Since the start of the 2013 league year, ten NFL teams have released a total of 11 players with a "post-June 1" designation. By using this designation, teams are able to spread the cap hit from releasing that player over the 2013 and 2014 seasons. A caveat for using this designation, however, is that teams are required to carry that player's current salary on their cap until June 1. On June 2, those salaries come off the books. With that date fast approaching, "Shutdown Corner" takes a look at the teams that will gain cap space in a few days: Miami Dolphins : The Dolphins released inside linebackers Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett with "post-June 1" releases and, as a result, will pick up $10.4 million in cap space on June 2. Dansby, who has since signed with his original team, the Arizona Cardinals, was scheduled to earn $6.05 million in base salary, while Burnett, who signed with the Oakland Raiders, was due $4.35 million in salary in 2013. Combined, the two veteran linebackers will earn a maximum of $4.75 million from their new clubs in 2013. The Dolphins are currently $7.249 million under their adjusted cap number of $128.223 million and have four picks in the first three rounds of the 2013 NFL draft to sign before training camp. Those players are scheduled to count $5,491,972 against the team's 2013 cap. The downside to gaining an additional $10.4 million in cap space on June 2 is that Dansby and Burnett will count $3.575 million in "dead" money against the Dolphins' 2014 salary cap. Oakland Raiders : No NFL team has, or will have, more "dead" money on their 2013 salary cap than the Raiders, who are paying the piper for some serious cap mismanagement in recent seasons. For example, former Raiders defensive tackles Richard Seymour ($13.714 million) and Tommy Kelly ($6.324 million) will combine to count over $20 million (15.8 percent) against Oakland's salary cap in 2013. Quarterback Carson Palmer ($9.34 million) and Darrius Heyward-Bey ($5.26 million) are two more former Raiders taking up huge space on the team's 2013 cap. The second-largest cap number on the team (behind Seymour) belongs to current Baltimore Ravens safety Michael Huff, who counts $11.288 million against the Raiders' cap. That sum includes $8 million — comprised of a $4 million roster bonus and $4 million base salary — that will come off the books on June 2, providing the Raiders with much-needed cap relief. According to salary data maintained by "Shutdown Corner", the Raiders have less than $300,000 in cap space in 2013 and have yet to sign any of their 10 picks from the 2013 draft. Oakland's "rookie pool" number, which is the first-year cap hits of their picks, is $6,405,868, so the cap relief on June 2 will certainly help the Raiders get some rookie deals done. Buffalo Bills : The Bills parted ways with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, designating their starter from the previous four seasons as a "post-June 1" release. Fitzpatrick, who signed with the Tennessee Titans, was scheduled to earn $4.25 million with a $3 million roster bonus, both which remain on the Bills' books until June 2. Once that $7.25 million is removed, the Bills will have over $19 million in cap space in 2013, though $1.615 million is earmarked for first-round quarterback E.J. Manuel, the team's lone unsigned 2013 draft choice. Pittsburgh Steelers : The Steelers currently have less than $100,000 available under their adjusted cap number of $124.422 million. Substantial relief will come on June 2 as Willie Colon's base salary is wiped from the books. Colon, who has since signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the New York Jets, is taking up $7.65 million in space on the Steelers' cap, much of that coming in the form of $5.5 million in base salary. That $5.5 million will be shed on June 2, lowering Colon's 2013 cap hit to $2.15 million. Next season, Colon will count $4.3 million in "dead" money against the Steelers' cap. The $5.5 million in cap space will help the Steelers get deals done with first-round linebacker Jarvis Jones and second-round running back Le'Veon Bell, who will combine to count $2.332 million against the Steelers' cap in 2013. Atlanta Falcons : Free agent defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who we mentioned earlier as having the largest cap number on the Raiders ($13.714 million), has drawn some interest from the Falcons, who lack the cap space to make a serious run at signing the former University of Georgia standout. Currently, the Falcons are just $1.9 million under their 2013 adjusted cap number, but will gain $4.5 million in cap space when offensive tackle Tyson Clabo's base salary comes off the books on June 2. The Falcons released Clabo on April 4 and the veteran tackle signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins on May 5. Though the $4.5 million could help get a deal done with Seymour, the Falcons still have to sign first- and second-round cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, who will count $2.1 million against the team's cap in 2013. San Diego Chargers : San Diego has less than $150,000 in cap space available in 2013, but will gain $4.5 million in cap space on June 2. The Chargers released offensive tackle Jared Gaither after the first season in a four-year, $24.5 million contract extension that included $9 million in guaranteed money, all of which was paid out in 2012. Gaither was due $4.5 million in base salary in 2013, which remained on their cap following his release. Injuries limited Gaither to just 243 offensive snaps, which means he earned $37,037.04 for each snap last season. Of the 11 players to be released with a "post-June 1" designation, Gaither, who has battled injuries throughout his career, is the only one who remains without a contract. Part of the cap savings on Gaither will be used on first-round offensive tackle D.J. Fluker, who will have a first-year cap number of $2,073,182 once he signs his rookie contract.
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