Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Bears release WR Terrell: "Two days after signing two-time Pro Bowl receiver Muhsin Muhammad, the Chicago Bears have released David Terrell. "
Wow, who saw that coming? As mentioned in previous posts, this writer firmly believes that Bears are better off without David Terrell. This move parallels the Cubs saying goodbye to Sammy Sosa a little. Sammy Sosa has accomplished something, though where David Terrell really has not lived up to his potential. I only mention the Sammy thing because it seems both teams let go of players so that they could provide addition by subtraction. - Slim Tim.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Draft Possibilities 02/26/2005 - Trade Down.
OK, now we have secured Moose Muhammad, the draft now has interesting possibilities. There are two teams who have two first round picks. The first team is Dallas with the 11th and 20th picks. The other team is San Diego with the 12th and 28th picks. If either of these teams would be willing to trade both of their picks to the Bear for their 4th overall, I would like to see them trade down. If this situation presents itself, the Bears could then use the 11th or 12th pick to select Heath Miller TE from Virginia. With the 20th or 28th pick they could then select an offensive lineman such as Jammal Brown, Khalif Barnes or Alex Barron. I love these perfect world scenarios... I wonder how it will play out. - Slim Tim
Muhammad reportedly agrees to terms
Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Bears: Muhammad reportedly agrees to terms: "Bears: Muhammad reportedly agrees to terms"
Muhsin Muhammad
Yes, Yes!!! I love it. Moose immediately upgrades the receiver squad. We now have a legitimate number one receiver. I think this signing will also help draw a backup QB like Brad Johnson or Kurt Warner to the Bear. The signing of Moose now makes their 4th pick in the draft more interesting, does this mean that we still keep the pick to select a Wide Receiver? It seems that we could use that pick to select one of the Running Backs that will be on the board at that time. Either way, it seems to me that the Bear will address the Offensive Tackle position at the beginning of the second round now instead of trading down to select an OT. WOOOOO HOOOOO: Muhsin Muhammad!!!! - Slim Tim
Muhsin Muhammad
Yes, Yes!!! I love it. Moose immediately upgrades the receiver squad. We now have a legitimate number one receiver. I think this signing will also help draw a backup QB like Brad Johnson or Kurt Warner to the Bear. The signing of Moose now makes their 4th pick in the draft more interesting, does this mean that we still keep the pick to select a Wide Receiver? It seems that we could use that pick to select one of the Running Backs that will be on the board at that time. Either way, it seems to me that the Bear will address the Offensive Tackle position at the beginning of the second round now instead of trading down to select an OT. WOOOOO HOOOOO: Muhsin Muhammad!!!! - Slim Tim
Friday, February 25, 2005
Sign Jerry Rice.
As soon as is possible, sign Jerry Rice. Sign him and sign him now. Let him retire a Chicago Bear. An old Jerry Rice is still Jerry Rice. Wow, the Seahawks just released him, he is free to sign with whoever, why not the Chicago Bear??? - Slim Tim.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Monday, February 21, 2005
Bears vs. Saints 08/27/04 Picture
This picture is from the Bears vs. Saints preseason game on August 27th 2004. The Bear lost, but at least we had excellent seats for the game. That's me on the right and my brother-in-law on the left.
Derrick Mason a possiblility???
Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Mason Could be the Go-To Wideout Bears Crave: "With only $2.5 million under the salary cap it will be difficult to lure Mason, who made a base salary of $3.3 million last season and would have made $3.2 million this year. "
Slim Tim Speaks: "Well, he isn't the local prospect like Justin McCariens was when we should have gotten him, but this free agent receiver deserves the best look of all the free agent receivers currently. He lead all receivers in 2004 with 96 catches and was second only to Tony Gonzalez for all players (Tony had 102 catches).
Rank Player Team Rec Yds Avg TDs Long
1 Tony Gonzalez KC 102 1258 12.3 7 32
2 Derrick Mason TEN 96 1168 12.2 7 37
3 Chad Johnson CIN 95 1274 13.4 9 53
4 Joe Horn NO 94 1399 14.9 11 57
5 Torry Holt STL 94 1372 14.6 10 75
At 31 years old, this player would really do well with our pool of young receivers." - Slim Tim.
Slim Tim Speaks: "Well, he isn't the local prospect like Justin McCariens was when we should have gotten him, but this free agent receiver deserves the best look of all the free agent receivers currently. He lead all receivers in 2004 with 96 catches and was second only to Tony Gonzalez for all players (Tony had 102 catches).
