The increases are not substantial, and cost the New England Patriots less than $1 million in available spending room, but the team has used some of its salary cap surplus to upgrade the contracts of three veteran defenders.

According to NFL Players Association salary documents, ends Anthony Pleasant and Bobby Hamilton and cornerback Otis Smith, all signed new contracts last week that included modest increases in their respective base salaries for the 2002 season.

The adjustments cost the Patriots $860,000 in both cash and cap room. Pleasant and Hamilton received their raises in the form of advances on their new base salaries.

A 13-year NFL veteran, Pleasant increased his base salary from $750,000 to $1.187 million. Because the deal was signed in-season, the base salary was prorated to $1.111 million. The increase of $360,000 bumped Pleasant's cap number by a like amount, to $1.504 million. There were no other changes to the contract of the 34-year-old Pleasant.

Smith, 36, received the second biggest raise, of $300,000. His old salary for 2002 was $750,000 and the new one is $1.114 million, prorated down to $1.05 million. The raise jumps his cap value by $300,000, to $1.213 million. New England also shuffled some funds in future seasons, leaving Smith with roster bonuses of $450,000 for 2003 and $750,000 in 2004.

Hamilton, an eight-year veteran, had his 2002 base salary increased from $550,000 to $732,143, or an actual $700,000 after proration. His base salary for 2003 was increased from $650,000 to $655,000.

All three defenders were with the Patriots in 2001 and played instrumental roles in New England's run to the Super Bowl championship.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.