So, it looks as though our current cap space, once new player contracts and predicted bonuses incentives are added in, is between $16 and $18 million. If we plan to extend Leon and Mangold, we'll likely need about $8 to 10 million of that total. That leaves us with about $5 million for the rookies and an additional $1 to $5 million for additional pickups. I wouldn't expect any major splashes in the free agency pool from here on out, and I'm sure depth pickups will be at a minimum until further cuts are made.
If we plan to extend Leon and Mangold, we'll likely need about $8 to 10 million of that total. Wow, that much money?
Word is that Leon is looking for "Darren Sproles money". Since he was hit with the $6 million franchise tag, I'd expect Leon to be looking for something in the range of $4 million per on a long term deal. Depending on how they structure the contract, we'd be hit for that much. The Rams just gave Jason Brown $7.5 million per season. I'd imagine Mangold will be looking for at least $6 million per, if not more.
I wouldn't be surprised if we made a couple more smaller signings though. I'd look out for a RB such as Kevin Jones or similarly to how we brought in Jesse Chatman last year. We will likely bring in a blocking TE too. And I wouldn't discount a veteran backup offensive and/or defensive lineman. Oh and maybe an ILB too, such as David Bowens ideally. But anyway, none of those signings would be big cap hits or anything. Extending Mangold and Washington need to be priorities, but I don't think it would take quite as much money as you mentioned.. So it looks as if we're in pretty good shape at this point. Once again, a nice job by Mike Tannenbaum & crew.
Ok I agree... sorry I wasn't sure about the figures... Mangold is already earning 1.5 mill per year while Washington 0.5... so that would mean 8 more million on our cap if the contracts are going to be similar to what you said.
I hope you're right. I'm hoping for the lower end, and that we can secure them for $8 million total. I don't share your optimism that it'll take less than that, though. I also didn't account for their current cap numbers, which would add an extra $2.2 million onto our cap space if they were extended. Ideally, we'd have about $7.5 million in space to use this season, while still extending those two.
Not to be synical about a guy who is great for our franchise, but is Leon, as a backup, really worth 4mil a year. I'm not talking about our personal feelings, I'm talking from a business standpoint. I love the guy and hope we re-sign him for 7 years, just curious on the numbers.
I don't think he's necessarily put up the numbers to deserve that kind of money, but neither has Sproles, and that's now the benchmark. Derrick Ward's contract might help, as he received $4.25 million and was a more prolific back last season, but he also didn't have Leon's return numbers. Sproles is the closest figure, and I'd assume that his $6 million franchise number would translate to $4 million per in a contract.
Salaries escalate in a 2 year period. Again, the market dictates contracts. Maybe he'll sign for less, but he'd get that next year in free agency, and I'm sure he knows it. If we're smart, we'll sign him this offseason as cheaply as we can.
plus, if Ryan really IS going to run it as much as he says, they'll both be getting starter touches [squeals of delight]
The reality is that Leon is a lot more than a "back-up" for us. A) He's our kick-off returner and he's one of the most explosive ones in the league. B) Reports have already surfaced that Ryan plans on using Leon and TJ in more of a dual-shared carries role - more like 60/40 instead of 80/20 C) He's our only true game-breaker. He's the only guy on either offense or special teams that can legitimately score from anywhere on the field anytime he touches the ball. That's as valuable a trait as a running back, tight end, or receiver can possibly have.
This post is dead on. Leon needs to be locked up long term. He is our only big time playmaker on offense at this point.
Leon will require about $5mil, but that would be for next yr. Contract extension. Mangolds contract will not be touched in 09. He will get a contract extension that will start or should start in 2011.
That?s what I thought, too, If we extend them, none of their Contracts will count against this years Cap, because they will finish their Rookiedeals before the extention kicks in.
LW needs to be signed long term. He's our most valuable offensive weapon and he was underutilized by EM. I think we all see the possibilities here. Regarding cap space, I am still hopeful we can get rid of Bryan Thomas and not that I really like this, but Ellis too. I don't recall exactly, but the two combine to a significant number.
No. When a player signs an extension before his original contract is done, it generally bumps up his salary for the remainder of his original contract. Also, if said contract contains a signing bonus, the prorated portion of that contract also counts against the cap for that season. You're right, however, about Mangold. He'll get extended next season in a capless year. For some reason, I thought his deal was up this year. Brain fart. Sorry.
You don't get rid of above average 3-4 DE's unless you have a solid replacement. We don't. Thomas would only get us $550,000 in cap space. Why do we need to make cap space at this point anyway?
There's no point in getting rid of Bryan Thomas at this point. Not only is he still the starter until Gholston can take his spot, but he's our only real depth. And there is no reason to cut Ellis. He's a pretty good 3-4 DE and just had one of his best seasons..