Rank Player Team Rec Yds Avg TDs Long
1 Tony Gonzalez KC 102 1258 12.3 7 32
2 Derrick Mason TEN 96 1168 12.2 7 37
3 Chad Johnson CIN 95 1274 13.4 9 53
4 Joe Horn NO 94 1399 14.9 11 57
5 Torry Holt STL 94 1372 14.6 10 75
At 31 years old, this player would really do well with our pool of young receivers." - Slim Tim.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Re: Bears Training Camp Concern
The following is the response I received less than 24 hours after my original letter written to the Chicago Bears:
Timothy,
From our Advertising and Events department:
The change in the format of ONU Appreciation Day was made for several reasons, but the primary reason was the health and safety of the players. The format for this summer has not been determined yet, but there will be changes made. As soon as the format is finalized, information can be found on ONU's Training Camp site. We truly appreciate your feedback.
Thanks for your support of the Chicago Bears.
Jacinta Williams
Chicago Bears, Fan Services Assistant
Nice to have such a timely response, I guess I was looking for more specifics. I will update as I find out more. - SlimTim
Timothy,
From our Advertising and Events department:
The change in the format of ONU Appreciation Day was made for several reasons, but the primary reason was the health and safety of the players. The format for this summer has not been determined yet, but there will be changes made. As soon as the format is finalized, information can be found on ONU's Training Camp site. We truly appreciate your feedback.
Thanks for your support of the Chicago Bears.
Jacinta Williams
Chicago Bears, Fan Services Assistant
Nice to have such a timely response, I guess I was looking for more specifics. I will update as I find out more. - SlimTim
Monday, February 14, 2005
Bears Training Camp Concern
** Copy of letter sent to fanservices@bears.nfl.com **
Hello,
Each year since the Bears moved to Bourbonnais my family and I have attended the Appreciation Day held at Olivet Nazarene University. The 2002 experience was incredible, we paid the extra money for the paid admission and got an up close seat to see the Bears practice. After practice, the spectators that participated in the Appreciation Day event got an opportunity to go to a special meet and greet session with the players. Although it was awkward to see all of the players having to stand and meet their fans directly after practice, it was a nice opportunity for the fans to get close to the Bears players and wish them well on the season. It afforded me a memorable opportunity to tell Brad Maynard how much he meant to the team the year before. The players signed autographs and shook hands with fans from behind a yellow roped off area for 45 minutes (I know that because of overhearing a conversation between Jim Miller and Chris Chandler while they were signing autographs).
The Appreciation Day was repeated in much the same manner in 2003 as fans were treated to the same meet and greet session after practice. In 2003 however, the players were comfortably seated in groups of two at folding tables while signing autographs and shaking hands. That year, I got to see the humanity of several players and I appreciated the interaction that I had the opportunity to witness between fans and the players. There was a young boy who was concerned he would not have time to wait in the line to get an autograph from Kordell Stewart while getting an autograph from Ted Washington. Ted Washington overheard this and took the page from the boy and handed it to Kordell for him to sign for the boy. In another memorable moment of interaction between the fans, the same Ted Washington laughed out loud as a fan lauded Adrian Peterson as he was going to go to the pro bowl after the upcoming season. I got to kid Chris Villarrial about how the media pointed him out as him being the strongest Bear player to which he said it was actually Rex Tucker who was the strongest player. I remember thinking that they should have had their numbers on the tables though as we hardly have the opportunity to see many of the players with their helmets off.
Last year, as we drove down the same hour drive with six of us in the minivan, we were pleased to park in a special section reserved for the fans who had pre-paid their admission. We piled out of the minivan decked out in Bears attire such as Enis, Urlacher, Payton and Waddle jerseys and entered through the special entrance reserved for VIPs. As we entered, we were given a scratch-off card for a chance to win an autograph by one of the players, unfortunately none of our group was a winner. We got to our seats in plenty of time and as the players came out we cheered, because they are our home team, the only team, the Chicago Bears. We stood and cheered when a long pass was caught and voiced disappointment when a pass was dropped. The bleacher seating afforded an excellent vantage point at which to view all of the activities going on.
