Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

Found this article and figured I'd post it. It talks about the Skins situation for 2007 from a cap perspective.

[url=http://www.topix.net/content/wapo/2974307557206935226910983192461510202548]Redskins' Tight-Knit Core May Face Breakup[/url]

"With three games remaining, the prospect of the front office breaking up this team is on the minds of many players, especially the defensive free agents brought in for Joe Gibbs's first season, the group the coach often refers to as "True Redskins." Close-knit defensive linemen Cornelius Griffin, Phillip Daniels, Joe Salave'a and Renaldo Wynn, linebacker Marcus Washington and Springs are faced with the twin concerns of suffering from a collective bad year and having high 2007 salaries."

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

Sounds like a lot of restructuring on the horizon, but that's nothing new.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

Interesting tidbit for the cap hell theorists:

[quote]"Financially, they aren't in any cap trouble at all," one of the league sources said. "But they do have some big numbers coming up. If they decide not to keep some of their players, it won't be because their hand is being forced. It will be because they don't want them anymore.
[/quote]

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;262047]Sounds like a lot of restructuring on the horizon, but that's nothing new.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. If we do break up our "tight-knit core" it won't be (solely) for cap reasons.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

I'm fine with that. There's some fat that can definitely be trimmed.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

Canuck--what's your take on the likely cuts and restructures? (You've probably posted this somewhere already, but god knows I am a lazy, lazy man. ;) ) Thanks!

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

I don't think you are going to see a massive restructuring. I think that through contract renegotiation, they can certainly keep the team as is for another year. I do believe that unless Wynn is willing to take a salary decrease, he may be gone as he enters the final year of his contract. $4 million is too much to pay for a back-up DE regardless of how much of a contributor he is in the locker room. I believe he will have incentive to reduce his salary because I can guarantee that no other team in this league will pay over $1 million/year for him and I doubt he could get much guaranteed salary either.

I do believe Patton and John Hall will be cut in the offseason to open up some room to resign Dockery, and a few other free agents. Cutting those two would open up an additional $5 million in cap room. If Wynn is cut (or hopefully renegotiates for a cap number of closer to $1 million), an additional $3 - $4 million could open up. I believe, and CC can correct me on this, that the net impact would be to open up about $10 million in cap room. What I am not sure about is how the Archuleta cutting would impact the situation.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

The article comes off sounding like the players may be unwilling to "restructure." I wholeheartedly disagree. Sure, no player would want to take a pay cut, but that's not what a "restructure" is.

Take a player who couldn't give a crap what team he's on. He's scheduled to make $5 million in base salary this year, and he's got 3 years left on his contract. The Redskins go to him and say here, we'll give you the $5 million we owe you this year as a guaranteed signing bonus instead of giving it to you in game checks throughout the season. Players like money, and they like lump sum payments best. In the end, they just want their $5 million, they won't care how they get it, and they may even prefer the lump sum up front. That move saves the 'Skins cap space in '07, kicking more of the cap hit down the road to absorb in '08 and '09.

Now consider that most of these veterans do care about the team, and voila, not a soul will give the team trouble. You can take it to the bank.

If the 'Skins decide they want to keep these veterans, they'll be able to do it easily, and still have cap space to pursue more free agents. The only question will be whether the team thinks their skills are declining. If the 'Skins make a cut, it will be 99% based on their skill level, and 1% based on the cap.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

Agreed, Schneed--Snyder has no problem converting salary to bonuses. All it takes is some deep pockets, which our Danny definetly has!

The much bigger issue is resigning Dock, and whoever else we want (Wade?). Players (and agents) like testing the free agent market, unless they get super-sweet deal. And given how much Danny gives to new FAs, he often runs into trouble when that kind of money isn't offered to re-sign folks. Danny seems to be a "grass is greener on the other side of the fence" type. Hopefully, JG will keep core skins (like Dock, IMO).

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

The team should have negotiating leverage with Mark Brunell and with Renaldo Wynn. Neither of these players are worth what they're scheduled to make on the open market. They're going to recognize this, and when pressured by the team, they'll have the incentive to take a paycut down to a level more in line with market value. If they try to play hardball with the team, they're taking the chance that the team will axe them and that nobody will want to pick them up.

