By waiting until Monday to release halfback Travis Henry, the Broncos ended up saving $1.1 million in cap room instead of suffering a $2.5 million net loss had they released him in May.
On Monday, all NFL teams have the ability to push the remaining prorated portions of a released player's signing bonus into 2009 instead of taking the cap hit this year. The Broncos now have to take a $3.6 million hit in 2009. They save Henry's $1.1 million 2008 salary.
He'll still count on the Broncos' 2008 salary-cap books at $1.2 million, one fifth of the $6 million signing bonus he received last year.
Jordan in holding pattern: The release of Henry could delay the eventual release of Raiders halfback LaMont Jordan. Jordan is going to be released by the Raiders, but Al Davis doesn't want Jordan to land on the Broncos. Although most people think Jordan wouldn't be a good fit in Denver, Davis doesn't want to help a division foe.
Financial incentive: Jason Taylor has 4 million reasons to be diplomatic about his remaining two years in Miami. If he were to hold out or retire, Dolphins boss Bill Parcells could try to come after the remaining $4 million of Taylor's salary bonus (the prorated amount) if Taylor doesn't fulfill the final two years of his contract. Taylor is scheduled to make $8.1 million this year and $8.5 million next season.
Lengthy arms race: The Bears' quarterback battle between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton will be long. Head coach Lovie Smith said he could wait until the final preseason game to make a decision. That probably didn't go over well with Grossman or Orton. Although Grossman's experience gives him the edge, expect Orton to be given every chance to be starter.
Patriots' line dance: The Patriots' signing of veteran right tackle Oliver Ross shouldn't come as a surprise. The Patriots tried to sign veteran offensive tackle L.J. Shelton but lost him to San Diego. Ross, like Shelton, is an insurance policy in case the Pats need a veteran tackle to come off the bench and start in a pinch.
Giants' contingency plan: The Giants' signing of veteran defensive lineman Renaldo Wynn was insurance in case Michael Strahan retires. Wynn has the versatility to be a backup at end or defensive tackle. The Giants still hope Strahan stays, and if he does, Wynn could still make the roster as a fourth defensive tackle.
No call-backs for free agents: No team made a tender offer to any of the remaining 100 unrestricted free agents. Teams have the ability to take an unrestricted free agent off the market if they aren't signed by a new team by June 1. No team elected to do that, leaving the remaining 100 available to any team. For example, the 49ers could have given a minimum tender offer to guard
Larry Allen if they wanted to reserve the right to sign him. The 49ers expect Allen to retire so they decided not to do that.
DB stockpile: As if the Saints hadn't done enough at cornerback this offseason with the signing of
Randall Gay and the drafting of cornerback
Tracy Porter in the second round, they also signed former Buffalo Bills cornerback
Jerametrius Butler Monday. Injuries did leave the Saints down at cornerback over the weekend. Starter
Mike McKenzie is coming off a knee surgery. Things were so short at cornerback, Porter was working with the first team. The Saints also signed defensive tackle
Marquay Love Monday.
John Clayton
