Soon enough many teams will be cutting a number of players for salary cap reasons or placing franchise tags on others or trading still others. Thought maybe we could use this thread to discuss them and also what you would like to see your team do this offseason to improve.

The Browns have already told Jeff Garcia he will be cut. The Bills are expected to follow suit by cutting Drew Bledsoe. Lots of other veteran QBs figure to be available as well: Brad Johnson, Kurt Warner, Rich Gannon, Jay Fiedler, Brian Griese and Chris Chandler are all rumored to be done with their current teams according to ESPN.

Rumors are that Garcia, Bledsoe and Johnson may hook up with their former coaches in their new jobs in Detroit, Dallas and Arizona respectively while Warner has apparently been talking to Chicago.

The Randy Moss trade talk seems to have quited down. Whether that is because of the sale of the team or lack of a team willing to pay Minnesota's asking price is unclear.

I wish the Vikes hadn't given Coach Tice that extension. He's already proven he can't handle Moss and I would have liked to see how another coach would. But now I wouldn't mind seeing the Vikes trade Moss but only if they can land an impact defensive lineman or safety plus a 1st round pick.

First, thanks to George for starting this thread.

Here are the key dates for this offseason:

Feb. 22 - Deadline for Clubs to designate franchise and transitional players.

Feb. 23-March 1 - NFL Scouting Combine '05, Indianapolis, In.

March 1st - Deadline for submission of qualifying offers by clubs to their restricted free agents whom contracts have expired and to whom they want to retain a right of first refusal/compensation

March 1st- Deadline for clubs to submit offer of minimum salary to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with fewer than three seasons of free agency credit whose contract have expired.

March 2nd - Free Agency and Trading Period Opens

March 20-23 - NFL Annual Meeting, Maui, Hawaii

April 15 - Signing period ends for restricted free agents

April 22 - Deadline for old clubs to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents

April 23-24 - NFL Draft '05,

May 23-25 - NFL Spring Meeting - Washington

June 26-29: NFL Rookie Symposium, Palm Beach

August 30: NFL Cut down date (65-man roster limit)

September 4: NFL Cut down date (53-man roster limit)

September 8-12: 2005 NFL Kick-off Weekend

October 18: NFL trading deadline

Adam Vinatieri, Edgerrin James and Charles Woodson all were franchised by the Pats, Colts and raiders respectively.

The league's leading receiver, Derrick Mason of the Titans, was released. There is going to be a serious bidding was for him. Tennessee also cut CB Samari Rolle, DL Kevin Carter and K Joe Nedney among others.

Also the Ravens cut WR Kevin Johnson. They were all salary cap casualties.

The Seahawks will keep free agent QB Matt Hasselbeck and slapped Shaun Alexander with the franchise tag.

The Raiders gave WR Jerry Porter an extension.

[ February 22, 2005, 03:20 PM: Message edited by: George_Twinsfan ]

Washington already has Rod Gardner trying to arrange a trade for himself, and now Laveranues Coles wants out as well. He wants to be released and Washington is said to be trying to trade him. So it seems there may be a glut of receivers available, including TJ Houshmandzadeh and perhaps Muhsin Muhammad, and that may keep the market for Mason down.

Rumor has it that Randy Moss is headed to the Raiders. The Vikes will get linebacker Napolean Harris and the 7th over all pick, along with their #19 pick.

Not sure if I like this move or not. If it happens, I'm glad Moss is going to the AFC. I wish the Vikes could get a better deal though. Would be nice to get Buchanon, but the Vikes need more help at linebacker.

The rumor comes from his agent. The Vikings deny a deal has been agreed to. So is the agent trying to manipulate things somehow?

More on wide receivers: Kevin Johnson, who opted out of the last year of his contract with the Ravens, is said to want to join the Eagles. How much of an upgrade would he be compared to Freddie Mitchell?

And Pittsburgh did not place the franchise tag on Plaxico Burress, and apparently he'll be a free agent as well.

Another report came out on Moss saying that the Vikings would get Phillip Buchanon. I think that's what is probably still being discussed. The Vikings want Buchanon but the Raiders are trying to give Harris. I guess either would be good. There are a lot of good WRs that will probably be salary cap casualties. Not to mention some good WRs in the top part of the draft.

Here is hoping that Randy Moss does indeed end up in Raiderland where he should fit in quite nicely. Better for him to be in the AFC than then NFC to make his noise. The Vikes may get a 7th overall pick and linebacker Napoleon Harris if the trade goes thru. This probably doesn't upgrade the Vikes for next year as they lose some offense, but it does get rid of one trouble maker, and the 7th pick could be a good one for the future.

