Spending Should Stay Out Of Balance
March 6th, 2014With free agency looming in just five days — five days! — it’s the time of year Joe actually cares about accounting and salary cap numbers.
Per the reputable salary tracker OverTheCap.com, the Bucs have the seventh-highest amount of 2014 funds devoted to defense in the NFL. That’s stunning, especially considering it’s no secret Lovie Smith is gearing up to invest heavily and quickly at defensive end.
If the Bucs sign Jared Allen or Michael Bennett next week, Tampa Bay likely would be catapulted to the No. 2 defensive spenders behind Pittsburgh. And the Bucs still would need a starting strongside linebacker and cornerback depth.
That would evoke an interesting question; can a team get to the Super Bowl with such a lopsided investment strategy? Last season, the Seahawks and Broncos were pretty middle of the pack on both sides of the ball.
Joe doesn’t have a problem with an unbalanced allocation of funds. Lovie and Jason Licht need to time to work through old contracts and enact their strategy.
Of course, Darrelle Revis’ $16 million is a big part of the equation. Joe doesn’t think Revis is going anywhere in 2014, though possibly he could at the trade deadline if Revis doesn’t live up to his $1 million per game.
The Bucs surely will set elite standards for the performances of Revis and big-money Dashon Goldson. You just can’t keep guys at their salaries if they don’t deliver at superstar levels.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Always comes to back down to the SPREADSHEET. Can’t run your business without it!
March 6th, 2014 at 12:07 pm
I read somewhere that there is a clause in Revis’s contract that would allow us to pay him a certain amount that would free up close to $9 milliion in cap space. That would be another option.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:11 pm
@Couch Fan
It would give Revis bonus money and then move some cap hit to next year. Making him more expensive. No matter what he’ll be expensive sooner or later. If its the later then we’ll either trade/cut or pay the man.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:14 pm
you go joe is correct. Revis still gets the same money in his hands, But the Bucs will create dead money in later years. it just pushes 7 million down the road.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:17 pm
There’s a lotta pressure on Revis this season. The bucs were willing to accept theyre over paying Darrell in year one, but you better believe it was with the expectations that he’d be back to being the top corner in the league from now on…As far as Goldston goes, Dominik over paid because he knew 2013 was a make or break season for him so there was no holding back on spending. With so much guaranteed money still coming Goldston’s way, we just need to pray Lovie can utilize him enough that we can at least somewhat accept his salary.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Goldson*.
Auto correct
March 6th, 2014 at 12:20 pm
Per the BostonGlobe:
Per the contract, the team can convert Revis’s $13 million salary into a guaranteed bonus at any time. Revis actually would prefer this to happen — instead of waiting for the fall to receive his salary in 17 installments, he’d receive most of it up front in a big, fat check.
Converting salary money to bonus money allows a team to spread that cap money over the life of the contract, as the Cardinals did with Larry Fitzgerald last month.
So, for example, in 2014 the Patriots could decide to turn $10 million of Revis’s $13 million into bonus money, which would be spread OVER THE FINAL FIVE YEARS OF HIS DEAL AT $2 MILLION PER SEASON (Dead Money).
March 6th, 2014 at 12:21 pm
“Last season, the Seahawks and Broncos were pretty middle of the pack on both sides of the ball.”
Their site has Seahawks #2 and Broncos #4 on offense payroll for 2013. Am I reading it wrong?
March 6th, 2014 at 12:25 pm
McCoy’s new contract will tip the scale even more.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
As long as the offense doesn’t become an afterthought and the defense plays up to its’ pay grade I’m ok with payroll being off balance.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Revis and goldson alone are a whopping 25 mm against the cap. Goldson is pathetic and Revis isn’t worth it.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Players we should sign in no particular order:
-Michael Bennett
-James Jones
-John Kuhn
-Fred Davis
-Lamarr Houston
-Walter Thurmond
-Draft QB and any other needs
March 6th, 2014 at 12:42 pm
“Goldson is pathetic and Revis isn’t worth it.” Really?! Please explain.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Lamarr Houston would be a great value addition to our roster and next to McCoy, it is very likely he will deliver as a pass rusher.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Ok why would the Pats all of a sudden trade for a player to take on a bloated contract and give up what would likely be premium picks in the process? Then to have dead Money being dragged out on their cap for half a decade? It seems that they are just fine having a subpar secondary that they arent selling the farm for.
March 6th, 2014 at 12:53 pm
@BucsfaninChina
because Brady/Bellichick window is closing and Talib just happens to let its team down when they need him most..
March 6th, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Investing heavily in the backend, barely anything in the front end. Didn’t workout to well for Denver in the earlier part of this last decade.
• John Lynch (2004) 3-year, $9 million deal/ $2.5 million signing bonus
• Champ Bailey (2004) 7-year, $63 million contract
• Dre Bly- (2007) 5-year, $33 million contract/ $16 million guaranteed
March 6th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Let the GM worry about this stuff.
MG8 2014 Pro Bowler.
March 6th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
@BucsfaninChina
Maybe because they realize that Brady might only play 2 more years. And they want to put “all chips in” before they are like everyone else that is looking for a franchise QB.
