HOLY COW! Why is this guy suddenly a FA?!?!

[Mike Lowe]

After the draft and after intial rookie signing, Max Starks is suddenly a FA. There is no note of him being released by Pittsburgh but sure enough, a 96 RT is free for the taking.

Is this normal or is this a bug of some sort? It's strange he is not listed as being released.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e360/Mike47/untitled-2.jpg

[dbd1963]

I'd bet that was the end of his rookie contract. Why they didn't re-sign him, I don't know. Maybe they are way over the cap?

[Mike Lowe]

But this was AFTER the draft. He was not available before the draft as a FA.

[Front Office Midget]

Right... he was a Restricted Free Agent, meaning Pittsburgh had full rights to him during the 1st Free Agency. However, they chose not to resign him, making him available for the Late Free Agency.

[Mike Lowe]

Ah, right. I missed you saying "restricted." Thanks. I lost out on him only to find out that a division rival signed him. Oh, and my 1st round pick still hasn't signed with me going into training camp.

To be the GM of the Lions...

[Peregrine]

I'd check their cap numbers, I think this is probably a money situation, just like I run into all the time, occasionally you do have to release a great player because he wants crazy money and you don't have it. Now if he isn't signed during late free agency, that's when I get worried about a bug.

[MizzouRah]

Agree with Peregrine.. as I would assume if they had the money, they would have franchised him.

[nilodor]

Or he was franchised and they didn't have the cap room after the draft to keep him.