BillyCarpenter1

http://flash.patriots.com/news/fulla...9&type=general


Milloy released
2 Sep 03 / by Bryan Morry, Patriots Football Weekly


Lawyer Milloy


It's not unusual for teams to continue tweaking the roster in the week before the first game as all 32 teams release and sign players at a frenzied pace to prepare for the opener. But it is surprising when a team releases a four-time Pro Bowl safety and team captain as the Patriots did Tuesday morning when they announced Lawyer Milloy, 29, was cut.

Milloy played seven seasons in New England and totaled 846 tackles, seven sacks, 19 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He led the team in tackles in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. He also was a huge part of two AFC Championship teams and one Super Bowl winner.

Milloy went to his first Pro Bowl in 1998 starting a string of four all-star appearances in five years, including 2002, and was the first Patriots safety selected to the Pro Bowl since Fred Marion in 1985.

He was a mark of durability during his career in New England playing in all 112 professional games with 106 consecutive starts. He was first voted a team captain in 1999 and was subsequently voted as a captain in each of the next three seasons.

The Patriots were negotiating to reduce Milloy's cap hit for this season, but obviously could not reach an agreement. Milloy's cap number for 2003 was scheduled to be in $5.8 million range, but since his release came after June 1, the Patriots can spread out his accelerated cap hit (around $5.6 million) over two seasons with about $1.4 million coming this year and $4.2 million next year in the form of dead money.

Milloy's salary, according to the NFLPA, jumped from $525,000 in 2002 to $4.4 million in 2003 in what was the fourth year of what was originally a seven-year, $35 million. That original contract had two tiers with the first a four-year $15 million portion that included $6 million up front. After the fourth season, the Patriots held an option to pick up the remaining three years for $20 million with a $2 million bonus payment.

The safeties on the roster who could replace the 6-0, 210-pound Milloy in the starting lineup are Aric Morris, Chris Akins and Antwan Harris.

I just saved some space Billy. Good reporting though.






[Edited on 2/9/2003 by JOESAM2002]

BillyCarpenter1

HELLO??? Does no one think we should sign this guy?

jared21

THE SAINTS BETTER GET THIS GUY...DOES ANYONE HAVE MICKEY LOOMIS PHONE NUMBER QUICK!!!!!!

BillyCarpenter1

We have a need at safety and the cap room. If they do not make every effort in the world to sign Milloy, I will be jumping on the boat with FWtex.

[Edited on 2/9/2003 by BillyCarpenter1]

SFinAustin

It\'s a perfect fit. He has to sign with us!

BillyCarpenter1

Just think -- Lawyer Millloy, Tebucky Jones, and Dale Carter in our secondary. That ain\'t sounding too bad....

JOESAM2002

We can only hope. We have the money but will they do it? Who knows. Haz did say however that they were waiting to sign another player off another team before they announced the other 2 members of the practice squad. As I said we can only hope!

jared21

We have to make this happen this would be a huge addtiton for this team. I think we would have to pay him at least 5 million this year to get him though...anyone else know any other team that is gonna try to get him..i hope the saints can get to him first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FWtex

I am most definitely for this!! this is a huge christmas present they better not pass up. He and tbuck already have the chemistry and they may be able to teach venturi something about defense.

Problem comes to who do you cut. Obvious choice would be Gleason but he is a special team standout. Hawthorn? This could mean more shuffling of reserves which I am all for at this time.

saint5221

SIGN HIM!!!!!!SIGN HIM!!!!! SIGN HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOW!!!NOW!!!!!!!!