2009 Cap

[Keith]

PFT believes they have peeked at some cap room #s 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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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/9...llion-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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

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]

Originally Posted by Keith

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.

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.

Originally Posted by nunusguy

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]

Originally Posted by Keith

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]

Originally Posted by Roy P

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]

Originally Posted by NBT

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. 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]

Originally Posted by 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. 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]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

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! 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]

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.