Clump- Bledsoe Cap Question

[Dozerdog]

Clump (Or Eb)



Do you think it's entirely possible that TD will NOT rework Bledsoe's Salary?

Here is my "Theory"- please correct and/or give a dose of realism

If they rework the deal before the season, I'm assuming they wil reduce his salary but give him upfront money to be spread out over the length of the contract. (like a lot of reworked deals)

If that happens- and they chose to replace him in 2005 or 2006 with a draft pick or FA, then they will take a large cap hit from whatever money they gave Bledsoe up front if /when he is traded or released.

Do you think they will keep extra cap room open this season (less flexibility up front) for more flexibility in the coming seasons?

[clumping platelets]

At this point, I do not believe Bledsoe's deal will be re-worked. TD has clearly stayed on the sidelines with respect to the FA market because of how inflated it is this off-season and the market is drying up of those players teams wanted to add. There is still some good players available, but TD is clearly waiting for the prices to come down. This means to me that he's not going to re-work any deals to find additional cap space. Additional cap space will come from players released(Teague, Prioleau, AVP are all candidates).

By not re-doing Drew's deal now, they can assess his first half and decide if they want to pay the option to activate 2005-2007 or give him the $2 million buyout. The option is amortized at $1 from 2004-2010 (Drew's deal can be extended again with another option payment). If they chose to pay it, then, yes, the potential exists for a large "dead cap".

The last question is the most interesting to me. I do believe that part of the reason for inactivity on the part of TD is the future cap situation and future FA. We have a number of starters who will become UFA after 2004 and cap space will be needed to re-sign them. Among those players are Jonas Jennings, Aaron Schobel, and Pat Williams. Bledsoe could also be UFA if the option is not picked up. This could mean we need to add a QB as well. Hopefully, TD uses some 2004 cap space to re-sign one of the above and/or uses the "loophole" that basically allows teams to transfer cap space from one season to another (Vikings "gained" $14 million in 2004 using this "loophole" )

[The Spaz]

Last week on WNSA TD said that Drew said he would do anything to help the team an dTD said that they would possibly look into if they needed to.

[clumping platelets]

One other thing that inactivity brings:

Bills will likely be eligible for comp picks in 2005 draft.

Lost CB Antoine Winfield, CB Dainon Sidney, FB Sammy Morris, and likely FB Sam Gash

Added: only G Chris Villarrial

Best we would get from this is a 4th, more likely a 5th

[Dozerdog]

So not reworking the deal basically makes keeping Bledsoe /Dumping Bledsoe an easier option. The trade off is that we don't have extra money to overpay a Vincent or Woody.

[Mr. Cynical]

Clump, can you put it in terms a 4 yr old, e.g., me, can understand? ;)

In other words, what does Drew cost/save us in each option below:

Option 1: Cut Drew now (save $6M?)
Option 2: Cut Drew after June 1 (if that's even applicable)
Option 3: Keep him but don't option him in November (so $2M + whatever he makes this year)
Option 4: Keep Drew the entire year and re-up his option

Thanks. :up:

[Dozerdog]

Originally posted by kal123
Clump, can you put it in terms a 4 yr old, e.g., me, can understand? ;)

In other words, what does Drew cost/save us in each option below:

Option 1: Cut Drew now (save $6M?)
Option 2: Cut Drew after June 1 (if that's even applicable)
Option 3: Keep him but don't option him in November (so $2M + whatever he makes this year)
Option 4: Keep Drew the entire year and re-up his option

Thanks. :up:


1- Saves 5.9 million- but you do not have a QB
2- Same
3- costs $7.9 million - but yu have a QB-
4- Costs the Bills $5.9 Million- then the option gets spread out until 2010 - $1 mill a season unless he quits or gets cut- then the remaining cap hit gets accelerated into that year's cap.

[Mr. Cynical]

Wow...so if they do #4, they pay him $5.9M this year and then if they cut him after the season, they are left with just $1M dead cap money? I like that better than #3.

Of course, #1 would be the best option. Imagine what they could do with $5.9M. They could easily grab a vet QB somewhere for a cool mil...has to be one laying around who just has to not lose games (we are going to be a run first team offense, so..)

That would leave a nice $4.9M to get the other holes filled, e.g., C, DE, CB or WR.

