New NFL CBA: On The Bills Reaching The Salary Floor, Part I
by MattRichWarren on Jul 20, 2011 1:30 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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PrintIn 2010, the Buffalo Bills spent a smidge over $100M on their player roster. As part of the yet-to-be-signed Collective Bargaining Agreement, it's believed that the salary floor will be raised from 86 percent of the cap - as it was in the last CBA - to 90 percent. Last week, ESPN's John Clayton reported that the 2011 salary cap is anticipated to be $120M, and the new salary floor will be $108M. The Bills will have some significant ground to make up just to meet the minimum requirement for roster salary.
According to Doug Farrar, the Bills' cap number for the 2011 season is $89.5M - and their cash commitment, explained by Farrar as the more important number for the floor, at $73.5M. Therefore, the Bills will need to spend $32.7M on players to get to the minimum cash commitment from the $73.5M mark to $108M.
That's a lot of money. Here's how the Bills can go about closing the gap.
Sign Rookies
This figure is going to be a drop in the bucket compared to years past. Brian hypothesized that first-round pick Marcell Dareus could sign for five years and $34.15 million earlier this week - but if a rookie salary pool is part of the new CBA (as it was in the old CBA), each team will only have a small amount of money to sign rookies. Last year, the St. Louis Rams had the most money with $7.56M. This will not be the first step when the league year opens, but since we know they have to sign their rookies, I listed it first.
Re-Sign Paul Posluszny
Buffalo can add a significant amount of salary by simply re-signing Posluszny. If they give him a front-loaded deal specifically to reach the salary floor, it would be even better. Posluszny's annual figure looks to be around $5.5M on the open market, and the Bills gave Chris Kelsay a four-year, $20M extension a year ago - so it's not out of the realm of possibility. Posluszny is the clear cream of the crop at inside linebacker, and because of that, it has to be Posluszny - unless they're willing to settle for a lower-tier guy like Akin Ayodele.
Sign Drayton Florence or comparable CB
It may take as much as $6M a year to keep Florence, but with the state of the cornerback position on the team, the Bills will need to re-sign Florence or one of the other corners on the market. (And no, Nnamdi Asomugha is probably not on their radar.) While Florence is 30 years old, he is a prime candidate for a front-loaded contract. That could also help the Bills quickly overcome that spending deficit.
Sign A Back-Up Quarterback
This is going to happen. The only questions are who and how much. While I don't expect the number to be too big, say $3M as the most expensive we could ever think of seeing, it's still money to consider.
Sign a Tight End
Neither Chan Gailey nor the team he coaches have particularly strong histories at tight end, but when you have to spend money it's the first position I would look to upgrade in free agency. A Kevin Boss or Zach Miller signing would instantly upgrade the position from the despicable 2010 production. It would also help the Bills close the gap on the salary floor. Here's a list of the free agent tight ends for your perusal.
If the Bills make these signings, they will be more than two-thirds of the way between the $73.5M they currently have on their books and the $108M they would need to spend. Remember, these are just rough estimates, but the Bills would likely put more than $22M into these signings alone, leaving them with less than $11M remaining to get to the 2011 salary floor. They could bring back Donte Whitner and sign some depth players like Ayodele, but the more realistic option is what we'll discuss in the next post in this series.
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Bring on the dancing bears (free agency).
Year two is upon us.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Jul 20, 2011 1:32 PM EDT reply actions
Restructure existing players’ contracts?
http://buffalopp.com
by buffalosportsfan on Jul 20, 2011 1:35 PM EDT reply actions
Ahhhh… Part II. :-) Part I was simply adding money to the roster. These will be the first signings before any re-structuring.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jul 20, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d rather see them bring in a quality Oline addition.
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
by dnvrBillsfan on Jul 20, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like both are possible.
"Sit down and watch my Buffalo Bills destroy your Kingdome" - Abayarde
They are. I don’t think either will happen. :-)
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jul 20, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they’ll bring in a Olinemen, just not nearly the Clabo/Colon type that everyone is clamoring for. I’m thinking a Cornell Green type.
They can kill you, but the legalities of eating you are quite a bit dicier.
Id rather roll with
Pears than a Cornell Green type, at that point they are just throwing money away
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
I mean more in terms of tier free agent as opposed to actual quality of player. If we had known how bad he was, we never would have signed him. Than again, he was awful in Oakland before that, so I’m not sure what they thought.
I’m thinking maybe a Jermon Bushrod, but even he might be too pricey.
They can kill you, but the legalities of eating you are quite a bit dicier.
One big ticket item.
