This isn't so much a cheat, but it obviously was an oversight in Madden 2000. An easy way to build up a team in Franchise mode, is to first, free up a lot of cap room. Second, at the end of the season, with all of your free cap room, when it's time to sign free agents, sign as many young players (22-26yrs) as you can afford, or fit on your team. Then with a crop of young players, trade them to other teams for their draft picks. Many times if you package 2 rookies with one of your lower round draft picks, you can trade them for another teams first round pick. Do this until you end up with (if you're good) 7 first round picks. Every few years, there is an exceptional draft, where there are players in every position in the high 80's. Then sign them to the longest contact you can, and in 2-3 yrs they will be in the high 90's. Everyone you don't or can't trade, simply release them, or many times keep them. This is a good way to keep those dynasties alive.