|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFL-39 7/31/03
FEWER FREE
AGENTS SWITCH TEAMS
One-hundred-and-thirteen veteran free agents re-signed with their old teams
this year during the unrestricted free agency signing period, while 111
signed with new teams, the National Football League announced today. The
four-month UFA signing period, under terms of the Collective Bargaining
Agreement between the league and players, ended July 22.
The Atlanta Falcons
signed the most unrestricted free agents from other teams (7), while five
teams (Buffalo, Dallas, Jacksonville, Miami and Washington) signed six such
players each. The 111 UFAs that switched teams is 19 fewer than last year.
There were a total
of 340 unrestricted free agents this year. The total player pool is
approximately 1,700.
Five of this year's
120 restricted free agents signed with new teams. The Buffalo Bills signed
Seattle kicker RIAN LINDELL, and the Washington Redskins signed
safety MATT BOWEN of Green Bay, defensive tackle JERMAINE HALEY
of Miami, and wide receiver LAVERANUES COLES and running back-kick
returner CHAD MORTON of the New York Jets. One-hundred-and-twelve
restricted free agents returned to their former clubs. The period for
restricted free agents to accept offers from other teams ended April 18.
In addition, one
transition player signed with a new team, Cincinnati linebacker TAKEO
SPIKES with Buffalo.
The 117 total free
agents who switched teams represent only seven percent of all NFL players.
Of 534 players who were free agents in the various categories of the system,
348 signed new contracts with either new teams or their old clubs.
"The veteran free
agent signings reflect a belief by teams and players that continuity and
stability play an important role in our sport,” said HAROLD HENDERSON,
executive vice president of labor relations and chairman of the NFL
Management Council. "The system continues to enhance the competitive
balance that is so important in our sport."
Under the NFL
Collective Bargaining Agreement, players without 2003 contracts who had four
or more seasons of free agency experience qualified to be "unrestricted free
agents" and were free to sign with any club between February 28 and July
22.
If a player's prior
club made a 110 percent tender on or before June 1, the prior club retained
exclusive negotiating rights after July 22 if the player did not sign with
another club. If the player and club are unable to negotiate a contract by
the 10th week of the regular season, the player may not play the remainder
of the season. If the player sits out the season, he becomes an
unrestricted free agent next year.
Under the CBA,
restricted free agents are those players who have three seasons of free
agency experience and are subject to compensation and/or right of first
refusal.
A "transition"
player is a designated unrestricted free agent whose team must tender a
one-year contract at the average of the 10 highest-paid players of 2002 at
the transition player's position, or a 20 percent increase, whichever is
greater. A "franchise" player is a designated unrestricted free agent whose
team must tender a one-year contract at the average of the five highest-paid
players at the franchise player's position in 2002, or a 20 percent
increase, whichever is greater.
A comparison of
free agent movement since the current CBA went into effect 11 years ago:
NFL FREE AGENCY MOVEMENT
(Veteran Free Agents Who Signed With New
Teams)
|