I want to stress how impersonal the end of practice was compared to the past two years. The experience was drastically different and I am wondering why. If it will be the same as last year, I probably will not attend the Training Camp in 2005. Instead of the special meet and greet session that we had come to look forward to every year, there was an odd march of winners in a single file line. These lucky few were separated into groups of 10 winners separated by a ONU employee. These lucky winners were paraded out to the edge of the practice field and the players came over to the sideline, signed the piece of paper and turned and went to the locker room. Oh yes, they were given a t-shirt as well. One of these winners was a 11 year old boy, whose mother works with me, and had gone to the training camp on my recommendation based on the two previous years. Although he won and he received other autographs from the other players who hung around, it was definitely not at all like I had described to his mother. I am not bitter because I did not win the scratch-off game, but more disappointed for the boy who did not get his wish fulfilled to meet all of the players like he had expected.
As there was a coaching change from the 2003-2004 season to the 2004-2005 season, we were left to wonder if that was the reason for the change or was it some policy shift that Olivet Nazarene had for the Chicago Bears. More importantly, we were wondering what to expect for the upcoming training camp in 2005.
Thank you for your time,
A Concerned Bears Fan
- SlimTim
Downers Grove, IL
I found a picture that I took during the Appreciation Day on August 14th, 2004. This picture illustrates the winners of the contest being paraded along the sidelines to get their autograph.
Hello,
Each year since the Bears moved to Bourbonnais my family and I have attended the Appreciation Day held at Olivet Nazarene University. The 2002 experience was incredible, we paid the extra money for the paid admission and got an up close seat to see the Bears practice. After practice, the spectators that participated in the Appreciation Day event got an opportunity to go to a special meet and greet session with the players. Although it was awkward to see all of the players having to stand and meet their fans directly after practice, it was a nice opportunity for the fans to get close to the Bears players and wish them well on the season. It afforded me a memorable opportunity to tell Brad Maynard how much he meant to the team the year before. The players signed autographs and shook hands with fans from behind a yellow roped off area for 45 minutes (I know that because of overhearing a conversation between Jim Miller and Chris Chandler while they were signing autographs).
The Appreciation Day was repeated in much the same manner in 2003 as fans were treated to the same meet and greet session after practice. In 2003 however, the players were comfortably seated in groups of two at folding tables while signing autographs and shaking hands. That year, I got to see the humanity of several players and I appreciated the interaction that I had the opportunity to witness between fans and the players. There was a young boy who was concerned he would not have time to wait in the line to get an autograph from Kordell Stewart while getting an autograph from Ted Washington. Ted Washington overheard this and took the page from the boy and handed it to Kordell for him to sign for the boy. In another memorable moment of interaction between the fans, the same Ted Washington laughed out loud as a fan lauded Adrian Peterson as he was going to go to the pro bowl after the upcoming season. I got to kid Chris Villarrial about how the media pointed him out as him being the strongest Bear player to which he said it was actually Rex Tucker who was the strongest player. I remember thinking that they should have had their numbers on the tables though as we hardly have the opportunity to see many of the players with their helmets off.
Last year, as we drove down the same hour drive with six of us in the minivan, we were pleased to park in a special section reserved for the fans who had pre-paid their admission. We piled out of the minivan decked out in Bears attire such as Enis, Urlacher, Payton and Waddle jerseys and entered through the special entrance reserved for VIPs. As we entered, we were given a scratch-off card for a chance to win an autograph by one of the players, unfortunately none of our group was a winner. We got to our seats in plenty of time and as the players came out we cheered, because they are our home team, the only team, the Chicago Bears. We stood and cheered when a long pass was caught and voiced disappointment when a pass was dropped. The bleacher seating afforded an excellent vantage point at which to view all of the activities going on.
I want to stress how impersonal the end of practice was compared to the past two years. The experience was drastically different and I am wondering why. If it will be the same as last year, I probably will not attend the Training Camp in 2005. Instead of the special meet and greet session that we had come to look forward to every year, there was an odd march of winners in a single file line. These lucky few were separated into groups of 10 winners separated by a ONU employee. These lucky winners were paraded out to the edge of the practice field and the players came over to the sideline, signed the piece of paper and turned and went to the locker room. Oh yes, they were given a t-shirt as well. One of these winners was a 11 year old boy, whose mother works with me, and had gone to the training camp on my recommendation based on the two previous years. Although he won and he received other autographs from the other players who hung around, it was definitely not at all like I had described to his mother. I am not bitter because I did not win the scratch-off game, but more disappointed for the boy who did not get his wish fulfilled to meet all of the players like he had expected.
