Even though he's 31 years old, he caught 72 passes for 1,030 yards & 7 touchdowns last year. Anyone want him? http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2002/0226/1340663.html Report: Ismail, Gash to be released -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services The salary cap-strapped Baltimore Ravens will release leading receiver Qadry Ismail and fullback Sam Gash, agent Tony Agnone told the Baltimore Sun in a story published Monday. Before Friday, the former champions need to make $19 million in cuts, including the restructuring of quarterback Elvis Grbac's contract, to get under the $71.1 million league spending limit. The team has scheduled a news conference Tuesday to officially announce its cap-related cuts, according to the Sun, and three defensive starters -- end Rob Burnett, tackle Sam Adams and free safety Rod Woodson -- along with tight end Shannon Sharpe are all likely to be released. Earlier, the Ravens exposed -- and lost -- starting linebacker Jamie Sharper and punt returner Jermaine Lewis to the Houston Texans in the expansion draft in part due to cap considerations. While the heavy losses on defense were expected, the cutting of Ismail and Gash comes as a surprise. Ismail, 31, the leading receiver in team history, caught a career-high 74 passes last season and led the Ravens with seven touchdowns. With Ismail and Sharpe gone, the Ravens will have to replace their top two receivers who accounted for 46 percent of the team's receptions last season. Gash, who will turn 33 next week, was a major force in the Ravens averaging 125 yards rushing per game over the past two seasons as one of the league's best blocking backs. "Yeah, I'm uncomfortable with it," Ravens coach Brian Billick told the newspaper. "I wish we didn't have to do it. But that's where we're at. "We have no choice. It's a necessity. This is what we have to do to comply with the financial restraints of the cap. The part that we're focusing on is that we have the experience to know that a lot of this is going to rectify itself by June. This is not a surprise for us."
