Draft and cap numbers

[BOSSHOGG30]

Ins
Keary Colbert WR, Carolina Panthers signed a 3yr $7.2m contract-$2.5m SB

Niko Koutouvides MLB, Seattle Seahawks signed a 3yr $7.5m deal, no guarantees specified yet.

Boss Bailey OLB, Detroit Lions signed a 5yr $17.5m deal, no guarantees yet

Marquand Manuel S, Carolina Panthers signed a 3yr $4.5m deal, $500k guaranteed, $1.5m more available in playing incentives.

Marlon McCree S, San Diego Chargers signed a contract, details to follow

Edell Shepherd WR, Detroit Lions (07) signed a contract, details to follow



Outs
Javon Walker WR released-2008 cap hit $7.05m. Dead money=between $7m-$8m. No indications yet whether he has been designated as a June 1st release.

Ian Gold OLB released-2008 cap hit $4.9m. Dead money=$3.3m. No indications yet whether he has been designated as a June 1st release.

Matt Lepsis OT retired-2008 cap hit $7.2m. Dead money=$5m. Matt was placed on the reserve/retired list so there are no indications yet as to whether this dead money will hit now or be split over 2 years.



Re-signings

Erik Pears OT-$445k 1 year exclusive rights contract

Chris Myers OG/OC-$927k draft pick tender-compensation 6th rd pick

Karl Paymah CB-$927k draft pick tender-compensation 3rd rd pick

Dominique Foxworth CB-$927k draft pick tender-compensation 3rd rd pick

John Engelberger DE-signed 2yr $4m contract, no guarantees specified yet

Nate Jackson TE-signed 2yr $2m contract, no guarantees specified yet

Ebeneezer Ekuban DE-signed a 1yr $1.2m contract, no guarantees specified yet


Restructurings/Contract Amendments

Rod Smith WR placed on the reserve-retired list-2008 cap hit was $3.55m. $1.5m base salary deducted from cap. New 2008 cap figure $2.05m-backloaded prorated signing bonus (dead money).

Travis Henry RB-waived $6m option bonus-cap hit was $3.53m. New 2008 cap=$2.3m

John Lynch S-agreed to restructured one year deal (details not available yet) was due a $1.2m roster bonus. Original 2008 cap hit was $4.1m which included $900k backloaded signing bonus

Dre Bly CB-changed $9m option bonus into a signing bonus prorated over remaining 4yrs at $2.25m per year. 2008 cap hit was $11.3m. New 2008 cap number=$4.55m

Alvin McKinley DT-base salary for 2008 on NFLPA has reduced from $1.33m to $1m, further cap details to follow.



Free Agent Visits Planned
Boss Bailey LB-Detroit Lions-05/03/08
Marlon McCree S-San Diego Chargers-05/03/08
Tracey White LB-Green Bay Packers-no date confirmed yet
Kwame Harris OT-San Francisco 49ers-no date confirmed yet
Cornell Green OT-Oakland-no date confirmed yet



2008 Draft Selections
Round 1 - 12
Round 2 - 42
Round 4 - 104
Round 4 - 115
Round 5 - 130
Round 5 - 140
Round 7 - 202
Round 7 - 209

BRONCOS FREE AGENTS WHO REMAIN UNSIGNED

Cecil Sapp FB
Stephen Alexander TE-Retiring
Nick Ferguson S
Jason Elam K

CONTRACTUAL UPDATES FOR INCOMING/CURRENT MAJOR PLAYERS

Travis Henry RB 5 year deal $22.5m, $12m in guarantees. 2-tiered signing bonus, $6m in 2007 and $6m in 2008. Basically changed to a 5yr deal, $11m plus playing incentives. The Cap Hits from 2009-2011 will depend upon Travis hitting certain playing incentives.

Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $1m $1.2m $100k $2.3m
2009 $1m $1.2m $100k $2.3m
2010 $1m $1.2m $100k $2.3m
2011 $1m $1.2m $100k $2.3m

Dre Bly CB 5 year deal $33m, $18m in bonuses, $16m in guarantees.
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $1m $3.15m $400k $4.55m
2009 $3.25m $3.15m $400k $6.8m
2010 $3.25m $3.15m $1.4m $7.8m
2011 $4m $3.15m $1.9m $9.05m

Montrae Holland OG 3 year deal $3m
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $900k $0m $10k $910k
2009 $1.4m $0m $10k $1.41m

Paul Smith FB 3 year deal $2.35m, $300k SB
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $750k $100k $55k $905k
2009 $750k $100k $55k $905k

Daniel Graham TE 5 year deal $30m, $15m in guarantees, $10m signing bonus, $5m option bonus 2008, guaranteed.
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $700k $3.2m $200k $4.1m
2009 $3.2m $3.15m $700k $7.05m
2010 $3.8m $3.15m $700k $7.65m
2011 $4.2m $3.15m $700k $8.05m

Patrick Ramsey QB 2 year deal $4.5m, $1.355m SB, $1.8m roster bonus 08
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $700k $678k $1.8m $3.178m

Brandon Stokley WR 3 year deal, $10.1m, $5m signing bonus
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $830k $1.67m $100k $2.6m
2009 $1.47m $1.67m $700k $3.84m
2010 $1.4m $1.67m $700k $3.77m

