2009 Cap

[jaimeg]

According to the Keith cap page, we'll have roughly 29 mil? Is that for real? Are Wong, Davis etc (the last of CCs regime), finally off the books? I know our free agency luck has sucked but no one seems to excited; so I am puzzled why this thread wasn't started last Monday. First priority hopefully is Dunta, but after that what? Who is out there that could help?

[Nconroe]

Good suggestion of something to analyze.

of course from the 29 mil we need to resign several of our own FA, not just Dunta, and rookies, but it should be over 10 mil if desired, although if team decides it is a down economic year, could be go slowly on this. FA in general seem a second choice to building through draft.

some of important dates are:
February 19 Last day for NFL teams to use their franchise tag
February 27 Free agent signing period begins

some top FA
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=09000d5d80835368&template=with-video&confirm=true

here is a good list of FA by position
http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/features/freeagents/fa.php?option=RB&y=2009
and
http://www.nowpublic.com/sports/2009-nfl-free-agents

or here with some analysis
http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html

[Bigtinylittle]

I think we can forget signing any of the top tier free agents. No way we use almost all our cap space on one player.

[Nconroe]

just wondering, would these guys fit in the budget and be helpful perhaps if available:
Nnamdi Asomugha CB Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Age: 27 , currently Oakland
Karlos Dansby OLB Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Age: 27, currently Arizona

[RunninRaven]

I'm sure Asomugha would be helpful, but I'm thinking he's going to get a big time payday, much like Peppers will. That, or he'll be franchised.

[Mike]

just wondering, would these guys fit in the budget and be helpful perhaps if available:
Nnamdi Asomugha CB Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Age: 27 , currently Oakland
Karlos Dansby OLB Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Age: 27, currently Arizona

Both of those guys will be franchised. They are their teams version of the Texans Dunta. Not way they let those guys get to free agency.

The Texans while they do have alot of cap room, but need to come to contract agreements with Owen Daniels, Dunta Robinson as well as extending Demeco. That will eat up some serious cap dollars. We will still have money to spend though.

I doubt you will see big splash free agents, instead we will fill in gaps like last year. They will get a deal done with Dunta. It will cost them more than the Reeves deal. Our CB's next year will be Dunta, Reeves, Fred and Molden.

[Keith]

As we work our way through the next two months of the offseason, I'm sure I'll offer more details on my thoughts on the front page of the site. For now though, I think Mike is right.

One other thought I have not seen discussed much anywhere... 2009 is the last capped year. This is very similar to the situation a few years ago before the CBA was extended, but I have heard very little via the media in terms of upcoming extension talks between the owners and the union. Perhaps this has quite a bit to do with the passing of Gene Upshaw.

Anyhoo, there were not any radical changes imposed with the last extension, but I wonder whether that will be the same after 2009. Regardless, I think it impacts how some teams handle free agency this offseason as some teams may look to structure UFA contracts.

Generally speaking, the Texans are in as good a position as ever to make whatever offseason moves they choose. That said, they are still probably somewhere in the middle of the pack in terms of cap room (considering too that they do not have 53 players signed yet) as several other teams have done exceptionally well in managing their salary caps as well.

I'd love to add Asomugha or Dansby - both were franchised last year I think - but I don't think either will hit the open market. Dunta ought to be f-tagged if not re-signed. F-tags usually suck for the player but could really benefit Dunta if he proves to be fully recovered in 2009 (and avoids any new injury, of course, the rub for f-tagged players).

In addition to the guys Mike listed, don't forget that Matt Schaub's option could be exercised or renegotiated during the 2009 cap year. Also, that dead money from Wong, Domanick, etc. may be gone, but there may be new dead money from Weaver, Greenwood, Demps, and Green, to name a few.

The Texans have also avoided holdouts (mostly because they sucked with underperforming players), but that could change this offseason as well with cap implications. Slaton is worth more than he is paid. Pitts is entering a contract year on a Pro Bowl alternate season. Walter has outperformed his current deal and will be a UFA after 2009 as well. Kris Brown (signed thru 2009) has also earned an extension as well. I doubt any will holdout, but the ingredients for doing so are there, DeMeco and Daniels included.

[Keith]

As we work our way through the next two months of the offseason, I'm sure I'll offer more details on my thoughts on the front page of the site.

Stephanie asked that I write something for her blog on chron.com... I did, but I posted it here too (http://www.inthebullseye.com/archive/2009/20090106.html) since I've been lagging on site updates through the holidays and my since-concluded vacation.

Towards the end of the thing I have a little more info on the state of the CBA negotiations, or lack thereof.

[Mike]

Keith,

Fantastic front page article. If you did not have a day job and this site, I would submit that you should write the Texans blog on the comical, with me as a co-writer. :D

[Nconroe]

seems a rookie cap might be a discussion item to prevent those exorbitant first round signing bonuses when unproven results.

[da Bull]

Keith,

Good write-up. Your research and presentation definitely put the financial "state of the Texans" into perspective. Sadly though, I guess that means we can't just put together a "free agent wish list" and go out and buy whatever we want since we've pretty much moved away from the Casserly "blunders".

Since this is the "speculative" time of year, what does your gut tell you about the direction of the CBA. You've spent the time to get a lot closer to this topic than any of the rest of us so I appreciate your insight. Thanks, and Happy New Year!

[Keith]

Keith,

Fantastic front page article. If you did not have a day job and this site, I would submit that you should write the Texans blog on the comical, with me as a co-writer. :D Yeah, my day job pays me way too well to give it up. And sadly, my free time between my day job and my job as a husband and father has caused me to turn down a few 'fun' offers... I simply lack the time to give a blog like that the time it deserves. I would like to be more active with this site, and hopefully that will be the case in the offseason through the draft.

I'd be open to periodically posting guest articles for the site though if they were well-written and offered a new perspective on the team.

seems a rookie cap might be a discussion item to prevent those exorbitant first round signing bonuses when unproven results.

Changes to the rookie cap is #2 on the owners' wish list for a new CBA after restructuing the overall financials of the labor agreement.

Since this is the "speculative" time of year, what does your gut tell you about the direction of the CBA. You've spent the time to get a lot closer to this topic than any of the rest of us so I appreciate your insight.

I'm reminded of the popular rephrasing of Occam's razor in times like this where there seem to be so many possibilities of where this might go next. The bottom line is that too many teams are thriving and both sides have too much to lose in a work stoppage for something really wild and unforeseen to happen.

So while I expect this to get uglier than the last negotiation three years ago (with a more unified ownership and an eager new NFLPA director), ultimately I still think this will get resolved with the majority of the existing CBA, including the salary cap, in tact before March 2011, maybe even by March 2010 like Upshaw had hoped. Neither side is completely satisfied, but that's part of what makes it a compromise.

[Keith]

Someone pointed out that this was a comment in one of John McClain's blogs (http://blogs.chron.com/nfl/2009/01/nfl_notebook_0103.html) a few days ago.


General,

According to Keith Weiland at inthebullseye.com: http://www.inthebullseye.com/cap2009.html

the available salary cap is $29,304,804. If you expect them to cut Ahman Green, add $2.8 million, Will Demps add $1.8 million and Greenwood add $3.2 million, that would come to approx. $37 million. Is this wrong? they don't expect to spend it all? What numbers do you have?