If we have to increase our salary by 30+ million then we could sign one big name free agent (besides Poz). I don’t think they will try to sign Bushrod, but I they should have the money to afford him.
I am not sure it makes a lot of sense to front load contracts for the team. It will just make it difficult in future years to get to the floor. On the other hand it might be a good idea to do that because then in a year or two after some of the younger players have developed the team would be sitting really nicely in terms of cap space. It might give the team to sign a really good ______ in free agency to get over the last hump to the super bowl. Oh, now I know I am only dreaming. :)
I can name this tune in ONE note:
Have a P.I. locate Derrick Dockery, give him another full brinks truck, and problem solved.
by Brian in Shortsville on Jul 20, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
UDFAs also need to be addresses but that is probably an even smaller drop in the bucket.
Does anyone have any info on the difference between the cap number and the cash commitment? This has me confused.
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
UDFAs won’t make much money and the salary commitment only includes the final 52 players anyways.
Does anyone have any info on the difference between the cap number and the cash commitment? This has me confused.
The cap number includes pro-rated portions of signing bonuses. If a guy signs a five-year deal with a five million dollar signing bonus, it’s applied to the cap over all five year at one million a year. If it’s salary, it’s all applied in one year. The other owners want the cash being spent in salaries because it’s more accurate representation of what you are spending that year.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jul 20, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Does anyone have any info on the difference between the cap number and the cash commitment?
This might not be exact, but it should clarify the question.
The cash commitment is exactly that…. what players are paid in cash during 2011.
The cap number is the contract amount divided by the years.
So for instance, if the Bills sign Poz to a 5 year, $30 million deal, with $10 million of that as a signing bonus, and $4 million salary in each of the 5 years his cap number would be $6 million ($30 / 5) and his cash amount would be $14 million ($10 bonus + $4 salary).
ahhh...it feels so good to be reading real football info again!
thanks MRW, love this series already good stuff and informative!
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
That is so true.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Jul 20, 2011 2:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Barnett
Nick Barnett keeps being mentioned, is he an ILB or OLB. How does he fit our scheme, GB is also a 3-4 def.
I heard this, but I don’t know if it’s correct or if it’s just partially correct.
If a team doesn’t reach 90% of the cash cap then the difference between the 90% and where they end up is distributed to the players on the roster.
So if 90% of the cap is $108 million and the Bills only get to $100 million in cash, then the $8 million difference is divided up among the players on the roster so the team is in compliance.
Regardless, the Bills shouldn’t have any issues getting to that level between draft picks and the signing bonuses that free agents typically get.
I am really afraid that they might just give guys increases that don't deserve it, aka Kelsay.
Instead of giving raises to mediocre players like Whitner, Florence, etc., how about they target a flashy TE and a stud CB or SS. We have money to spend, lets put it where we’ll see results and not just spend to get to the floor. Targeting Asomugha would not only give us a stud CB, but eliminate having to face him (and Revis) on the Jets for the next few years! I have no problem increasing Stevie and resigning Poz, but if I see more money given out without reason, (Kelsay) I’m gonna lose it… At least if you’re going to overpay somebody, make it an LT, Gaither?
I cant help but think that Asomugha is a colossal waste of money. That and hes gonna want to go to a contender, which we of course are not.
Yep
A QB is like a King in chess, if you don't have one you lose! Get a QB Buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Jul 20, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll take:
Nnamdi Asomugha
Zach Miller
Please and thank you.
Time to get bigger and better in the trenches
The Bills need to take advantage of this mandatory spending by acquiring top tier talent. Sure we would like the Bills to sign a CB (possibly Florence) , a LB (possibly Poz), and a legitimate backup QB. However, I believe the Bills need to complete the overhaul of the trenches. The Bills have addressed D Line in the past 2 drafts and last years FA period. Now is the time to address the offensive line and TE. Their are at least two TEs that would erase TE as a need for the next 5 years, Miller and Boss. I believe a strong blocker like Miller would have a great impact in the run game (not to mention the passing game), and should be considered a quasi OL addition. I would also suggest the Bills spend the money to acquire a RT they believe can start at an above average level for at least the next 3-5 years. No more one or two year fixes at RT. If Hairston beats out the newly acquired RT it would give the Bills great depth at RT, something they have lacked since House Ballard left town.
The addition of Zach Miller and a above average RT would set up the Bills line for the next 3 years, until Wood’s and Levitre’s contracts expire. If we have learned nothing else we sure as heck should realize the game is most often won and lost in the trenches.
