$30.1 Million And Counting
February 11th, 2013
“Bryan, I need you carrying your checkbook in your left front pocket and two fine-tip pens with you at all times starting March 12.”
This post is about numerical gibberish, but at least it’s accurate.
The folks at NFL.com have laid out how much 2013 salary cap space every team has to play with (as of now) for the start of unrestricted free-agency in four weeks. Team Glazer and the New Schiano Order are sitting pretty with $30.1 million. That’s fifth most in the NFL, thanks in large part to restructured contracts for Carl Nicks and Vincent Jackson, in addition to rolled over cap money in the neighborhood of $8 million to $10 million, so noted NBC Sports last week. (Joe wonders whether the $2 million or so saved by suspension to Aqib Talib and Eric Wright are in that total?)
What’s even more exciting for Bucs fans who want to see rockstar general manager again go all gunslinger with Team Glazer’s vault this offseason, is that $30.1 million available does not factor in the realities that Eric Wright and his fat contract likely will be cut and Quincy Black will be a medical casualty, which would deflate his bloated paycheck.
Those moves could leave the Bucs in the neighborhood of $40 million to toss around, though extending Mike Williams’ contract could take a bite out of that. Keep in mind team’s are obligated to spend under the new labor agreement.
Savvy official Buccaneers blogger Scott Smith notes that the Bucs’ NFC South rivals aren’t in nearly as good shape. Some are even over the salary cap (committed cash for 2013) right now.
On the aforementioned list, New Orleans ranks 30th ($20.6 million over), Carolina ranks 29th ($13.7 million over) and Atlanta ranks 20th ($2.1 million under).
Joe knows the Bucs will be active in free agency, though they might not be a splash player like they were last season, instead landing sound starters without sexy names. The league would consider re-signing Michael Bennett to the huge payday he’ll command a “splash,” but Joe knows Bucs fans won’t get all crazy over that.
February 11th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Haha. Love the photo caption Joe. Cleaning the coffee off of my monitor.
February 11th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
The money will go fast, because we will have to overpay for secondary help, and resign Bennett.
February 11th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Guess who is going Shopping??????? We are Go BUCS
February 11th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
RotoWorld just reported the Panthers are expected to release CB Chris Gamble due to Salary Cap issues.
February 11th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Technically free agency will probably be starting March 9th as teams now have 3 days to negotiate prior to the start of free agency, this will be an interesting change from years past
February 11th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Gamble will be a good stop gap for us. Same with others like Sheldon Brown and Quentin Jammer who still make receivers work at getting open instead of letting them roam around freely like our guys do.
February 11th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
almost right where Macabee said we’d be. Good job Mac!
February 11th, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Who better to help us cover Steve Smith then Gamble, plus he’s been covering everyboy else in the NFC south. He would be a solid pick up for the Bucs….I like it!!!
February 11th, 2013 at 1:21 pm
(Adam Schein questioning Freeman’s work ethic @ 12:19pm)
February 11th, 2013 at 1:21 pm
It is a possibility that Eric Wright (7.75mil) could be released before OTAs. It is also doubtful that Quincy Black (5.75mil) will return. If an injury settlement of 1.5mil is paid to Black, those numbers will not go against the cap.
If we add the amount saved (13.5mil) from the Wright and Black contracts, 2013 cap space goes to a grand total of 43.6mil. Cap space could reach almost 50mil if other cuts are made that are not UFAs like Cody Grimm, Myron Lewis, Rejus Benn, etc.
One has to ask the question – Why would the Glazers absorb the cost of restructuring the contracts of Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks in 2012 to the tune of about 18mil, added to the 8.5mil carried over from 2012 plus the 1.64mil adjustment they received from the NFL, if they were not planning to use a large portion of it in 2013?
I think we go hard and deep in 2013 FA!
February 11th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Correction: Impossible for cap to go to almost 5omil because salary does not equal cap value. Should have said cap could possibly go even higher, but not given a number. Process to fluid, too speculative!
February 11th, 2013 at 1:39 pm
TE=1. Delaine Walker 2. Jared Cook, CB= 1. Kenaan Lewis 2. Adam Jones 3. Marcus Trufant 4. Leodis McKelvin draft=trade down and select OT Lane Johnson or D.Trufant or best DT/DE pass rush. Second round select Logan Ryan/David Amersonn. Round out the draft with BPA and stock pile quality players. At least McKelvin and Jones would help out our special teams greatly and Lewis is a solid starter who we should be able to sign (hopefully) for less than E popping Wright. Just my random thought what does BUCS nation think??
February 11th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
NEEDS: CB, CB, CB, CB, CB, CB, RT, CB, CB, and CB.
February 11th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Gamble has been a stud for Carolna at times. He’d be a great pickup. I’d take him over Talib anyway.