{Larry, I don't know anyone anywhere who knows exactly what teams have avaiilable under the cap unless they work for the team and have every salary available to them with all the clauses with bonuses and adjustments, etc. Uusally, they're several million off for a number of reasons, beginning with they -- and us -- don't know what teams are doing behind the scenes with contracts. The Texans will have more to spend than in the past, but they won't spend $30 mil guaranteed on a free agent. It's not their style. They'll use their money to re-sign their best players and then try to fill needs. They'll also keep money available for next season when injuries will cause them to sign players. Happy New Year. -- JOHN}



Posted by: Larry House at January 2, 2009 02:17 PM

I don't know who Larry is (anyone here?), but the response is interesting. John is mostly correct. He's right in that independent salary cap pages are almost always wrong. I say so myself on the page even. But they (ItB.com's and other amateur cap pages around the league) are more accurate than ever before.

One reason of course is that we understand the rules better, that helps. It also helps that there was a leak last spring that allowed several of us (myself included) to view all the details that seem to elude the media. Hopefully John and others will help us this spring in reporting (accurate) details of the new contracts signed.

[kravix]

I am not Larry. Plus I cannot even listen to the man on the radio let alone bring myself to read his blog regularly. I trust McClains knowledge, reporting skills, and investigation skills less than my 2 year olds.

McClain's entire response was more to discredit the poster and his sources. yes we understand the cap page here is off. Howver if you look at the cap page here on ITB and see the projected 3M under the capf or 2008, Keith is probably on the higher side rather than the lower side. Which means that the projected 30M for 2009 could really be 33M plus cuts. Also John pointed out that the team wouldnt guarantee 30M to a single player, of course they wont. They may spend it over 3-5 years but not in a single year.

I have no designs for a big FA spash this year, or any year for that matter. FA money is typically not worth it. Add in the facts that Keith has already pointed out about the CBA and the FA market and signings could be rather odd this offseason. Some players will attempt to lock in and some will want good payoffs quick in hopes of an uncapped season. It will really depend on how greedy and selfish they are.

[Keith]

Some players will attempt to lock in and some will want good payoffs quick in hopes of an uncapped season. It will really depend on how greedy and selfish they are.

I think this is one reason why I am and have been so fascinated by Dunta's contract situation. Given his injury and inconclusive 2008 performance (by his own pre-injury standards), I had been thinking that the F-tag really might be the best way to go.

But if that means then trying to negotiate with Robinson's agent in an uncapped year after he (optimistically) has justified his full return to pre-injury form, then that would cost the team a whole heck of a lot more by using the F-tag.

It'd be a gamble by Robinson to come to the table next month asking for the moon knowing the F-tag might be the consequence, but it would certainly be a calculated one.

Owen Daniels is in a slightly similar position, different since he is a RFA and coming off his best season ever, injury-free. And really, same question can be applied for all those other '09 UFAs like DeMeco Ryans... do you pay them now under the current cap system when you have ample room to do so or do you wait until next year and follow the Domanick Davis lesson of why pay now when you can pay later? But if you wait, then there may not be a cap, at least for one year and maybe more.

It is a philosophical question for the front office, and I am very interested to find out what path they choose. This one offseason could have huge ramifications on the future of this team well beyond what happens on the field in 2009.

[papabear]

I think this is one reason why I am and have been so fascinated by Dunta's contract situation. Given his injury and inconclusive 2008 performance (by his own pre-injury standards), I had been thinking that the F-tag really might be the best way to go.

But if that means then trying to negotiate with Robinson's agent in an uncapped year after he (optimistically) has justified his full return to pre-injury form, then that would cost the team a whole heck of a lot more by using the F-tag.

It'd be a gamble by Robinson to come to the table next month asking for the moon knowing the F-tag might be the consequence, but it would certainly be a calculated one.

Owen Daniels is in a slightly similar position, different since he is a RFA and coming off his best season ever, injury-free. And really, same question can be applied for all those other '09 UFAs like DeMeco Ryans... do you pay them now under the current cap system when you have ample room to do so or do you wait until next year and follow the Domanick Davis lesson of why pay now when you can pay later? But if you wait, then there may not be a cap, at least for one year and maybe more.

It is a philosophical question for the front office, and I am very interested to find out what path they choose. This one offseason could have huge ramifications on the future of this team well beyond what happens on the field in 2009.

My guess is to do it now if you can is the best way to go. History (of the NFL) shows that salaries are only going to go up. We have some young talented players that I'm sure McNair wants to keep around. The owners are supposedly a united front on the CBA this time around, but if things go uncapped I can't imagine one or two wouldn't go on spending spree (read Jones, Jerry and Synder, Dan). That's only going to make negotiations that much more difficult.

With Dunta's injury I'm very tempted to use the F-tag if negations stall, but hopefully it never comes to that. There's nothing to stop these guys from demanding a new contract and threatening holdouts if a things go uncapped and they see lesser players, at least in their minds, cashing in. Either way, guys like Owen, Demeco, and Dunta are too important to not lock in.

[Roy P]

Who is out there that could help?

I'll ignore the financials for the moment and answer the question. I never really like to sign the highest salaries anyway.

1. Cut Ahman Green and look to draft Slaton's counterpart.
2. Cut Anthony Weaver and sign Jovan Haye from Tampa Bay.
3. Cut Morlon Greenwood and go after Jonathan Vilma from New Orleans. If he's too expensive - get another LB in the draft.
4. Cut Will Demps and inquire about the services of Sean Jones from Cleveland. Otherwise we keep our fingers crossed and hope that Mays or Moore is available when we pick.
5. Jason Brown can play RG or OC from the Ravens and I would look at his price tag closely.

[Bigtinylittle]

I don't know Jason Brown, but if he isn't a ZBS kind of guy I don't see us going after him. The same goes for any bruiser type running backs in the draft. I definately expect us to draft a running back, but it could easily be another Slaton type. Also, we don't save much by cutting Weaver so I expect him to stay. I expect Green, Greenwood and Demps to be history.

[NickO]

I don't know Jason Brown, but if he isn't a ZBS kind of guy I don't see us going after him.

Just a couple points:
1) All teams have some sort of zone-blocking in their offenses, so the skill itself doesn't bother me as much as the coordination with other linemen.
2) No idea of his agility, but Brown's a big boy (6'3", 320lbs). Myers certainly had trouble holding the point of attack at times this season, and with Henderson/Haynesworth in the division (at least for now), it's something to think about.
3) Myers is cheap (4yrs, $11MM, $3MM bonus), durable, and has 16 games of experience with the same linemen.

[Roy P]

Just a couple points:
2) No idea of his agility, but Brown's a big boy (6'3", 320lbs). Myers certainly had trouble holding the point of attack at times this season, and with Henderson/Haynesworth in the division (at least for now), it's something to think about.

Brown could also play RG.

As for his agility...he was in the 2005 draft class. At the Combine his numbers were.....

