Great read for a change. Doesn't try to stir the pot or create some BS story, just gives you all the info you need reg: our cap situation for '16. I doubt he came up with this but whatever. How much cap space will they have? The 2016 cap reportedly will fall somewhere between $150 million and $153.4 million. Right now, the Jets have $134.8 million committed to the cap, according to NFLPA records. The number will be adjusted based on the amount of unused cap space carried over from 2015. The Jets don't have much of a carryover -- perhaps close to $3 million. Do the quick math, and you'll see the Jets figure to have a minimum of $18 million in cap room. It's certainly a far cry from a year ago, when they had more than $50 million at the start of free agency. Which players have the biggest 2016 cap hits? The top 10: Darrelle Revis ($17 million), D'Brickashaw Ferguson ($14.1 million), Brandon Marshall ($9.5 million), Nick Mangold ($8.6 million), Eric Decker ($8 million), Antonio Cromartie ($8 million), Buster Skrine ($7.75 million), David Harris ($7.5 million), Marcus Gilchrist ($5.6 million), James Carpenter ($5.6 million). Here's a scary thought: Six of the 10 will be 31 or older. How can they create more cap room? The Jets don't have a lot of bloated contracts, so they can't magically create a ton of room by dumping a few players. They can loosen things up a bit by cutting Cromartie ($8 million savings), Jeremy Kerley ($1.3 million) and Jeff Cumberland ($1.9 million). They also have to address Ferguson's contract. His $14.1 million cap charge is a league-high for offensive linemen in 2016. Obviously, that's prohibitive. Look for the Jets to do something before the start of the league year, when a $1 million roster bonus is payable to Ferguson. If they save, say, $4 million by restructuring Ferguson, now you're talking about $33 million in cap room if the aforementioned players are released. It sounds like a lot of dough, but it's really not. Why not? Keep reading. Which free agents are deserving of big bucks? The Jets have three players who will command significant contracts -- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison. His poor finish notwithstanding, Fitzpatrick had a record-setting season and could land a new deal that averages at least $10 million annually. They won't mortgage the future for Fitzpatrick, 33, but veteran starting quarterbacks don't come cheaply. Wilkerson could end up with the franchise tag, which projects at $16 million. Harrison considers himself the best nose tackle in the NFL, so you have to assume he wants to be paid like it. That means at least $4.5 million a year. As you can see, the money goes quickly. It will be difficult to re-sign Harrison, especially if he hits the open market. Who are the Jets' unrestricted free agents? Aside from Fitzpatrick, Wilkerson and Harrison, their free agents are Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Stevan Ridley, Chris Owusu, Kellen Davis, Ben Ijalana andWillie Colon on offense. On defense, we're talking about Leger Douzable,Stephen Bowen, Calvin Pace, Demario Davis, Jamari Lattimore, Erin Henderson, Darrin Walls, Antonio Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett. Kicker Randy Bullock also will be a free agent. The restricted free agents are Kenbrell Thompkins, Zach Sudfeld and Ryan Quigley. Who stays and who goes? Fitzpatrick and Wilkerson will be back. It sounds like Todd Bowles really wants to keep Harrison, but it'll be tough. They'll try to re-sign Ivory and Powell, but don't be surprised if both leave. Hey, you can't keep everybody. The Jets could be looking at a total overhaul at running back. Demario Davis isn't likely to return; he lost playing time to Henderson, who is worth re-signing on a one-year deal. None of the other free agents is a must have, although players such as Douzable, Walls and Allen can be depth players for the minimum salary. Does Maccagnan have a blockbuster move up his sleeve? Aside from keeping his own big names, it'll be tough to made a splashy move because of the cap situation. That, coupled with the fact they have only six draft picks, means they will have limited resources. That's problematic because this team, despite winning 10 games, needs an infusion of young talent. One bargaining chip could be Sheldon Richardson, but his trade value is hurt because of the uncertainty surrounding a possible suspension. They could try a tag-and-trade with Wilkerson, but those are rare and his broken leg complicates the issue. What are their positional needs? They need speed at running back, an edge pass rusher, at least one new starter on the right side of the offensive line and a kick returner who actually scares opponents. http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-je...ry-cap-free-agency-issues-as-offseason-begins
Actually a solid article. I'm so used to Mehta & Cimini slinging bullshit that I normally avoid them when searching for Jets news/updates. Don't think knowledgeable Jets fans learned anything but at least it's some thought-out analysis and not a bunch of rumours.
Yeah, I didn't even realize Brick has the highest cap figure among tackles in '16. That's ridiculous. Our of our FA's I'd like to have back: - DL Wilkerson - QB Fitzpatrick - RB Powell - LB Henderson - S Allen Guys I don't want to see return: - LB Pace - LB Davis - DL Bowen - T Ijalana - RB Ridley - K Bullock Guys we probably can't afford (IMO) but I'd like to have back: - DL Harrison - RB Ivory
Ferguson/Fitzpatrick are very interesting cases. Fitzpatrick without a shadow of a doubt earned an extension. I'm not sure anyone could deny that at this point. I think the he is best option for us, is a two year deal giving us an out after one. If the Jets truly believe Petty is the future, than two well paid years for Fitz doesnt seem necessary. I'm of the opinion that he should be back next season, but the Jets should not even remotely mortgage the future for him. Ferguson is a different situation. If he doesnt take a paycut, I dont see a situation where he returns next season. I understand there might be incentive for him to restructure, but I dont think the Jets would want to do that. He is already aging, no need to stretch that out further. I cant think of a reason he'd be back unless he took a paycut. LT becomes a very important position to address this offseason. As for the rest of the FA's, I agree with DaBallHawk
I agree that he will want to, but will the Jets? If its a restructure, they are just going to be giving him more guaranteed years. Is that really the best move for an already aging and declining Brick.
Unless they draft somebody high I'd say they buy another year with him, and he would want to stay, and they restructure amicably. They have a good amount of needs throughout the roster they need to address. My guess
Good read, I guess its likely Harrison leaves, he deserves to get paid and he will likey be the guy we cant resign on that DLINE. No way Fitz leaves after a record setting season and Mo is our best player period so the Jets better resign him. If Harrison leaves I think Kenrick Ellis comes back here, he was a great NT for us and after stops at the Giants previously and Vikings currently as a backup....his best position might be nose and not a 43 tackle.
Keep Mo, Fitz, Powell Snacks is gonna sign elsewhere and we probably have his replacement in Deon Simon. Ivory is not healthy enough to offer what he'll get from another team.
There's no guarantee Mo comes back. Re-sign Snacks and our line is Sheldon, Snacks, and Leonard. Pretty darn good. Yes, Mo is a great player and a great team player, but not signing him can be the unfortunate reality of the salary cap era NFL.
Dont think Macc woud trade Mo even if he wasn't hurt.... the D Line is too important. Fitz will want a longer contract but he should be okay with two years if we front load it. Ivory may go to another team. But is he really worth top dollar? Cro, Cumby and Kerley are gone..... Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
dude wtf. that first sentence is impossible to read. it's one of the most poorly written sentences I've ever read, and geno007 posts here.
There dude. I edited it. Since I have posted literally thousands of times on various boards, I make mistakes sometimes. They can't all perfect examples of form. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