February 11th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
Tyler Says:
February 11th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
Next years starting line up(just a dream scenario) judge if u wish!! Receivers:Jackson, Williams, harvin, underwood
Tight ends:Bennett/walker(which ever is cheaper) Williams
Oline:penn, nicks, zuttah, Joseph, brennen Williams
Backfield:free, martin, lorig That’s an elite offense
Defense
Dline:Bennett, McCoy, shariff floyd, clayborn
Linebackers:David, foster, Jarvis jones
Dbacks:asmougha(trust me I kno he sucked with the eagles but he fits system perfect n schiano will change his mind on not hitting and good one year stop gap remember at one point best db on fball, Barron, barber/black, another fa not sure who.
That’s my starting line up mock draft here we go
1st: Jarvis jones BPA and is undeniably talented will fall do to back but is a natural leader and this team needs more of them
2nd:Floyd I see him falling due to the depth this draft has on lineman at same time he can rush from the NT position something miller has no hope of doin
3rd: traded for harvin giving us a true slot receiver and the best return man in fball while giving freeman no excuses he doesn’t succeed his own damn fault
4th:Brennan Williams gives us a true rt who will grade the road for Martin, if dj swearinger is their thts my pick
I personally feel that NO corner is worth the value they are being placed at trufant is the only corner I truly lik and I dnt believe he is worth more then a 3rd at best I say wait till next year and load up when the talent is better feel free to judge just my dream scenario thanks for reading!!!
February 11th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
Still hoping we go after Grimes. Think he could be had for somewhat of a bargain considering he is coming off injury. I also think we pick up a veteran offensive lineman who will probably be a casualty of salary cap cuts. It’s hard to anticipate who Bucs will go after until we know which of the current players are signed to new deals.
February 11th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
@ Tyler
I know you prefaced your comment with “a dream scenario” but there is no way Floyd drops to 2nd round. He’s projected as top 10 pick. Also no chance the Vikings trade Harvin for a 3rd rounder.
February 11th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
@Tyler….Brennan Williams won’t make it outta the 2nd Rd (at worst). I believe it would take a miracle for Sharrif Floyd to fall that far. Jarvis Jones a minor miracle. I love the players but i think you’ve under-valued them. Percy Harvin is a headcase…Schiano/Bucs won’t want want that.
Would be an All-Star Team though. Would be great to see
February 11th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
This is good, but nothing to get too excited about.
I think the way Dominick structures the contracts, having 30 mil under the cap is not the same as a team that gives a large amount of signing bonus to the players it signs. Dominick divides the total value of the contract evenly across the length of the deal, guaranteeing the first 2 or 3 years, opposed to signing bonus. Several other teams have the big upfront money, then the 1st couple years near league minimum, then salaries balloon, especially in the last year or two.
In other words a 6 year, 60 mil contract for the Bucs will count 10 mil against the cap in 2013, but for another team, same total value just structured differently, that contract may cost only 5 to 6 mil for the first year (figure 24 mil signing bonus).
So 30 mil for the Bucs, is probably about the equivalent of 10-15 mil for most other teams.
Also, I personally think the approach to structuring contracts that Dominick takes is brilliant in it’s simplicity and the way it protects the team (there’s no financial harm in cutting a player after they’ve satisfied the guaranteed years of the contract, not the same for a player with huge signing bonus).
February 11th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Top of my wish list
Grimes
Stealing one of the better CB talents from a divisional foe would be great.
I believe he’ll come back from that injury and continue where he left off.
February 11th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
@PRBucFan said,
“Stealing one of the better CB talents from a divisional foe would be great.”
In that case, why not?
Grimes and Gamble
February 11th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
That would be great lol
February 11th, 2013 at 4:20 pm
When it comes to Floyd I feel people are lil to high on him jones easily falls but with Floyd unless he destroys the combine I see him falling honestly alotta analysis are starting to say the same thing but I agree when it comes to harvin their just tryin to get rid of him n reports say a second or 3rd is all they want n Williams is projected now as late 3rd early 4th
February 11th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
Make CB SEAN SMITH key FA signing. Draft OT LANE JOHNSON at 13. Immediate RT and future LT. Trade 2nd and one 4th round pick to jump back into 1st rd, select CB XAVIER RHODES. 2 6’2 starting CB’s and a starting tackle. 1. T Lane Johnson 1. CB Xavier Rhodes 3. FS Jonathon Cyprien 4. WR Markus Wheaton
February 12th, 2013 at 2:54 am
@TampaBayTaylor…..great post only thing I would change is drafting Desmont Trufant in place of Rhodes, I’m with you 100% on Lane Johnson not so sure on Smith either as he will asked more than what’s he worth and someone will over pay him, would rather sign Keenan Lewis. As far as Cyprien in the 3rd that would truly be a steal and solidify the defense, couldn’t agree more on a slot WR in later rounds as you have posted and even earlier if possible as Cyprien I’m sure will be gone I would like to see the bucs add speed in the slot a great pick would be marquise goodwin from Texas.
February 13th, 2013 at 9:51 am
If we draft as poor as we have in the past it wont matter. . The Bucs need a consultan to help draft. Lets face it we have been awful draftingl for a long time with a few gems here and there . Talent wins games and we are short on talent required to compete and win in the nfc south. Our Gms record is poor and Bucs need a solid draft or we will have more of the same. GO Get Help Mark you owe it to the fans. GO BUCS!!