Look at the points the Vikings scored with Moss, and how Owens added so much to the Eagles offense. His leaving is a loss for their offense. They'll still score some points but now it's imperative that they improve their defense.

On the other hand, is Moss going to make Kerry Collins that much better in Oakland?

“He doesn't leave Minnesota with any grudges,” Moss' agent, Dante DiTrapano said. “It was just frustrating for him to lose.”

Yet Moss joins a Raiders team that was 9-23 over the last two seasons.

Damn! With Moss gone, who are we Packer fans supposed to hate now?? GB doesn't play the Raiders until the 2007 season (well barring a Super Bowl -- like that's gonna happen!)

I don't know anything about this Harris guy. Is he an elite linebacker? Whiel Burleson showed some real promise last year, I don't think he can carry the load as the #1 receiver. They really need to pursue an elite free agent WR like Burress or Mason (what free agent WR wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of Culpepper's passes!) as well as a shutdown CB.

Maybe McCombs traded Moss to devalue the franchise to make it more affordable to the potential new owner? wink

I'm sure you cheeseheads won't have any trouble coming up with a new go-to hate guy.

Would not be surprised to see the Vikings deal both their number 1 picks to move down in the draft to take Braylon Edwards from Michigan.

The way the Vikes draft has gone the last couple of years I wouldn't be surprised ti see them trade both picks to move down to take Timmy from SOuth Park.

I think it'll be interesting to see how Moss performs on grass fields, especially with his lingering back problem and the new ankle injury. The Metrodome turf helped him a lot. He usually struggled on grass fields. The AFC West doesn't have any domes.

Keep in mind, Timmy has a great set of wheels!

With all of the WR's available right now, the move is puzzling.

Vikes get the picks, go out and pick up a solid WR. They are sitting pretty...

If that bitch tice can draft.

Wait, nevermind.

Oakland needs to get rid of Collins post haste

I'm bummed they traded their first round draft pick because I wanted to see them draft the QB from Cal

but they should be able to get a good one with a 2nd round pick

are there any good QBs that will be or are free agents

Actually, despite their Draft Day miscues, the Vikings have done pretty well in their recent draft picks.

Their past 2 first round picks of Kenechi Udeze and Kevin Williams have performed very strong. Burleson was a draft pick as well as Mewelde Moore.

The LBs they have drafted are still young. I'm hoping they develop and get smarter in the offseason. Remember, last year was their first year with Cotrell as DC.

You want Ryan Sims back? That's the guy you would have taken had you not f**ked up and missed your pick two years ago.

Instead you took Bryant McKinnie the pick following.

I'll trade ya.

ESPN is reporing that the Jets and Redskins are talking about a trade that would send Santana Moss to DC for Laverneus Coles.

Cole can not be traded unless they rework the cap, as predicted... the 4-skins have no cap room for the move right now.

The Raiders are $30 million over the cap if Moss comes on board and will have to release players.

Woodson at $10.5 million or Gannon at $5.4 million would seem like potential candidates. But didn't they just franchise Woodson?

I agree. I was never a Collins fan. But forget about FA QB's. We have an excellent QB who's been rotting on the bench. When are they going to let the former Washington QB, Marquis Tuiasasopo(sp) play. :confused: He has a great arm and has always impressed us in the pre-season.

Some big names released today:

The Patriots released CB Ty Law.

The Panthers released WR Mushin Muhammed.

The Seahawks released WR Jerry Rice.

Would love to see the Vikes go after Law and/or Muhammed.

I guess it's what comes around goes around ... if this trade were to happen, Coles would return to the Jets (IMO he should've never left)

Scratch my wish for Muhammad. I did't realize he was 32 already. But TJ Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals #2 guy, is available. He had some big games last year when Chad Johnson was hurt. I'd imagine he'd put up even bigger numbers with Culpepper throwing him the ball. Plus he's only 27 and could probably be gotten for less $$$ than Muhammad.

Muhammad just committed career suicide this morning: he signed with the Bears. About your Vikes, I'm wondering if they'll go after Williams with that 7 pick from the Raiders. If so hands off Houshmandzadeh, who I'd like to see go to the Bolts. At the end of the year, it seemed like he caught everything that Palmer and Kitna threw to him.

[ February 26, 2005, 10:19 AM: Message edited by: Breesboy ]

Obviously he cares about money more than winning. On the radio a local sportswriter was saying that Muhsin was working for the NFL network at the Eagles-Vikes playoff game, and they got to talking and Muhsin mentioned 5 teams he'd like to go to if he left Carolina. Chicago was NOT one of those teams.