March 6th, 2014 at 1:07 pm
@BucsfaninChina
Per the Bostonglobe:
That would put Revis’s 2014 salary cap number at $8 million — $3 million in base salary, $2 million bonus proration, $1.5 million roster bonus and $1.5 million workout bonus — which the Patriots easily could handle. The Patriots currently sit with $12.7 million in cap space for 2014, and can create an extra $9.2 million by cutting Dan Connolly, Isaac Sopoaga, Tommy Kelly, Adrian Wilson, and Jake Bequette. They can create even more space by giving contract extensions to Vince Wilfork, Devin McCourty, and Stephen Gostkowski.
plays to form in 2014 and the Patriots want to bring him back the next season, he would carry a cap number of $18 million in 2015, which is quite high. Then again, absorbing that hit wouldn’t be as bad considering Aaron Hernandez will come off the books next year, and the salary cap will continue to climb thanks to an influx of new TV money.
And if Revis is a bust in 2014? The Patriots simply can designate him as a post-June 1 cut and have salary cap hits of $2 million in 2015 and $6 million in 2016.
In summation, with Revis you’re looking at cap numbers of $8 million and $18 million if he’s great, or $8 million, $2 million, and $6 million if he’s less than great. Well worth the risk, in my humble opinion. Plus, you always can try to restructure before next season.
And by trading for Revis, you get to needle the hated Jets, which is worth the price of admission in itself.
March 6th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
“Aqib Talib, who has a history of off-field problems, a troublesome hip injury that won’t go away, and a high price tag this offseason.”
“Aaron Hernandez”
“Alfonzo Dennard”
Plus Brady aint getting any younger
March 6th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
I don’ know if you can truly consider the Broncos having balance on both sides of the ball… Manning’s contract was HUGE and they paid very little for their offensive weapons as most were still playing out their rookie contracts. I expect this to change for them in the very near future, otherwise Peyton will be handing off and throwing to himself… maybe blocking for himself too.
March 6th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Buccanole Says:
March 6th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Players we should sign in no particular order:
-Fred Davis
Fred Davis that was suspended indefinitely for drugs, then proceeded to get arrested for DUI by passing out in his car in an intersection, Fred Davis?
March 6th, 2014 at 1:26 pm
I don’t get Joe’s crush on M.Bennett? smh
The guy has been a fantastic player over the past two seasons. Not hard to understand. Led his last two teams in sacks, is extremely versatile, and is durable and in his prime. –Joe
March 6th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Revis trade talk is just stupid to me. The man has earned his money. Came off a major injury and still had a good season. He will without a doubt be the best CB in the league this coming season. As for the Seahawks, you think Mr. Overblown head isn’t gonna want Revis $? Since he claims to be the best CB ever? I see us in the next 2yrs to be a force. We have the blocks in place minus a few pieces right now. Stay calm Bucs Fans! I may be reaching but I can’t wait till Monday, so everything can unfold!
March 6th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Not sure Seattle was middle of the pack defensively…Or Denver was offensively…
March 6th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
If so gosh that’s hard to believe
March 6th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
If so gosh that’s hard to believe.
March 6th, 2014 at 1:41 pm
@Brandon
Nah, I was talking about from 2004-2009
Sure they made it to the 2005 AFC Championship, with a few things in their favor.
Home field advantage, Mobile Quarterback, Decent Running game & Receivers. Nice Linebacker group, Lock down corner & Hard hitting box safety.
Only to have their deficiencies exposed (was down by 24-3 at halftime). Steeler’s took advantage of their inept pass blocking (3 sacks/2 fumbles on their mobile QB) 2nd year QB Big Ben, went to the hurry up in multiple receiver sets (rendering Champ ineffectively to 1/5 of the field). Being the more physical, and better overall team they dominated. Went on to 2 more SuperBowls.
Denver on the other hand trouble maintaining a level of competitiveness. Inadequate pass rush, and terrible offensive line play would plague them for awhile. And all the money they tied up in their backend on defense, would push them to restructuring players contracts and cap purgatory until Elway was hired.
March 6th, 2014 at 1:47 pm
@Oil Derrick Brooks: Yeah he’ll be cheap as hell and if you saw him in college he could be great. If and when he gets reinstated a guy like Lovie Smith could keep him in check
March 6th, 2014 at 1:54 pm
Denver on the other had trouble maintaining a level of competitiveness
March 6th, 2014 at 2:02 pm
The guy has been a fantastic player over the past two seasons. Not hard to understand. Led his last two teams in sacks, is extremely versatile, and is durable and in his prime. –Joe
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The guy has never had a double sack season and he only had 2 1/2 sacks more than A.Clayborn. J
I’m looking out for Joe. …check ..I’m looking out for the Bucs
He’s average and his body of work doesn’t prove otherwise, so why would we go back to a retread when there are others we haven’t tried yet. Joe, needs to not get so close to players anymore, cause Joe has a hard time letting go. 🙂
March 6th, 2014 at 2:18 pm
Buccanole Says:
Fred Davis is suspended indefinitely by the King of the NFL.
