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?...o&confirm=true

here is a good list of FA by position
http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/featu...tion=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]

Originally Posted by 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

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.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by jaimeg

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by NickO

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/satu...hape-for-2009/

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

[Bigtinylittle]

Originally Posted by NickO

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by kravix

*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/...ead-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/...-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]

Originally Posted by bckey

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.