1.85 - 10 yard split
4.52 - Shuttle
7.72 - Cone

If you compare those numbers to Chester Pitts' Combine of the following:

1.84 - 10 yard
4.81 - Shuttle
7.84 - Cone

then, you might think he could do a decent job along the Offensive line in a ZBS under Gibbs.

[Keith]

Just to show that the Texans' 2009 cap room is nothing special, here's a clip from Adam Schefter's blog on today's playoff teams:
Arizona — Projected to be at least $41 million under the salary cap, the money will go quickly. The Cardinals face two significant issues.
Quarterback Kurt Warner is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent, as is linebacker Karlos Dansby. Plus, wide receiver Anquan Boldin, defensive tackle Darnell Dockett and safety Adrian Wilson all want more money. Who doesn't?

Carolina — A mere $10 million under the 2009 salary cap, the Panthers could use another franchise tag. Both defensive end Julius Peppers and offensive tackle Jordan Gross are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents, and either will land a bounty if he doesn't have the franchise tag.

Baltimore — At $25 million under the salary cap, the Ravens would seem to have plenty of flexibility. Problem is, each of their three starting linebackers — Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott — are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. Baltimore can franchise only one. Chances are, Scott is the most likely to leave.

Tennessee — The Titans have left themselves $30 million under the salary cap, but it will go quickly. Quarterback Kerry Collins and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth are scheduled to become free agents, and Tennessee is banned from using its franchise tag on Haynesworth.
http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/01/10/saturdays-contenders-in-good-shape-for-2009/

A couple names mentioned though that might be interesting if the Texans wanted to spend big this offseason.

[jcp]

Just to show that the Texans' 2009 cap room is nothing special, here's a clip from Adam Schefter's blog on today's playoff teams:

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/01/10/saturdays-contenders-in-good-shape-for-2009/

A couple names mentioned though that might be interesting if the Texans wanted to spend big this offseason.

Yeah, here's to hoping that Carolina tags Gross over Peppers.

Imagine a line with Peppers and Mario...then pick up Mays or Moore in the draft and we might have ourselves a decent D

[Bigtinylittle]

Just a couple points:
1) All teams have some sort of zone-blocking in their offenses, so the skill itself doesn't bother me as much as the coordination with other linemen.
2) No idea of his agility, but Brown's a big boy (6'3", 320lbs). Myers certainly had trouble holding the point of attack at times this season, and with Henderson/Haynesworth in the division (at least for now), it's something to think about.
3) Myers is cheap (4yrs, $11MM, $3MM bonus), durable, and has 16 games of experience with the same linemen.

Not to start an argument, but Gibbs is ZBS all the way. I know lots of teams use some ZBS but Gibbs has been quoted as saying going hybrid is a mistake. In other words, you MUST only go after linemen who are very quick and backs who are quick, have great vision, and don't like dancing around. If you look at the three players we added to the offense last year (Slaton, Brown, and Myers), they describe to a T what Gibbs is looking for, though Gibbs obviously would like a center with more core strength. If Jason Brown doesn't fit Gibbs' system, then he won't be here.

[gunn]

Yeah, here's to hoping that Carolina tags Gross over Peppers.

Imagine a line with Peppers and Mario...then pick up Mays or Moore in the draft and we might have ourselves a decent D


According to Lombardi, Carolina is nowhere close to a contract with Peppers and will almost assuredly use the tag on him.

[Keith]

More info on the last capped year and the potential of an uncapped year for those interested. In addition to noting some key rule changes to keep in mind, I found this angle I sorta alluded to in an earlier article:

It still appears that Kansas City chose to not rollover over $20M of Cap room into this year, perhaps figuring it would have “too much room.” It will be interesting to see if that rationale is tolerable to two groups of constituents that would like them to do whatever it takes to fix their ills: their fans and the Players’ Association.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/01/monday-money-matters-20/

The idea that some teams (mostly smaller market teams) spent so closely to the cap floor is evidence of a severe crack in the uniformity of the ownership. Worse still, I fear if something doesn't change with the new CBA, the NFL will lose some more of what makes it special in terms of trying to keep the field level between large market and small market teams.

[Fonz the Boss]

Quick question... If there is indeed an uncapped year and several big market teams choose to go on spending sprees for superstar free agents, what will happen if the next year is capped and these teams are already tied up with mega contracts for a few more years?.... Wouldn't they have to think about that? I think that even if there is an uncapped year, big market teams will be reluctant to offer huge contracts. Therefore, I dont think it's going to be too much of a factor..... Not unless they offer most of the salary in that uncapped year with a monumental signing bonus. A signing bonus that surpasses Peyton Manning's 34 million in 2004. I dont think too many owners will want to risk that much money.

[Keith]

If there is indeed an uncapped year and several big market teams choose to go on spending sprees for superstar free agents, what will happen if the next year is capped and these teams are already tied up with mega contracts for a few more years?
First, welcome. Not sure why you post in bold, it really isn't necessary.

As for what will happen should the cap return after an uncapped year, I have no idea other than I'm sure something will be considered in negotiations. It's been so long since the league first had a salary cap (1994), that I don't remember exactly how Year One went. It was different then though, because the cap came as a sort of negotiating item to even having free agency as I remember it, i.e. teams wrote contracts in '93 knowing that the cap was coming the next year (and even then some teams didn't know how to manage it, hence all the cap-strapped teams in the late 90s and early 00s).

The last time the CBA was extended (2006) would have been relatively equivalent to having it extended again during the first week of March 2009, which is to say that the extension happened just before the league opened the new year that would have been the last capped year.

Given the NFLPA still doesn't even have a director, I think it's a safe assumption that we'll be entering unfamiliar territory when free agency opens in another six weeks. That said, I imagine the owners will look to continue (or re-introduce) the cap at some point, and as such, I think spending will for the most part remain somewhat in line as if the cap were still in place. Granted, there will be some major exceptions, but in the scheme of things, there are probably far fewer 'haves' than 'have nots'.

[kravix]

Both sides have said that if an uncapped year were to happen then it is possible they may never go back. The players definatly wouldnt want to, but unless FA is addressed in the new agreement without a cap the owners can hold it over the players head to put a cap back in. It is kinda pointless to go uncapped and have no FA for the players.

[Keith]

From ESPN.com's AFC South blog (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-7-418/Cap-space-numbers-for-AFC-South-teams.html):

Tennessee Titans: $30 million under
Houston Texans: $19.2 million under
Jacksonville Jaguars: $15 million under
Indianapolis Colts: $3.8 million over

It differs from the ItB.com '09 cap page, but without more info from the blog, it's difficult to determine where the variances lie. It could be an interpretation issue, it could be something I'm missing.

As always, if anyone has input into the figures I have here, let me know. The #s were solid as of 10 months ago, so I can't imagine I'm too far off, but things can change, especially if something slipped the media.

[Keith]

Shadowy capologist AdamJT13 posted at KFFL what teams used the Philly Loophole (http://www.inthebullseye.com/archive/classic/20051017.html) to increase their 2009 cap space and by how much. Take the link (http://forums.kffl.com/showthread.php?t=245174) to read it in full detail (27 of the 32 teams took advantage of the loophole this year).