March 6th, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Fuzzy Red Coin Purse Says:
So was Pacman Jones I seem to recall him only serving like 4 games
March 6th, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Buccanole Says,
I guess we’ll see, but he got in trouble again even after he was already suspended. I think he can be good player if he can stay on the field. Buts that’s a big IF.
March 6th, 2014 at 2:47 pm
Courtland Finnegan is a free agent now.
March 6th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Finnegan? Yeah, he was released by his buddy Jeff Fisher. What does that tell you about where he is these days.
Brandon Browner and Peanut Tillman. Lets do it.
March 6th, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Who cares whether spending is in balance just as long as you can fit all the players you need under your cap?
March 6th, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Couch your right
We can convert 13 mil to signing bonus for any given year and add 13 mil to our cap space.
March 6th, 2014 at 4:11 pm
No way in hell we trade Revis to those teams just to watch them win the SuperBowl with him.
March 6th, 2014 at 4:20 pm
There’s no assurances that any of this will happen, just like there’s no guarantee either of the teams being mentioned. Will make it to the conference champion, let alone the super bowl just because they acquire Revis.
March 6th, 2014 at 4:26 pm
@PRBucFan
Don’t worry, The Bucs will get a second round pick, and a pick next year based on play that will max out as next years second.
There is a reason the Broncos released Bailey
March 6th, 2014 at 4:38 pm
If there’s one thing we do know, anything can happen in the NFL.
Lol, ask JETS fans. In cap purgatory, with absolutely no leverage. They were able to get a team to bid against itself-Grab the defensive Rookie of the Year, + a potential
3rd round pick (or 4th). And much needed cap relief.
So Life after Revis, for the team that drafted him, definitely doesn’t resemble doom & gloom.
The Rolling Stones — Doom And Gloom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPFGWVKXxm0&feature=kp
March 6th, 2014 at 4:41 pm
@The_Buc_Realist
Yes Sirrrrr, the next 72hrs will be interesting-indeed
March 6th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
lol Keep wishing
A 2nd round pick for Revis is hardly scratching the surface of what he would be traded for.
March 6th, 2014 at 5:15 pm
They released Bailey because he wasn’t worth the money he was due lol.
Pretty simple
March 6th, 2014 at 5:17 pm
Lol..smh
March 6th, 2014 at 6:32 pm
this guy consistently made the playoffs and kept his team in contention and basically got fired for the same reasons tony dungy did….he sat out for a year and reevaluated his beliefs and how his team should be run and all these analysts are still assuming they know what this guy wants to do in the draft and free agency…it was clearly obvious that our defense was better than our offense and for all we know what he said about certain players could have been to light a fire and see how they respond. the coach and gm who thinks about NEXT YEAR or two years down the road is the one that doesnt keep a job for long…..signing a big name d end automatically takes the bucs out of high draft pick status which means forget about getting a franchise quarterback or defensive end in the draft except with alittle luck ala greg hardy or russell wilson. but who knows until free agency comes around
just think it’s dumb to get rid of players who underperformed under a coach who underperformed and wet the bed himself on gameday…..most of our young players have NEVER had a head coach worthy of the title head coach and now that they have one they’re just gonna sit back and let their jobs be taken. personally i love the talk because if they are truly understand what kind of coach they have now, they are working harder than they ever have before and getting all the knowledge possible about this guys defense…i think offensive does have to worry more than defensive players…
March 6th, 2014 at 6:46 pm
@ joe—-The guy has been a fantastic player over the past two seasons. Not hard to understand. Led his last two teams in sacks, is extremely versatile, and is durable and in his prime. –Joe
two years of production shouldnt makes you a high priced free agent but that means nothing…..your not high on adrian clayborne but why did the guy come in and beat out michael bennett in sacks as a rookie? why didnt he wake up until his contract year…speak on it because it deserves attention if you think this guy is worth all the money he is gonna get as a free agent why not dive into his numbers prior to that then judge our current d line because truth is the probably realized bennett played for big money not because he is big time….two years? there are players that put up that kind of production right out of the gate after draft day but to wait until he’s 26 to show some sign of life i dont trust it i’d rather have allen for that because atleast he knows he’s near the end and will give more effort
March 6th, 2014 at 9:27 pm
Couch Fan Says
“I read somewhere that there is a clause in Revis’s contract that would allow us to pay him a certain amount that would free up close to $9 milliion in cap space.”
You either misheard or heard wrong.
His contract is structured a certain way, and by restructuring it they can free up the money. However, it would make it even more expensive in following years AND part of it would become guaranteed…which would hurt even more.
No the best solution is eat his salary this year, and draft/sign someone to replace him by next year. Then cut him and pay GMC.
March 6th, 2014 at 9:30 pm
On the subject of Bennett, I do not want him back at all. If the Seahawks thought he would be good again, they would have offered him a contract.
He only had 8.5 sacks this year. On a team like that???? He had 9 here the year before with a worse team.
So why did his sacks drop? Think it through.
Jarred Allen should be the target.