Yikes (re: Keith's new article)

[nero THE zero]

http://www.inthebullseye.com/archive/2009/20090708.html

...Slaton could be looking forward to guarantees in the neighborhood of $19 million and possibly more, especially if the Texans continue to leave themselves bereft of alternatives and in a weakened bargaining position.

That’s some serious cash, even for a billionaire like owner Bob McNair, particularly when it's combined with his other big cash outlays, such as the $12.5 million guaranteed to defensive lineman Antonio Smith in March, the $10 million option bonus due to quarterback Matt Schaub after the season ends, and the more than $30 million owed to Mario Williams in 2010 and 2011 before his rookie contract expires and is likely extended.

Toss in the new contract money expected by Robinson, Ryans, and Daniels as well as the money to be negotiated by guard Chester Pitts and receiver Kevin Walter, and it becomes a lot harder to willingly sign Slaton to such an amount, even if he has earned the right to ask for that much.

I knew we had some money to pay after this season, but I never realized the situation was this dire. Those are a lot of top contributors fixing to get paid in the 2010 offseason. Assuming (hoping) the CBA gets worked out (which isn't looking promising,) it makes you wonder if we can afford to keep all our guys while maintaining a reasonable cap number. I don't think we can.

I think the guys who are expendable are the role guys like Pitts and Walter, which hurts to say because they are usually the most admirable. But, it's a lot easier to replace a Kevin Walter than it is to replace a DeMeco Ryans.