Category |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|
Unrestricted |
108 |
121 |
171 |
99 |
85 |
110 |
115 |
107 |
93 |
130 |
111 |
|
Restricted |
8 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Transition |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Franchise |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
__0 |
__0 |
_0 |
__0 |
0 |
|
TOTALS |
121 |
132 |
179 |
105 |
89 |
117 |
118 |
111 |
97 |
131 |
117 |
2003 NFL UNRESTRICTRED & RESTRICTED FREE-AGENT SIGNINGS
1) 111
UNRESTRICTED free agents signed with NEW teams:
|
TEAM |
PLAYER
|
FORMER TEAM |
|
ARIZONA |
QB Jeff Blake |
Baltimore |
|
|
LB James Darling |
NY Jets |
|
|
G Frank Garcia |
St. Louis |
|
|
S Dexter Jackson |
Tampa Bay |
|
|
G Cameron Spikes |
Houston |
|
ATLANTA |
C Kevin Dogins |
Chicago
|
|
|
CB-S Cory Hall |
Cincinnati |
|
|
TE Lamont Hall |
New Orleans |
|
|
WR MarTay Jenkins |
Arizona |
|
|
CB Tod McBride |
Green Bay |
|
|
LB Keith Newman |
Buffalo |
|
|
CB Tyrone Williams
|
Green Bay |
|
BALTIMORE |
WR Frank Sanders |
Arizona |
|
BUFFALO |
RB Olandis Gary |
Denver |
|
|
RB Sam Gash |
Baltimore |
|
|
LB Jeff Posey |
Houston |
|
|
S Izell Reese |
Denver |
|
|
WR Bobby Shaw |
Jacksonville |
|
|
CB Dainon Sidney |
Tennessee |
|
CAROLINA |
G Doug Brzezinski |
Philadelphia |
|
|
QB Jake Delhomme |
New Orleans |
|
|
WR Kevin Dyson |
Tennessee |
|
|
LB Greg Favors |
Buffalo |
|
|
WR Ricky Proehl |
St. Louis |
|
CHICAGO |
TE
Desmond Clark |
Miami |
|
CINCINNATI |
LB Kevin Hardy |
Dallas
|
|
|
TE Reggie Kelly |
Atlanta |
|
|
DE Carl Powell |
Washington |
|
|
DT John Thornton |
Tennessee |
|
CLEVELAND |
LB Barry Gardner |
Philadelphia |
|
DALLAS |
RB Richie Anderson |
NY Jets |
|
|
TE Dan
Campbell |
NY Giants |
|
|
P Toby Gowin |
New Orleans |
|
|
CB Donald Mitchell |
Tennessee |
|
|
LB Alshermond
Singleton |
Tampa Bay |
|
|
T Ryan Young |
Houston
|
|
DENVER |
DT Daryl Gardener |
Washington |
|
|
G Heath Irwin |
St. Louis |
|
|
QB Jake Plummer |
Arizona |
|
DETROIT |
CB Dre’ Bly |
St. Louis |
|
|
RB Shawn Bryson |
Buffalo |
|
|
LB Wali
Rainer |
Jacksonville |
|
GREEN BAY
|
RB Nicolas Luchey |
Cincinnati |
|
|
LB Hannibal Navies |
Carolina |
|
|
DE
Chukie Nwokorie |
Indianapolis |
|
|
C Grey Ruegamer |
New England |
|
HOUSTON |
LB Charlie Clemons |
New Orleans |
|
|
RB Stacey Mack |
Jacksonville |
|
|
T Zach Wiegert
|
Jacksonville |
|
INDIANAPOLIS |
S Rich Coady |
Tennessee |
|
|
LB Jim Nelson |
Minnesota |
|
|
DT Montae Reagor |
Denver |
|
|
WR Brandon Stokley |
Baltimore |
|
JACKSONVILLE |
DE Hugh Douglas |
Philadelphia |
|
|
RB Marc Edwards |
New England |
|
|
LB Keith Mitchell |
Houston |
|
|
G Jamar Nesbit |
Carolina |
|
|
LB Mike Peterson |
Indianapolis |
|
|
CB James Trapp |
Baltimore |
|
KANSAS CITY |
LB Shawn Barber |
Philadelphia
|
|
|
WR Dameane Douglas |
Philadelphia |
|
|
DE Vonnie Holliday |
Green Bay |
|
MIAMI |
TE Marco
Battaglia |
Pittsburgh |
|
|
CB Terrell Buckley |
New England |
|
|
S Sammy Knight |
New Orleans
|
|
|
RB Charlie Rogers |
Buffalo |
|
|
WR Derrius
Thompson |
Washington |
|
|
DT Jeff Zgonina |
St.
Louis |
|
MINNESOTA |
LB Chris
Claiborne |
Detroit |
|
|
QB Gus Frerotte |
Cincinnati |
|
|
CB Ken Irvin |
New Orleans |
|
|
DT Billy Lyon |
Green Bay |
|
|
T Mike Rosenthal |
NY Giants |
|
NEW ENGLAND |
S Chris Akins |
Cleveland |
|
|
LB Rosevelt Colvin |
Chicago |
|
|
LB Don Davis |
St. Louis |
|
|
CB Tyrone Poole |
Denver |
|
NEW ORLEANS |
P Mitch Berger |
St.
Louis |
|
|
TE Ernie
Conwell |
St.
