gosuns
05-30-2006, 11:34 PM
There won't be many so-called "cap casualties" after June 1 this year, but here are a few veterans who might get pink slips:
• WR David Patten (http://espn.starwave.com/i/nfl/profiles/players/statsid/s4172.jpg), Washington: The nine-year veteran signed a five-year, $13 million deal with the Redskins last spring that included a $3.5 million signing bonus. But Patten played in just nine games and posted only 22 receptions for 217 yards, with two touchdowns. The acquisitions of veterans Brandon Lloyd (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6460) and Antwaan Randle El (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5948) this spring means Patten is probably no better than a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver. And his 2006 base salary of $1.085 million is a little pricey for that role.
• LB Dexter Coakley (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3959), St. Louis: With a $1.5 million base salary for 2006, Coakley could find it tough to keep his job if the new Rams staff decides the younger Brandon Chillar (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6889) is a better fit on the weakside. The classy Coakley is a terrific leader, but he played in just 12 games in 2006 because of injuries and posted only 38 tackles after signing a five-year, $14 million contract.
• DE Bobby Hamilton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3819), Oakland: The 12-year veteran is 34 years old and, while he remains a solid enough player versus the run, the Raiders want to get former first-rounder Tyler Brayton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6368) on the field more now that they have ended his experiment at linebacker. Hamilton is due a $1.335 million base salary.
• LB Kailee Wong (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4310), Houston: The switch to the 4-3 could hurt Wong, because it means one fewer starting spot, and the Texans have upgraded their depth at the position. Houston signed Wong to a four-year contract extension last summer and his total deal was worth $17.65 million. One consideration: Wong suffered a season-ending patella tendon injury after just five games in 2006, and, for grievance reasons, the Texans might have to wait until he is fully rehabilitated if they choose to release him.
• WR David Patten (http://espn.starwave.com/i/nfl/profiles/players/statsid/s4172.jpg), Washington: The nine-year veteran signed a five-year, $13 million deal with the Redskins last spring that included a $3.5 million signing bonus. But Patten played in just nine games and posted only 22 receptions for 217 yards, with two touchdowns. The acquisitions of veterans Brandon Lloyd (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6460) and Antwaan Randle El (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5948) this spring means Patten is probably no better than a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver. And his 2006 base salary of $1.085 million is a little pricey for that role.
• LB Dexter Coakley (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3959), St. Louis: With a $1.5 million base salary for 2006, Coakley could find it tough to keep his job if the new Rams staff decides the younger Brandon Chillar (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6889) is a better fit on the weakside. The classy Coakley is a terrific leader, but he played in just 12 games in 2006 because of injuries and posted only 38 tackles after signing a five-year, $14 million contract.
• DE Bobby Hamilton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3819), Oakland: The 12-year veteran is 34 years old and, while he remains a solid enough player versus the run, the Raiders want to get former first-rounder Tyler Brayton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6368) on the field more now that they have ended his experiment at linebacker. Hamilton is due a $1.335 million base salary.
• LB Kailee Wong (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4310), Houston: The switch to the 4-3 could hurt Wong, because it means one fewer starting spot, and the Texans have upgraded their depth at the position. Houston signed Wong to a four-year contract extension last summer and his total deal was worth $17.65 million. One consideration: Wong suffered a season-ending patella tendon injury after just five games in 2006, and, for grievance reasons, the Texans might have to wait until he is fully rehabilitated if they choose to release him.