Combine Update

I agree with the Star Telegram, Vinateri depending on price, and then Longwell or Bryant.

Javon Walker is a great WR, a #1 that everyone is looking for. We could be looking at 2007 WRs:
- Javon Walker
- Dwayne Jarret or Jeff Samardzija
- Patrick Crayton

On the Combine they showed Parcells watching the OLine closely with one of the Patriots personall, i cant think of his name, and Jerry Jones talking to Butch Davis on the side, so they are there.

The problem with the Skins is that even if there is a CBA, they are still over the cap. I saw a number that put them $22 million over this year’s cap. From what I am reading, the owners and NFLPA is very close in agreeing to adding $8-10 million on each team’s cap number. The sticking point seems to be the owners and revenue sharing. It would be a damn shame to have an uncapped 2007 and a possible strike because of owners and sharing revenue!!!! …

Well, the Javon Walker situation makes me think that now really Bill shouldn’t sign Bentley, Javon’s going to cost alot when his time arrives and Bentley’s cap situation and the future contracts to Roy Williams, Witten and B. James would make nearly impossible his landing.

Him and Samardzija in the same field would be quite a sight…

BTW, EricR, great writing in your post, I would also take Fabini over Ashworth as Fabini would be a big upgrade at pass protection and mammoth upgrade at run blocking.

Chandus,

Thanks.

Proven pass rushers are always difficult to locate in free agency and, with even just a cursory glance at the pool of “edge” defenders who could become available when the signing period commences March 3, it appears this year will be no different.

In fact, perhaps the best sack man likely to be in a free agent isn’t yet expected to be available. But keep an eye on developments next week with New England linebacker Willie McGinest, the respected 12-year veteran whose résumé includes 78 sacks, and who might be an 11th-hour addition to the unrestricted free agent roll call.

Regarding Javon Walker cashing in as a free agent next year, I read somewhere that if 2007 is an uncapped year it changes how free agency works. 6 years of NFL service would be required to be an “Unrestricted” free agent. I think that would give him only 5 years making him an RFA is 07 is uncapped. I also believe that with out the CBA all signing bonuses are prorated over a max of 4 years and and players cannot begiven more than a 30 % raise from the previous year (only applies to players under contract not free agents.) Not sure about my accuracy here but i think I’m pretty close.

Stax,

You are correct that Walker would not be a free agent in 2007, if there is no CBA extension. However, the ‘30% rule’ applies to all new contracts, not just to players under existing contracts.

Here is the language from Article XXIV, Section 8 of the CBA (Page 134), regarding the ‘30% rule’:

(b) No NFL Player Contract entered into in a Capped Year and extending into the Final League Year or beyond may provide for an annual increase in Salary, excluding any amount attributable to a signing bonus as defined in Section 7(b)(iv) above, of more than 30% of the Salary provided for in the Final Capped Year, per year, either in the Final League Year or in any subsequent League Year covered by the Player Contract. For example, without limitation on any other applicable example, if neither party exercises any right to cancel the extension of this Agreement, a four-year Player Contract signed in the 2003 League Year (assuming it is a Capped Year) may not provide for annual increase of more than 30% of the 2003 League Year Salary, excluding amounts treated as a signing bonus, in each of the three additional League Years covered by the Contract.

*Extension Agreement 2/25/98