The Pack is getting rid of a ton of players -- I'm not sure I'll even recognize 'em next season. A very good thing on the defensive side! Sharper is gone for certain. There is so much need there I dunno where to start.

They have big problems on the O-line where both Rivera and Wahle may be gone.

Kansas City has emerged as the leading contender to trade for Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain with a deal by Wednesday being a ''50-50'' possibility, according to two NFL sources.

Source: Miami Herald

ESPN is reporting that Tampa Bay and Denver have extended offers to Jeff Garcia for a backup QB position.

I dont get this move by Gruden, the Bucs are in Cap hell! Letting go of Brad Johnson isnt going to be enough to get them under along with reworking Griese's contract. :confused:

I have rooted for the Patriots and loved the way they have put together their team. But to cut Troy Brown, who helped them so much this year playing offense and defense? That is classless.

I agree George, expected more from the Pats on this one.

Moss officially a Raider. story

Harris, Henderson, and Thomas (now the Vikings LBs) are all physically gifted. They have the potential to become a strong unit once they get more experience and used to Cotrell's schemes.

Now I have to get a Burleson jersey to replace my Moss one.

George, they basically have to do this in order to renegotiate the contract of Brady.

Sports is, afterall, a business. It might seem sucky, but that's what it's all come to... especially when winning means more than resigning certain players regardless of current contribution value (Tampa Bay/Mike Alstott).

So, if the Patriots are able to work out some deal with Tom Brady that gives them a bit more room under the cap, will they try to re-sign Troy Brown? I doubt it; after all, Ty Law had been an integral part of the team & they cut him loose.

~Adam

Heard a talk show host on sportsradio here say that ESPN reported that the Chiefs signed Jeremiah Trotter, but he talked to Trotter's agent who said the Chiefs hadn't even made an offer yet. But just the fact that he got into free agency would seem to indicate that despite his words at the end of the season and through the postseason about coming back to the Eagles, Trotter is clearly wanting another big payday rather than stay in a system that works for him.

KC is trying to run the same type of system the Eagle run. This is probably the only other team trott can go to and have an impact. Granted the chiefs dont have the same secondary... but still.

If trott leaves the the eagles FO needs to be blamed also. All they had to do was offer him fair money and not expect him to come totally cheap.

The Bungles did something right, re-signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who actually wanted to come back.

For secondary help, the Chargers picked up Bhawoh Jue from the Packers, who also lost Mike Wahle (Carolina) and Marco Rivera (Dallas).

Romeo Crennel is getting players from his old team to come to Cleveland. First Joe Andruzzi, then David Patten. Could Troy Brown and Law come later?

The Chiefs should not pursue Trotter. Hartwell is the man.

Any team that signs Law right now are idiots. The guy is still riding around in a scooter and cannot walk. Wait until June/July.

You would actually think Trott would have learned his lesson when he went to the 4-skins...maybe not.

He's merely an avg LB in most systems (with bad knees).. he excels in JJ D because his job is to just blow up plays after the DL takes care of the blockers.

KC is trying to run the aggressive blitzing system, but they dont have the people or tacklers to run that system right now.

There are conflicting reports as to whether Trotter stayed in KC last night or not. On the radio I heard KC offered him something like $4 million a year plus a signing bonus.

ESPN.com: Trotter to re-sign with Eagles!

PERFECT, an excuse to have a drink on a friday!

Trott is a perfect fit for the system. Bringing him back was pretty KEY this offseason. Eages should not draft a MLB for insurance and to groom to take over in another year or so.

Douglas also came back, but i'm not sure how much he has in the tank to offer, does add the needed depth.

Still want to see them bring back Ike and that adams kid is also a FA, I thought he played well in the OLB spot.

From the home office in Minneapolis wink here are the Top 10 PF Excuses To Have A Drink On A Friday:

10) saw a pic of sting's latest tranny
9) saw a pic of sting's latest cowboy
8) saw a pic of sting's latest cowboy tranny
7) something CU said
6) something CU did
5) life sucks
4) life is great
3) life is somewhere in between
2) you're not dead yet

AND the number one PF excuse to have a drink on a Friday......

1) it's Friday

I read in the paper this morning that there are very few suitors for free agent WR Plaxico Burress and of those, only the Giants and Vikings seem to be at all serious and Burress seems to be intersted in Minnesota.

But I can't really understand why more teams aren't after him. Was he a problem guy in Pittsburgh? Is there some injury history? Based on talent alone, he'd make a great stand in for Moss. So why the lack of interest?