Pertinent to the Texans is this:
Houston -- $2,032,327
...
Houston -- Mike Brisiel $2,032,327

So, this is interesting for a couple reasons.
(1) The Texans finished the 2008 season somwhere shy of $3 million in available space (last credible figure I seem to remember having was around $2.41 million, yes the ItB.com page is a little out of date in that regard). The # above forwarded to 2009 shows a minimum of available space left in 2008.
(2) It obviously reflects some additional purchasing power in 2009, but it ranks around 21st if I counted down correctly, so please hold your cartwheels.
(3) In order to forward this sum, the Texans had to of renegotiated a contract with Brisiel... something which not surprisingly eluded our local media. Basically the team inserted a junk incentive very late in the season into Brisiel's contract; the extent to which the rest of his contract was altered is at this time unknown.

Brisiel had been scheduled to become a ERFA this offseason. The NFLPA currently shows him under contract for 2009 at a minimum base salary ($460k) for someone with his # of years. Other similarly situated players, like Earl Cochran, don't appear to have been tendered yet.

[Keith]

A few sites are trying to pull together cap data for all teams as they look ahead to the opening of the UFA signing window on 2/27. AsktheCommish is one such site, and like our cap page here, they acknowledge that the data is unofficial and compiled largely from NFLPA and "various media sources" (as I'm guessing USAToday and even ItB.com might qualify).

Anyhoo, the Texans rank 10th on this list with the most available cap room. I've seen another adjusted for the forwarded cap space from 2008 that ranks the team around 11th.

http://www.askthecommish.com/salarycap/numbers.asp

Most striking to me is that the Cardinals, defending NFC champs, are 2nd with roughly $41 million available. The Titans are 5th.

So while 11th puts the Texans closer to the middle of the pack than way out in front, it does represent the team's ability to re-sign all they players they choose. It also affords them an opportunity to take a hard look at other UFAs as well.

We are nearing the end of the calm here (if you discount the Outside the Lines thriller)... in another two weeks or so, we're going to be busting with some news.

[jppaul]

As long as we can afford to resign Dunta, Demeco, and Daniels, I am good.

[Keith]

I've updated the 2009 salary cap page to reflect some recent changes. I'm in a rush at the moment, but I'll probably write up something here later about key points, plus I plan to do one final clean-up of the 2008 cap page later tonight as well.

http://www.inthebullseye.com/cap2009.html

[Keith]

Some good news on the ItB.com '09 cap estimate....

PFT.com seems to think (http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/02/11/team-by-team-cap-numbers/#more-11223) they have solid info on all 32 teams' 2009 cap expenditures. For the Texans, they estimate $101 million (or about $22-23 million available) as of yesterday. I wish they would have reported this number out another couple of digits.

Regardless, since I would guess that this figure does not include the recently announced cuts of Green and Greenwood, that would lower the cap committments by $4.868 million for Greenwood and (roughly) $5 million for Green, for a total of about $10 million...

Meaning, with the PFT figure adjusted down to roughly $91 million, this falls very closely in line with the $91.4 million I have now on the ItB.com cap page.

[Nconroe]

Thanks again Keith for all this detail work and update to the 2009 cap nos.

I was wondering, the guys down on bottom of payscale , that were perhaps on practice squad, if they are cut, does that stay on cap or go away?

And just for discussion, if Demps were cut how much cap would that save?

[Keith]

For any players cut, the dead money remains. Cap-wise, a few of them don't really get a true signing bonus, sometimes just the standard workout bonuses. I don't detail each of these when they get cut, but I do keep track of them to sum their measly bonuses... they often add up to a couple hundred thousand or so.

As for Demps, if he were cut, the team would save the base salary of $2.35 million. The remaining bonus amortization for the final year of his contract would become $500k in dead money.

I think Demps (and possibly Weaver) haven't been cut yet because the team still feels like there's potential for him. With $30 million or so in cap room, there is no rush to move Demps since that base salary isn't guaranteed until Week 1. Might as well keep him through camp, especially since he (a) performed so well down the stretch in '07 and (b) might be worth keeping if the team needs bodies. Remember that C.C. Brown and Eugene Wilson are UFAs, at least at the moment.

[Keith]

I'll probably write up something here later about key points,

A couple things, mostly about Mario...
- It's official. Mario Williams is a badass. His performance to date has apparently allowed his contract to trigger a couple key functions, namely his ability to void the final two years (2010 and 2011). Fear not, per the original agreement, the Texans exercised the buyback option, but only at supercharged base salaries of $9.4 million and $13.6 million, respectively.

The buyback bonus is $8.5 million, and per my notes from a year ago, it was supposed to have been payable within two equal installments, the first on 3/15/2010 and the second one year later. Since it appears as though the option has already been bought back, I'm a little unclear as to whether this affects the 2009 cap right now. I don't think it does, which would be good if 2010 remains an uncapped year. Mario's cap figure will be ginormous in 2010 and 2011 if there is a salary cap.

- Chris Brown is still on the roster. I know, I'm surprised, too. He finished the 2008 season on IR, and apparently there was no injury settlement from what I can tell. Maybe he'll take care of the bug problem in the Reliant Stadium basement until the payroll glitch gets fixed.

Even though 2010 is looking like an uncapped year, I still intend to publish a 2010 cap page on the site when I get some time to put one together, hopefully in the next day or two. In spite of Williams' huge cap figure, the available cap space might have grown another $10 million or so. Given the # of teams with literally dozens of millions of cap room this year, I think it is a little easier to see why some owners think the players' piece of the pie is getting harder to stomach. Specific to the Texans... they have very little reason to "make it happen" when it comes to re-signing the UFAs and RFAs they want around (Dunta, Owen) and other key players (DeMeco, Pitts, Walter, K. Brown).

[papabear]

Keith- Wouldn't it make sense to sign Mario to a long term extension...maybe after this year, to spread out the cap hit?

[nero THE zero]

Keith- Wouldn't it make sense to sign Mario to a long term extension...maybe after this year, to spread out the cap hit?

You'd have to think he'd have Jared Allen/(new)Julius Peppers money coming to him. Regardless, I can't imagine an argument against signing him long term.

You gotta pay to have one of the best DE in the league.

[Keith]

Keith- Wouldn't it make sense to sign Mario to a long term extension...maybe after this year, to spread out the cap hit?

Well, cap hit may be irrelevant after this year. And an extension would mean more up front bonus money (probably in excess of the base salary). I think to avoid some uncapped year rules in '09/'10, they would probably wait until early 2011 or so to do this.

[cland]

The uncapped year is still a bit of a mystery to me. But to those who know more than I do, what prevents Mr. Mcnair setting this team up for the next 5-7 years in 2010?

My understanding is that 'signing bonuses' are amortized over the length of the contract. However 'roster bonuses' come directly out of the year in which they are given. Typically signing bonuses are used more often to spread the cap hit out over the ~5 years of the contract, however in the uncapped 2010 why not get all the cap hit out of the way?

So imagine next year:

Mario Williams - $50 million guaranteed + minimum salary over 7-year contract.
Demeco Ryans - $30 million guaranteed + minimum salary over 7-year contract.
Owen Daniels - $25 million guaranteed + minimum salary over 7-year contract.
Dunta, Schaub, Johnson, etc.

