New Salary Cap Rules Likely To Change How NFL Operates

The bonuses are what always seem to bite a team in the backside. We can never get rid of players because of their bonuses (Barber, Roy). I’m sure the player’s aren’t very happy about this.

One question I have OCC, do you think players (even middle tier players) will get more guaranteed money to replace the lost bonuses of years past?

Over the last few years, it’s come to be recognized that the guaranteed portions of NFL contracts (which typically meant the signing bonuses) were much more important than the ‘headline’ dollars and years figures. An announced “6 year, $80 million” contract might have $15 million salaries in each of the last two years that the player would never see.

I think you’re generally right in that we’ll see a decrease in the huge signing bonuses for the sake of long-term pro-ration. The Cowboys seem to have been near the forefront of the new contract trend of ‘partially’ guaranteed deals which either front-load a contract tremendously a la Miles Austin or guarantee part or all of the annual salary figure for early years of the deal.

I think it will also be tougher for more successful teams to build quality ‘starting depth’ (e.g. having 22 starters who all belong on an NFL field, as opposed to straight ‘roster depth’ of having quality backups at a lot of positions). Think about the Cowboys trying to resign Sensi – an average, relatively capable NFL strong safety. Under the old system, there may have been some competition for his services but teams weren’t going to be too likely to offer a really above-market deal for a guy who’s not going to be a difference-maker. Under the new system, a ‘naturally’ under-spending team who might have been content to sit out that bidding and roll with a $95MM salary pool now needs to spend $112MM, and would be far more likely to throw crazier dollars his way.

The other really fascinating aspect will be the timing of signings in the free agency period – especially this first one when so many teams need to spend extra to get ‘up to code’. I imagine the huge-money deals for the premier guys will happen at the outset as usual. But if you’re somebody like a Jason Hatcher, do you sign a 4 year $10 million deal in the first week of free agency, or do you wait and hope somebody will throw an extra $3 or $4 million at you in the first year or two of your deal just because they need to per the new rules – taking the chance that teams may fill up their needs and leave you begging for scraps? When players and GMs are willing to execute different kinds of deals will be fascinating to watch.

I’ve already read that Tampa could be a darkhorse candidate for him. If they are as low as what everyone is saying, they could give him QB-type money just to get above the minimum salary cap.

I don’t know about everyone else, but that is a little discouraging. This isn’t communist Russia. Not every team is supposed to field the same product. I understand giving every team a shot every year, which in theory should allow for those technically weaker team’s fans more opportunity for a pleasurable year, but it just doesn’t sit well with me. This is American Football, if you want to be the best, then you work to become it. And if you achieve it, you fight to keep it, and earn the resources to keep it going. And if you have positioned yourself well and are willing to spend more than the next guy, then you should be allowed to do so. I do not believe that this CBA will eradicate this ideal, but it is definitely a step in that direction. If every team in the league spent the exact same amount, by requirement, it means that talent levels among teams will level off… and I suppose that you could say that these are pros and that they should just have a drive to win, but I think that you lose a little of what makes the NFL the NFL. There is a reason why talented players want to play for the Pats, the Colts, the Cowboys etc with a collection of talent, instead of the Bills. I think this is a step in the direction to eliminate that… I for one find it discouraging.

This is akin to those little league soccer matches were after they play, they declare everyone winners because they don’t want to hurt the feelings of kids that lost, so they are all winners just by playing. Everyone is afraid of the spirit of competition, and it’s ridiculous. If you don’t want to lose, than work harder than the next guy. Period. And if you still loose, then instead of crying about it, get back to work and do what it takes to get better.

I mean like how do they roll this out? Cause this would mean throwing MONEY at guys just so you spend up to your low number, despite the presumed talent or lack there of in the guy your are “buying”.
And if you come under the cap (every year there are injury settlements and the rest of that salary is not paid) so do they put that money into a “penalty tax” on the team or do they give bump-up incentives to players who contributed more than expected?
It sure seems to me that there needs to be a plan in place for contract years for the new TV deals because if revenue jumps $50 million dollars how are you going to accomplish that… do you restructure a whole bunch of contracts with bonuses to eat up that “glut”? Or would it go into a floating pool type of thing that could be paid out in various ways like to supplement the veterans, the retired players, or baseline incremental raises?

Did anyone notice that picture? It looks like Jerry and and Stephen are going gangsta and about to pull or some 9’s and bust some caps, Reservoir Dogs style. Nice…

I would like to see a widening of the ceiling/floor. As the ceiling/floor comes closer together, it gets harder to keep together a team. I fear that any strong super-bowl winning team will have their free agents signed away as the team is unable to afford them and worse teams have money burning a hole in their salary floors.

Look at the 2011 Cowboys. This is a team that is looking at cutting at least half-a-dozen players this off season and still is concerned with how it will be able to fit re-signing 1 or 2 players under the salary cap.

They can afford to go out and buy whatever players they want and that could mean a run on Superbowls if they play their cards right.
I know Philly has prefered to do it through the draft but at this point where they have to spend more money to get up to the floor it would be ideal (if I were them …and I didn’t dislike them so) to go “purchase” your missing parts.
Like this nightmare— they outbid Us for Doug Free and the Gmen for Ahmad Bradshaw, then add Plax. and a Cornerback. What more do they need besides Barrett Rudd?

Think that raising the salary floor will suddenly ruin the NFL. Honestly, if this happened in a negotiation mid-season rather than mid-lockout, it would generate only passing interest from any but the most obsessed fans. I doubt fans will notice a difference. Supply and demand will still govern a player’s salary. At worst, it will force horrible teams to pay for depth and experience rather than slop together a bunch of rookie free agents on minimum deals for special teams.

On the plus side, maybe it will generate some interest in our moderate-salary role players. Sam Hurd at 2 million a year could improve anyone’s depth. Who knows, maybe someone would even pick up barber, davis, or newman if it helped them to meet the minimum :)