I am pretty sure right now that we are over the cap and yet I see people (including myself) signing some costly free agents like Bart Scott or Byron Leftwich. What is our current cap situation? Also, what are the implications of Favre's decision (when he makes it) on the cap?
We are over a lot. Depending on who you believe it can be as much as 16.5 million or as little as 7. Favre not coming back would reduce it by 13. However, Tannenbaum implied on the FAN the other day that they still have options in FA with or without Favre so he has plans to get under no matter what Favre decides. FA just won't be like last year was.
I think they'll try to renegotiate Farve's contract down significantly heading into FA and remind him that he's done in the NFL unless he takes this deal because of his age and the fact that he blew at the end of the year.
I really want to get two guys in this year's FA class: 1) Chris Canty, DE from Dallas. That would be huge. We'd get a great young 3-4 DE to put opposite Ellis. Canty would be an immediate upgrade over Coleman. 2) O.J. Atogwe or Sean Jones. Atogwe will be 28 next season and Jones will be 27 but if we get one of these safeties we will have a great duo for 5 years. Atogwe compliments Kerry a little better than Jones does - both are ballhawking playmakers but Atogwe is more of a ballhawk and Jones is more of an all-around safety that can come up in the box (which we have in Rhodes). I think both will hit free agency and I just want one. If you haven't heard of O.J. Atogwe it's okay, you don't get much recognition when you're on the Rams. 2005 was his rookie season and he didn't start/play really, but in his first starting season in 2006 he had 3 INTs, 7 PBUs, 1 sack and 72 tackles. In 2007 he had 8 INTs and 12 PBUs and 75 tackles and 1 TD. Last year he had 5 INTs and 5 PBUs and 85 tackles. He is also Canadian so going to NY would bring him closer to home and that might appeal to him. Jones is just as impressive with his first starting season being in 2006 as well with the Browns. In 2006 he had 111 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 5 INTs and 11 PBUs. In 2007 he had 96 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 5 INTs and 10 PBUs. Last year he had a down year to due injuries and had 56 tackles, no sacks, but still 4 INTs and 4 PBUs.
I'd take any of those guys and you also obviously have to consider any Ravens who could flock over here (Scott, Leonhard, Ivy, McAlister, Suggs/Lewis probably not but I'll list them anyway)
They won't negotiate it down. Favre probably doesn't want to come back anyway. If he does he will feel he is doing the Jets a favor.
I don't think we bring over any Ravens. We can fill the ILB spot with Mauluga who I think will fall or my guy Worrell Williams from Cal. Very athletic and played his entire career in Cal's 3-4 defense at ILB. Great compliment for Harris.