But I know...TD is not going to change. :anvil:

[The_Philster]

Originally posted by kal123
Of course, #1 would be the best option. Imagine what they could do with $5.9M. They could easily grab a vet QB somewhere for a cool mil...has to be one laying around who just has to not lose games (we are going to be a run first team offense, so..)


What QB, outside a third string-type, would be willing to take that?

[Dozerdog]

Originally posted by kal123
Wow...so if they do #4, they pay him $5.9M this year and then if they cut him after the season, they are left with just $1M dead cap money? I like that better than #3.

Of course, #1 would be the best option. Imagine what they could do with $5.9M. They could easily grab a vet QB somewhere for a cool mil...has to be one laying around who just has to not lose games (we are going to be a run first team offense, so..)

That would leave a nice $4.9M to get the other holes filled, e.g., C, DE, CB or WR.

But I know...TD is not going to change. :anvil:


:rofl:

He wants Kordell Stewart

[The_Philster]

Originally posted by Dozerdog
:rofl:

He wants Kordell Stewart

:eek: Oh God No!! I'd almost prefer Henson

[Dozerdog]

What you fail to realize, Kal- is that money saved won't be used to overpay marginal talent.

Any savngs will still be used to retain our FA's next season and beyond

[Lone Stranger]

As much as we may be disappointed with TD's inactivity this season one can not critisize him for not paying the outlandish salaries now being given to free agents but rather saving some $ or our own players as Clump suggested.

[caveboy]

"basically allows teams to transfer cap space from one season to another (Vikings "gained" $14 million in 2004 using this "loophole" )"

Lol. Yeah, using this technique, the Redskins have borrowed all the way up to teams' year 2020 cap. How the hell can they sign everybody and pay them whatever they want? Doesn't the NFL limit how much teams can borrow from future caps?



One thing that this also might indicate: TD may not be going after a QB with our first pick. TD seems not to be willing to pay anything but minimum for a FA QB considering the DB/RJ signings. Considering what we got for what we paid DB, I don't think any of the FA QB's recently signed (Garcia, Henson) were out of the question. (Henson for 3.5 and an 05' 3rd round pick.)

But while he may want, and we need a young QB that can learn from the beginning, who's out there that we can sign for little money, you know? We probably don't have a realistic shot at Eli, so TD won't have to worry about paying him First-round top-10 dollars. He obviously passed on Henson, Garcia and won't now apparently travel to look at Volek.

I'm thinking TD will see what QB drops to the later rounds and not overpay.

[Turf]

Nice thread.

Clearly option #4 is the one. 6 mil a year for QB is acceptable, and 1 million cap hit isn't going to scare anyone.
Personally, I don't think Drew has it anymore. Doesn't mean TD and Ralph don't want to keep him.

[BillsFever]

Nothing like being strapped against the cap for an old washed up QB who hasn't had a winning season in 6 years.

[ScottLawrence]

I like 3 better then 4.


Just dont option up his contract in November pay an extra 2 million.... and if he has a descent season resign him to a cap friendly deal.

It probably saves us more money, am I right?

[Dozerdog]

Originally posted by ScottLawrence
I like 3 better then 4.


Just dont option up his contract in November pay an extra 2 million.... and if he has a descent season resign him to a cap friendly deal.

It probably saves us more money, am I right?

That is a possibility

[Dozerdog]

Originally posted by caveboy
"basically allows teams to transfer cap space from one season to another (Vikings "gained" $14 million in 2004 using this "loophole" )"

Lol. Yeah, using this technique, the Redskins have borrowed all the way up to teams' year 2020 cap. How the hell can they sign everybody and pay them whatever they want? Doesn't the NFL limit how much teams can borrow from future caps?



One thing that this also might indicate: TD may not be going after a QB with our first pick. TD seems not to be willing to pay anything but minimum for a FA QB considering the DB/RJ signings. Considering what we got for what we paid DB, I don't think any of the FA QB's recently signed (Garcia, Henson) were out of the question. (Henson for 3.5 and an 05' 3rd round pick.)

But while he may want, and we need a young QB that can learn from the beginning, who's out there that we can sign for little money, you know? We probably don't have a realistic shot at Eli, so TD won't have to worry about paying him First-round top-10 dollars. He obviously passed on Henson, Garcia and won't now apparently travel to look at Volek.

