Surtain, Huard & Edwards Gone
In the first visible moves with the Chiefs roster since taking over the team, Pioli/Haley just made their roster even younger than it was last year.
The Chiefs have released:
- LB Donnie Edwards, a 13-year veteran of the NFL who will be 36 years old in August.
- CB Pat Surtain, an 11-year veteran who will be 33 years old in June.
- QB Damon Huard, a 12-year veteran of the league who will be 36 in July.
The moves come in advance of the start of the leauge year at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. That’s when free agency begins and when the league’s teams must be under the salary cap. None of these moves was made with the idea of getting the Chiefs under the salary cap, since they had so much room anyway, approximately $38 million. But releasing the three veterans freed up more than $10 million under the cap, so Pioli/Haley will have in the neighborhood of $50 million available.
Currently, the Chiefs roster has only six players who are 30 years or older: deep-snapper Jean-Phillipe Darche (34 on February 28), defensive tackle/end Alfonso Boone (33) tight end Tony Gonzalez (33 on February 27), guard Brian Waters (32), tackle Damion McIntosh (32 in March) and cornerback David Macklin (30).
The Chiefs also released TE Michael Merritt, who was a seventh-round choice out of Central Florida in the 2008 NFL Draft. Merritt was arrested on February 5 in Orlando, Florida on marijuana charges.
Well here we go, Pioli Cleaning House!
This is going to be good.
No real surprises, although I’d of liked to keep Surtain as a very nice backup. I can only imagine it was to free up cash (as opposed to cap space, which we have almost an infinite amount) with which to spend on free agency.
As much as I’d like to see Clark use the whole cap, that is an especially unrealistic hope in this economy. It’s a cash game at this point.
Expected moves but sad to see Donnie Edwards go. He never should have been allowed to leave the first go round but time catches up to everybody. He was one of the good guys and represented the Chiefs well. It’s going to be an interesting few months.
Except for Merritt, all had effective careers in the NFL. Anyone who lasts over 4 years is something special. Thanks for the effort.
Anyone remember all the hype around Merritt when the Chiefs drafted him, guess they ignorred his outside interests like smoking stuff.
Interesting that he took out 3 of Carl’s guys. Wonder what this means for LJ and Tony G. Bet the house that LG is gone..think he keeps Tony. Next…How many of those young Herm stars will be cut. I think the over under is 10.
fball-If the young guys are all signed to reasonable contracts-and the fact that we’re so far under the cap seems to indicate this-I’m not sure Pioli will cut very many young Herm stars. Unless they are guys that don’t fit our new system, whatever that is, then why not keep them around for camp competition. Also, you need young guys to fill your special teams. Part of the reason you don’t keep Surtain or Edwards, even if the cost is reasonable, is those guys don’t play special teams.
I agree on the sad part of seeing Donnie get the pink slip but it reminds us that this is a tough business. I hope the Chiefs recognize what Donnie has done for the franchise and lure him into some role with the club.
“Young Herm Stars”… that’s a pretty interesting grouping of words. I think I’ll go eat some jumbo shrimp…
Best line I’ve read on this site in weeks Uncuffed! Jumbo shrimp…..hilarious.
I say to all who were let go….Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!
Donnie is the poster child of why you don’t sign and overpay guys looking to cash in and retire ala Ray Lewis. Hopefully we’re done with that type of signing.
Well said Mark not that you need my endorsement . I winch everytime I read about some retread player over 30 that some fan wants to sign.We done that under Peterson how did that work out. Sign only 2nd contract players only. Please don’t give the Pats 2 first rd picks for Cassel if you must trade give them LJ
Didn’t Pioli already address LJ and Tony G? I thought I read that LJ is a Chief, end of story and that he’s going to talk with Tony and proceed from there.
Pioli did say something about LJ and TG but these guys(GMs) talk out of the side of their mouths most of the time so who knows what is going to happen with LJ and TG. Besides Edwards these were all good moves. Interesting though, not much complaining that we are losing more veteran leadership. Funny how Peterson and Herm couldn’t do anything right and for now Pioli and Haley can’t do anything wrong.
Edwards spent most of the year hurt, and he is OLD gotta go.
I wonder if McIntosh and Boone will be let go after June 1. It probably depends on the draft and free agency. McIntosh did an okay job at right tackle, but I think he can easily be replaced by a younger tackle. Same applies to Boone, decent job but could be replaced. I think it will be very difficult to trade LJ. Even if he were to renogiate his contract with another team, we would still take a cap hit on his guarnteed money. I’m not sure exactly how signing bonus versus other guarnteed money affects the cap. What do you all think?
Niblick
I agree anyone who is “decent” needs to go and be replaced by one of the RIGHT 53. To me if we get Cassel from NE okay, but the OL and front 7 on def. need more attention than any other.
McIntosh finally started to gel at RT towards the end of last season. I think he’d be a great backup or a decent starter this year if need be.
Boone was our best DT in 2007 and got pushed aside by the youth movement (read: did not get a fair shot) in 2008. He’s still potentially our best DT. I don’t see any reason to get rid of him unless we bring in a bunch of new talent there. And if we switch to the 3-4, all bets are off.