Alvin McKinley DT/DE 4 year deal $8m-$1m SB.
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $1m $250k $100k $1.35m
2009 $1.9m $250k $100k $2.25m
2010 $1.65m $250k $1.1m $3m

Jamie Winborn LB 3 year deal $595k, no signing bonus
Base Salary SB Proration RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $800k $0k $10k $810k
2009 $1.7m $0k $10k $1.71m

Jay Cutler QB 6 year deal, $47.86m, $11m guaranteed, and includes playing incentives
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $648k $1.5m $4.6m $6.725m
2009 $1.035m $1.5m $4.6m $7.15m
2010 $1.423m $1.5m $4.6m $7.52m
2011 $1.81m $1.5m $4.6m $7.91m

Each of Jay’s bonuses include $4.5m of escalator playing incentives because he hit them in 2007. If he does not take 60-70% of the snaps in any of the future seasons, the team will get the cap relief in the following year.

Incentives include:
$1.95 million escalator for any year of 2006-2010 that he finishes in the top five in any of the NFL's major passing categories, as well as a $4 million bonus for taking 60% of the snaps in any of 2006-2008 or 70% in 2009. There also is a $500,000 bonus available 2006-2010 for taking 70% of the snaps and either taking 70% of the snaps in a Super Bowl or winning a Super Bowl.

Tom Nalen OC-3yrs, $10m, $3m SB, $500k roster bonus per season, $700k per year owing in cap room for previous restructuring.
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $1.9m $1.65m $550k $4.1m

Ben Hamilton OG-5yrs, $16.25m, $3.5m SB
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $2.81m $700k $300k $3.81m
2009 $3.34m $700k $300k $4.34m

DJ Williams LB-6yrs, $5.6m SB
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $850k $1.04m $225k $2.125m
2009 $1.05m $1.04m $225k $2.325m

Champ Bailey CB-7yrs $63m, $18m SB, $23m guarantees
Year Base SB RB/WB Cap Hit
2008 $7.5m $4.687m $500k $12.687m
2009 $6.5m $4.687m $3m $14.187m
2010 $9.5m $4.687m $2m $16.187m

KEY:
SB=Signing Bonus
RB/WB=Roster Bonus/Workout Bonuses

[BOSSHOGG30]

2008 Approx Cap Info

Champ Bailey $12.687m
Jay Cutler $6.725m
Dre Bly $4.55m
Tom Nalen $4.1m
Dan Graham $4.1m
Ben Hamilton $3.81m
Patrick Ramsey $3.178m
Brandon Stokley $2.597m
John Lynch $2.4m (Estimate) will be updated when new numbers are available.
Travis Henry $2.3m
DJ Williams $2.125m
Jarvis Moss $1.97m
John Engelberger $1.625m (Estimate) will be updated
Keary Colbert $1.43m (Estimate) will be updated when new numbers are available
Niko Koutouvides $1.43m (Estimate) will be updated when new numbers are available
Alvin McKinley $1.35m
Ebeneezer Ekuban $1.2m
Nate Jackson $1m (Estimate) will be updated when new numbers are available
Louis Green $950k
Hamza Abdullah $927k
Chris Myers $927k
Karl Paymah $927k
Dominique Foxworth $927k
Montrae Holland $910k
Paul Smith $900k
Nate Webster $830k
Mike Leach $805k
Tony Scheffler $693k
Tim Crowder $629k
Kenny Peterson $615k
PJ Alexander $615k
Chad Mustard $615k
Tyler Jacobs $615k
Cliff Russell $615k
Carlos Hall $615k
Ryan Harris $571k
Brandon Marshall $560k
Elvis Dumervil $545k
Josh Mallard $520k
Marcus Thomas $487k
Chris Kuper $484k
Mike Bell $462k
Doug Neinhuis $455k
Brett Pierce $455k
Glenn Martinez $455k
Isaac Snell $455k
Paul Carrington $455k
Jordan Beck $455k
Steve Cargile $455k
Antwon Burton $455k
Marviel Underwood $455k
__________________________________________________ _____________________
Top 51 on roster=$79.416m

Dead Cap Room: This is based on 2008 releases/retirements all hitting on 2008 cap.

Javon Walker $8m
Ian Gold $3.3m
Al Wilson $4.4m
Gerard Warren $2.5m
Matt Lepsis $5m
Rod Smith $2.046m
Greg Eslinger $42k
Brian Clark $4k
Domerink Hixon $192k
Warrick Holdman $25k

Total dead cap room=$25.5m

Total cap =$104.916m

Broncos total cap room = $117.389m

Cap room available estimate = $12.473m

Not included in current cap

Derrick Hamilton $455k
Norm Katnik $455k
Chad Morton $455k
Lamont Reid $455k
Erik Pears $455k
Darrell Hackney $380k
Selvin Young $380k
Andre Hall $380k
Larry Birdine $380k
Steven Harris $380k
Brandon Archer $380k
Michael Bozeman $305k
Nic Clemons $380k
Mark Fenton $318k
Steven Harris $380k
Stephen Jackson $305k
Julian Jenkins $380k
William Kershaw $380k
Marquay McDaniel $305k
Sam Paulescu $305k
Matt Prater $380k
Roderick Rogers $315k
Chad Upshaw $305k
Vickiel Vaughn $305k
Marquis Weeks $380k


The Broncos currently have 77 players on the payroll for 2008 with a total cap charge of approx $105m. Approx $25.5m is tied up in dead cap space.
So somewhere around $12.5m under the estimated 2008 cap.

