NFL Off Season Moves

Fans and the media alike were witness to a reality check in the NFL. Though it is the league that regulates America's favorite sport, we were all reminded that it is a business first and foremost with the off-season going into full swing with cuts and trades alike. Some moves came as expected while others were surprising to everyone across the league and country alike.

Lovie Smith managed to get a contract extension that will grant him an average of $4.7 million per year until his contract expires. However, for the 2007 season he will remain the lowest paid coach and by time 2008 rolls around he won't be in the Top 10 any longer. While the top 10 highest paid coaches in the NFL are more or less a who's who among coaches, sans Bobby Petrino, it's clear that Smith has managed to guide himself to enough success to merit being paid in that sect of coaches.

Joey Porter of the Pittsburgh Steelers is expected to be cut along with another player in order to free up $6 million in the salary cap, even though the Salary cap is expected to go up to $106 million for the 2007 season.

Jamal Lewis was cut from the Baltimore Ravens, but is expected to resign after contract negotiations are settled. However, more surprising things have happened in the NFL.

Brad Johnson the oldest quarterback in the NFL and winner of the superbowl with Tampa Bay Buccaneers was cut from the Vikings. Fred Smoot was also cut from the Vikings.

Brian Simmons was cut from the Cincinnati Bengals, even as they look to bolster their linebacking core.

Jeff Garcia is going to be moving on in free agency, expect several teams to court the 37-year old veteran who performed excellently for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dre Bly is now going to come together opposite Champ Bailey to be known as one of the best, if not the best, corner back tandems in the NFL. The Lions receive Tatum Bell.

Eric Moulds was cut from the Houston Texas, Joe Horn was released from the New Orleans Saints and Brandon Stokley is expected to be cut from the Colts, which would bolster the weak wide receiver free agency market.

Dexter Coakley and Adam Timmerman were both cut from the St. Louis Rams in one of the more shocking cuts of the off-season thus far.

Expect more and more moves daily, as teams are constantly in discussion with one another and with their players.