1977 season
Notable names among the retirees:
QB Fran Tarkenton, MIN, WR Jim Colclough, BOS, G Jerry Kramer, GB, OLB Maxie Baughan, SD, DT Bob Lilly, GB, QB Roman Gabriel, LA, RB Cannonball Butler, ATL, WR Lance Alworth, SD, QB Daryl Lamonica, OAK.
RB Leo Hayden in St.Louis got a good deal worth $10.65 mil over 6 years. He did a great job last year, replacing Carlos Bell and rushing for 1000 yds. Buffalo OLB Jack Ham signed for for years, $17.04 mil. Cornerbacks Mike Wagner and Thomas Darden both signed 6-year deals, Wagner for $25.67 mil and Darden for a whopping $35.88 mil!
Jack Tatum stays with Tennessee for 4 years, $15.35 mil and Greg Pruitt got a 5-yr, $15.5 mil deal from Balötimore.
Franchise designations was made to BUF ILB Isiah Robertson, PIT QB Terry Bradshaw and WAS CB Willie Buchanon, among others.
In free agency we aim to keep OLB Mike Fulk, T Andy Maurer, DE Greg Sampson and ILB Brad Van Pelt. To our delight all four accepted after the first week.
With those safe in hand we set our sight on Dolphins WR Howard Twilley. Elsewhere is Kenny Stabler commanding a great deal of interest - the Packers has offered him a 7-yr deal worth $59.27 mil. DT Mean Joe Greene leaves Pittsburgh for San Diego for $33.33 mil, 5 years. Former Oakland T Art Shell signs with rival Denver for 7 yrs, $44.63 mil.
Dallas WR Bob Hayes is considering an offer from New Orleans, and Boston G John Hannah is courted by Maryland.
In week 2 has Super Bowl MVP Stabler decided to leave Oakland and sign with Buffalo. G Hannah went to the Ravens, and CB Jake Scott stays with Miami. PIT CB Mel Blount could leave for the Jets and the Rams looks like they could sign away the 49er's C Forrest Blue.
Week 3 passes and last year's offensive player of the year, RB Willie Ellison still hasn't re-signed with the Rams. He apparently feels their offer isn't good enough and currently listen to the Bears. Bob Hayes re-signed with Dallas for two years to be able to end his career in Texas. Buffalo has been spending a lot of money so far, and isn't done yet. They are in talks with Minnesota All-Pro S Paul Krause.
Both Krause and Ellison re-signs with their old teams in week 4, but Mel Blount is still undecided. WR Charlie Joiner has a good offer worth $18.35 mil from San Diego to stay with them for four more years. Another prolific receiver, active career leader Haven Moses has gotten a similar contract proposal from Miami.
In week 14, I'm happy to see that unlucky QB Jim Plunkett is given an opportunity to stay in the NFL. He's hardly been setting the league on fire despite his unquestioned talent. The lack of playing time has delayed his development but it seems that Jacksonville can't agree on terms with starter Scott Hunter and decided to retain his backup instead. In week 16 was QB Bill Munson signed away from Tampa to become a member of the 49ers.
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