The salary cap will grow in 2009. Teams were notified that the salary cap is increasing over $4 million to over $127 million for this year, according to sources with two NFL teams.

Just before the start of free agency, the Dolphins made another move, re-signing LB Channing Crowder to a multi-year deal.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released five players on Wednesday, a list that included Warrick Dunn and Joey Galloway.

Dunn, 33, was able to make an impact for fantasy leaguers last season, finishing with 47 receptions and 1,116 yards from scrimmage. While his best statistical seasons are in the rearview mirror, Dunn should land with a club that needs a third-down back.

Tampa wasn’t the only NFC South team handing out pink slips Wednesday. Carolina did the same. The Panthers cut fullback Nick Goings, wide receiver D.J. Hackett and guard Jeremy Bridges.

Among the moves they made in preparation for Friday’s free agency, the Rams released WR Drew Bennett and QB Trent Green.

The Giants gave RB Brandon Jacobs the franchise tag, and now they treated him like a franchise player. The Giants signed Jacobs to a four-year, $25 million deal that includes $13 million guaranteed and $15 million in the deal’s first two years

The Star-Ledger reports that the Jets have released WR Laveranues Coles, but both sides are leaving open the possibility of his return.

The Houston Texans have releasedDE Anthony Weaver, S Will Demps and OT Ephraim Salaam.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Rams released QB Trent Green and WR Drew Bennett.

Mark Dominik and Raheem Morris decided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed a direction. And for the first time since the 1994 season, that direction won’t involve LB Derrick Brooks.

Could Jeff Saturday be joining the world champions? Saturday’s agent told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the veteran center would like to be a Steeler.

The Newark Star-Ledger reports that kicker Mike Nugent will test the free-agent market after turning down the Jets’ latest contract offer.

The Washington Post reports that the Redskins have retooled the contract of OT Chris Samuels and DL Cornelius Griffin to create more salary-cap space. Could the team be making room to take a run at DT Albert Haynesworth? The Redskins figure to be in the mix, even though Haynesworth’s agent has denied that a deal is in place.

CB Adam Jones believes he will play in the NFL again, despite blowing what could have been his last chance when he was released by the Cowboys. Jones told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he is confident he will find another opportunity.

The Buccaneers will release WR Joey Galloway, his agent told the St. Petersburg Times, but he might not be the only veteran leaving Tampa Bay. The Times later reported that the Bucs also had released LBs Derrick Brooks and Cato June, RB Warrick Dunn and WR Ike Hilliard. Those moves hadn’t been confirmed by the Bucs, but the team announced a 3 p.m. ET press conference.