Plus they're solid guys and like being on this team, I don't think they're looking to play somewhere else in 2007.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

I'd look for the following moves:

Cut: John Hall, Christian Fauria, Mike Rumph (save $3.5 million)

Cut: Adam Archuleta as a Post June 1 move, (save $600K in 2007, absorb a $7 million deadcap hit in 2008)

Forced Paycuts: Mark Brunell and Reynaldo Wynn, if they don't accept, cut them to save $4.8 million in FY 2007 between the two of them)

Restructured Contracts (no pay reduction, just restructure): Jon Jansen, Randy Thomas, Shawn Springs, Cornelius Griffin, Marcus Washington, Clinton Portis, Casey Rabach. This could generate $10-15 million in cap space.

Resign: Derrick Dockery to a long term deal

They'll have the flexibility to keep it all together and make another free agency run, [U]if they want to[/U].

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Schneed10;262077]I'd look for the following moves:

Cut: John Hall, Christian Fauria, Mike Rumph (save $3.5 million)

Cut: Adam Archuleta as a Post June 1 move, (save $600K in 2007, absorb a $7 million deadcap hit in 2008)

Forced Paycuts: Mark Brunell and Reynaldo Wynn, if they don't accept, cut them to save $4.8 million in FY 2007 between the two of them)

Restructured Contracts (no pay reduction, just restructure): Jon Jansen, Randy Thomas, Shawn Springs, Cornelius Griffin, Marcus Washington, Clinton Portis, Casey Rabach. This could generate $10-15 million in cap space.

Resign: Derrick Dockery to a long term deal

They'll have the flexibility to keep it all together and make another free agency run, [U]if they want to[/U].[/quote]

Schneed - wouldn't it be better to cut Brunnel before June 1st so we don't take AA and Brunell dead hits in 2008?

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

what happens to brunells salary if he retires?

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

Griffin - "Being here matters to me... The fact is that you still have a Redskins logo on the side of your helmet. That means you go out and earn it. I need to look myself in the mirror."

This should be the mantra of our entire team right now.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Lady Brave;262120]Griffin - "Being here matters to me... The fact is that you still have a Redskins logo on the side of your helmet. That means you go out and earn it. I need to look myself in the mirror."

This should be the mantra of our entire team right now.[/quote]

The problem has never been inside of the locker room. They always say the right thing. The problem is in between the ears and the lines.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=dmek25;262115]what happens to brunells salary if he retires?[/quote]

It'd be the same as if we cut him in the offseason. If he retires before June 1, we take the dead cap hit in 2007. If he waits until after June 1, we delay most of the hit until 2008.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Bill B;262078]Schneed - wouldn't it be better to cut Brunnel before June 1st so we don't take AA and Brunell dead hits in 2008?[/quote]

Cutting Brunell before June 1 would create $2.3 million in cap space in 2007. Cutting him after June 1 would create $3.7 million in cap space in 2007, but we'd have to carry about $2.8 million in deadcap for him in 2008. Since Gibbs still loves him so much, I'm guessing they'll keep him even if they can't get him to take a paycut. But they'll probably try to get him to take the paycut.

As for Archuleta, if we cut him before June 1, he'll count $9 million against our cap. He's scheduled to count $2.5 million in 2007 as it stands now, so going from there to $9 million would represent a $6.5 million jump. I don't think the team would take that approach, it's too limiting in 2007.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Schneed10;262150]Cutting Brunell before June 1 would create $2.3 million in cap space in 2007. Cutting him after June 1 would create $3.7 million in cap space in 2007, but we'd have to carry about $2.8 million in deadcap for him in 2008. Since Gibbs still loves him so much, I'm guessing they'll keep him even if they can't get him to take a paycut. But they'll probably try to get him to take the paycut.

As for Archuleta, if we cut him before June 1, he'll count $9 million against our cap. He's scheduled to count $2.5 million in 2007 as it stands now, so going from there to $9 million would represent a $6.5 million jump. I don't think the team would take that approach, it's too limiting in 2007.[/quote]

Well it looks like the Redskins will once again be the leaders in dead cap space. At least the cap rises to $116 million in 2008 so that will help some.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;262077]I'd look for the following moves:

Cut: John Hall, Christian Fauria, Mike Rumph (save $3.5 million)

Cut: Adam Archuleta as a Post June 1 move, (save $600K in 2007, absorb a $7 million deadcap hit in 2008)

Forced Paycuts: Mark Brunell and Reynaldo Wynn, if they don't accept, cut them to save $4.8 million in FY 2007 between the two of them)

Restructured Contracts (no pay reduction, just restructure): Jon Jansen, Randy Thomas, Shawn Springs, Cornelius Griffin, Marcus Washington, Clinton Portis, Casey Rabach. This could generate $10-15 million in cap space.

