Hours before free agency began, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released quarterback Brad Johnson and wide receiver Joe Jurevicius on Tuesday, cutting ties with two stars of their run to a Super Bowl title.
They joined a number of other veterans on the unemployment line as teams worked to get under the US$85.5 million salary cap.
Also released was Troy Brown, who played both offense and defense for three-time Super Bowl champion New England.
PHOTO: AFP
The 33-year-old Brown, a 12-year veteran who was both a wide receiver and return man for New England, became the team's third cornerback last season after injuries decimated the secondary. He became a free agent when the Patriots declined to pick up the option in his current contract.
The Washington Redskins reached an agreement with tackle Chris Samuels on Tuesday night for a multiyear deal that includes the largest signing bonus in team history at US$15.75 million, according to an official in the league who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
Two other Bucs also were cut: cornerback Mario Edwards and linebacker Ian Gold. So were three members of the Raiders, the team they beat in that title game: guard Frank Middleton, safety Ray Buchanan and tight end Roland Williams.
And Green Bay cut left guard Mike Wahle, a solid starter but a player whose US$11.3 million cap number was second on the team only to Brett Favre's.
The Dallas Cowboys released three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Dexter Coakley. He would have been due a US$500,000 roster bonus if he was still on the team today.
The San Francisco 49ers terminated defensive end Brandon Whiting's contract Tuesday after he failed a physical, cutting ties with the oft-injured defensive end acquired last year in the Terrell Owens trade.
Pat Williams became a free agent when the Buffalo Bills failed to re-sign the defensive tackle before the start of the free agency period, the player's agent told AP.
Angelo Wright said he expects his client, a four-year starter with the Bills, to sign with another team.
The Bills were also expected to lose starting offensive tackle Jonas Jennings, who said Tuesday he was convinced there was no chance the team would re-sign him.
Versatile offensive lineman Marcus Price, backup safety Izell Reese and third-string tight end Ryan Neufeld were also eligible to become free agents if not re-signed by Buffalo on Tuesday.
Former Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski ended Marcus Williams' NFL career two years ago when he ripped off his teammate's helmet and punched him in the face during a practice drill, Williams' attorney told a jury Tuesday.
During opening statements in the trial of Williams' multimillion dollar lawsuit against Romanowski, lawyer James Brosnahan said the linebacker struck Williams with such force it broke the tight end's left eye socket with a "sickening sound" that could be heard 15 yards away.
"This case is about brutal violence beyond the rules of football," Brosnahan said.
Williams earned US$300,000 a season with the Raiders and is seeking damages of US$3.8 million for alleged battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The blow he took Aug. 24, 2003, also injured his brain. His football career ended at age 27.
Romanowski's lawyer, Jeffrey Springer, told jurors Williams wasn't attacked from behind but actively engaged in a fight with his teammate. "They got locked up in mutual combat," Springer said.
"This case is about a payday," Springer said.
The attack occurred after Williams blocked Romanowski during an early season practice. After the play, Romanowski came up to Williams from behind, tore off his teammate's helmet and socked him.
Ryan Prince, a former Raider, testified Romanowski punched Williams twice, first knocking off Williams' helmet before delivering the final blow. "It just crunched Marcus' face," Prince said, adding both were grabbing each others' helmets before the altercation.
Romanowski, known for fanatical behavior during his 16 NFL seasons, apologized publicly several days afterward. Williams wasn't satisfied and filed the civil lawsuit.
Romanowski, 38, released by the Raiders last March after failing a physical, has a long history of scrapes with opponents and others.
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