As the free-agent signing period opened late Thursday, NFL teams are starting to undergo substantial changes. The question is whether anybody will notice.
No fanfare accompanied the New England Patriots’ bland off-season last year, yet by the time they were finished quietly reassembling their 5-11 team with unheralded parts they had the makings of a Super Bowl champion.
They signed marginal players Mike Vrabel, Mike Compton, Antowain Smith, David Patten, Marc Edwards, Roman Phifer, Terrell Buckley and Bryan Cox and climbed from the bargain basement to the penthouse. They spent a paltry $2.5 million total in signing bonuses for 20 free agents.
The Patriots weren’t searching for a quarterback, but found one anyhow right under their noses in Tom Brady, an obscure sixth-round draft choice who improved so much in off-season workouts that coach Bill Belichick claimed he couldn’t be all that shocked when he developed into a Super Bowl MVP.
So when the Bears signed Henry Burris off Green Bay’s practice squad and the Washington Redskins traded for ex-Bear Danny Wuerffel shortly after Wuerffel went to the Houston Texans in the expansion draft, the first small strides may have been taken toward significant remodeling. Wuerffel, ignored in Chicago, was thrilled to be reunited with his Florida coach, Steve Spurrier, hired for $25 million by the Redskins with implicit orders to win the next Super Bowl.
The Bears promise to upgrade the quarterback position beyond Burris, and among the nondescript class of free agents this year is their own Jim Miller, so they will either have to re-sign him or find another on the market. General manager Jerry Angelo also plans to draft a quarterback.
Among the free-agent quarterbacks are Trent Dilfer, Chris Chandler, Tony Banks, Kent Graham, Randall Cunningham, Scott Mitchell and Gus Frerotte. On paper, none represents a major upgrade over Miller.
As teams scramble to restructure contracts to get under the $71.1 million salary cap, one of the hardest hit is the Super Bowl champion of two years ago, the Baltimore Ravens.
They already have cut loose tight end Shannon Sharpe and safety Rod Woodson, and let linebacker Jamie Sharper and kick returner Jermaine Lewis go in the expansion draft in a classic demonstration of how difficult it is to keep a nucleus intact as individual salaries keep pace with high team achievement.
As usual, the moves were met with bitterness from players who love the free-agent system until it works against them.
“I can see where they are headed when they take a linebacker like Jamie Sharper, who is 27 and one of the three best in the league outside of Ray Lewis, and put him on expansion,” Sharpe told the Baltimore Sun. “But Ozzie Newsome was executive of the year and Brian Billick is able to write books. What do I know? That’s why they make the big bucks.”
NFL’s top free agents
Antowain Smith
Running back, Patriots
He signed a one-year deal from Buffalo and resurrected career and dormant Patriots running game.
Leonard Little
Defensive end, Rams
Had 14 1/2 sacks in his first year as a starter.
Az-Zahir Hakim
Receiver, Rams
Benched as a punt returner because of fumbles, he is an explosive talent.
Olin Kreutz
Center, Bears
If a team needs a center, they know where to shop.
La’Roi Glover
Defensive tackle, Saints
Led league in sacks two years ago, but was cut after last season. Undersized, he needs big teammates.
Rob Johnson
Quarterback, Bills
Talented but erratic and injury-prone.
London Fletcher
Middle linebacker, Rams
Small but fast, he was part of the NFC’s top defense.
Shannon Sharpe
Tight end, Ravens
Released for cap purposes, he can still get downfield and make big plays.
Freddie Jones
Tight end, Chargers
Top receiving tight end is only 27; better pickup than Sharpe.
Fred Beasley
Fullback, 49ers
If the Bears or anyone else wants to upgrade a forgotten position, Beasley is the best available.
William Henderson
Fullback, Packers
This is the one the Bears should target because his absence would hurt the Pack.
Jessie Armstead
Linebacker, Giants
The vocal leader of the 2000 NFC champions is suddenly on street.
Cris Carter
Receiver, Vikings
Some team will think this veteran is the final piece of their puzzle.
Donald Hayes
Receiver, Panthers
Big and productive last year, he is still young enough to cash in.
Duane Starks
Cornerback, Ravens
Coming off a so-so year, but too talented to ignore.
Reinard Wilson
Defensive end, Bengals
A good pass rusher is what every team covets.
Kevin Hardy
Linebacker, Jaguars
Wants a big contract. Dick Jauron used to coach him.
Earl Holmes
Linebacker, Steelers
Big inside force is latest in long line of Steelers stoppers.
Marvin Jones
Linebacker, Jets
Solid veteran with some years left.
Robert Griffith
Safety, Vikings
Injured part of last season, but used to be one of best.
Chris Chandler
Quarterback, Falcons
Teams could do a lot worse than take a chance on one of the most accurate long passers ever.
Anthony Clement
Offensive tackle, Cardinals
Huge man is starting to fulfill potential.
Garrison Hearst
Running back, 49ers
Comeback player of year last season. Can he stay healthy two in a row?
Don Pierson.