Don't worry about the numbers they can move up or down, but if that guaranteed payment is a roster bonus (and the value of the contract is what you would pay for those players down the road anyways) haven't you freed yourself of any meaningful cap restrictions that may come back in later years.

It's takes an early investment, but Houston is one of the most valuable franchises in the league. Assuming the cap comes back in 2011 in it's current form, the above players now cost you nothing.

Anyways, maybe there are some rules to prevent this type of activity. But it's interesting regardless.

[dalemurphy]

Keith, the number shrunk. after the two big cuts, I think the number was going to be about $37 million, you've got it at about $32 million right now- before counting Dunta. What happened? what was adjusted?

[Keith]

Keith, the number shrunk. after the two big cuts, I think the number was going to be about $37 million, you've got it at about $32 million right now- before counting Dunta. What happened? what was adjusted?
The # on the ItB.com cap page has not changed since Green and Greenwood were cut, so I'm not sure where the $37 million figure is coming from.

After the Greenies were cut, I heard a lot of fans trying to do their own cap calculations in their head... taking the "savings" reported in the media and adding it to a figure seen here or elsewhere. I discussed the misleading differences in the other Green-cutting thread (http://www.inthebullseye.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8015&postcount=15).

I think the biggest gray area I have right now on the cap page is the per game bonuses for Green last year... I need to figure out how those were accounted for in the cap. I think I might get my answer in another week or two when the cap adjustments come out, but if anyone out there has info, let me know.

[Keith]

The uncapped year is still a bit of a mystery to me. But to those who know more than I do, what prevents Mr. Mcnair setting this team up for the next 5-7 years in 2010?

Sorry I missed this... one thing that will restrict teams with the uncapped (and still CBA-governed) season upcoming in 2010 is the 30 percent rule.


What it does: Limits pushing future compensation into uncapped years.


How it works: A player's base salary plus his LTBE incentives from the last capped year multiplied by 30 percent equals the limitation value (uncapped years cannot increase higher than this value).

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Fans/Salary_Cap_101/SCFeature/Misc_Rules.aspx

[dalemurphy]

The # on the ItB.com cap page has not changed since Green and Greenwood were cut, so I'm not sure where the $37 million figure is coming from.

After the Greenies were cut, I heard a lot of fans trying to do their own cap calculations in their head... taking the "savings" reported in the media and adding it to a figure seen here or elsewhere. I discussed the misleading differences in the other Green-cutting thread (http://www.inthebullseye.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8015&postcount=15).

I think the biggest gray area I have right now on the cap page is the per game bonuses for Green last year... I need to figure out how those were accounted for in the cap. I think I might get my answer in another week or two when the cap adjustments come out, but if anyone out there has info, let me know.


Thanks for your time, Keith.

Before the cuts, we were $29.5 million under the cap. Every calculation I've seen adds at least $7 million in savings for the combination on Green and Greenwood. That's where I'm lost.

[Keith]

That $29M figure was a bit overstated in terms of cap room. Biggest reason why is because I only reflected guys under contract in 2009 as of last September or so.

There were a bunch of smaller salaried guys signed to the roster since then that account for the difference. Most of these players have cap figures of $310k or $385k, but with 12 or so added, that makes up more than $4 million of the difference.

I also lowered the cap estimate a bit from $124M to $123M (and added in a cap adjustment estimate of like $432k for the time being), and I updated Mario's base to show the extra $375k he's scheduled to earn in 2009, owed to him because I think he achieved some performance escalators or something.


ETA - I'll get the cap page updated later tonight I hope, but following Dunta's tagging (which technically still needs to be signed), the available cap room lowers to around $22.4 million, give or take a million or so, best guess.

[Roy P]

following Dunta's tagging (which technically still needs to be signed), the available cap room lowers to around $22.4 million, give or take a million or so, best guess.

Best guess.....Could we possibly sign Sean Jones or Gibril Wilson this offseason?

[Keith]

From a salary cap perspective? Yes. Plenty of room. The question becomes whether the player would want to come here and philosophically if the Texans wanted the player enough to make the top offer. Ahman Green, Jacques Reeves, Tony Weaver... these are the big signings from the Kubiak era to date. Is there something there that suggests the team might make a splash when UFA opens?

Looking ahead, with the tag deadline passed, I've gotta believe the Texans make offers to a few of their own in the next week, namely Eugene Wilson. Owen Daniels is due a RFA tender at a minimum and possibly a multi-year contract. There are others too.

Signing Dunta Robinson to a long-term contract would probably lower his 2009 cap figure significantly versus the $9.957M tag figure. Probably won't happen until July now though, if at all.

Bottom line is that the Texans have cap room, especially if they put off extending some of their players with expiring deals after this season (DeMeco, Pitts, Walter, etc.)

[papabear]

Bottom line is that the Texans have cap room, especially if they put off extending some of their players with expiring deals after this season (DeMeco, Pitts, Walter, etc.)

I would prefer to go ahead and get Demeco's deal done now.

[Keith]

I would prefer to go ahead and get Demeco's deal done now.

You know, this whole last capped year bit could be rough on players like Ryans (and maybe Daniels) since they'll still be RFAs when the contracts expire after this season. Does it mean they won't get extensions? Probably not, but I wonder how much of a priority the Texans will make it to work with him.

Players can hold out, that's their leverage. This has the potential of getting really, really ugly unless the owners and the union pound out a CBA extension.

btw, I have updated the 2009 cap page (http://www.inthebullseye.com/cap.html) and uploaded the 2010 cap page (http://www.inthebullseye.com/cap2010.html) for the first time. Let me know if something looks off, especially with the 2010 page since it's newest and most prone to error.

[dalemurphy]

You know, this whole last capped year bit could be rough on players like Ryans (and maybe Daniels) since they'll still be RFAs when the contracts expire after this season. Does it mean they won't get extensions? Probably not, but I wonder how much of a priority the Texans will make it to work with him.

Players can hold out, that's their leverage. This has the potential of getting really, really ugly unless the owners and the union pound out a CBA extension.

btw, I have updated the 2009 cap page (http://www.inthebullseye.com/cap.html) and uploaded the 2010 cap page (http://www.inthebullseye.com/cap2010.html) for the first time. Let me know if something looks off, especially with the 2010 page since it's newest and most prone to error.


Thanks Keith,

It looks like you left off all of our 2009 RFAs: Butler, OD, Dressen, Anderson... I guess they'd all be RFAs in an uncapped 2010 also, if they are only tendered this season.

[Nconroe]

Thanks for all the cap work Keith. does the eonomic pinch come into salary concerns for next year for sports or is it just a concern for us working folks. what if nfl revenue is down? even uncapped, may not be a salary boom.

[dalemurphy]

You know, this whole last capped year bit could be rough on players like Ryans (and maybe Daniels) since they'll still be RFAs when the contracts expire after this season. Does it mean they won't get extensions? Probably not, but I wonder how much of a priority the Texans will make it to work with him.

