Professor

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

Patriots cut Willie McGinest in salary cap move

March 9, 2006

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- The New England Patriots released linebacker Willie McGinest in a salary cap move, ending a 12-year relationship with the NFL's all-time postseason sack leader.

The release of the two-time Pro Bowler was announced Thursday, the day after the NFL owners voted 30-2 at their meeting in Grapevine, Texas, to extend the collective bargaining agreement with the players for six more years, resulting in a new salary cap figure of $102 million.

The 34-year-old McGinest carried a salary cap figure of more than $7 million for next season. The veteran linebacker is now a free agent and can sign with any team, including New England.

McGinest, who has been with New England his entire career, was the fourth pick of the 1994 draft out of Southern California. He played in four Super Bowls, including three Patriots victories. His 16 postseason sacks rank ahead of Bruce Smith (14 1/2 ) and Reggie White (12).

A two-time Pro Bowler, McGinest ranks third on the Patriots' all-time sack list with 78, just 1.5 behind Julius Adams. Andre Tippett tops the list with 100 sacks.

McGinest has played in 171 games, ninth on the Patriots' all-time list.

Besides McGinest, kicker Adam Vinatieri, wide receivers David Givens and Troy Brown, tackle Tom Ashworth, receiver and punt returner Tim Dwight, tight end Christian Fauria, linebackers Don Davis and Matt Chatham and running back Heath Evans are free agents.

The Patriots also announced the signing of defensive back Artrell Hawkins on Thursday.

Hawkins signed with the Patriots as a free agent on Nov. 15, 2005. The seven-year veteran, who moved from cornerback to safety, started four of the five games he appeared in and made 16 tackles.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound defender was originally drafted in the second round of the 1998 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, who he played for six seasons.



Updated on Thursday, Mar 9, 2006 12:05 pm EST

bigboy

What's that I smell **sniff** **sniff**.....Cleveland...

Professor

you know romeo would love to have him

bigboy

Oh yeah, I would bet he ends up there...

Professor

the browns good? what is this world coming to?

PoppaPoe33

The Browns can have him. He'll only be a threat for a couple more years anyway. More importantly is that the move will hurt the Patriots. Not to mention them losing another D. Coordinator to a head coaching job.

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Professor

romeo will love to have him, willie excels in the 3-4 and fits nicely into a need that cleveland has and prolly won't cost that much

bigboy

Most importantly though IMO at least is that if he goes there he can help the younger guys and give Romeo almost a coach presance on the field. He can do that with just about every team but his best days are behind him and this does hurt NE pretty bad IMO.

Professor

I love anything that hurts NE

MickeyG

Willie getting cut was expected so there is really no surprise. As for him going to Cleveland, it would be the smartest move he could make. It has already been said that he excells in the 3-4 and that he only has two or three really good more years left in him. So he might as well finish his career on a high note playing in a system he can excell in.

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