I'm thinking TD will see what QB drops to the later rounds and not overpay.

The redskins aren't using this technique.

The vikings tied up 13 million in last year's cap in bonus money that did not get paid out- performance bonus not earned.

That is what got carried over.


What the Skins are doing is running up the Salary Cap "Credit Card". In a couple of years, the bill will come due, and the NFL will have to "reposess" that talent. Brunell, Springs, and all the rest will be cap casualties

[Ickybaluky]

You guys got #1 through #3 right, but #4 is a $7M SB to elect years 2005-2007 of his contract. That $7M is allocated at $1M per through 2010 (the end of his last option).

With #4, his cap number in 2004 would rise to $7M, his $2005 cap would be $7M, his 2006 cap would be $7.5M, and his 2007 cap would be $8.5M. If they didn't pick up his last option at that point they would absorb $3M in dead money for 2008. That is a huge commitment.

For instance, if the Bills elect the $7M option in November and then decide in 2005 to cut him anyway, they would absorb a $6M cap hit for 2005 before June 1 or $1M in 2005 and $5M in 2006 after June 1st.

If the Bills elect to keep him through 2005 and cut him for 2006, it would be a $5M cap hit before June 1 or a $1M cap hit for 2006 and $4M cap hit in 2007 if released after June 1.

Basically, if the option is elected in November, the Bills will have $6M in bonus money spread beyond this season, and they will only charge $1M a year of that away until they release him.

In short, given his recent history of play, electing the option is not an option.

[Ickybaluky]

The Vikings didn't use a "loophole". They merely carried existing cap room over into the next year, as several teams did. However, if you don't have the cap room, you can't carry it over. They didn't "manufacture" cap room.

[ScottLawrence]

Thanks NE.....

So I definitly think option number 3 is the best way to go.

Dont pick up his option in November, let him play out the year.... If he has a descent season and brings us to the playoffs then resign him to a cap friendly deal.

[OpIv37]

Originally posted by Dozerdog



:rofl:

He wants Kordell Stewart

PLEASE tell me this is sarcasm. I understand the frustration with Drew, but replacing him with Stewart does nothing- all it means is that he throws INT's when scrambling instead of fumbling the ball in the pocket.

[Mr. Cynical]

Originally posted by NE39
You guys got #1 through #3 right, but #4 is a $7M SB to elect years 2005-2007 of his contract. That $7M is allocated at $1M per through 2010 (the end of his last option).

With #4, his cap number in 2004 would rise to $7M, his $2005 cap would be $7M, his 2006 cap would be $7.5M, and his 2007 cap would be $8.5M. If they didn't pick up his last option at that point they would absorb $3M in dead money for 2008. That is a huge commitment.

For instance, if the Bills elect the $7M option in November and then decide in 2005 to cut him anyway, they would absorb a $6M cap hit for 2005 before June 1 or $1M in 2005 and $5M in 2006 after June 1st.

If the Bills elect to keep him through 2005 and cut him for 2006, it would be a $5M cap hit before June 1 or a $1M cap hit for 2006 and $4M cap hit in 2007 if released after June 1.

Basically, if the option is elected in November, the Bills will have $6M in bonus money spread beyond this season, and they will only charge $1M a year of that away until they release him.

In short, given his recent history of play, electing the option is not an option.

If this is right, then that is the scariest thing I've read yet. There could NOT be a worse scenario.


Originally posted by BillsFever
Nothing like being strapped against the cap for an old washed up QB who hasn't had a winning season in 6 years.

Exactly. :(


Originally posted by Dozerdog
What you fail to realize, Kal- is that money saved won't be used to overpay marginal talent.

Any savngs will still be used to retain our FA's next season and beyond.

Actually I do realize that. :) I wasn't suggesting on overpaying for marginal talent. I was suggesting we pay decent prices for good talent.


Originally posted by Dozerdog
He wants Kordell Stewart.

I realize you were joking but hey.....if given the choice between a $6M Drew or a $1M Kordell, I'd take Slash every time. No way could he be any worse, and even if he is no better we save millions.

[The_Philster]

Originally posted by kal123
I realize you were joking but hey.....if given the choice between a $6M Drew or a $1M Kordell, I'd take Slash every time. No way could he be any worse, and even if he is no better we save millions.

Yes...he could be worse...and he usually has been.