Louis |
|
|
T Wayne
Gandy |
Pittsburgh |
|
|
LB Orlando Ruff |
San Diego |
|
NY GIANTS |
P Jeff Feagles |
Seattle |
|
|
K Mike Hollis |
Buffalo |
|
|
DT Ryan Kuehl |
Cleveland |
|
|
RB Dorsey Levens
|
Philadelphia |
|
|
RB Brian Mitchell |
Philadelphia |
|
NY JETS |
G Tom Nutten |
St. Louis |
|
|
T Brent Smith |
Miami |
|
OAKLAND |
RB Chris
Hetherington |
St. Louis |
|
|
RB Cecil Martin |
Philadelphia |
|
PHILADELPHIA |
P Kyle Richardson |
Minnesota |
|
|
RB Jon Ritchie |
Oakland |
|
PITTSBURGH |
T Todd Fordham |
Jacksonville |
|
|
LB Clint Kriewaldt |
Detroit |
|
ST.
LOUIS |
TE Cameron
Cleeland |
New England |
|
|
RB Leon Johnson |
Chicago |
|
|
P Sean Landeta |
Philadelphia |
|
SAN DIEGO |
WR David Boston |
Arizona |
|
|
RB Lorenzo Neal |
Cincinnati |
|
SAN FRANCISCO |
DT Travis Kirschke |
Detroit |
|
|
TE Jed
Weaver |
Miami |
|
SEATTLE |
DE Chike Okeafor |
San Francisco |
|
TAMPA BAY |
QB Shane Matthews |
Washington |
|
|
C John Wade |
Jacksonville |
|
|
G Jason Whittle |
NY Giants |
|
WASHINGTON |
K John Hall |
NY Jets |
|
|
WR Pat Johnson |
Jacksonville |
|
|
QB Rob Johnson |
Tampa Bay |
|
|
DT Brandon Noble |
Dallas |
|
|
G Randy Thomas |
NY Jets
|
|
|
DE Peppi
Zellner |
Dallas |
2) 112
UNRESTRICTED free agents re-signed with their OLD
team:
|
TEAM |
PLAYER
|
|
ARIZONA |
DT Russell Davis
|
|
|
LB Greg Jones
|
|
|
RB Dennis McKinley
|
|
|
CB Jacoby Rhinehart
|
|
|
G Raleigh Roundtree
|
|
|
DT Barron Tanner
|
|
ATLANTA |
CB Juran Bolden
|
|
|
LB Keith Brooking
|
|
|
S Keion Carpenter
|
|
|
RB Travis Jervey
|
|
|
TE Brian Kozlowski
|
|
|
CB Kevin Mathis
|
|
|
C Todd McClure
|
|
|
LB Sam Rogers
|
|
|
LB Artie Ulmer
|
|
BALTIMORE |
LB Cornell Brown
|
|
|
T Ethan Brooks
|
|
|
LB Bernardo Harris
|
|
|
DE Riddick Parker
|
|
BUFFALO |
WR Charles Johnson
|
|
CAROLINA |
RB Michael Bates
|
|
|
QB Rodney Peete
|
|
CHICAGO |
TE John Davis
|
|
|
RB Stanley Pritchett
|
|
CLEVELAND |
S Earl Little
|
|
DALLAS |
T Flozell Adams
|
|
|
DT Michael Myers
|
|
DETROIT |
G Ray Brown
|
|
|
DE Jared DeVries
|
|
|
DT Kelvin Pritchett
|
|
|
TE Mikhael Ricks
|
|
|
S Bracy Walker
|
|
|
LB Brian Williams
|
|
GREEN BAY |
TE Tyrone Davis
|
|
|
QB Doug Pederson
|
|
|
CB Bryant Westbrook
|
|
HOUSTON |
RB James Allen
|
|
|
QB Tony Banks
|
|
|
S Eric Brown
|
|
|
LB Jay Foreman
|
|
|
T Jimmy Herndon
|
|
|
QB Mike Quinn
|
|
|
G Ryan Schau
|
|
|
DE Corey Sears
|
|
|
CB Jason Simmons
|
|
|
S Kevin Williams
|
|
|
DB Kenny Wright
|
|
INDIANAPOLIS |
C Jeff Saturday
|
|
|
DT Brad Scioli
|
|
|
RB Detron Smith
|
|
|
P Hunter Smith
|
|
JACKSONVILLE |
WR Kevin Lockett
|
|
|
DT Larry Smith
|
|
|
