FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-20 4/11/00
RESTRICTED FREE-AGENT SIGNING PERIOD ENDS
The signing period for NFL restricted free agents ended yesterday.
Restricted free agents are players who have completed three accrued seasons of service and whose contracts have expired.
They received qualifying offers from their old clubs and were free to negotiate with any club from February 11, the start of the 2000 free-agency signing period, until April 10, at which time their rights reverted to their original club.
If a player accepted an offer from a new club, the old club had the right to match the offer and retain the player. If the old club elected not to match the offer, it could receive draft-choice compensation depending on the level of the qualifying offer made to the player.
Three restricted free agents changed teams during the signing period. Linebacker CHARLIE CLEMONS moved from St. Louis to New Orleans on February 22, running back ROBERT CHANCEY from Dallas to San Diego on February 28, and punter TOBY GOWIN from Dallas to New Orleans on April 5.
On April 10, offers were tendered by the Minnesota Vikings to tackle BRAD BADGER of Washington, and by the New England Patriots to tackle SPENCER FOLAU of Baltimore. Washington and Baltimore have until April 14 to match the offers. Baltimore possesses a right of first refusal only for Folau, while Washington would receive a fifth-round selection in the April 15-16 NFL Draft if it does not match the offer for Badger.