By Dave Goldberg
Associated Press
Hours before free agency began, the spotlight, for once, was on linemen.
Colts star center Jeff Saturday, a three-time Pro Bowler, agreed to a three-year deal to remain in Indianapolis.
The move came a day after the NFL salary cap increased from $123 million to $127 million. It was also a day after the Colts officially released Marvin Harrison, freeing up $6 million under the salary cap.
Getting the opposite treatment was Derrick Dockery, who was released by Buffalo. Two years ago, Dockery, a run-of-the-mill guard, left the Washington Redskins for a seven-year, $49 million deal.
The Dolphins were in a spending mood. They re-signed Yeremiah Bell on the eve of free agency and acquired Gibril Wilson, who landed a big contract for the second year in a row.
Wilson, a five-year veteran released last week by the Raiders, signed a $27.5 million, five-year deal. Bell signed a $20 million, four-year contract rather than testing free agency.
One player who will not be a free agent ó at least for now ó is LaDainian Tomlinson, the 2006 MVP who at age 30 has been plagued by injuries the past two seasons.
San Diego general manager A.J. Smith said Thursday that the team is continuing to try to renegotiate his deal.
In other news:
n DeAngelo Hall has agreed to a six-year, $54 million deal to remain with the Redskins.
n Minnesota signed defensive end Jayme Mitchell to a two-year deal and also re-signed defensive back Charles Gordon.
n The Jaguars said they will release veteran defensive end Paul Spicer today. Spicer, 33, has been with the Jaguars since 2000, playing in 115 games with 63 starts.
n The Steelers made qualifying offers to restricted free agents right tackle Willie Colon, cornerback Anthony Madison and tight end Sean McHugh and offers to exclusive-rights free agents fullback Carey Davis and tackle Jeremy Parquet.
The Steelers released offensive guard Kendall Simmons and linebacker Mike Humpal.
n Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes has waived his right to a preliminary hearing on a misdemeanor marijuana charge stemming from an October traffic stop.
n The Jets released Brandon Moore, a starter at guard for the past five seasons.
n Brad Johnson was released by the Cowboys after playing just four games over two seasons.
n The Hawaii Tourism Authority board Thursday rejected the NFL’s proposal to return the Pro Bowl to the islands in 2011 and ’12.
nCity Council members in the city of Industry unanimously approved a proposal for a pro football stadium intended to lure a team back to the Los Angeles area.
n Imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick will be allowed to serve the last two months of his sentence under home confinement because there is no room at a halfway house for him, a government official told The Associated Press.
n The Eagles offered one-year contracts to free agent wide receiver Hank Baskett, offensive lineman Nick Cole and linebacker Tank Daniels.