By The Associated Press

Wide receiver David Terrell, the eighth pick in the 2001 draft, was released by the Chicago Bears as NFL teams prepared for the start of free agency Wednesday by paring veterans to get under the salary cap.

Terrell was joined on the temporary unemployment line Monday by Cleveland safety Robert Griffith, 36-year-old linebacker Roman Phifer of New England, and three Atlanta defensive players who have been starters much of their careers: Travis Hall, Ed Jasper and Cory Hall.

Carolina cut 39-year-old backup quarterback Rodney Peete and San Diego released defensive tackle Jason Fisk.

Terrell became expendable when the Bears signed veteran Muhsin Muhammad, released last week by the Panthers after an All-Pro season.

Terrell started 15 games last season and led the Bears with a career-high 699 yards receiving on 42 receptions with one touchdown. Over four years with the team, he totaled 128 receptions, 1,602 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.

“It is unfortunate things didn’t turn out better for David in Chicago,” general manager Jerry Angelo said. “The bottom line was we needed an upgrade at the receiver position. We were able to add a Pro Bowl wideout this past weekend, and those types of moves can affect others on the team.”

Atlanta cut defensive linemen Travis Hall and Jasper and safety Cory Hall, cutting $5 million from the team’s salary cap.

Travis Hall started 13 or more games six times in 10 seasons with Atlanta. Jasper started 12 games last season and both of the Falcons’ playoff games. Cory Hall started 23 of the 25 games he spent with Atlanta after being signed two years ago as a free agent from Cincinnati.

Griffith, 34, led the Browns in tackles last season with 157. In three seasons after signing with Cleveland from Minnesota, he started 44 games and had 408 tackles, six interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one sack.

Peete, a 16-year veteran, could be re-signed by Carolina, which also cut guard Doug Brzezinski.

Fisk started 31 of 47 games in three seasons with the Chargers, making 88 tackles and five sacks.

The Buccaneers restructured the contract of fullback Mike Alstott.

as part of the team’s effort to pare about $17 million from the payroll. Alstott, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, was scheduled to earn $2 million in 2005. After missing most of 2003 with a neck strain, he averaged 3.4 yards per carry while rushing for 230 yards and two touchdowns last season while being limited by a knee injury.

Detroit and Dominic Raiola agreed on a five-year contract, keeping the team’s center off the free-agent market.

Raiola started every game the past three seasons after spending much of his rookie season in 2001 on special teams. The 26-year-old Hawaii native was drafted in the second round out of Nebraska.