For NFL front-office people, free agency may be the toughest game of all. Steve Atwater to multiyear deals.
GMs also have to be aware of the contract ripple effect.
Now other defensive ends like Chuck Smith and Lester Archambeau are going to demand a lot more money. Look for some players to be offered a pay cut. The trick here is to offer a player a lower salary, but one that the player's agent feels is still better than his client could get in the open market. Randall Cunningham of the Vikings is that kind of player now that he's clearly a backup. Seven teams have new coaches this offseason and coaches who move love to bring their favorite players with them.