C Joe Zelenka
|
|
KANSAS CITY |
K Morten Andersen
|
|
|
LB Larry Atkins
|
|
|
QB Todd Collins
|
|
|
TE Kendall Gammon
|
|
|
T Willie Jones
|
|
|
LB Mike Maslowski
|
|
|
DE Gary Stills
|
|
MIAMI |
DE David Bowens
|
|
|
RB Rob Konrad
|
|
|
P Mark Royals
|
|
MINNESOTA |
TE Hunter Goodwin
|
|
|
DE Lance Johnstone
|
|
|
RB Moe Williams
|
|
NEW ENGLAND |
TE Fred Baxter
|
|
|
S Je’Rod Cherry
|
|
|
DE Rick Lyle
|
|
NEW ORLEANS |
K John Carney
|
|
|
RB Fred McAfee
|
|
|
T Scott Sanderson
|
|
|
DE Willie Whitehead
|
|
NY GIANTS |
T Barrett Brooks
|
|
|
QB Jason Garrett
|
|
|
WR Ike Hilliard
|
|
|
T Luke Petitgout
|
|
|
CB Kato Serwanga
|
|
|
S Omar Stoutmire
|
|
NY JETS |
RB Jerald Sowell
|
|
OAKLAND |
G Brad Badger
|
|
|
G Mo Collins
|
|
|
RB Zack Crockett
|
|
|
QB Rick Mirer
|
|
|
RB Tyrone Wheatley
|
|
PHILADELPHIA |
TE Mike Bartrum
|
|
|
QB Koy Detmer
|
|
PITTSBURGH |
QB Charlie Batch
|
|
|
TE Matt Cushing
|
|
|
TE Jerame Tuman
|
|
ST. LOUIS |
DE Tyoka Jackson
|
|
|
C Andy McCollum
|
|
|
T Grant Williams
|
|
SAN DIEGO |
C David Binn
|
|
|
K Steve Christie
|
|
|
DE Adrain Dingle
|
|
|
DB Jerry Wilson
|
|
SEATTLE |
DT Antonio Cochran
|
|
|
WR Bobby Engram
|
|
|
LB Anthony Simmons
|
|
|
RB Mack Strong
|
|
|
CB Willie Williams
|
|
|
T Jerry Wunsch
|
|
TAMPA BAY |
TE Rickey Dudley
|
|
|
QB Shaun King
|
|
|
T Roman Oben
|
|
|
LB Shelton Quarles
|
|
TENNESSEE |
C-G Tom Ackerman
|
|
|
G Zach Piller
|
|
WASHINGTON |
G Tre Johnson
|
|
|
LB Kevin Mitchell
|
3) 5 RESTRICTED
free agents signed with NEW teams:
TEAM
|
PLAYER |
FORMER TEAM |
BUFFALO
|
K Rian Lindell |
Seattle |
WASHINGTON
|
S Matt Bowen |
Green Bay |
|
WR Laveranues
Coles |
NY Jets |
|
DT Jermaine Haley |
Miami |
|
RB-KR Chad Morton |
NY Jets |
4) 112
RESTRICTED free agents re-signed with their OLD
team:
|
TEAM |
PLAYER |
|
ARIZONA |
CB David Barrett |
|
|
CB-S Justin Lucas |
|
|
C Jason Starkey |
|
ATLANTA |
WR Brian Finneran |
|
|
WR Trevor Gaylor |
|
|
QB Doug Johnson |
|
|
TE Derek
Rackley |
|
|
LB Mark Simoneau |
|
|
T
Michael Thompson |
|
BALTIMORE |
TE John Jones |
|
|
S Anthony Mitchell |
|
|
DE David
Nugent |
|
|
QB Chris Redman |
|
|
DE Adalius Thomas |
|
|
QB Anthony Wright |
|
BUFFALO |
RB Sammy Morris |
|
|
LB DaShon Polk |
|
CAROLINA |
CB Reggie Howard |
|
|
G Jeno James |
|
|
LB Lester Towns |
|
|
TE
Jermaine Wiggins |
|
CHICAGO |
K Paul Edinger |
|
|
S Mike Green |
|
|
CB Todd McMillon |
|
|
QB Cory Sauter |
|
|
WR Dez White |
|
CINCINNATI |
WR Ron Dugans |
|
|
WR Danny Farmer |
|
|
K Neil Rackers |
|
|
TE Brad St. Louis |
|
|
LB Armegis
Spearman |
|
CLEVELAND |
DT Alvin McKinley |
|
|