The above information is as accurate as possible utilising resources such as USA Today salary database, NFLPA, Rotoworld, Mile Hile Report, Denver Post, RMN, CBS, etc.

[MOtorboat]

You rock Boss.

[Italianmobstr7]

Awesome info Boss. Thanks man.

[MHCBill]

Wow, now I'm impressed!

[jrelway]

you the man boss..i dont have to look nowhere else for broncos info.

[gobroncsnv]

EVERYONE who reads this needs to give the man a Mile High Salute and a High 5.

[Superchop 7]

Obviously we will need to restructure Champs deal.

[shank]

boss this is amazing, you rule.


on your FA visit dates did you put them in DD/MM/YY?

are they visiting tomorrow or are they waiting until may?

i agree, the dead cap space is out of control.


any word on al wilson? if he doesn't get signed and retires do we regain his cap space? and i don't understand how matt lepsis is causing dead cap space... can you explain how this works for different player situations? (cut, traded, retired...)

again, boss you kick ass.

[BOSSHOGG30]

During the offseason, the “Rule of 51” applies. This means that only the top 51 Cap numbers count against the Cap. This Rule is in place because during the offseason a team’s roster can number into the 80s, so it would be impossible for teams to stay under the Cap.

Once the season starts, the team must fit all players who are under contract under the Cap. That means that all players – players on the 53-man roster, players on IR or PUP and players on the Practice Squad - all must be fit under the Cap.

There are generally 4 ways for a team to create Cap space:

1. Asking a player to take a paycut: This reduces the player’s base salary and Cap number creating more Cap space for the team. This reduction in base salary is often offset by incentives that will allow the player to recoup some of the money that he has given up if he plays well.

2. The release, retirement or trade of a player. (See answers below for additional explanation.)

3. Restructuring a player’s contract by turning the bulk of his base salary into a signing bonus that is then, for Cap purposes, pro-rated over the remaining years of the player’s contract.

4. Extending a player’s contract to reduce his present Cap number. This is accomplished by reducing his base salary in favor of new signing bonus. The new bonus then counts against the Cap in equal pro-rated portions over the length of the new contract (up to certain league mandated limits).


The release/trade/retirement of a player prior to June 1 provides the team with the least amount of Salary Cap relief, but it does allow the team to take the entire hit in 2008 thereby leaving no lasting Cap implications for that player going into the future.

Releasing a player after June 1 allows the team to spread the bonus acceleration over this year and next. While it does cause “dead money” (Cap space charged against the Cap due to players no longer on the team), it provides the team with more extensive Cap relief than a pre-June 1 release.

Teams also have the ability to designate two (2) pre-June 1 releases as post-June 1 releases in order to receive post-June 1 release Cap treatment. This “exemption”, which was created by the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, is really of no advantage to the team because the team still carries the released player’s Cap number until June 1. The “exemption” was put into place, not to help teams create Cap space, but to allow players, who would otherwise not be released until after June 1, to hit the Free Agent market earlier when there are still plenty of free agent dollars to go around (which isn’t often the case after June 1).

[shank]

thanks boss. i guess i just never thought that a retired player still counted against your cap, pretty much as if you cut them... kinda shitty.


do incentives not count against the cap?

[BOSSHOGG30]

thanks boss. i guess i just never thought that a retired player still counted against your cap, pretty much as if you cut them... kinda shitty.


do incentives not count against the cap?

This can be difficult to explain......lol

All incentives are included in team salary if they are "likely to be earned" (LTBE). LTBE incentives are performance levels that the player or team has reached in the previous year.
For example, if a quarterback threw twenty touchdowns last year and his incentive clause for this year is set at fifteen touchdowns, then this incentive is "likely to be earned." Also, incentives that are in the sole control of the player, like non-guaranteed reporting bonuses and off-season workout and weight bonuses, are considered LTBE.

An impartial arbitrator will hear disputes between the owners and the players concerning what should be considered LTBE (especially for rookies or veterans who did not play in the prior year). Conversely, if a player did not reach the performance incentive in the previous year, the incentive is deemed "not likely to be earned" (NLTBE) and is not included in team salary.

To determine whether a clause is LTBE or NLTBE for Salary Cap purposes (i.e., not whether the player actually earned the incentive), it is necessary to look at the performance of the team in the prior season, not the current season.

For example, assume Player X receives an incentive bonus if he participates in 50% of the team's offensive plays this season. Assume further that last season the team had 1,000 offensive plays. Therefore, as soon as Player X plays in 500 plays in the current season (or 50% of last year's 1,000 plays), the incentive will be considered earned for Salary Cap purposes.