As there was a coaching change from the 2003-2004 season to the 2004-2005 season, we were left to wonder if that was the reason for the change or was it some policy shift that Olivet Nazarene had for the Chicago Bears. More importantly, we were wondering what to expect for the upcoming training camp in 2005.
Thank you for your time,
A Concerned Bears Fan
- SlimTim
Downers Grove, IL
I found a picture that I took during the Appreciation Day on August 14th, 2004. This picture illustrates the winners of the contest being paraded along the sidelines to get their autograph.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
2005 Free Agent Wide Receivers.
This is a list of 2005 Free Agent Wide Receivers.
Arizona Cardinals
Reggie Newhouse, WR
Contract Details: Newhouse was signed to the Cardinals practice squad on November 26, 2003. He was then added to the active squad on January 13, 2004.
Baltimore
Travis Taylor, WR
Contract Details: Taylor agreed to a five-year, $10.9 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens on August 1, 2000, according to the Associated Press.
Carolina Panthers
Karl Hankton, WR
Micah Ross, WR
Cincinnati Bengals
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR
Contract Details: Houshmandzadeh signed a one-year contract with the Bengals on April 14, 2004.
Freddie Milons, WR
Contract Details: Signed a three-year deal in June 2002.
Clifford Russell, WR
Contract Details: Russell signed a three-year contract in July 2002. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Cleveland Browns
Richard Alston, WR
Frisman Jackson, WR
Contract Details: Jackson signed a one-year deal with the Browns in September 2004.
C.J. Jones, WR
Contract Details: Jones was cut at the end of the 2004 preseason but then re-signed to the Browns' practice squad.
Andre King, WR
Contract Details: King, a restricted free agent, re-signed with the Browns in April 2004.
Dallas Cowboys
Tom Crowder, WR
Contract Details: The Cowboys signed Crowder off their practice squad on December 28, 2004. He will be a UFA after the season, but the Cowboys retain exclusive negotiating rights.
Detroit Lions
Tai Streets, WR
Contract Details: The Lions signed Streets to a one-year contract on March 10, 2004. The Detroit Free Press reports the deal to be worth $1.5 million, including a $750,000 signing bonus.
Reggie Swinton, WR
Contract Details: The Lions signed Swinton to a one-year contract on April 19, 2004.
Houston Texans
Corey Bradford, WR
Contract Details: In March of 2002, the Texans and Bradford agreed on a three-year deal.
Kendrick Starling, WR
Indianapolis Colts
Troy Walters, WR
Contract Details: Walters signed a two-year contract extension in January 2003.
Miami Dolphins
Sam Simmons, WR
Contract Details: Simmons signed a three-year contract with the Dolphins in July of 2002.
Terrence Wilkins, WR
Contract Details: Wilkins signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins on March 16, 2004. The Miami Herald reports the deal is worth $535,000.
New England Patriots
Troy Brown, WR
Contract Details: Brown reworked his contract with New England in July of 2002. He remains signed through the 2004 season.
New Orleans Saints
Talman Gardner, WR
Pittsburgh Steelers
Plaxico Burress, WR
San Francisco 49ers
Curtis Conway, WR
Contract Details: Conway signed a one-year deal with the 49ers on May 25, 2004. The contract is worth $760,000 and did not include a signing bonus, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
Cedrick Wilson, WR
Contract Details: Wilson signed the restricted free agent tender on April 14, 2004. The one-year deal is presumably worth $628,000, although reports in the local papers did not list the amount.
Seattle Seahawks
Alex Bannister, WR
Contract Details: Bannister signed his one-year, $628,000 RFA tender in May of 2004, according to the Seattle Times.
St. Louis Rams
Mike Furrey, WR
Contract Details: Furrey signed a one-year contract extension with the Rams on January 26, 2003, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Dane Looker, WR
Contract Details: Looker signed the one-year RFA tender on May 6, 2004. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2004 season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tim Brown, WR
Contract Details: Brown signed with the Buccaneers on August 10, 2004. The length and financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Joey Galloway, WR
Contract Details: Galloway signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Buccaneers on March 19, 2004, according to the Associated Press.
Charles Lee, WR
Frank Murphy, WR
Edell Shepherd, WR
Tennessee Titans
Jason McAddley, WR
Contract Details: McAddley signed a three-year deal in June 2002, according to the Associated Press. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The receivers that interest me the most are: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Joey Galloway, Dane Looker, Corey Bradford, and Plaxico Burress... Comments? - Slim Tim.
