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First of all, most of the players cut in the past seven days would have been cut regardless of the current uncertainty. Even Pro Bowl players like Miami's Sam Madison are 31, due to make millions, and not worth a new contract that almost certainly would have required 3 years, with perhaps a third of it upfront as a signing bonus. No team in the NFL is going to sign a 31-year-old corner for three years, 27 million with 9 million in signing bonuses. Except maybe Danny Snyder.

Second, increasingly, NFL agents are locking their clients into five and six year deals, with slightly lower signing bonuses, but more "guaranteed" money built into the contract. The twist on the bonuses is that while they are guaranteed, and pro-rated throughout the life of the contract, they accelerate and penalize a team if you cut them before the contract expires. That's why it's going to be difficult for a player like Terrell Owens to find multiple takers for his ridiculous Eagles contract.

Oh, and by the way, we hear rumors that Denver made those cuts the other day in anticipation of a trade with the New York Jets for their franchise defensive end. In return, the Jets get the No. 29 pick in the draft, giving them enough ammo to try to move up to possibly the first or second pick in April.

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Trade