The same incentive is considered "not earned" if the same player in the current year only participated in one of the team's first 502 offensive plays. In this situation, it would be impossible for the player to achieve the 50% incentive based on last year's performance of 1,000 plays. It is important to remember that looking to last year's performance level is only for Salary Cap purposes and will not affect the player's right to receive a bonus for his performance in the current year.

Hopefully that helps?????

[shank]

that helps a lot.

so signing a guy who is coming off of a big injury to an incentive based contract (based on playing time) can actually be very cheap and/or cap friendly? because wouldn't a certain % of play time be unlikely to be earned and therefore, not counted against the cap because they didn't play the year before?

(thanks for the answers boss)

[BOSSHOGG30]

that helps a lot.

so signing a guy who is coming off of a big injury to an incentive based contract (based on playing time) can actually be very cheap and/or cap friendly? because wouldn't a certain % of play time be unlikely to be earned and therefore, not counted against the cap because they didn't play the year before?

(thanks for the answers boss)

you got it.

[DenBronx]

how is wilsons and warrens salary still effecting our cap???

[Lonestar]

how is wilsons and warrens salary still effecting our cap???


should be the second half of their bonuses fall into this years cap numbers

[fcspikeit]

how is wilsons and warrens salary still effecting our cap???

Keep in mind, when a player is cut traded or retires their "Base" salary does not count against our cap, because they are not playing. However, the signing bonus's when spread out over the length of the contract continues to count against the cap.

They aren't getting actual money because they have already been paid all the signing bonus, but the # still counts against the cap as if they were getting paid.

If a team chooses they can take all the signing bonus hit at once, then there would be no dead money carrying over when a player is cut, traded or retires. But as you might guess, by doing that, the cap hit is crippling. Thats why they almost always spread it out over the length of the contract.

[Lonestar]

Keep in mind, when a player is cut traded or retires their "Base" salary does not count against our cap, because they are not playing. However, the signing bonus's when spread out over the length of the contract continues to count against the cap.

They aren't getting actual money because they have already been paid all the signing bonus, but the # still counts against the cap as if they were getting paid.

If a team chooses they can take all the signing bonus hit at once, then there would be no dead money carrying over when a player is cut, traded or retires. But as you might guess, by doing that, the cap hit is crippling. Thats why they almost always spread it out over the length of the contract.

BUt in this case the two will have the final half of the remaining portion of the bonuses paid off in 2008. What ever that amount was.

[fcspikeit]

BUt in this case the two will have the final half of the remaining portion of the bonuses paid off in 2008. What ever that amount was.

Both would be going into the last year of their contract right?

[BOSSHOGG30]

updated as much as possible

[bmarsh15]

Current NFL Team Salary Cap Numbers: (03-10-08)

Here you go guys

"The following is a list of the maximum amount of money each of the NFL teams has remaining to spend under the salary cap. Figures are as of last Thursday. "

1. Tampa Bay $42.8 million

2. New Orleans $31.1 million

3. Kansas City $30.0 million

4. Tennessee $27.2 million

5. Buffalo $26.6 million

6. Jacksonville $26.2 million

7. Green Bay $24.4 million

8. Chicago $22.5 million

9. Miami $21.0 million

10. San Diego $18.7 million

11. Minnesota $18.6 million

12. Houston $15.6 million

13. Denver $15.2 million

14. San Francisco $15.0 million

15. St. Louis $14.6 million

16. Philadelphia $13.9 million

17. Cincinnati $13.3 million

18. Atlanta $12.5 million

19. Cleveland $12.0 million

20. New York Giants $11.1 million

21. New England $10.8 million

22. Seattle $9.1 million

23. Carolina $8.3 million

24. Washington $7.7 million

25. Indianapolis $7.6 million

26. Oakland $6.4 million

27. Baltimore $4.7 million

28. New York Jets $4.5 million

29. Detroit $4.4 million

30. Dallas $3.9 million

31. Pittsburgh $1.3 million

32. Arizona $310,078



http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

Discuss

[DenBronx]

i doubt that figure includes bailey, niko, mccree and company.

i will say that i like the conservative approach this year with the free agents. we got some good quality players at decent prices.

[hamrob]

I agree...I like the approach thus far. However...if we think we can compete with old foggies on both lines...we've missed the bus! Orphius Roye? Plus the unprovens...Harris and Pears? I'd say we're three to four players away from truly competing. That's not to mention WR...where despite the love fest with Brandon Marshall...he's still only shown flashes...and Stokely is a slot receiver. We're making progress...but we're only half way there...and we can't rely on the Draft to help us this year.

[gobroncsnv]

Well, I'm completely sold on Marshall as long as he keeps his head on straight. He was convincing enough for Walker to start whining about getting traded so he can stay the #1 receiver WHEREVER he goes. So much so, he went to play for Al Davis. But Marshall DOES need someone to compliment his game, JUST as Walker did his first year here, just as Rod did after Eddie Mac left.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Any extra money sitting there belongs to Cutty and BMarsh.

It'll get real interesting if there is no deal done by 2011 and theere is NO CAP.

[MHCBill]

Looks to me that the Jets will be moving Robertson... will need room for the huge deal they make with the #6 pick.

