Upcoming Front Office Decisions

With the Super Bowl now behind us, everyone in the NFL is 0-0 and it’s that time of year for teams’ front offices to earn their keep. As a former front office guy, this may be my favorite time of the year because this is when you truly build your roster. It’s during this time of the year that you get to implement all the research you did during the course of the year and put into action the plans you made in how you envisioned your team to look as you go into the next season.

In the month of February, you’ve got decisions to make on members of your current team. As we saw with the recent terminations of Antonio Pierce, Torry Holt, and Tra Thomas, it’s during this time of year that you decide to cut bait with veterans who you feel aren’t worth their upcoming salaries. In the case of Antonio Pierce as an example, the Giants did not feel comfortable paying Pierce’s $4.75 million 2010 salary. By keeping him on the roster any longer, you run the risk of Pierce incurring a season ending injury in offseason workouts, at which point you’re stuck paying a $4.75 million salary on a player who may or may not have figured significantly into your plans. Also, by releasing him at this point, you’re allowing him to find work at a time when teams are turning over their rosters, thereby helping him find his next opportunity. In the next few weeks, you’ll see LaDainian Tomlinson more than likely meet the same fate.

In addition to veterans with high salaries, front offices have to decide whether or not to pay players with significant roster bonuses that are set to be earned at the beginning of the 2010 league year (March 5^th). Some veterans with interesting roster bonuses due in the early part of the league year are:

UPCOMING 2010 ROSTER BONUSES
Player	Position	Club	Bonus	Date Earned
Lofa Tatupu	LB	SEA	$4,000,000	7th day of league year
Kerry Rhodes	S	NYJ	$2,000,000	7th day of league year
Antrel Rolle	S	ARZ	$4,000,000	Beginning of league year
Jeff Backus	OL	DET	$1,000,000	2nd day of league year
Brian Waters	OL	KC	$1,500,000	10th day of league year
Kareem McKenzie	OL	NYG	$1,000,000	10th day of league year
Thomas Jones	RB	NYJ	$3,000,000	5th day of league year
Lito Sheppard	CB	NYJ	$10,000,000	5th day of league year
Stacy Andrews	OL	PHI	$5,000,000	30th day of league year
Darren Howard	DE	PHI	$1,000,000	15th day of league year
Michael Vick	QB	PHI	$1,500,000	5th day of league year
Jamal Williams	DT	SD	$1,000,000	1st day of league year

Of the above list, the name I find most intriguing is Jets running back Thomas Jones. A lot has been made of the impending departure of safety Kerry Rhodes, but given the playoff productivity of Shonn Greene, I would find it very hard to believe that the Jets will be willing to pay a $3 million roster bonus to Thomas Jones. Jones has been clamoring for a new deal, so I wouldn’t think that Jones would be willing to renegotiate his looming roster bonus and instead would rather be released so that he can try his luck in free agency. Another interesting name on the above list is Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle. Rolle will be 27 years old at the beginning of the 2010 season, and because his free agency would result from the Cardinals terminating his contract instead of it expiring, Rolle would be one of the few unrestricted free agents younger than age 30. Rolle could find himself in a position to earn a lucrative contract that could make him one of the top ten highest paid safeties.

In the month of February, front offices also have to decide at what level to tender their restricted free agents, and as we’ve discussed in previous columns, the tendering of restricted free agents in 2010 takes on even more significance because of the quality of players that are restricted free agents as a result of the uncapped year. For those restricted free agents who are former first round or second round picks, clubs, in deciding what level to tender the player, must keep in mind the rules of the “Upgraded Tender.”

The Upgraded Tender is when a player is tendered at a level higher than the round they were originally drafted. For example, Redskins defensive tackle Kedric Golston is a former sixth round pick and is a restricted free agent. If the Redskins were to tender Golston at the second round level, then Golston has received an Upgraded Tender. This Upgraded Tender then affects the tendering of Redskins linebacker Rocky McIntosh, a former second round pick who is also a restricted free agent. Without the Upgraded Tender, the Redskins could tender McIntosh at the Original Round level and receive a second round pick in return if he were to depart via restricted free agency. However, because of the Upgraded Tender to Golston, the Redskins must tender McIntosh at a minimum of the Second Round level if they want to get a second round pick in return, otherwise, if the Redskins tender McIntosh at the Original Round level, then they would only receive a third round pick in return. The same mechanics apply to former first round picks. Under the same scenario, if they are not tendered at the first round level or higher, then the team will receive a second round pick in return. That said, expect the vast majority of former first and second round draft picks to be tendered at a minimum level of their respective selection round.

In addition to restricted free agent tenders, clubs have until February 25^th to decide on placing the franchise tag and/or transition tag on any looming unrestricted free agents. Remember that in the uncapped year clubs may designate a franchise player and a transition player.

So it’s officially front office season, in addition to the items discussed above you’ve got negotiations on extensions with players you’d like to keep long-term and on top of that you’ve got the Scouting Combine at the end of the month. It’s definitely a busy time for front offices, but if you’re fan of roster building, then there’s no better time of year than right now.

Follow J.I. Halsell on Twitter: @SalaryCap101