Cap sheets update 5/22

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by davelavarra

Great job, thanks!

At the end of the season Cooley is a FA. How can we resign him with that poor cap space? We need to restructure more and more deals...

First off, the cap situation isn't quite as bad as it seems. CC's sheet shows we have $129 million allocated to the 2008 cap, but you can see he hasn't applied the rule of 51 to those numbers yet. Once he does, he'll remove $6.6 million from the 2008 numbers, and we'll show only $123 million allocated to the 2008 cap.

The cap figures to be $116 million next season. So we'll need to clear $7 million in cap space. The following moves seem logical and will clear the following amount of space:

- Mark Brunell's deal voids and he becomes a free agent - clears $3.5 million at minimum (it could be more depending on how the void clause works)

- Phillip Daniels is let go - clears $3.0 million

Right there, those moves bring us down to close to the projected cap. There are many salaries and roster bonuses that can be restructured to give us the room to resign Cooley. Shawn Springs, Cornelius Griffin, and Marcus Washington are all candidates to be cut depending upon the quality of their play this season. If they're not sent packing, they can be asked to restructure their deals.

[T.O.Killa]

Well, at 31 and 32 Jansen and Thomas will be be playing as senior citizens, if this keeps up

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

Well, at 31 and 32 Jansen and Thomas will be be playing as senior citizens, if this keeps up

They're actually both 31 (born within two weeks of each other).

But yeah, I get your point. The team is committing themselves to these guys, working under the assumption that their hard work and durability to date indicates that they'll be able to perform well up to age 35.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I have to say, it seems that a lot of OL can play at high levels far into their thirties.

[dmek25]

ray brown ring a bell?

[12thMan]

I agree, it's not uncommon for OL to perform well into their thirties and still be effective.

I see no problem here at all.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I agree, it's not uncommon for OL to perform well into their thirties and still be effective.

I see no problem here at all.

That being said, in a year or two if Bugel hasn't developed someone, I'd like to see us draft one in the higher rounds.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

That being said, in a year or two if Bugel hasn't developed someone, I'd like to see us draft one in the higher rounds.

Guard especially would be the position I'd target.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

As would I, in particular if an elite one is in the draft (IF we have a full one next year). Guards still go in the first round but WAAAY later, even the best prospects like Grubbs this year.

[FRPLG]

I think the ability to play ata quality level into the 30's is the reason the money is on the OL and the DL. DLinmen break down and simply aren't as good as they age.

As for down the road it s relatively easy to target a solid guard prospect in the 2-4 rounds. Ideally a guy taken in the 3rd can probably start at guard for you if you can evaluate worth a poo. Tackle on the other hand will require a higher pick. A solid left tackle is at least a mid 2nd rounder while a solid RT is a late 1st rounder. It is almost impossible to sign a good LT in FA too. I think in order we need to start building for OL future next year like this:

LG- this is the easiest place to look at for cap reasons. It makes sense to me to try and find a versatile guy who can play either guard spot and center. Then we have built in depth just in the starters.

then the following year..
T- Jansen seems coming into this year to be the guy most likely on the down turn. I am not convinced he is degrading but too many people who know what they are talking about have noticed and mentioned his reduced effectiveness the last two years. Could be injuries. Hopefully. So I'd look to get our future starting LT somewhere in the middle of the first round and stick him at RT whenever it suits best. He'd probably sit a year going by this timeline but maybe not. Then we'd could bring in a new RT once he switches over to LT.

LTs seem to last forever. They are out in space and don't get as banged up with all the smashing and crunching that guards and centers do. Samuels could be solid for another 4-6 years and it wouldn't be a surprise.

We need to address guard next year.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

As would I, in particular if an elite one is in the draft (IF we have a full one next year). Guards still go in the first round but WAAAY later, even the best prospects like Grubbs this year.

You can get a good guard in round 3.

For some reason guards have become WAY overvalued this off season. This is arguably the easiest position on the team. Any decent Olinemen should be adequate at guard. It is the reason I am terribly confused about all the money guys like Dock have gotten. Most coaches in the league prescribe to the "just stick the best leftover olinemen you got in at guard".

Think of it this way. Could Samuels be a probowler at guard? Yeah
Could Dock make money like he did at tackle? No way in hell. At tackle Dock is fighting to make a team. Any team. You just take up space an don't let the guy by. The only moving you do is on pulls and then you are just running and hitting something. Not much technique or skill required.

The difference between Grubbs and any random guard taken in the 3rd will be small really.

We got Dock in the 3rd and Thomas was a late 2nd rounder. The best guards in the league don't too much more for you than Dock or Thomas do really.

[mmil12]

I agree!