[wolfeskins]

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!!!!!