Arizona Cardinals
Reggie Newhouse, WR
Contract Details: Newhouse was signed to the Cardinals practice squad on November 26, 2003. He was then added to the active squad on January 13, 2004.
Baltimore
Travis Taylor, WR
Contract Details: Taylor agreed to a five-year, $10.9 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens on August 1, 2000, according to the Associated Press.
Carolina Panthers
Karl Hankton, WR
Micah Ross, WR
Cincinnati Bengals
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR
Contract Details: Houshmandzadeh signed a one-year contract with the Bengals on April 14, 2004.
Freddie Milons, WR
Contract Details: Signed a three-year deal in June 2002.
Clifford Russell, WR
Contract Details: Russell signed a three-year contract in July 2002. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Cleveland Browns
Richard Alston, WR
Frisman Jackson, WR
Contract Details: Jackson signed a one-year deal with the Browns in September 2004.
C.J. Jones, WR
Contract Details: Jones was cut at the end of the 2004 preseason but then re-signed to the Browns' practice squad.
Andre King, WR
Contract Details: King, a restricted free agent, re-signed with the Browns in April 2004.
Dallas Cowboys
Tom Crowder, WR
Contract Details: The Cowboys signed Crowder off their practice squad on December 28, 2004. He will be a UFA after the season, but the Cowboys retain exclusive negotiating rights.
Detroit Lions
Tai Streets, WR
Contract Details: The Lions signed Streets to a one-year contract on March 10, 2004. The Detroit Free Press reports the deal to be worth $1.5 million, including a $750,000 signing bonus.
Reggie Swinton, WR
Contract Details: The Lions signed Swinton to a one-year contract on April 19, 2004.
Houston Texans
Corey Bradford, WR
Contract Details: In March of 2002, the Texans and Bradford agreed on a three-year deal.
Kendrick Starling, WR
Indianapolis Colts
Troy Walters, WR
Contract Details: Walters signed a two-year contract extension in January 2003.
Miami Dolphins
Sam Simmons, WR
Contract Details: Simmons signed a three-year contract with the Dolphins in July of 2002.
Terrence Wilkins, WR
Contract Details: Wilkins signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins on March 16, 2004. The Miami Herald reports the deal is worth $535,000.
New England Patriots
Troy Brown, WR
Contract Details: Brown reworked his contract with New England in July of 2002. He remains signed through the 2004 season.
New Orleans Saints
Talman Gardner, WR
Pittsburgh Steelers
Plaxico Burress, WR
San Francisco 49ers
Curtis Conway, WR
Contract Details: Conway signed a one-year deal with the 49ers on May 25, 2004. The contract is worth $760,000 and did not include a signing bonus, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
Cedrick Wilson, WR
Contract Details: Wilson signed the restricted free agent tender on April 14, 2004. The one-year deal is presumably worth $628,000, although reports in the local papers did not list the amount.
Seattle Seahawks
Alex Bannister, WR
Contract Details: Bannister signed his one-year, $628,000 RFA tender in May of 2004, according to the Seattle Times.
St. Louis Rams
Mike Furrey, WR
Contract Details: Furrey signed a one-year contract extension with the Rams on January 26, 2003, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Dane Looker, WR
Contract Details: Looker signed the one-year RFA tender on May 6, 2004. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2004 season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tim Brown, WR
Contract Details: Brown signed with the Buccaneers on August 10, 2004. The length and financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Joey Galloway, WR
Contract Details: Galloway signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Buccaneers on March 19, 2004, according to the Associated Press.
Charles Lee, WR
Frank Murphy, WR
Edell Shepherd, WR
Tennessee Titans
Jason McAddley, WR
Contract Details: McAddley signed a three-year deal in June 2002, according to the Associated Press. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The receivers that interest me the most are: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Joey Galloway, Dane Looker, Corey Bradford, and Plaxico Burress... Comments? - Slim Tim.
Bears '05 Offseason Options.
Bears '05 offseason needs: OT, WR, TE, QB.
1. Stand pat, build offense through draft: use fourth pick on premiere WR.
2. Trade down and select offensive lineman Alex Barron, Jammal Brown, or Khalif Barnes later in first round. Use additional picks based on need.
3. Sign Walter Jones from Seattle on March 2nd, draft Wide Receiver through draft.
4. Trade first round pick for premiere Wide receiver such as Ron Gardner, Reggie Wayne, Donte' Stallworth, or Randy Moss on March 2nd and pick up other needs through later rounds of draft.