G Shaun O’Hara |
|
|
CB-S Lewis Sanders |
|
|
TE Aaron
Shea |
|
|
RB Jamel White |
|
DALLAS |
CB Mario Edwards |
|
|
QB Clint Stoerner |
|
|
RB Michael Wiley |
|
DENVER |
WR Chris Cole |
|
|
RB Reuben Droughns |
|
|
QB Jarious Jackson |
|
DETROIT |
WR Larry Foster |
|
|
DE James
Hall |
|
GREEN BAY |
P Josh Bidwell |
|
|
LB Na’il Diggs |
|
|
DE Kabeer
Gbaja-Biamila |
|
HOUSTON |
WR Avion Black |
|
|
WR JaJuan Dawson |
|
|
DB Pat Dennis |
|
|
DB Brandon
Jennings |
|
|
TE Billy Miller |
|
|
P Chad Stanley |
|
INDIANAPOLIS |
CB-S Cliff Crosby |
|
|
DB David Gibson |
|
|
CB-S David Macklin |
|
|
DT Josh Williams |
|
JACKSONVILLE |
S Ainsley Battles |
|
|
DB Robert Bean |
|
|
LB Bobby Brooks |
|
|
LB Danny Clark |
|
|
G Leander Jordan |
|
|
LB T.J. Slaughter |
|
|
DE Paul
Spicer |
|
|
CB Kiwaukee Thomas |
|
KANSAS CITY |
S Greg Wesley
|
|
MIAMI |
S Arturo Freeman |
|
|
S Trent Gamble |
|
MINNESOTA |
RB Doug Chapman |
|
|
C Cory Withrow |
|
NEW ENGLAND |
LB Matt Chatham |
|
|
CB Ben Kelly |
|
|
RB Patrick Pass |
|
|
C Lonie
Paxton |
|
NEW ORLEANS |
CB Michael
Hawthorne |
|
|
RB Curtis Keaton |
|
|
RB
Terrelle Smith |
|
NY GIANTS |
C Chris Bober |
|
|
CB Ralph Brown |
|
|
WR Ron
Dixon |
|
|
LB Dhani Jones |
|
|
LB Kevin Lewis |
|
|
LB Brandon Short |
|
PITTSBURGH |
DT Kendrick Clancy |
|
|
LB Clark Haggans |
|
|
RB Dan Kreider |
|
|
CB Hank Poteat |
|
ST. LOUIS |
T John St. Clair |
|
|
DT Brian Young |
|
SAN DIEGO |
DT Leonardo Carson |
|
|
T Damion
McIntosh |
|
SAN FRANCISCO |
TE Brian Jennings |
|
|
QB Tim Rattay |
|
|
WR Tai Streets |
|
SEATTLE |
LB Marcus Bell |
|
|
C-LS
J.P. Darche |
|
|
DT John Hilliard |
|
|
WR Darrell Jackson |
|
|
LB Isaiah
Kacyvenski |
|
|
WR James Williams |
|
|
DT Cedric Woodard |
|
TAMPA BAY |
WR Charles Lee |
|
|
RB Aaron Stecker |
|
|
LB Nate Webster |
|
|
TE Todd Yoder |
|
TENNESSEE |
LB Frank
Chamberlin |
|
|
RB Mike Green
|
|
|
TE Erron Kinney |
|
|
LB Peter Sirmon |
|
|
DT Robaire Smith |
|
|
QB Billy Volek |
|
WASHINGTON |
CB David Terrell |
5) 1
UNRESTRICTED free agent with right of first refusal
re-signed with his OLD team:
TEAM
|
PLAYER
|
|
CINCINNATI |
C Rich Braham
|
6) 5 FRANCHISE players
re-signed with their OLD team:
TEAM
|
PLAYER
|
|
BUFFALO |
WR Peerless
Price
|
|
CAROLINA |
P Todd
Sauerbrun
|
|
JACKSONVILLE |
S
Donovin Darius
|
|
MINNESOTA |
TE
Jim Kleinsasser
|
|
NEW ENGLAND |
S Tebucky Jones
|
7) 1 TRANSITION
player signed with a NEW team:
TEAM
|
PLAYER |
FORMER TEAM |
|
BUFFALO |
LB Takeo Spikes |
Cincinnati |
8) 1 TRANSITION
player re-signed with his OLD team:
|
TEAM |
PLAYER
|
|
GREEN BAY |
DT
Cletidus
Hunt
|
|