Milloy, Madison victims of cap

Defensive back Lawyer Milloy was one of three players released by the Buffalo Bills yesterday in a significant salary-cap purge.

Defensive tackle Sam Adams and tight end Mark Campbell also were released in moves that saved the Bills an estimated $9.1 million in salary cap space. The team has not determined whether to release veteran receiver Eric Moulds, who rejected the Bills' offer to restructure his contract earlier this week.

The cuts occurred prior to the start of the NFL free agency period tomorrow.

''It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions," general manager Marv Levy said.

The NFL extended the deadline for teams to terminate contracts and request waivers on players six hours, from 4 p.m. today to 10 p.m.

Levy said the team still wants Moulds to return, but the moves were not specifically made in order to help fit his $10.85 million salary cap number in under the estimated $95 million cap figure.

Milloy, a former Patriot, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection who was to count $3.75 million against the cap in his final year of a four-year deal signed a week before the 2003 season opener. Milloy was the Bills' second-leading tackler in 2005 with 170 stops.

The Broncos waived running back Mike Anderson, defensive end Trevor Pryce, and tight end Jeb Putzier, clearing at least $10.6 million from their payroll before the start of free agency. Anderson led the team in rushing last year with 1,014 yards, but with Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne also in a crowded backfield, he became expendable.

The Dolphins released Pro Bowl cornerback Sam Madison and three other players to make room under the salary cap. The Dolphins also cut backup cornerback Reggie Howard, left tackle Damion McIntosh, and strong safety Tebucky Jones. For the time being, the cuts put the Dolphins under the cap . . . The Panthers trimmed about $4 million off the salary cap by releasing defensive tackle Brentson Buckner, running back Stephen Davis, and kick returner Rod Smart. The Panthers are still about $3 million over the projected cap.

Washington QB Mark Brunell has agreed in principle to restructure his contract . . . The Colts agreed to a multiyear deal with free agent linebacker Gary Brackett and offered new contracts to tight end Ben Utecht and offensive guard Ryan Lilja. Brackett, who led the team in tackles last season, was to become a restricted free agent tomorrow . . . Orpheus Roye, who had a career-high 95 tackles with the Browns last season, has signed a three-year contract extension . . . QB Chris Simms, who started 10 games last year, agreed to a one-year contract with Tampa Bay.