The second phase of free agency began Monday as some of the most productive NFL players of the past decade were cut to create salary cap room.

        Among the casualties were wide receivers Antonio Freeman of Green Bay, Derrick Alexander of Kansas City, Herman Moore of Detroit, and Keenan McCardell of Jacksonville; running back Jamal Anderson of Atlanta; offensive tackle John Fina of Buffalo; and linebacker Hardy Nickerson of the Jaguars.

        Charlie Batch was also released by Detroit, putting a relatively young quarterback on the market. Washington cut defensive end Marco Coleman, signed during owner Daniel Snyder's spending spree two years ago.

        Pittsburgh cut linebacker Mike Jones, the defensive hero in the St. Louis Rams' Super Bowl victory over Tennessee. Jones stopped Kevin Dyson a yard short of the tying touchdown on the game's final play.

        None of the cuts was unexpected — all the players already had been told they would be released. And most of the released players, especially the wide receivers, are likely to end up elsewhere.

        “If there was no salary cap, I can assure you he probably would be on our team,” Washington coach Steve Spurrier said after cutting Coleman and saving $3.5 million. “He's a good player and a good person.”

        These late cuts result from the section of the league's labor agreement that allows teams to release players after June 1 to absorb cap hits over two years instead of one. Jacksonville, for example, saved $6.5 million by cutting McCardell and Nickerson.

        Some of the teams need the money saved to sign draft choices; others will go after free agents, including those cut this week.

        Last June, for example, San Francisco cut Jerry Rice, the most productive receiver in NFL history. He signed with Oakland, and at age 39, caught 83 passes for 1,183 and nine touchdowns.

        Freeman, the fifth-leading receiver in Packers' history, had been negotiating with Green Bay on a reduced deal but agreed it was time to leave.

        “I had a very good conversation with Antonio last Friday,” Green Bay coach and general manager Mike Sherman said. “He felt what was best for his career at this time was to see what was available to him on the open market. I granted him that request by releasing him today.”

        Anderson, a nine-year veteran, ended his career with the Falcons as the third-leading rusher in team history with 5,336 yards.

        He led the Falcons to their only Super Bowl in 1999, but has been hampered by two serious knee injuries since. He was made expendable when Atlanta signed free agent Warrick Dunn and took running back T.J. Duckett in the first round of April's draft.

        STEELERS: Running back Amos Zereoue is recovering from a liver ailment that left him hospitalized for three days, and he might not work out with the team until training camp begins.

        TITANS: Bruce Matthews, 41, remained on the team's roster Monday, and coach Jeff Fisher said plenty of time remains before the 19-year veteran offensive lineman must decide to play or retire.

        “Hopefully, we'll pick the phone up sometime this week and try to get a feel for what he's planning on doing,” Fisher said.

Teams cut big-name veterans

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