[MOtorboat]

John Clayton was talking on ESPN Radio this morning about how much trouble Arizona is in, because they only have like 46 guys on the roster, and no money to spend, and like 80 mil of their 116 mil is taken up in base salary, so they are going to have to do some serious book work and restructuring to even get a full roster...

[BOSSHOGG30]

Don't we have a sticky with the Broncos salary cap info?

[MHCBill]

And that's before they resign Fitzgerald... I guess he could be part of the problem.

[BOSSHOGG30]

And that's before they resign Fitzgerald... I guess he could be part of the problem.

Yeah, they already said that they missed out on some key free agents because Fitz wouldn't redo his contract and the Cardinals even offered him a contract that would make him the richest receiver in football history.

[SmilinAssasSin27]

Too bad all their players suck. You'd think they would at least be good if they are paying their players that much.

[BOSSHOGG30]

Too bad all their players suck. You'd think they would at least be good if they are paying their players that much.

They have plenty of good players.

Adrain Wilson
Antrel Rolle
Edgerrin James
Larry Fitzgerald
Anquan Boldin
Neil Rackers
Darnell Dockett
Karlos Dansby
Chike Okeafor

[SmilinAssasSin27]

They have plenty of good players.

Adrain Wilson
Antrel Rolle
Edgerrin James
Larry Fitzgerald
Anquan Boldin
Neil Rackers
Darnell Dockett
Karlos Dansby
Chike Okeafor

eh...aside from the 2 WRs, none of those dudes justify being 6 men short of a full roster while yer cap is maxed out.

[BOSSHOGG30]

eh...aside from the 2 WRs, none of those dudes justify being 6 men short of a full roster while yer cap is maxed out.

Well they over paid on some guys I don't have on that list.... Matt Leinart

[pnbronco]

eh...aside from the 2 WRs, none of those dudes justify being 6 men short of a full roster while yer cap is maxed out.

You are not kidding. Wouldn't you hate to be the contract person facing the owner and saying well we don't have any money and not even a full team yet. Makes my job look really good today. :D

[BOSSHOGG30]

They would be ok if Fitzgerald wasn't being an ass. Shows you what type of leader he is... the Broncos would be up the same boat if guys like Al Wilson, John Lynch, Matt Lepsis, Rod Smith, and etc... didn't redo their deals.

[GEM]

Current NFL Team Salary Cap Numbers: (03-10-08)

Here you go guys

"The following is a list of the maximum amount of money each of the NFL teams has remaining to spend under the salary cap. Figures are as of last Thursday. "

1. Tampa Bay $42.8 million

2. New Orleans $31.1 million

3. Kansas City $30.0 million

4. Tennessee $27.2 million

5. Buffalo $26.6 million

6. Jacksonville $26.2 million

7. Green Bay $24.4 million

8. Chicago $22.5 million

9. Miami $21.0 million

10. San Diego $18.7 million

11. Minnesota $18.6 million

12. Houston $15.6 million

13. Denver $15.2 million

14. San Francisco $15.0 million

15. St. Louis $14.6 million

16. Philadelphia $13.9 million

17. Cincinnati $13.3 million

18. Atlanta $12.5 million

19. Cleveland $12.0 million

20. New York Giants $11.1 million

21. New England $10.8 million

22. Seattle $9.1 million

23. Carolina $8.3 million

24. Washington $7.7 million

25. Indianapolis $7.6 million

26. Oakland $6.4 million

27. Baltimore $4.7 million

28. New York Jets $4.5 million

29. Detroit $4.4 million

30. Dallas $3.9 million

31. Pittsburgh $1.3 million

32. Arizona $310,078



http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

Discuss

How the heck is Arizona gonna sign their draft choices. :eek:

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't read through the thread prior to posting...see others have basically said the same thing.

[BOSSHOGG30]

How the heck is Arizona gonna sign their draft choices. :eek:

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't read through the thread prior to posting...see others have basically said the same thing.

John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Arizona Cardinals will save $8.842 million in cap room after agreeing to terms on a four-year, $40 million contract with WR Larry Fitzgerald.

So now they are 9 million under the cap.

[LordTrychon]

John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Arizona Cardinals will save $8.842 million in cap room after agreeing to terms on a four-year, $40 million contract with WR Larry Fitzgerald.

So now they are 9 million under the cap.

Just in time!


This thread was about to Panic! :eek:

[MOtorboat]

John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Arizona Cardinals will save $8.842 million in cap room after agreeing to terms on a four-year, $40 million contract with WR Larry Fitzgerald.

So now they are 9 million under the cap.

I think they still will need to clear a little more room.

[Requiem / The Dagda]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see if that was our actual number even with our free agents signed. Some of those contracts (Manuel's) were performance based and had 1.5 million dollars of incentives; so essentially it's a base 3 year, 3 million dollar salary that can escalate to 4.5 million on playing time. Bailey's contract roughly came to 2.9 million a year, with the other guys averaging around two, so it's plausible to believe that it's a number we're looking at.