Players can hold out, that's their leverage. This has the potential of getting really, really ugly unless the owners and the union pound out a CBA extension.

btw, I have updated the 2009 cap page (http://www.inthebullseye.com/cap.html) and uploaded the 2010 cap page (http://www.inthebullseye.com/cap2010.html) for the first time. Let me know if something looks off, especially with the 2010 page since it's newest and most prone to error.



Keith, NFL.com published a story that 7 of this year's franchised players will become RFAs and only get a 10% raise next season if it's uncapped. It included Dunta as one of those players. However, it was quoting the rule that those are the players with less than 6 years of service. Unfortunately, next season will be Dunta's 7th. So, my question is:

If 2010 is uncapped can teams still use a franchise tag. If they can, then the Texans could still threaten it next season and use it as incentive for a long term contract. However, if there is no 2010 cap, then Dunta can look at this season as earning a quick $10 million, increasing his market value with good play, and then have the opportunity as a UFA to make a ton of money in the first uncapped season in 18 years....

So, what's the story, Keith?

[jppaul]

THey wouldn't need to use the franchise tag they could tender him the highest tender which a team can match but there is a prohibitve cost for that team.

[Keith]

does the eonomic pinch come into salary concerns for next year for sports or is it just a concern for us working folks. what if nfl revenue is down? even uncapped, may not be a salary boom.

The split of teams considered "haves" and "have nots" should only widen in a recession. Houston is a "have" though, so locally it shouldn't be a big concern. The effects of lower-than-anticipated NFL revenues ought to translate into a lower cap figure for each of the teams. And maybe that has already happened...? The 2009 cap was originally projected at $124 million for each team and now the estimate is at $123 million. I've not heard anyone say that is a reflection of the economy though, at least not yet.

Keith, NFL.com published a story that 7 of this year's franchised players will become RFAs and only get a 10% raise next season if it's uncapped. It included Dunta as one of those players. However, it was quoting the rule that those are the players with less than 6 years of service. Unfortunately, next season will be Dunta's 7th. So, my question is:

If 2010 is uncapped can teams still use a franchise tag. If they can, then the Texans could still threaten it next season and use it as incentive for a long term contract. However, if there is no 2010 cap, then Dunta can look at this season as earning a quick $10 million, increasing his market value with good play, and then have the opportunity as a UFA to make a ton of money in the first uncapped season in 18 years....

So, what's the story, Keith? Wow, good catch. I should fix the 2010 cap page for that. I think Schefter made a mistake with including Dunta on that list. I wondered if Dunta's IR/PUP seasons might have had an effect, but I think both seasons are still considered accrued. His IR and PUP (for football injuries) seasons should still be included.

As for this year's RFAs not being listed on the 2010 page, that was a purposeful omission... I don't list any free agents for more than one season as free agents. Once the tenders are known, I'll update the 2010 page in addition to the 2009 cap page.

And yes, teams can still use the tags in the uncapped year. The change in 2010 is that a team can have two transition tags plus the one franchise tag.

There is a ton of helpful info on the last capped and uncapped years in this blog entry from Chris Pika (http://wnst.net/wordpress/chrispika/2009/02/17/blog-tackle-explanation-of-last-capped-and-uncapped-years/), a former media relations guy from the Falcons who now blogs for Baltimore radio station's site. Lots of weird stuff... like try reading up on the Final Eight Plan, also in gory detail in the CBA (http://www.nflplayers.com/user/template.aspx?fmid=181&lmid=231&pid=549&type=c) and try to keep your head from spinning.

[Keith]

The 2009 cap was originally projected at $124 million for each team and now the estimate is at $123 million. I've not heard anyone say that is a reflection of the economy though, at least not yet.

More cap room than anticipated, and an interesting explanation as to why:

Because teams didn’t spend as much as they were supposed to under the collective bargaining agreement the past three years, teams were notified Wednesday that the salary cap will increase over $4 million to $127 million for this coming year, according to sources with two NFL teams. The collective bargaining agreement calls for cap adjustment down if teams spend over the cap in cash and adjustment up if they don’t spend up to the cap.

It defies the recession and logic, but just before free agency, teams actually will have more flexibility and salary-cap room. ...

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/25/salary-cap-is-expanding-for-2009/

ItB's cap pages have been updated to reflect this and the three cuts announced. I'll update the Rosenfels trade once it becomes official on Friday.

[Keith]

Some info on the cap floor on the front page of the site I wrote.

It's going to be interesting to see how a team like Tampa with their $60 million or so in cap room are going to reach the floor.

So, yeah, the Texans have lots of cap room. But consider that the CBA requires teams to spend to a cap floor. For 2009, that percentage is 87.6% of the salary cap, or $111.25 million.

Translation: in order to just to get to the salary cap floor, the Texans need another $12 million or so to clear the minimum. Wow, right?

http://www.inthebullseye.com/archive/2009/20090226.html

[jppaul]

THey almost have to sign Haynesworth just to get there.

[papabear]

I think some of the players are going to be in for a surprise when some of the small market teams start spending well bellow what would have been the minimum.

[Keith]

Shadowy capologist AdamJT13 posted at KFFL what teams used the Philly Loophole (http://www.inthebullseye.com/archive/classic/20051017.html) to increase their 2009 cap space and by how much. Take the link (http://forums.kffl.com/showthread.php?t=245174) to read it in full detail (27 of the 32 teams took advantage of the loophole this year).

Updating... AdamJT13 has posted the final adjusted cap amounts (http://forums.kffl.com/showthread.php?t=246796), and the Texans figure is $1,081,327. Since the team forwarded $2,032,327 via the LTBE loophole with Brisiel's extension, that means there were $951,000 in NLTBE incentives earned (the majority of which were for Mario, plus that lowered that forwarded amount.

So, bottom line is that with a $127.05 million cap in 2009, the Texans' actual starting cap space will be adjusted upward to $128,131,327 (http://www.inthebullseye.com/cap2009.html).

[Keith]

PFT believes they have peeked at some cap room #s (http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/04/22/salary-cap-space-as-of-april-22/) as of 4/22.
Houston Texans: $10.75 million.

The ItB.com cap page reflects about $14.4 million right now, and it hasn't been this far off in a long time (though 3% or so isn't too bad I guess). Not sure the source of the difference, but hopefully I'll get some cleaner info this summer.

[nero THE zero]

I don't understand how a team with ~$1M in cap room can function when it still has to sign its draft picks and inevitably sign street FA through the course of the season.

[Roy P]

I don't understand how a team with ~$1M in cap room can function when it still has to sign its draft picks and inevitably sign street FA through the course of the season.

They make cap casualties before June 1st, right?

[Keith]

There's no significance to June 1st this year with the expiring CBA.

But yeah, the teams are going to have to cut or restructure, but not until they are ready to actually ink the draft picks, which probably won't be until mid- to late-July for most teams.

What I can't understand re: the Texans cap is how they apparently lost another $2 million or so in cap room from the last report with no reported moves I haven't already accounted for. Something is either wrong or unreported.

With this possibly being the last cap year, it makes no sense to try to accelerate cap hits with the extra space for this year (since they are already above the floor), so I'm a bit lost at the moment. Hopefully this will get resolved in the next month or two.

[Keith]

Teams were informed by the league Wednesday that the 2009 cap is jumping by almost $1 million to $128 million, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told FOXSports.com. ...

