Randall Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Character an issue with vets' cuts posted: Thursday, March 1, 2007 | Print Entry There was a significant theme to the 21 veteran cuts on Thursday, the eve of the start of free agency. The theme involved character. Teams were proactive in trying to clean up some of the off-the-field issues involving players. The Chargers were the most active team in that regard. Because of some off-the-field related problems, the Chargers were being lumped in with the Bengals and the Titans, who have had their public issues involving players. Though general manager A.J. Smith didn't say much about this during his pre-free agency press conference, Smith used the beginning of a new year to make a statement about character. Safety Terrence Kiel was arrested by the DEA for shipping two parcels of prescription cough syrup to Texas. He pleaded guilty and was ordered to do 100 hours of volunteer work along with undergoing counseling for gambling. Linebacker Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty police officer following a car chase. Kiel and Foley were part of a series of Chargers involved in the off-the-field incident. Smith apparently wants to send a message. He voided Kiel's contract even though Kiel was the starting strong safety. Foley was also released although it's unlikely he will be healthy enough to play this season. The Chargers made these moves in anticipation other teams might do the same as the league looks to react to the growing number of off-the-field concerns. The 49ers cut wide receiver Antonio Bryant Thursday and the Vikings released cornerback Fred Smoot, who was involved with the Love Boat incident of a couple of years ago. Releasing a player following an incident isn't easy. Just ask the Cowboys, who are still fighting the legalities of the Quincy Carter release of a few years ago. Players' rights are protected by the collective bargaining agreement. But a new year starts fresh, and teams can pick and choose their players to keep or let go for economic or performance issues. The Chargers were among the first to decide to do a little bit of cleanup. Jury out on Bly deal: There is an extra draft choice involved with the Lions' trade of Dre Bly. While the Lions got receiver halfback Tatum Bell, tackle George Foster and a fifth-round choice, the Lions have to give up a sixth-round pick to make the deal work. The early reviews have the Lions getting the most of this deal, but don't jump so fast in support of the Lions. Foster was being shopped around for a low draft choice and might have been cut. Bell was the only marketable part of that deal. With three teams after Bly at the end, most teams were operating under the concept he was available for the value of a third-round choice if players were taken out of the mix. Bly is a starting cornerback. They are hard to find. At one point of the negotiations, the Lions were trying to get cornerback Shawn Springs from the Redskins. Jets eye Joey: Don't be surprised to see if the Jets try to sign linebacker Joey Porter. They were interested enough to talk to Pittsburgh about him in a trade. Plus, the Jets decided at the last minute to keep defensive end Kimo von Oehlhoffen, Porter's former teammate. With the possibility of the Jets cutting linebacker Eric Barton, Porter might be an interesting option in New York. Wealthy Bolt: With an extra $770,000 signing bonus in the Lorenzo Neal deal, the value of Neal's three-year extension is around $1.9 million. He's now the highest paid fullback in football, which is fair because he is still at a Pro Bowl level and still one of the best lead blockers in the game. Trade bait: The Lions continue to shop defensive end James Hall and tight end Marcus Pollard in trades, but if nothing is done by Friday, they are expected to be released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Who the hell has the Lions getting the most out of the DEN/DET trade? DET was panned by most here as getting screwed over in the deal. I guess that must be the group of eckspurts that Clayton hangs with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godtomsatan Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Who the hell has the Lions getting the most out of the DEN/DET trade? Me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.