Next Year's Cap Situation

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

That's correct, we can't possibly get rid of both of them. In fact, if we don't get rid of either or one of them right now, the earliest we can get rid of them is after the 2008 season.

With your other point, that certainly seems to be a plausible idea, but I doubt we go that route. For the next two seasons, our only method of acquiring quality players will be through the draft. So the best balance would probably be to use the picks we are given on the best available defensive talent. I would start with a DT this year, who by next year becomes the lynchpin of the defensive line, and re-evaluate our defensive situation before the draft next year.

You don't expect to see any return on draft investment until a player's second season, so we probably don't want to be trading back years into the future and delaying the rebuilding process. DT looks to be a big trouble area in the near (2008) future, so I would spend our top 10 pick this year on a DT like Okoye or Branch, and hope to be able to pick up a second rounder which can become a defensive end. That'd be the best case scenario because Wynn, Daniels, nor Griffin appear likely to return next year.

The key to turning this all around is to cut any defensive player who isn't in our future plans as soon as possible.

I would also think from your analysis that it will be at least a couple more quiet offseasons until the dead cap money is out of the system - which to me is not a bad thing.

One more question - do you think this year was an off year as to what players were getting - it just seemed like a lot of "average" players were getting contracts that were reserved for superstars. I wonder how teams like the 49ers and Bills look like now as far as their salary cap room in future years.