Resign: Derrick Dockery to a long term deal

They'll have the flexibility to keep it all together and make another free agency run, [U]if they want to[/U].[/QUOTE]

Great stuff. I agree with all of this.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

I'm worried that Sean Taylor will want to renegotiate his contract.

At least on paper it looks like he doesnt make that much, but I don't know much about any incentives that he might be getting.

I know he's been injured a lot, but David Patten's contract is ridiculous.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Citizens for 81;262391]I'm worried that Sean Taylor will want to renegotiate his contract.

At least on paper it looks like he doesnt make that much, but I don't know much about any incentives that he might be getting.

I know he's been injured a lot, but David Patten's contract is ridiculous.[/quote]

On Taylor, I actually hope they go ahead and take the opportunity to extend his contract. He hasn't made a pro bowl yet so nobody in the market is going to pay him tip top dollar. Now would be a good time to lock him up. Trouble is, since Archuleta is on this team, he might ask for more than Arch got.

On Patten, the Redskins just don't have leverage. If they cut him he'd cost us $5.2 million in deadcap in 2007. If he were on the roster he'd only cost us $3.0 million in cap space. And his base salary in 2007 is only $1.1 million, so it's not like you can come down much from there. They're just not in a position to get a paycut out of him. He's just a guy we have to live with for one more season. We could try a post June 1 cut, but the benefit would only be about $1.4 million or so in 2007. We're likely just stuck with him.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

Is Drew Rosenhaus still Taylor's agent?

Dosen't Rosenhaus have a good relationship with Snyder and the Skins?

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Schneed10;262077]I'd look for the following moves:

Cut: John Hall, Christian Fauria, Mike Rumph (save $3.5 million)

Cut: Adam Archuleta as a Post June 1 move, (save $600K in 2007, absorb a $7 million deadcap hit in 2008)

Forced Paycuts: Mark Brunell and Reynaldo Wynn, if they don't accept, cut them to save $4.8 million in FY 2007 between the two of them)

Restructured Contracts (no pay reduction, just restructure): Jon Jansen, Randy Thomas, Shawn Springs, Cornelius Griffin, Marcus Washington, Clinton Portis, Casey Rabach. This could generate $10-15 million in cap space.

Resign: Derrick Dockery to a long term deal

They'll have the flexibility to keep it all together and make another free agency run, [U]if they want to[/U].[/quote]

Nice breakdown, I think you're pretty much dead on with what will probably happen for real.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

How would you all think about the following changes to the NFL salary cap rules:

1.) Implementing like the NBA a Larry Bird exemption and thus creating a hard cap and soft cap. This would cut down on the constant players cuts and keep teams together longer and in my opinion improve play. As players stay together longer they build better continuity and as fans we see 2 well oiled machines playing against eachother instead of a new collection of players trying to get familar with one another.
The NFL should allow teams to use the Larry Bird Rule on restricted and unrestricted free agents that weren't cut. This would eliminate the balloon bonus payments that teams have been using in order to circumvent the cap. So the small market teams could still compete with the likes of Synder and Jerry Jones.
2.) In addition why not allow teams to trade players by allowing in the soft portion of the cap an exemption as long as the salaries are within 10 percent of each other? Why should teams incur cap penalties for simply swapping players? If the Redskins have lets say 3 really good running backs and another team has extra CB's why not allow the teams to make a trade without having to destroy their cap situation.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Bill B;262735]How would you all think about the following changes to the NFL salary cap rules:

1.) Implementing like the NBA a Larry Bird exemption and thus creating a hard cap and soft cap. This would cut down on the constant players cuts and keep teams together longer and in my opinion improve play. As players stay together longer they build better continuity and as fans we see 2 well oiled machines playing against eachother instead of a new collection of players trying to get familar with one another.
The NFL should allow teams to use the Larry Bird Rule on restricted and unrestricted free agents that weren't cut. This would eliminate the balloon bonus payments that teams have been using in order to circumvent the cap. So the small market teams could still compete with the likes of Synder and Jerry Jones.
2.) In addition why not allow teams to trade players by allowing in the soft portion of the cap an exemption as long as the salaries are within 10 percent of each other? Why should teams incur cap penalties for simply swapping players? If the Redskins have lets say 3 really good running backs and another team has extra CB's why not allow the teams to make a trade without having to destroy their cap situation.[/quote]

I'm having a tough time figuring out what this post means. But I do like the current system a lot. Teams do have the ability to keep players together if they want.

I like the NFL's system because contracts aren't guaranteed. You don't play up to your ability, the team isn't stuck with you.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Schneed10;262739]I'm having a tough time figuring out what this post means. But I do like the current system a lot. Teams do have the ability to keep players together if they want.