A strong OL (including TE) will maximize our skill players’ talents. Defenses will no longer be able to play nickel and dime defenses as base coverages against the Bills. The ability to eat control the ball and the clock will help keep the defense off the field. I get downright giddy thinking of 3WR formations utilizing Evans, Parish, Johnson along with Miller and Jackson/Spiller. I would also love to find out how teams would defend traditional two back one TE formations using Jackson and Spiller in the backfield and Johnson and Evans wide, with Miller at TE. This formation would be a matchup nightmare for defenses. What defense would they line up in? This set would allow the Bills to effectively run power with Freddie leading Spiller or could become a 5 wide formation with safeties and a LB covering Spiller, Jackson, and Miller.
Fill in the corner and LB postions after the OL has been solidified.
Just one man’s opinion.
by WhatGoesAround on Jul 20, 2011 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Nice
If only OBD would heed this advice. Rec’d
A QB is like a King in chess, if you don't have one you lose! Get a QB Buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Jul 20, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
it’s also easier said than done – lots of teams will be going after the top RT’s and top TEs and some of those teams are contenders right now.
Trust me – i’d love for that to happen – but we also cannot chastise Nix if he can’t get the deal done – this team isn’t, IMO, a contender in the players minds outside of Buffalo. That could factor into it as well.
I’d really really really like to see Yanda or Free here – it’d be sweet. Miller or Boss would be the icing on the cake.
When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.
by J2 on Jul 20, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I think guys like Kevin Boss
who have the ring, will be more willing to come to a place for the money so I hope we target him. Id imagine guys like Zach Miller who have been in Oakland their whole careers are loathe to come to Buffalo and keep losing, I see him looking for a winner.
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
If we have learned nothing else we sure as heck should realize the game is most often won and lost in the trenches.
Nope. Steelers and Packers had crappy OL. Games are won by QBs. No way around it now.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jul 20, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
well you could argue
the Steelers lost because of their offensive line. If they had Willie Colon and Pouncey healthy and in the lineup they probably win.
The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee
Steelers also started one of our scrubs that we cut.
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jul 20, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
But Bill’s have neither QB or O/L. One outa two would be nice!:(
A QB is like a King in chess, if you don't have one you lose! Get a QB Buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Jul 20, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Other super bowls, now I am doing this antecdotely, so I might be wrong with a couple
XLIV- Colts and Saints. I think both had good O-lines
XLIII- Steelers and Cardinals. I think both lines were middle of the road.
XLII- Giants and Patriots. Giants good and Patriots was supposed to be good but didn’t do well in this game.
XLI- Bears and Colts- Colts good, but I don’t remember about the Bears.
Taht being said, I think the most recent SB with GB and Pit had two poor o-lines but that doesn’t seem to be the norm for all of the recent SBs.
XLIV – Colts OL was not very good. Peyton Manning was good. Colts fans have been complaining for years.
XLIII – Cardinals started Mike Gandy at tackle, right? How good could they be?
Look at all those teams. They all had excellent QBs except the XLI Bears.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jul 20, 2011 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed MRW – especially when you look at the Steelers and Packers.
It’s like running the ball doesn’t even matter any more – you do it enough to keep defenses honest – but that’s about it now a days.
When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.
by J2 on Jul 21, 2011 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Haha, our defense was kept REALLY honest last year…
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
well – we’re talking about SB winners here and elite teams – not beating one of the worst teams in the league…
When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.
by J2 on Jul 21, 2011 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Twas a joke, my friend, twas a joke.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
better have been! ;-)
When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.
by J2 on Jul 21, 2011 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Zach Miller would be a coup
and Kevin Boss would be a good consolation prize. Miller gives another receiving option and a legit scoring threat. Boss is a great blocker.
It's simple, but it aint easy. *2
Marcedes!
Marcedes Lewis was a beast last year and is relatively young. I’d take him as a TE in a heartbeat.
That list has him as a UFA, but I believe Jacksonville put a franchise tag on him, if that means anything with the new CBA.
Yeah I don’t expect him to get to Buffalo.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Jul 20, 2011 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
We Need A New TE
If we could get someone like Zach Miller to come to Buffalo, that would be HUGE! Boss would be a big step in the right direction too. We haven’t had a good TE since Reimersma. And remember how much better we were when we had him? You need that big guy who can go over the middle. All the best teams in the league have great TEs. Look at how NE used Gronkowski against us last season. Look at what Jason Witten and Dallas Clark bring to their teams. Every season I hope we draft a stud TE high in the draft, and we never do. I really hope you’re right MRW, Buffalo needs to take a long serious look at bringing in a new TE.
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