over the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium in January.

Oh, no.

Trent Dilfer still is looking for employment.

But the guy who couldn't get the job done for the Ravens, Tony Banks, was just signed by the Cowboys.

How does this happen?

Dilfer is not unlike several other free agents waiting for their phone to ring.

More than 100 players have been cut the past few weeks, most placed on the chopping block just before March 2, when teams had to reach the NFL's $67.4-million salary cap.

"He's not unlike a lot of free agents in one sense, that he's caught in between," Bucs general manager Rich McKay said.

"I think the biggest change occurred on those three or four days prior to free agency. I've never seen anything quite like that. That changed, in my mind, the entire marketplace in the sense that it made me say, "Wow, there's a lot more people available and we're going to take our time now.' I also think we're another year in the system and teams have gotten tighter to the cap, more previously committed dollars are already in place and there's less flexibility."

You don't have to look any further than the Bucs to understand that teams have the hammer in free agency this off-season, and they're using it.

Tampa Bay has four starters who are unrestricted free agents counting on big pay days. Instead, tackle Jerry Wunsch, cornerback Ronde Barber, safety Damien Robinson and guard Frank Middleton all are looking for work.

A couple likely will come crawling back to the Bucs. The only Bucs free agents to sign with other teams are tight end Patrick Hape with the Broncos and linebacker Don Davis with the Rams, both agreeing to essentially minimum salaries.

"Everybody assumed when they hit the market, they would get some big deals and we wouldn't get them back," coach Tony Dungy said. "But that hasn't happened.

"It may be good in the long run in that it keeps people where they are."

At least they are in good company. Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland, the team's defensive captain, was cut because he would have counted more than $5-million against the salary cap.

Buffalo defensive tackle Ted Washington, Vikings tackle Todd Steussie, Patriots linebacker Chris Slade and Redskins guard Tre Johnson have met similar fates.

And Dilfer isn't the only quarterback with a Super Bowl on his resume waiting for a job offer.

Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman won three titles, but the Cowboys no longer could afford him, especially with his uncertain health.

Dallas is paying for past salary-cap maneuvering. More than $24-million will count on its 2001 cap for players no longer on the roster. Jacksonville reduced about $40-million from its payroll by cutting 17 players.

Dungy said the eye-opening cuts might prompt players to sign extensions with their current teams rather than be dumped in a crowded pool of talent.

Of course, there's no reason to hold a telethon for NFL players. According to the NFL Players Association, salaries rose more than 80 percent from 1994 to 1999. The average salary was more than $1.2-million last season, up from $500,000 in '91.

More opportunities are on the way for players. The expansion Houston Texans will enter the league in 2002 with a full salary cap to spend. But the rest of league is tightening belts, counting more on the draft and development of players than free agency.

"The percentage of return is so poor if you look at the numbers like we did yesterday," Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil said. "The ratio of dollars to performance is not a good return. Especially for the major dollar guys."

In the meantime, Dilfer is in Fresno, Calif., just home from winning the Quarterback Challenge.

"There's no question Trent Dilfer can play in the league," McKay said. "The big issue is can he play for a team that views him as their starting quarterback. That's a different issue.

"Don't focus on Trent, because it applies to corners, safeties, offensive linemen -- everyone."

Now if only somebody had money to pay them.

"Last year, we had 23 new players on our team and a lot of them were free agents, guys that came in and started -- Regan Upshaw, Andre Rison, David Dunn and William Thomas," Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. "We acquired a lot of guys who just didn't come in and contribute, but started. That could possibly be the case this year, too, you never know. But there's a lot of talented guys out there. Real talented guys."

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