Moore, Freeman Are Among Cuts

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

Among the casualties were 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 Jacksonville.

Charlie Batch was 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.

All of the players had been told they would be released.

“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.”

Jacksonville saved $6.5 million by cutting McCardell and Nickerson.

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

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 knee injuries.

Moore had more than 100 catches each in 1995, ’96 and ‘97, including 123 in 1995. But he has been injured in recent seasons and had only four receptions for 76 yards last year before being sidelined after the 11th game because of a hip injury.

McCardell had 94 and 93 catches the last two seasons and had more than 1,000 yards in four of his six seasons at Jacksonville.

Fina was the last remaining member of the Bills’ team that won AFC titles from 1990-93.

Batch, 27, had three years and $10 million left on his contract.

*

Offensive lineman Brian Waters signed a one-year contract with Kansas City.... Pittsburgh running back Amos Zereoue is recovering from a liver ailment that left him hospitalized for three days, but may not work out with the team until training camp begins. Zereoue lost 15 pounds this spring after doctors found a cyst on his liver.... Police at Fort Myers, Fla., arrested nine people and used pepper spray early Sunday to disperse hundreds of patrons after a fight broke out at a dance club following a fund-raising event for a youth foundation sponsored by Javon Kearse of the Tennessee Titans. Kearse, a native of Fort Myers, attended the event.