2010 Free Agency and CBA Information

So, as we start to having these threads about the offseason, wish lists, and things that you would do if you were the owner/GM etc., etc., I think it is important for everyone to be informed about how free agency is going to work in the upcoming 2010 uncapped season.

Right now, the owners and the players association have until March 4th to come up with an agreement in order to prevent 2010 from being uncapped. Since every sports pundit and both sides are very pessimistic about a deal in the next month, it seems an uncapped year is going to happen. Here's a good FAQ page from NFL.com about the CBA and how things are going to work out in the uncapped year:

Key questions and answers about the CBA (http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d815da1d2&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true)

As far as who's going to be a restricted or unrestricted free agent, ProFootball Weekly has a nice list of RFAs and UFAs based on an uncapped year. A lot of the marquee players that some here are talking about acquiring, are going to be RFAs, and will only depart from their current teams by ways of a trade.

ProFootballWeekly.com - 2010 NFC free-agent preview (http://www.profootballweekly.com/2009/11/25/2010-nfc-free-agent-preview)

ProFootballWeekly.com - 2010 AFC free-agent preview (http://www.profootballweekly.com/2009/11/25/2010-afc-free-agent-preview)

So if a team wants the likes of Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeill, Brandon Marshall, or Ronnie Brown, they are going to have to cough up draft picks.

Good info here from interviews with DeMaurice Smith and Kevin Mawae down at the Super Bowl.

Union leader: NFL lockout in 2011 quite possible - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4887844)

The big quote from Smith was that if the scale is 1-10, the likelihood of a lockout happening is about a 14.

The economics are such that it's extremely likely we won't see football in 2011.

The big quote from Smith was that if the scale is 1-10, the likelihood of a lockout happening is about a 14.

The economics are such that it's extremely likely we won't see football in 2011.

It takes a long time to recover from a strike/lockout. Just ask the MLB and NHL. The fans won't forget this anytime soon if they go through with this.

I saw lots of Gaurd and linebacker options, but best free agent tackle is Levi Jones.

I saw lots of Gaurd and linebacker options, but best free agent tackle is Levi Jones.

Thats unfortunate. I personally think that Daryn Colledge could be a nice find if he's released by Green Bay. They tried him at LT but it didn't work to well. He's been playing Guard since then but I think he's worth the risk of trying him out at RT. He has all the attributes you need for a zone blocking scheme including experience and on a team that needs two or three tackles we need to start stocking up.

I believe the interior will be situated by adding Ben Hamilton and Chris Kuper, it's both tackle spots that worry me.

Thats unfortunate. I personally think that Daryn Colledge could be a nice find if he's released by Green Bay. They tried him at LT but it didn't work to well. He's been playing Guard since then but I think he's worth the risk of trying him out at RT. He has all the attributes you need for a zone blocking scheme including experience and on a team that needs two or three tackles we need to start stocking up.

I believe the interior will be situated by adding Ben Hamilton and Chris Kuper, it's both tackle spots that worry me.

Well how about this line:

LT Okung
LG Dockery
C Hamilton
RG Kuper
RT L. Jones

Well I don't know if Jones would play RT, maybe we can do what the Ravens did with Oher and put Okung at RT and keep Levi at LT.

Well how about this line:

LT Okung
LG Dockery
C Hamilton
RG Kuper
RT L. Jones

Well I don't know if Jones would play RT, maybe we can do what the Ravens did with Oher and put Okung at RT and keep Levi at LT.

Ts situation would be nice if we could keep Jones, but the bold part would be nicer.. I don't think we should be so determined with G/C yet, they probably would go after them but I'm sure Shanahan would want whoever who plays best, they get the spot.. Rabach and Ed Williams but yes, I know they are not Shanahan's players.. I'm pretty sure they won't be the only other options, Allen probably would try to bring some vet players/rookies in to compete..

here is some info i just came across. i'm not sure if this is NEW to anyone, but here it is:

The key to the Redskins success in 2010 may very well be the NFL's "Final Eight Plan" pertaining to the collective bargaining agreement, which looks like is about to expire. It basically states . . . During the Final League Year, the eight clubs that make the Divisional Playoffs in the previous season have additional restrictions that limit their ability to sign unrestricted free agents from other clubs. In general, the four clubs participating in the championship games are limited in the number of free agents that they may sign; the limit is determined by the number of their own free agents signing with other clubs. They cannot sign any UFAs unless one of theirs is signed by another team. For the four clubs that lost in the Divisional Playoffs, in addition to having the ability to sign free agents based on the number of their own free agents signing with other clubs, they may also sign players based on specific financial parameters. Those four only will be permitted to sign one unrestricted free agent for $5.5 million (estimated) or more in year one of the contract, plus the number of their UFAs who sign with another team. They also can sign any unrestricted free agents for less than $3.7 (estimated) million in year one of the contract with limitations on the per year increases. In the case of all final eight teams, the first year salary of UFAs they sign to replace those lost cannot exceed the first year salary of the player lost with limitations on the per year increases. Without a collective bargaining agreement, teams like Dallas who made the final eight teams cannot go out and sign unrestricted free agents, unless they lose one. The Redskins can go out and sign any unrestricted free agent without any limit. I believe this could be a huge factor in 2010!!!!!

Yeah that's old news, but important news. The only trouble is there aren't many high-impact unrestricted free agents available. The guys who are, like Vince Wilfork, will probably end up franchise tagged anyway.