NFL Free agency pattern altered by salary cap

Miami, aware of its tendency to fade late in the season, is trying to address it.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
PHILADELPHIA -- If there are any NFL teams that did little with free agency in March because they were waiting for salary-cap casualties to fall in their laps, they are going to be sorely disappointed.
Actually, there probably are few, if any, that held to such hope, because the second wave of free agency, which begins Sunday, is little more than a ripple these days.
As the salary cap and free agency have become more ingrained in the fabric of the NFL, teams have learned to better manage their caps. Capologists have become nearly as important as personnel directors, and the big names that used to drop on June 1, when the salary crunch hits, are fewer and farther between.
Effects on second wave
This year's second wave promises the smallest yield of "name" veterans since the cap rules took effect.
Quarterback Brian Griese will be the headliner, and just about everybody has known for about three months that he will be signed by the Miami Dolphins.
The Denver Broncos will save $5 million on the cap for 2003 because they waited until June 1 to release Griese, but they will take a $7 million hit in 2004.
The Dolphins, who have been vigorous in free agency this off-season, didn't even try to disguise their desire for Griese.
They let backup quarterback Ray Lucas go and made it a priority to save enough money under the cap to sign the veteran quarterback. That's why they offered wideout Orande Gadsden, a starter last season, only $530,000.
Miami is very conscious of its tendency to fade late in the season and is trying to address it.
The Dolphins also signed Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau, safety Sammy Knight, cornerback Terrell Buckley, defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina, wide receiver Derrius Thompson, and tight end Marco Battaglia.
Griese likely will be a backup to Jay Fiedler, at least going into the season. He will have to learn the Dolphins' system, and that might be enough to save Fiedler's job in the short term.
49ers
San Francisco 49ers wideout J.J. Stokes, who never really lived up to expectations in the Bay Area, also will be teamless in a couple of days.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots are said to be interested.
Terrell Davis, the former Super Bowl MVP, ordinarily would be considered a big name, but the Broncos running back hasn't been productive the last three years because of problems with his knees.