I invite your comments on the subject to add your comments, click the comments link. - Slim Tim
1. Stand pat, build offense through draft: use fourth pick on premiere WR.
2. Trade down and select offensive lineman Alex Barron, Jammal Brown, or Khalif Barnes later in first round. Use additional picks based on need.
3. Sign Walter Jones from Seattle on March 2nd, draft Wide Receiver through draft.
4. Trade first round pick for premiere Wide receiver such as Ron Gardner, Reggie Wayne, Donte' Stallworth, or Randy Moss on March 2nd and pick up other needs through later rounds of draft.
I invite your comments on the subject to add your comments, click the comments link. - Slim Tim
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Bears '05 Draft Projection
From a sampling of 58 mock drafts currently on the internet, the Bears have been projected to take the following players:
Mike Williams, WR USC: 32 drafts
Braylon Edwards, WR UM: 22 drafts
Ronnie Brown, RB AUB: 2 drafts
Cedric Benson, RB TEX: 1 draft
Alex Barron, OT FSU: 1 draft
The overwhelming majority of mock drafts have the Bears currently taking either Mike Williams or Braylon Edwards. Currently 32 drafts have the Bears taking Mike Williams from USC. I will update this as more and more mock drafts come out.
- Slim Tim.
Mike Williams, WR USC: 32 drafts
Braylon Edwards, WR UM: 22 drafts
Ronnie Brown, RB AUB: 2 drafts
Cedric Benson, RB TEX: 1 draft
Alex Barron, OT FSU: 1 draft
The overwhelming majority of mock drafts have the Bears currently taking either Mike Williams or Braylon Edwards. Currently 32 drafts have the Bears taking Mike Williams from USC. I will update this as more and more mock drafts come out.
- Slim Tim.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
NFL - Free-Agent Terms
Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Free-Agent Terms
I read this just now and thought it was pretty interesting and thought I would share:
NFL FREE AGENCY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: What are the categories of free agency?
A: Players are either "restricted," "unrestricted" or "exclusive rights" free agents. Within the categories are also "transition" and "franchise" players.
Q: What is the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?
A: Players become restricted free agents when they complete three accrued seasons and their contract expires. Unrestricted free agents have completed four or more accrued seasons with an expired contract.
Q: What constitutes an "accrued season?"
A: Six or more regular-season games on a club’s active/inactive, reserved-injured or "physically unable to perform" lists.
Q: Other than accrued seasons, what determines a restricted free agent?
A: He has received a "qualifying" offer (a salary level predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players) from his old club. He can negotiate with any club through April 15. Then, because of the qualifying offer, his rights revert exclusively to his old club on April 15. Prior to April 16, if the restricted free agent accepts an offer sheet from a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him because it has the "right of first refusal." If the old club does not match the offer, it can possibly receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer.
Q: What determines an unrestricted free agent?
A: A player with four or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. He is free to sign with any club, with no compensation owed to his old club, through June 15. On June 16, his rights revert to his old club if it made a "tender" offer (110 percent of last year’s salary) to him by June 1. His old club then has until the 10th week of the season (November 10) to sign him. If he does not sign by the 10th week, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by June 1, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.
Q: What determines a transition player?
A: His club must offer a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of last season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation.
Q: What determines a franchise player?
A: A club can designate one franchise player in any given year. The salary level offer by a player’s old club determines what type of franchise player he is. An "exclusive" franchise player -- not free to sign with another club -- is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. If the player is not offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries of last season at his position, he becomes a "non-exclusive" franchise player and can negotiate with other clubs. His old club can match a new club’s offer, or receive two first-round draft choices if it decides not to match.
Q: Can a club decide to withdraw its franchise or transition designations on a player? If so, can it then use them on other players?
A: A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designations and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent either immediately or when his contract expires. The club cannot name a new transition player (two allowed in 1993, one in 1994 and one in the final year of the CBA). It can name a new franchise player the next year. A club can, though, designate a transition player in lieu of a franchise player at any time. Only one franchise and transition player can be on a club’s roster.
Q: What determines each team’s salary cap? Is it always in effect?