The latest increase is $947,000. Aiello said the extra money, which resulted from accounting figures that were finalized in May, would normally be applied toward the following year's cap. That isn't possible for 2010 because this will be the final year of the cap unless the league reaches agreement with the NFL Players Association on a new CBA. ...


http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9577476/Source:-NFL-salary-cap-jumps-$1-million-to-$128M

I'll update the ItB cap page as soon as I resolve a hardware issue I'm experiencing.

[dalemurphy]

Keith,

In a conversation at texanstalk.com, it became clear that TJ will actually be a FA after this season. He signed an initial 5 year deal in 2005 and hasn't been re-upped. Apparently, the Chronicle story about his deal simply listed his base salaries wrong- starting them in 2007 instead of 2005.

I'm not 100% on this, but you may want to look into it. If he is a FA after this year, it certainly opens up the possibility of him not making this year's roster.

[Keith]

Keith,

In a conversation at texanstalk.com, it became clear that TJ will actually be a FA after this season. He signed an initial 5 year deal in 2005 and hasn't been re-upped. Apparently, the Chronicle story about his deal simply listed his base salaries wrong- starting them in 2007 instead of 2005.

I'm not 100% on this, but you may want to look into it. If he is a FA after this year, it certainly opens up the possibility of him not making this year's roster.

If you have links on any of this, send them my way or post them here. I honestly do not keep up regularly at tt.com, so I have no idea what's been discussed there.

That all said, here is what I know....

When Travis signed, it was widely reported as a 5-year contract. With his rookie year being 2005, that would logically mean that 2009 would be the final year of his deal. Technically, not true. Travis actually signed a 7-year contract with the final two years being voidable.

Travis' rookie contract has given me fits since the beginning, but I received some solid info on it a little over a year ago. What I had not known though, until your post, is that apparently those final two years (2010 and 2011) have been voided. In fact, the NFLPA still lists 2010 and 2011 as active for Travis... so either they are late in updating (not a first if so) or Travis has not had those last two 'dummy' seasons officially voided.

If they were voided, that could certainly explain why there was a sudden decrease in available cap room that I noted in an earlier post. Looks like it might account for about $1.4 million of it at least if that money needed to be accelerated.

The reason the Texans signed Travis to a 7-yr deal that was reported as a 5-yr deal was so that the team could prorate his option bonuses (yes, he had two of them with no true signing bonus) over those last couple years (2010 and 2011), thereby saving themselves some cap space up until this year. In case anyone is interested about voidable contracts, click here (http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Fans/Salary_Cap_101/Voidable_Contract.aspx).

So hopefully that explains ItB.com's understanding of Travis' contract situation a little more. I imagine Travis would want the final two years voided because it might seem appealing to hit the potentially uncapped year as a free agent, especially if he turns it on this year. I am guessing he expects to earn much more than his contracted base salaries of $1,352,500 in 2010 and $1,675,000 in 2011.

[nunusguy]

If you have links on any of this, send them my way or post them here. I honestly do not keep up regularly at tt.com, so I have no idea what's been discussed there.

That all said, here is what I know....

When Travis signed, it was widely reported as a 5-year contract. With his rookie year being 2005, that would logically mean that 2009 would be the final year of his deal. Technically, not true. Travis actually signed a 7-year contract with the final two years being voidable.

Travis' rookie contract has given me fits since the beginning, but I received some solid info on it a little over a year ago. What I had not known though, until your post, is that apparently those final two years (2010 and 2011) have been voided. In fact, the NFLPA still lists 2010 and 2011 as active for Travis... so either they are late in updating (not a first if so) or Travis has not had those last two 'dummy' seasons officially voided.

If they were voided, that could certainly explain why there was a sudden decrease in available cap room that I noted in an earlier post. Looks like it might account for about $1.4 million of it at least if that money needed to be accelerated.

The reason the Texans signed Travis to a 7-yr deal that was reported as a 5-yr deal was so that the team could prorate his option bonuses (yes, he had two of them with no true signing bonus) over those last couple years (2010 and 2011), thereby saving themselves some cap space up until this year. In case anyone is interested about voidable contracts, click here (http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Fans/Salary_Cap_101/Voidable_Contract.aspx).

So hopefully that explains ItB.com's understanding of Travis' contract situation a little more. I imagine Travis would want the final two years voided because it might seem appealing to hit the potentially uncapped year as a free agent, especially if he turns it on this year. I am guessing he expects to earn much more than his contracted base salaries of $1,352,500 in 2010 and $1,675,000 in 2011.

If Player participates in 60% or more of the offensive plays (excluding special teams) during any one of the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Regular Seasons,


AND


Player is on the active 80-man roster on the 23rd day preceding the first day of the 2004 League Year, then Player"s 2004 contract becomes null and void, at the Player's discretion. Player must notify the Club of his void decision on or before the 24th day preceding the first day of the 2004 League Year, through written notice via certified mail.

************************************
I'd thought these years were voidable at the option of the team, but guess in
some situations it's the player under contract who has the option to void a
year(s) in an existing contract ?

[Keith]

The earlier part nunusguy quoted is from sample contract language taken from the link I provided on voidable contracts. It is not Travis' contract, but it is possible that it might be very similar if you update the years appropriately.

I'd thought these years were voidable at the option of the team, but guess in
some situations it's the player under contract who has the option to void a year(s) in an existing contract ?
Yes. Remember, that this was a first round contract signed, so it's not like it is normal relative to other rookie contracts.

Also, recall that the Texans' decision to bring back Carr before the 2006 season was because they executed a 'buyback' option ...after Carr had voided the end of his contract due to performance.

The difference here from Carr is just that there is no buyback option for the voided years.

[Roy P]

The difference here from Carr is just that there is no buyback option for the voided years.

The Shaun Cody signing is looking better and better.

[Bigtinylittle]

The Shaun Cody signing is looking better and better.

I'm not particularly concerned about whether TJ stays or he goes. I know a lot of fans are mad at him and want him gone because we essentially wasted a first round pick on him. But that was then and this is now, as the saying goes.

To me, the players who really hurt a franchise are those who get seriously overpaid. Like Carr, Green, Weaver, Greenwood, etc. Those guys eat up a lot of cap and make it hard to bring in free agents. Guys like TJ are not putting us in that situation.

The player who by far concerns me the most right now is Dunta. He hasn't shown yet that he can come back to his earlier form. If we gamble that he can, we may end up overpaying him by millions and millions. That's why I can't understand why there's a single Texans fan who believes we ought to sign him right now. Even if he gets back to his former level he won't exactly be a bargain. The kind of money he's reportedly asking for should buy pro bowl type talent.

[NBT]

IIRC we traded down with NOLA and got an extra 3rd the year we took TJ. He has never been on my favorites list, that's for sure. Unles Kolar can do something with him it wouldn't bother me any if we put TJ in our rear view mirror.

[nunusguy]

IIRC we traded down with NOLA and got an extra 3rd the year we took TJ.

With which we used to draft Eric Winston in 2006, who some might argue would by himself become a first round or near first round value in his own right ?

