I’ve managed to update the Future Years page, which is something that’s LONG overdue. It can be accessed by either clicking the link in the header or by following this link:
http://www.coltscap.net/futures.php
As usual, if you see any errors, please let me know so I can correct them.
- BAV -
The Cap Usage charts should be accurate as of today. They can be accessed via the tab at the top of the page or by following this link:
http://www.coltscap.net/usage.php
The chart titled ‘Total Cap Charges by Position’ includes the dead money currently counting against the cap. The chart titled ‘Average Cap Usage by Position per Active Player’ however, does not.
In a recent article on ESPN.com, John Clayton covered his 5 best and 5 worst teams ready to weather the storm that is the potential uncapped 2010 NFL season. It should be noted that though the likeliness of an uncapped 2010 season followed by a lockout in the 2011 season is fairly small, and that this article is mostly opinion, Clayton still raises a few noteworthy and informational points:
Reviewing the “Future Years” page created at this site, the notable Colts eligible (meaning they have accrued the minimum six NFL seasons) for Unrestricted Free Agency in the 2010 season will include:
If the 2010 uncapped season becomes a reality, look for teams not named Indianapolis to make free agent moves to bolster their team for a “one and done” Super Bowl run.
In a move that few will be concerned with outside of this website, the Colts have signed undrafted free agent Adam Crossett to a two year deal, according to the Missourian. The two year has each year being the league minimum ($295,000 in 2008 and $385,000 in 2009). Should Crossett make it to a third year, he would then be an exclusive rights free agent and likely tendered again for a third year at veteran minimum. Under the Rule of 51, this signing does not affect the team’s salary cap room.
According to the Missourian, Crossett said that he believed he was signed because of his ability to handle all three kicking roles; punting, field goals, and kickoffs. Such a role is uncommon in the NFL but not unique. In 2006, the Falcons used Punter Matt Koenen on punt, kickoffs, and field goals. The experiment was met with moderate success, with Morten Anderson eventually being signed for shorter range field goals and Koenen remaining on to kick those outside of Anderson’s range, as well as to punt and kickoff.
While Crossett said he felt that his best chance to make the team was to unseat incumbent punter (and NFL’s most accurate holder), it’s my belief that his best opportunity is that of a kickoff specialist. The team has showed little resistance in the past to carrying two kickers with Mike Vanderjagt (despite using an extra roster spot), and age may be catching up to Vinatieri in terms of distance. Further, having a second player to ease the stress on Vinatieri’s leg during the course of the season may also lead to a decrease in the types of leg injuries that Vinatieri suffered through in 2007. Further hampering the likelihood that Crossett would be able to unseat Smith (despite both Bill Polian and Tony Dungy being visibly upset at Smith in 2007 for at time outkicking the coverage) is that Smith also doubles as the holder on field goals. While seemingly a simple job, the chemistry between a holder and the kicker can be finicky and not always easily replaced.
However, before we put the cart before the horse on this matter, Crossett must first prove worthy of a roster spot, which may be an interesting story line should he last through training camp.
The following players are slated to become Free Agents following the 2008 football season:
Unrestricted Free Agents
Restricted Free Agents
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
* - Projected Starter
†- Projected Training Camp Cut
So, I finally got off my lazy busy rear and updated the Salary Cap Page.
As usual, let me know if anyone finds anything incorrect.
John Clayton of ESPN.com is reporting that the Colts have a 2008 Rookie allotment of $3,305,300.
The rookie allotment is essentially a cap within the cap; rookie contracts still have to fit within the original salary cap as well as the rookie allotment. In other words, the Colts aren’t receiving an extension of their cap space by $3.3mil, rather that amount is being carved out of their existing cap space.
However, there is one inaccuracy (somewhat) in Clayton’s report. He states that “All rookies, including undrafted rookies, have to fit within the assigned rookie pool.” That’s not entirely accurate. The CBA provides that:
(b) For the purposes of this Article XVII, the Salary of any Undrafted Rookie shall count toward the Club’s Rookie Allocation only to the extent that it exceeds the then Applicable Minimum Active/Inactive List Salary for that player.
As most UDFA’s are signed to a three year deal at vet minimum with little to no signing bonus, they are essentially irrelevant in terms of the Rookie Allocation. The only time they may impact the rookie allocation is in the event of a minuscule signing bonus (Darrell Reid for example, got a signing bonus of $2,000). In that case, only the $2,000 and not the full contract is included in the Rookie Allocation.
Our friend Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star is reporting that RB Dominic Rhodes has re-signed with the Colts. According to Chappell, Rhodes will receive “about $650K ” in a one year deal.
Under the CBA, a player with four or more credited seasons (and thus a player ineligible to be a Restricted Free Agent) may sign a one-year contract that qualifies under what is called the ‘Minimum Salary Benefit’. To qualify for this benefit, the contract must be for the veteran minimum base salary as required based on the players experience and up to $40K in bonus money. However, when the contract is accounted for under the salary cap, the actual salary cap figure is that of the veteran minimum of a player with two credited seasons (which in this year is $445K) plus any amount of bonus money the player received.
Rhodes, a player with six credited seasons, would have a required veteran minimum salary of $605K for 2008. Thus, Rhodes would only be eligible to receive up to $645K in total salary to be eligible for the Minimum Salary Benefit ( $605K base salary + $40K in bonus money). I suspect that “about $650K” actually equates to $645K + $5K in agent rounding and posturing.
If Rhodes signed a contract that qualifies for the minimum salary benefit with $40K in bonuses, then his 2008 cap hit is ‘only’ $485K despite the contract being worth $645K to Rhodes. Under the rule of 51, the contract would also push out a contract valued at $370K, resulting in a net reduction of the salary cap room by only $115K.
This is not the first time the Colts have used this benefit plan to get a player for less than full value. Last year the Colts carried four such players; Rocky Boiman, Dan Klecko, Aaron Moorehead, and Mike Seidman. Rhodes is the first player of significance to sign such a contract for 2008, with punter (and likely camp fodder) Stanley Benjamin signing such a contract earlier in the offseason.
Welcome back to Indy Dom.
ESPN is reporting that the Colts have cut ties with Dylan Gandy (G) and Bryan Fletcher (TE). The move would save approximately $1,114,000 against the 2008 salary cap. Both players were given the lowest tender at a base salary of $927,000 each.  While both players were expected to compete for a starting position this year, the G/C/TE heavy draft indicates that the team is confident in those positions with lower paid players and has decided to conserve cap room instead of keeping on two higher paid players as backups.
Under the Rule of 51, both players will be replaced with two players having a base salary of $370,000, making the resulting difference the $1,114,000 in savings.
- BAV -