Heck, even if we're at only 10 million dollars above - that's better than what we've been for a while. Most of our dead money will be gone in a year or so (it accounts for 1/4 of our cap now, imagine how Pat feels writing checks to players who don't even play here) so that'll only improve matters. I'm not sure how cutting Gold impacted our cap; but I think he was due five million this year and didn't have a bonus to worry about. From my math, our signings brought us to around 10 million, and cutting him probably escalated it back to the 15 mark.

Not bad at all. The Broncos will need that money if they elect to stay at #12 and sign their choices, but it won't take up that much. We'll need all we can get to keep our homegrown players here in Denver.

Thanks for the update.

[GEM]

John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Arizona Cardinals will save $8.842 million in cap room after agreeing to terms on a four-year, $40 million contract with WR Larry Fitzgerald.

So now they are 9 million under the cap.

Did the Fitzgerald new contract make him the richest WR as I read was offered earlier in the thread?

[BOSSHOGG30]

Did the Fitzgerald new contract make him the richest WR as I read was offered earlier in the thread?

not sure right now if he is the richest WR in the history of the NFL...The Cards have already offered to make him the richest receiver in the NFL, but I don't think this is the contract they were talking about.

[GEM]

not sure right now if he is the richest WR in the history of the NFL...The Cards have already offered to make him the richest receiver in the NFL, but I don't think this is the contract they were talking about.

If they did they just prolonged the problem for another year. Another disadvantage of picking in the top 10 each year.....the contracts pile up and you're left with no money left to get even 53 guys on a roster.

[BOSSHOGG30]

If they did they just prolonged the problem for another year. Another disadvantage of picking in the top 10 each year.....the contracts pile up and you're left with no money left to get even 53 guys on a roster.

They were trying to get a 6 year deal worked out, but Fitzgerald had them by the balls, so to speak.... he got the deal he wanted as well as his no trade clause and a lot of gauranteed money. Cardinals really screwed up when they did his rookie contract.

[Medford Bronco]

They were trying to get a 6 year deal worked out, but Fitzgerald had them by the balls, so to speak.... he got the deal he wanted as well as his no trade clause and a lot of gauranteed money. Cardinals really screwed up when they did his rookie contract.

Cardinals screwed up :lol:

that hardly ever happens:laugh: to a team that has not had a 10 win season since 1976:lol:

Well Fitz is a great WR and should help them for years to come.

[GEM]

They were trying to get a 6 year deal worked out, but Fitzgerald had them by the balls, so to speak.... he got the deal he wanted as well as his no trade clause and a lot of gauranteed money. Cardinals really screwed up when they did his rookie contract.

That's one part of football that I just don't get. I don't understand how the teams are ok with these huge deals on guys that really haven't proven themselves. I can understand the big pay day on a 2nd contract, because by then, they've proven their worth. Look at JaMarcus Russell, yea, he had a nice college career, BUT in his first year he held out to the point that it was detrimental to his team, and there are reports out that in the offseason he has ballooned to 300 + pounds. And if he doesn't work out, all that money gone.

Just seems silly to me that the coaches and owners have allowed it to get this far. Rookies making that kind of money, when they haven't proven a damn thing.

[BOSSHOGG30]

That's one part of football that I just don't get. I don't understand how the teams are ok with these huge deals on guys that really haven't proven themselves. I can understand the big pay day on a 2nd contract, because by then, they've proven their worth. Look at JaMarcus Russell, yea, he had a nice college career, BUT in his first year he held out to the point that it was detrimental to his team, and there are reports out that in the offseason he has ballooned to 300 + pounds. And if he doesn't work out, all that money gone.

Just seems silly to me that the coaches and owners have allowed it to get this far. Rookies making that kind of money, when they haven't proven a damn thing.

I wished the NFL would do something similar to the NBA and their rookie contract structure. I'm getting sick of these rookies coming in and holding out and forcing the teams to pay so much money on a player they don't know how he will transition into the NFL.

[GEM]

I wished the NFL would do something similar to the NBA and their rookie contract structure. I'm getting sick of these rookies coming in and holding out and forcing the teams to pay so much money on a player they don't know how he will transition into the NFL.

Here's a thought.... In the past there have been some PHENOMENAL legends, the man that was inducted to the HOF last year, who played for the Browns, he was in a wheelchair. His health care isn't being taken care of. These men who played with far less rules regarding safety, who basically showed a complete disregard for their own bodies, because of a love of the game.....and now, they have nothing to show for it. Yet now, we have a bunch of prima donnas who really aren't half the players those old guys are, and they are set for life.

It's really sad to think about.

But....here I am, continuing to throw money into the sport and I still love the game itself.

[Requiem / The Dagda]

You mean, thanks Eddy Mac? ;)

[fcspikeit]

That's one part of football that I just don't get. I don't understand how the teams are ok with these huge deals on guys that really haven't proven themselves. I can understand the big pay day on a 2nd contract, because by then, they've proven their worth. Look at JaMarcus Russell, yea, he had a nice college career, BUT in his first year he held out to the point that it was detrimental to his team, and there are reports out that in the offseason he has ballooned to 300 + pounds. And if he doesn't work out, all that money gone.

Just seems silly to me that the coaches and owners have allowed it to get this far. Rookies making that kind of money, when they haven't proven a damn thing.