I like the NFL's system because contracts aren't guaranteed. You don't play up to your ability, the team isn't stuck with you.[/quote]

Sorry for the confusion - I guess what I am getting at is having a hard cap like the NFL currently has at $107 million or so, and than having a soft cap that allows teams to resign their own players and go over the hard cap. The soft cap would have a luxury tax similar to what NBA teams pay - which is 100% for every dollar over.
So looking at the future when Chris Cooley's contract expires next year the Redskins could resign him at any rate they seem fit without regard to whether it would push them over the hard cap number (which I believe in that year will be $116 million). Now with the Redskins doing this they would have to pay whatever amount over the $116 in a luxury tax to a league wide pool which I assume would be distributed to smaller market teams.

I completely agree with you on keeping contracts non-guranteed. So if you sign someone to a long term deal and the contract is backloaded than you can still cut him and not be on the hook for anything. I would leave the bonus penalty as they are so yu would cut players before or after June 1st to comply with the cap.

Also, if you could find players with similar salaries the second part would allow you to trade them and get an exemption. Right now most trades are really hard because teams can afford to take both the cap hit of the player they are trading and the cap hit of the player they have coming in.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Schneed10;262568]On Taylor, I actually hope they go ahead and take the opportunity to extend his contract. He hasn't made a pro bowl yet so nobody in the market is going to pay him tip top dollar. Now would be a good time to lock him up. Trouble is, since Archuleta is on this team, he might ask for more than Arch got.

On Patten, the Redskins just don't have leverage. If they cut him he'd cost us $5.2 million in deadcap in 2007. If he were on the roster he'd only cost us $3.0 million in cap space. And his base salary in 2007 is only $1.1 million, so it's not like you can come down much from there. They're just not in a position to get a paycut out of him. He's just a guy we have to live with for one more season. We could try a post June 1 cut, but the benefit would only be about $1.4 million or so in 2007. We're likely just stuck with him.[/quote]


We must lock up Sean Taylor. He needs to be a Redskin for life! I disagree, any team would throw tons of money his way. He has not even come close to his playmaker potential. LOCK HIM UP PLEASE SNYDER!!!!!

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;262568]On Patten, the Redskins just don't have leverage. If they cut him he'd cost us $5.2 million in deadcap in 2007. If he were on the roster he'd only cost us $3.0 million in cap space. And his base salary in 2007 is only $1.1 million, so it's not like you can come down much from there. They're just not in a position to get a paycut out of him. He's just a guy we have to live with for one more season. We could try a post June 1 cut, but the benefit would only be about $1.4 million or so in 2007. We're likely just stuck with him.[/QUOTE]

Take a look at these numbers:

[U]Patten[/U] in '05 (remember he spent a good portion of the year on IR)

[B]22 catches, 217 yards.[/B]

[U]Lloyd[/U] in '06 (playing in every single game, and being a starter for most the year)

[B]23 catches 365 yards.[/B]

Obviously Lloyd is more of a deep threat, and Patten has been banged up this year a lot, but not that big a difference in terms of overall production.

Sure would be nice to have those 3rd and 4th round picks though.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Schneed10;262077]I'd look for the following moves:

Cut: John Hall, Christian Fauria, Mike Rumph (save $3.5 million)

Cut: Adam Archuleta as a Post June 1 move, (save $600K in 2007, absorb a $7 million deadcap hit in 2008)

Forced Paycuts: Mark Brunell and Reynaldo Wynn, if they don't accept, cut them to save $4.8 million in FY 2007 between the two of them)

Restructured Contracts (no pay reduction, just restructure): Jon Jansen, Randy Thomas, Shawn Springs, Cornelius Griffin, Marcus Washington, Clinton Portis, Casey Rabach. This could generate $10-15 million in cap space.

Resign: Derrick Dockery to a long term deal

They'll have the flexibility to keep it all together and make another free agency run, [U]if they want to[/U].[/quote]
I frankly don't want to see another big free agency spree. For once, let's show a little restraint and use cap relief gained through restructuring to resign core Redskins coming to the end of current contracts (Dockery this season, Cooley and Sellers next season). Perhaps target one key free agent to help the D and use the first round pick on Defense as well. I believe the pieces are already in place for the offense to be scary good if Campbell continues to progress. I love that he put the ball downfield at least a half dozen times last week. That was a months worth of deep balls for Brunell, and will keep opposing safeties from crowding the line to stop Portis/Betts.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Beemnseven;262816]Take a look at these numbers:

[U]Patten[/U] in '05 (remember he spent a good portion of the year on IR)

[B]22 catches, 217 yards.[/B]

[U]Lloyd[/U] in '06 (playing in every single game, and being a starter for most the year)

[B]23 catches 365 yards.[/B]

Obviously Lloyd is more of a deep threat, and Patten has been banged up this year a lot, but not that big a difference in terms of overall production.