A: The salary cap is the absolute maximum each club may spend on player salaries in a capped year. For 2005, that amounts to 65.5 percent of leaguewide "Defined Gross Revenues" (divided by 32 teams from 2004) made up of preseason, regular-season and postseason gate receipts and radio and television rights. The cap is in effect 365 days a year. From February 24 to the day before the season begins, a club’s top 51 salaried players count towards the cap, plus pro-rated signing bonuses, incentives, etc., but not base salaries of other players on the roster up to 80. Thereafter, not all salaries on a club’s roster count toward the cap. The maximum salary cap for 2005 is expected to be near $85 million per club.
- Slim Tim.
I read this just now and thought it was pretty interesting and thought I would share:
NFL FREE AGENCY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: What are the categories of free agency?
A: Players are either "restricted," "unrestricted" or "exclusive rights" free agents. Within the categories are also "transition" and "franchise" players.
Q: What is the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?
A: Players become restricted free agents when they complete three accrued seasons and their contract expires. Unrestricted free agents have completed four or more accrued seasons with an expired contract.
Q: What constitutes an "accrued season?"
A: Six or more regular-season games on a club’s active/inactive, reserved-injured or "physically unable to perform" lists.
Q: Other than accrued seasons, what determines a restricted free agent?
A: He has received a "qualifying" offer (a salary level predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players) from his old club. He can negotiate with any club through April 15. Then, because of the qualifying offer, his rights revert exclusively to his old club on April 15. Prior to April 16, if the restricted free agent accepts an offer sheet from a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him because it has the "right of first refusal." If the old club does not match the offer, it can possibly receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer.
Q: What determines an unrestricted free agent?
A: A player with four or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. He is free to sign with any club, with no compensation owed to his old club, through June 15. On June 16, his rights revert to his old club if it made a "tender" offer (110 percent of last year’s salary) to him by June 1. His old club then has until the 10th week of the season (November 10) to sign him. If he does not sign by the 10th week, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by June 1, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.
Q: What determines a transition player?
A: His club must offer a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of last season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation.
Q: What determines a franchise player?
A: A club can designate one franchise player in any given year. The salary level offer by a player’s old club determines what type of franchise player he is. An "exclusive" franchise player -- not free to sign with another club -- is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. If the player is not offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries of last season at his position, he becomes a "non-exclusive" franchise player and can negotiate with other clubs. His old club can match a new club’s offer, or receive two first-round draft choices if it decides not to match.
Q: Can a club decide to withdraw its franchise or transition designations on a player? If so, can it then use them on other players?
A: A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designations and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent either immediately or when his contract expires. The club cannot name a new transition player (two allowed in 1993, one in 1994 and one in the final year of the CBA). It can name a new franchise player the next year. A club can, though, designate a transition player in lieu of a franchise player at any time. Only one franchise and transition player can be on a club’s roster.
Q: What determines each team’s salary cap? Is it always in effect?
A: The salary cap is the absolute maximum each club may spend on player salaries in a capped year. For 2005, that amounts to 65.5 percent of leaguewide "Defined Gross Revenues" (divided by 32 teams from 2004) made up of preseason, regular-season and postseason gate receipts and radio and television rights. The cap is in effect 365 days a year. From February 24 to the day before the season begins, a club’s top 51 salaried players count towards the cap, plus pro-rated signing bonuses, incentives, etc., but not base salaries of other players on the roster up to 80. Thereafter, not all salaries on a club’s roster count toward the cap. The maximum salary cap for 2005 is expected to be near $85 million per club.
- Slim Tim.
Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Bears/NFL 2005 Offseason Schedule
Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Bears/NFL 2005 Offseason Schedule: "A look at the major events happening in the world of the NFL and the Bears during the offseason"
2005 OFFSEASON SCHEDULE
Feb. 6 Super Bowl
Super Bowl XXXIX, Jacksonville, Fla. (FOX).
Feb. 13 Pro Bowl
AFC-NFC Pro Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii (ESPN)
Feb. 11 NFL Europe Allocation
NFL Europe League NFL Allocated Player Draft.
Feb. 23-March 1 Scouting Combine, Indianapolis, Ind.
Coaches, scouts and other personnel evaluators analyze NFL prospects.
Feb. 22 Franchise and Transition Player Designation Date
Deadline for clubs to designate franchise and transition players.Clubs that execute a multi-year contract with their franchise players will not be deemed to have used their franchise designation for 2005.
Feb. 25 NFL Europe Camps
NFL Europe League training camps open, Tampa, Fla.
March 1 Minimum Salary Offer
Deadline for clubs to make minimum salary offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights for players with fewer than three years of free agency credit whose contracts have expired.