I agree,

That's another thing we fans don't really consider when it come to the draft.. A lot of GM's try and get the contract agreement worked out with the players before they draft them.. I wonder how many times a GM has passed on a player because they wanted to much money then went on to pick someone else... Beings the fans have no idea that even took place, we are pissed because our team passed on such a great player..

The old GM for the Texans was talking about that the other day, he said that was one of the reason they drafted Williams, because they were able to agree on his contract before they drafted him.. Makes you wonder if that didn't figure into not taking Bush?

Who is the smokin' chic in your avy?

[pnbronco]

I wished the NFL would do something similar to the NBA and their rookie contract structure. I'm getting sick of these rookies coming in and holding out and forcing the teams to pay so much money on a player they don't know how he will transition into the NFL.

BOSS how does the NBA do that? I am also tired of rookies holding out, when they have not proven that they have what it takes to play in the NFL. I agree with GEM also, it's just a crime to pay these kids all that money when you have veterans that are not covered with health insurance.

[BOSSHOGG30]

BOSS how does the NBA do that? I am also tired of rookies holding out, when they have not proven that they have what it takes to play in the NFL. I agree with GEM also, it's just a crime to pay these kids all that money when you have veterans that are not covered with health insurance.

They have a rookie salary cap.

[pnbronco]

They have a rookie salary cap.

Who determines the amount? Does a "super star" know that they will not make more than XXX amount before he starts. Then do they have a new contract from the second year on? Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[BOSSHOGG30]

Who determines the amount? Does a "super star" know that they will not make more than XXX amount before he starts. Then do they have a new contract from the second year on? Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

The Players Association determines the amount and rules. There are both minimum and maximum salaries, and both are based on how long the player has been in the league. The minimum salaries scale upward each season

A strict salary scale for first round draft picks and their first contracts. They do this because it was previously common for rookies to hold out, not signing with their team until they got the contract they wanted. There was also backlash from the veteran players who saw rookies with no NBA experience getting more money than they were. The last year without a salary scale was 1994, when it was rumored that first overall pick Glenn Robinson was going to hold out for $100 million, and he eventually signed a 10-year, $68.15 million contract.

Beginning in 1995, salaries for first round picks were set according to a strict scale, determined by their exact draft position. The salary scale is determined for all picks in all seasons when the CBA is written. Rookie scale contracts are always for two seasons, with team options for the third and fourth seasons.

If the player is not signed by January 10th, the scale amount reduces each day for the remainder of the season. For example, if there are 170 days in the season, then the scale amount reduces by 1/170th each day starting January 10th, until the player is signed.

you can read more about the NBA salary cap here:
http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#41

[pnbronco]

The Players Association determines the amount and rules. There are both minimum and maximum salaries, and both are based on how long the player has been in the league. The minimum salaries scale upward each season

A strict salary scale for first round draft picks and their first contracts. They do this because it was previously common for rookies to hold out, not signing with their team until they got the contract they wanted. There was also backlash from the veteran players who saw rookies with no NBA experience getting more money than they were. The last year without a salary scale was 1994, when it was rumored that first overall pick Glenn Robinson was going to hold out for $100 million, and he eventually signed a 10-year, $68.15 million contract.

Beginning in 1995, salaries for first round picks were set according to a strict scale, determined by their exact draft position. The salary scale is determined for all picks in all seasons when the CBA is written. Rookie scale contracts are always for two seasons, with team options for the third and fourth seasons.

If the player is not signed by January 10th, the scale amount reduces each day for the remainder of the season. For example, if there are 170 days in the season, then the scale amount reduces by 1/170th each day starting January 10th, until the player is signed.

you can read more about the NBA salary cap here:
http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#41

Boss thank you so much for taking the time. I don't follow basketball at all. It makes so much sense for many different reasons, esp. protecting the veterans. It's interesting that it has worked in the NBA for over 10 years and yet the NFL have not adopted something similar. Do you know if the owners have ever brought it up? Again thank you.

[BOSSHOGG30]

Boss thank you so much for taking the time. I don't follow basketball at all. It makes so much sense for many different reasons, esp. protecting the veterans. It's interesting that it has worked in the NBA for over 10 years and yet the NFL have not adopted something similar. Do you know if the owners have ever brought it up? Again thank you.

Yes, the owners like it and have tried to adopt something similar, but the players union won't allow it to happen.

[Joel]

I hated running around at the end of free agency last years wondering exactly how our cap looked and what everyone was earning when. It's all well and good to say, "We need to sign x, y and z, " but talking to their agents on a deal is something that needs hard numbers.

[studerp]

I agree that something needs to be done, The rookie contracts are getting out of control. I have never followed basketball but after reading the link above it seems like a pretty good system. What incentive does a rookie have to actually prove themselves if they are getting the big contract right out of the gate. Of course the players union is completely against any such system as I am sure it would cut into their profits as well.:confused:

[eessydo]

Yes, the owners like it and have tried to adopt something similar, but the players union won't allow it to happen.

We do have to remember that the shelf life of an NBA player is much longer than an NFL player. Part of the reason the players union won't step in is that if they can get larger amounts of guaranteed money on the front end of their careers, then those guys showing up in wheel chairs to the HoF cermony with no medical care will be reduced.

