Re: Pats refuse to release Dillon
"Patriots make an offer to Gay
01:00 AM EST on Friday, March 2, 2007
I always thought RI was in the same time zone...
BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer
Dozens of NFL players officially became free agents at 12:01 this morning, and teams across the league were making moves yesterday, freeing up cap space and trying to lock up valuable restricted free agents.
The New England Patriots’ first move of the day was to offer cornerback Randall Gay a $1.3-million tender. Gay, one of four restricted free agents the Pats had on their roster, has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons — he played the first three games of the year before being placed on season-ending injured reserve with a hamstring injury — but was a starter for New England in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
The tender means that another team can make a better offer to Gay, but if the Patriots do not match the deal within seven days, New England would receive a second-round draft pick as compensation.
Offensive linemen Billy Yates and Gene Mruczkowski and safety Rashad Baker were the team’s other restricted free agents, but there was no word on whether they had been offered tenders.
While it was expected that running back Corey Dillon would also be cut, as he requested,
there had been no official announcement yesterday. Dillon, on the books for $4.4 million for the coming season, asked to be released from his contract, and agent Steve Feldman has said the Patriots would comply.
However, it would appear doubtful that the Patriots would simply let Dillon go without getting something in return.
With no extension being signed before midnight, Daniel Graham, Tully Banta-Cain, Junior Seau and the rest of the team’s free agents are now on the open market.
There were indications that Graham did not want to remain in New England. While he is one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, he seemed frustrated that he was not more involved in the passing game. (Graham had only 24 catches last season.) Minnesota and Graham’s hometown Broncos (his father played for Denver) are said to be among the teams interested in his services."
Yesterday was March 1. Today is March 2. Corey's agent said they agreed to release him on March 2. Duh...
And SWelker - you need to be demoted from the PS to barely on the roster.