Contracts Expire
Expiration date of all player contracts due to expire in 2005.
Qualifying Offer Deadline
Deadline for submission of qualifying offers to restricted free agents whose contracts have expired and to whom they desire to retain a right of first refusal.
March 2 Free-Agent Signings
Veteran free-agency signing period begins.
Trading Period
Trading period begins.
March 20-23 NFL Annual Meeting
NFL owners meeting in Maui, Hawaii.
Late March/
Early April NFL Schedule Announced
Full NFL and Bears schedule announced shortly after owners meeting. Exact date TBD.
April 2 NFL Europe Begins
NFL Europe League's opening weekend.
April 15 RFA Signing Deadline
Signing period ends for restricted free agents.
April 22 First-Refusal Deadline
Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.
April 23-24 NFL Draft
Annual player selection meeting, New York.
April 29-May 1 Bears Minicamp
Tentative dates for the first official minicamp for Bears. Closed to the public.
May 25-26 Spring Meeting
NFL spring meeting, Jacksonville, Fla.
June 1 Qualifying Offers
Deadline for old club to send tender to its unsigned restricted free agents or extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights.
Tenders to UFAs
Deadline for old club to send tender to its unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for the rest of the season if player is not signed by another club by July 22.
June 4 NFL Europe Ends
NFL Europe League's last weekend of the regular season.
June 11 World Bowl
World Bowl XIII, LTU Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany.
June 15 Qualifying Offer Withdrawls
Deadline for old clubs to withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting tender of 110 percent of previous year's salary.
July 22 Tendered UFA Signing Ends
Signing period ends at 4 p.m. ET for unrestricted free agents who received June 1 tender.
Some dates tenative and subject to change.
- Slim Tim
2005 OFFSEASON SCHEDULE
Feb. 6 Super Bowl
Super Bowl XXXIX, Jacksonville, Fla. (FOX).
Feb. 13 Pro Bowl
AFC-NFC Pro Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii (ESPN)
Feb. 11 NFL Europe Allocation
NFL Europe League NFL Allocated Player Draft.
Feb. 23-March 1 Scouting Combine, Indianapolis, Ind.
Coaches, scouts and other personnel evaluators analyze NFL prospects.
Feb. 22 Franchise and Transition Player Designation Date
Deadline for clubs to designate franchise and transition players.Clubs that execute a multi-year contract with their franchise players will not be deemed to have used their franchise designation for 2005.
Feb. 25 NFL Europe Camps
NFL Europe League training camps open, Tampa, Fla.
March 1 Minimum Salary Offer
Deadline for clubs to make minimum salary offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights for players with fewer than three years of free agency credit whose contracts have expired.
Contracts Expire
Expiration date of all player contracts due to expire in 2005.
Qualifying Offer Deadline
Deadline for submission of qualifying offers to restricted free agents whose contracts have expired and to whom they desire to retain a right of first refusal.
March 2 Free-Agent Signings
Veteran free-agency signing period begins.
Trading Period
Trading period begins.
March 20-23 NFL Annual Meeting
NFL owners meeting in Maui, Hawaii.
Late March/
Early April NFL Schedule Announced
Full NFL and Bears schedule announced shortly after owners meeting. Exact date TBD.
April 2 NFL Europe Begins
NFL Europe League's opening weekend.
April 15 RFA Signing Deadline
Signing period ends for restricted free agents.
April 22 First-Refusal Deadline
Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.
April 23-24 NFL Draft
Annual player selection meeting, New York.
April 29-May 1 Bears Minicamp
Tentative dates for the first official minicamp for Bears. Closed to the public.
May 25-26 Spring Meeting
NFL spring meeting, Jacksonville, Fla.
June 1 Qualifying Offers
Deadline for old club to send tender to its unsigned restricted free agents or extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights.
Tenders to UFAs
Deadline for old club to send tender to its unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for the rest of the season if player is not signed by another club by July 22.
June 4 NFL Europe Ends
NFL Europe League's last weekend of the regular season.
June 11 World Bowl
World Bowl XIII, LTU Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany.
June 15 Qualifying Offer Withdrawls
Deadline for old clubs to withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting tender of 110 percent of previous year's salary.
July 22 Tendered UFA Signing Ends
Signing period ends at 4 p.m. ET for unrestricted free agents who received June 1 tender.
Some dates tenative and subject to change.
- Slim Tim
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