I think there should be a rookie cap so to speak but I think they should be able to punch their card into free agency much soon if that is the case (2 years in the league), and the Players Union should create a structured insurance plan paid into by the owners as "disability" insurance for those that get injured and can no longer play inside of that 2 year window. That amount could be a fourth of the negotiated salary, and you could only cash in under certain circumstances at about 75% of your rookie contract value and for a finite amount of time, Say 8 years. That money would help ensure the viability of a rookie salary cap, because the threat of being out of the league and not collecting a paycheck goes out the window. It also gives the players enough time to exercise education options to make a career change.

Let's face it, injury is a major issue in the NFL, and is the main reason NOBODY wants to get the franchise tag. It then takes them a full year to POSSIBLY cash in on free agency. They could then get hit by that tag the next year, and the next year (at least until next year with the bargaining agreement back on the table).

You would have to create significant layers of security to make this type of a plan work in the NFL due to the brutality of the sport, but it could get done.

[Joel]

Any extra money sitting there belongs to Cutty and BMarsh.

It'll get real interesting if there is no deal done by 2011 and theere is NO CAP.
It would get INSANE, hence it's not going to happen. The Dems are more likely to go to their convention without a nominee than the League is to waste three years they could spend avoiding a repeat of the Disaster of '87. Teams like Dallas, SF and NE would dominate for a decade and teams like Green Bay, Seattle and Arizona would be little better than NCAA teams. Kind of makes a mockery of "any team on any given Sunday" and that's not good for ad revenue or merchandising (and bear in mind that thanks to profit sharing merchandising, ticket sale and other hits affect EVERY team. )

Extra money belongs to whomever can get us another Lombardi, and I think Cutler's smart enough to see that, and hope Marshall is, too. The '93 Cowboys were 0-2 until Aikman gave back part of his year old contract so the team had the cap space to end Emmitts holdout; after that they won 17 games and defended their title. There's no question who DESERVED the money (Smith explicitly stated he held out SOLELY because Thurman Thomas' new contract made him the Leagues highest paid back... ) but there's even less question who actually RECEIVED it.

[Joel]

That's one part of football that I just don't get. I don't understand how the teams are ok with these huge deals on guys that really haven't proven themselves. I can understand the big pay day on a 2nd contract, because by then, they've proven their worth. Look at JaMarcus Russell, yea, he had a nice college career, BUT in his first year he held out to the point that it was detrimental to his team, and there are reports out that in the offseason he has ballooned to 300 + pounds. And if he doesn't work out, all that money gone.

Just seems silly to me that the coaches and owners have allowed it to get this far. Rookies making that kind of money, when they haven't proven a damn thing.
I can't really disagree, but it's the numbers game (follow my drunken logic--if you dare.... ) The Number One BEST way to get a multiple time Pro Bowler on your team is as a rookie. Precisely because they HAVEN'T proven themselves. The thread on "draft steals" might be instructive here; I refer once more to to Dick "Night Train" Layne, still the only rookie DB to lead the League in picks. Would you rather negotiate a multi-year contract with him before or after he entered the record books...? Unless you're his agent the answer has to be "before. " It's not like bad deals are restricted to rookies; remember Herschel Walker...? The kicker to that one is that he STILL finished his career as a Cowboy; gotta be nice to know you were traded away to gain the players who earned you your SB Ring.... ;-p

That said, rookie holdouts DO blow my mind. As far as I'm concerned, :censored: 'em. If they want to set on the sidelines for a year hoping a team will take a chance on an unproven malcontent, let 'em. If it was me, I'd just trade my signing rights to another team for one or more KNOWN quantities. On the other hand, when the Colts did that with Elway... well, they might have made a mistake, but on the other hand, there was never any chance he'd sign with them, so what did they lose...?

[Joel]

I agree,

That's another thing we fans don't really consider when it come to the draft.. A lot of GM's try and get the contract agreement worked out with the players before they draft them.. I wonder how many times a GM has passed on a player because they wanted to much money then went on to pick someone else... Beings the fans have no idea that even took place, we are pissed because our team passed on such a great player..

The old GM for the Texans was talking about that the other day, he said that was one of the reason they drafted Williams, because they were able to agree on his contract before they drafted him.. Makes you wonder if that didn't figure into not taking Bush?

Who is the smokin' chic in your avy?
A good point; you just KNOW Bush wanted more than ANY player is worth. Reminds me of when I first got Madden '07; I actually CUT Champ because he was making $9 million/year and I could CREATE a CB with straight 99s for about $7.5 million. Personally, as a native Houstonian I have a great deal of respect for how the Texans have done things, and as a Broncos fan I'm delighted to see Kubes and a host of former Broncos coming to my home town. Now, as time goes by I miss Ron Dayne more and more (how bad do we feel for the Dolphins, who drafted that train wreck of a NCAA record holder even as Dayne was breaking that same record...?) but it leaves me very conflicted, because it seems that every Broncos loss is a Texans gain. How am I SUPPOSED to feel about that...? ;-p

[DenBronx]

I wonder what Clady is going to cost us? I just hope we get his contract wrapped up and get his butt in camp on time.