Sure would be nice to have those 3rd and 4th round picks though.[/quote]


I don't think you can compare these two.

Patten is in his 11th year Lloyd is in his 4th.

LLoyd can block and go deep. Patten is the 5th reciever on this team.

And Patten by the way is going to make more next year than Lloyd.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=SouperMeister;262892]I frankly don't want to see another big free agency spree. For once, let's show a little restraint and use cap relief gained through restructuring to resign core Redskins coming to the end of current contracts (Dockery this season, Cooley and Sellers next season). Perhaps target one key free agent to help the D and use the first round pick on Defense as well. I believe the pieces are already in place for the offense to be scary good if Campbell continues to progress. I love that he put the ball downfield at least a half dozen times last week. That was a months worth of deep balls for Brunell, and will keep opposing safeties from crowding the line to stop Portis/Betts.[/quote]

I would agree with taking the opportunity to extend the contracts of some of our key players. The three you mentioned are key components for us.

I don't want to see us going out and getting a shopping cart full of free agents either. A key guy here or there is what we really need. We need to break the cycle of continually bringing in multiple new free agent starters. They require such a learning curve. The offseason preceding our 10-6 2005 season was pretty quiet if you'll all remember. We traded Coles for Moss and signed David Patten, and that was pretty much it. The continuity lended itself very well to a successful season. Moss came in and immediately injected the team with a big-play threat.

I'd think along the same way for this season, except I'd focus on D. One big DT up front like Alan Branch in the draft, and one player in the secondary (CB or SS, I don't care). If you get Nate Clements at CB, maybe you can move Springs to SS. If you get a Michael Lewis at SS, you can keep Springs at CB.

But that's it. I wouldn't touch the LBs for continuity's sake. And if they have big DTs in front of them, they'll look better. I wouldn't touch the DEs because I think they're coming on and player better now. And on offense, I'd keep everything the same, because right now we're 5th in the league in rushing offense, and Campbell has the weapons to keep developing Saunders' passing game.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Schneed10;262928]I would agree with taking the opportunity to extend the contracts of some of our key players. The three you mentioned are key components for us.

I don't want to see us going out and getting a shopping cart full of free agents either. A key guy here or there is what we really need. We need to break the cycle of continually bringing in multiple new free agent starters. They require such a learning curve. The offseason preceding our 10-6 2005 season was pretty quiet if you'll all remember. We traded Coles for Moss and signed David Patten, and that was pretty much it. The continuity lended itself very well to a successful season. Moss came in and immediately injected the team with a big-play threat.

I'd think along the same way for this season, except I'd focus on D. One big DT up front like Alan Branch in the draft, and one player in the secondary (CB or SS, I don't care). If you get Nate Clements at CB, maybe you can move Springs to SS. If you get a Michael Lewis at SS, you can keep Springs at CB.

But that's it. I wouldn't touch the LBs for continuity's sake. And if they have big DTs in front of them, they'll look better. I wouldn't touch the DEs because I think they're coming on and player better now. And on offense, I'd keep everything the same, because right now we're 5th in the league in rushing offense, and Campbell has the weapons to keep developing Saunders' passing game.[/quote]

Schneed - one more thing - wouldn't you also look to bring in a new kicker (Josh Brown would be nice) or is Suisham the answer? I would just think it would be a good move to have the kicking position solidified in preseason so we aren't scrambling to correct our kicking game midseason like we did this year.

Re: Article: 2007 and the Cap
 

[quote=Bill B;262933]Schneed - one more thing - wouldn't you also look to bring in a new kicker (Josh Brown would be nice) or is Suisham the answer? I would just think it would be a good move to have the kicking position solidified in preseason so we aren't scrambling to correct our kicking game midseason like we did this year.[/quote]

Oh yeah. K too. I forgot about K. K's not really a position where there's any kind of learning curve, and continuity isn't necessary. You can get any K, plug them in, and not worry about effects on team chemistry.

I do want to give Suisham a chance though. You never know, he could be the next David Akers. If he looks really impressive the rest of this year, bring him back to camp to compete with a vet like Josh Brown. If he falters, just straight up go with Josh Brown.

Or Vanderjagt if he's healthy.