[Keith]

The long awaited update to the cap page is complete. I've temporarily resolved a hardware issue I was having and have resumed my reluctance to acquire new software on my laptop to make my life easier. :p Who knows, maybe at some point I might actually write something new for the front page of the site.

NFLPA still shows the last two years of TJ's contract (i.e. not voided), so I haven't changed his cap figure yet. Even if I did and my estimate there was close, I think I'm still missing a million or two cap dollars for someone else.

[dalemurphy]

The long awaited update to the cap page is complete. I've temporarily resolved a hardware issue I was having and have resumed my reluctance to acquire new software on my laptop to make my life easier. :p Who knows, maybe at some point I might actually write something new for the front page of the site.

NFLPA still shows the last two years of TJ's contract (i.e. not voided), so I haven't changed his cap figure yet. Even if I did and my estimate there was close, I think I'm still missing a million or two cap dollars for someone else.

On HOustontexans.com TV, Kubiak made mention that this is a contract year for TJ... So, one way or another, I think it's clear that the team has an ability to easily get out of his contract after this season.

[painekiller]

On HOustontexans.com TV, Kubiak made mention that this is a contract year for TJ... So, one way or another, I think it's clear that the team has an ability to easily get out of his contract after this season.

TJ himself said it was a contract year, so something has been done to last 2 years already.

[Keith]

Okay okay... you beat me down! :p Someone just needs to get a memo to the NFLPA that they're missing the update. Hopefully their focused on CBA negotiations instead.

My hardware issue cropped up again, but once it's resolved (hopefully in the next couple days this time), I'll change the contract status to 2009 and accelerate the 2010-11 bonus prorations.

[kravix]

Just looked at the updated page. Thanks a ton Keith for all your hard work.

A few things that jump at me.

*Pitts, Chester 2009 $4,380,000 $1,810,000 $6,190,000

I like Chester, and I think he is a very good OG, but that seems pretty steep, especially since we have a RT that is pro bowl caliber, IMO, that is gettin 1M less than him.

*Johnson, Travis 2009 $1,030,000 $2,529,500 $3,559,500

I like TJ to, and I think that he has played some very good football for us the last 2 years. I also hope the scheme is changed enough that he is no longer asked to do what he definatly wasnt built for. I know this is the end of his rookie contract, and I would be suprised if he got anywhere close to this next year.

*Davis, André 2011 $2,100,000 $900,000 $3,000,000

Again I like him, but he is the 3/4 WR on the roster. Granted his return skills have been nice at times, he is the #1 behind AJ, and he produces on the field when he hits it.

*Wilson, Eugene 2011 $1,850,000 $1,090,000 $2,940,000

Really?

*Walter, Kevin 2009 $1,500,000 $500,000 $2,000,000

Too bad he wont be this cheap next year. Glad for him that he will almost double his salary though.

*Ryans, DeMeco 2009 $445,000 $851,250 $1,296,250

Rookie contract, I would be pissed to after how well he has played.

*Brisiel, Mike 2009 $460,000 $0 $460,000

It sure is nice to start, but I bet it would be nicer to get paid like one.

*Bulman, Tim 2009 $460,000 $0 $460,000

Another double the salary guy next year.

*Slaton, Steve 2011 $370,000 $166,097 $551,097

Another year like last one and I would root for his holdout like crazy. RB's dont get alot of time in the leage and he should get paid.

[Keith]

*Pitts, Chester 2009 $4,380,000 $1,810,000 $6,190,000

I like Chester, and I think he is a very good OG, but that seems pretty steep, especially since we have a RT that is pro bowl caliber, IMO, that is gettin 1M less than him. Pitts ought to be a prime candidate for an extension under normal CBA (and cap constrained) circumstances, but the Texans aren't hurting for cap room this year, so there's no urgency. Assuming he's still in the team's long-term plans (and I have every reason to believe he is at this point), I imagine Pitts will re-sign before he ever hits the market. Then again, with 2010 being uncapped, I'm sure Pitts and his agent will be looking for this much and more in a new contract.

Everything about the Texans' actions right now seems to indicate to me that they do not expect a new CBA soon and at least for 2010 to be uncapped.

And I like Winston, but 2008 was not a stellar year for him, much less Pro Bowl caliber. Hope he has it in him, but I think he should have something to prove in 2009.

[Keith]

From Kuharksy's ESPN.com AFC South blog: The Texans' biggest cap number belongs to Matt Schaub ($10.25 million, 8 percent of their cap) and the most dead money is tied up in Anthony Weaver ($5.4 million, 4.2 percent).
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-10-230/Biggest-cap-hits-and-dead-money.html


Here's what each team currently has remaining under the $127 million cap, with details on the one big remaining expense:
Jacksonville: $19.304 million (six draft picks to sign)
Tennessee: $12.9 million (two draft picks to sign)
Houston: $9.72 million (four draft picks to sign)
Indianapolis: $7.47 million (eight draft picks to sign)

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-10-231/Current-cap-room.html

So I have the biggest cap figure and dead money hit correct on the ItB.com cap page, but I am still off, but only by less than $1 million, or about 0.72%. I am late in adding Glove's new contract, which might lessen the gap a little bit, but not much.

[bckey]

Do the Texans have enough cap room to pay Dunta nearly $10 million if he signs the agreement for the franchise tag?

[cadams]

i am guessing that is factored in to that number, but that is just a guess.

[Keith]

Do the Texans have enough cap room to pay Dunta nearly $10 million if he signs the agreement for the franchise tag?
Yes, tendered amounts are already reflected on the cap, even if they are unsigned. The available cap room would increase by almost $10 million if the tender was rescinded.

Given the four unsigned rookies, once signed, they will probably lower the cap room by another $3 million or so. I haven't done any estimates, but in case anyone is concerned from that angle, don't be. There is plenty of cap space for them... the question is really just fitting them under the rookie cap, which probably shouldn't be all that concerning either, esp since the team didn't draft a cap-busting QB or anything.

[bckey]

We still have Owen Daniels and DeMeco Ryans to sign also.

[Keith]

We still have Owen Daniels and DeMeco Ryans to sign also.
Yes, but both are already on the cap this year with $2.8M and $1.3M cap figures, respectively.

It's possible (though maybe unlikely) Daniels' 2009 cap figure could decrease a little with a new contract. Ryans' would almost certainly go up if re-signed before the end of the season, but the larger cap figures would most likely come in future years (assuming there is a cap, of course).

[bckey]

Sounds like the Texans are in pretty good cap shape this year. Thanks Keith.

[Keith]

Info on the timing of the option bonus for Matt Schaub coming up, courtesy of a former front office employee of the Redskins (via Kuharsky's blog):
"...the Texans have until the 5th day after the 2009 League Year Super Bowl (Feb. 2010) to exercise the option for 2010-2012 contract years. For the purpose of salary cap accounting, the option is assumed exercised and the proration currently counts against the cap. However, if they choose to not exercise the option, the club will receive a credit for the option as there is no non-exercise fee paid to Schaub if they choose to not exercise."
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-10-239/Clarifying-Schaub-s-cap-number.html

Thanks to aj_ for asking Kuharsky to clarify what has apparently mystified the media in recent months...