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| Charles Bukowski (67, left), Breakers/Wranglers |
There was shocking news out of Boston when the Breakers announced they had chosen to let two-time All-Pro offensive lineman Charles Bukowski test the free agent waters rather than re-sign him. The stunned Bukowski and his agent hit the road running, fielding offers from 15 teams during their cross-country tour.
The winner of the Bukowski Sweepstakes turned out to be the Arizona Wranglers, who showed him $94.5 million over six seasons, an average per season of $15,748,129. The second-place offer was $62.3 million over six seasons, from the Los Angeles Express.
Bukowski just might be worth it. Playing primarily right tackle, he has allowed only three sacks in 4,090 career snaps with the Breakers. He has 77 speed, 99 strength, 100 run blocking, 100 pass blocking.
Although in his eighth season, Bukowski has less than a 1 percent chance of retiring any time soon. He was injured four times in 1975 (the only time he has missed the All-Pro team) but only twice last season.
Arizona's cap cost analysis is interesting. The Wranglers will devote $48.61 million of cap to four players this season--Bukowski, WR Cory Robinzine, QB Jerry Montalvo, and CB James Jones. But, as of this writing, Arizona is still $2 million under this season's total cap ($138.92 million) as the Wranglers seek their first-ever playoff berth.
Of course, nothing will ever top the USFL/WFL's 1976 free agency, when dozens of top-tier players changed jerseys. But there were some recognizable names that got new addresses recently.
- LG Frank Boyles, an All-Pro selection last year, was released by Baltimore (!) and signed with the New York Stars. Boyles has allowed only four sacks in more than 2,500 combined snaps over the last two seasons.
- MLB James Johnson rejected offers from nine other teams to sign a one-year, $6.05-million deal with the Los Angeles Express. Wise move--Johnson's ratings are good; his injury history is bad.
- RDE Cesar Collins also rejected offers from nine other teams. He eventually left San Jose to sign with the Chicago Blitz, where he will be a nice bookend with All-Pro LDE Elton Engler. Collins will be paid $49.2 million over six years.
- Former Tampa Bay WLB Roy Edelman saw bids from 11 teams, but settled on Boston ($40.33 million/5 years).
- LAX was one of 12 teams to bid on former Memphis WR Robert Herrera, but won with $63.11 million over six years.
- CB Dillon Zimmerman and WR Felipe Kraus left the Florida Blazers to rejoin former coach tribewriter in New York. Zimmerman and Kraus were both key players when the Blazers won the 1974 World Bowl.
