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

Appearance on Washington Post Live, 02.09.10

See the attached link for my appearance on Washington Post Live this past Tuesday; also on the show is former Redskins & Texans GM Charley Casserly. On the show we discuss the Super Bowl, the Saints offseason, Redskins offseason, and the coming uncapped year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzmsKEQc8wA
Video is courtesy of Comcast SportsNet

Return of the Poison Pill?

By now most of us are aware that 2010 is going to be an uncapped year. Given the uncapped year, we also are aware that players who would have been unrestricted free agents this offseason, much to their chagrin, are now restricted free agents by virtue of the requirement of six accrued seasons of service to qualify for unrestricted free agency instead of what had been four accrued seasons. In my time with the Redskins, our offseason film review mainly consisted of reviewing and scouting unrestricted free agents; it was rare that we would make the effort to review restricted free agents. However, now with your most talented players with expiring contracts being restricted free agents, you must do your due diligence on restricted free agents in the event that a player is surprisingly tendered at a level not expected.

By the end of February, we will know at what level teams have tendered restricted free agents. The tenders in 2010 are as follows:

- Right of First Refusal (also known as the low tender): $1,176,000 or 110% of previous year’s salary
- Right of First Refusal + Original Round Compensation: $1,176,000 or 110% of previous year’s salary
- Right of First Refusal + 2nd Round Compensation: $1,759,000 or 110% of previous year’s salary
- Right of First Refusal + 1st Round Compensation: $2,521,000 or 110% of previous year’s salary
- Right of First Refusal + 1st & 3rd Round Compensation: $3,168,000 or 110% of previous year’s salary

Some of the more interesting names in restricted free agency this year, who, had 2010 been a capped year, would have signed potentially market setting or at least top-tier contracts in unrestricted free agency are:

- CLE linebacker D’Qwell Jackson
- DEN defensive end Elvis Dumervil
- DEN wide receiver Brandon Marshall
- DAL wide receiver Miles Austin (although Jerry Jones has alluded recently to being interested in signing Austin to a long-term deal)
- GB safety Nick Collins
- HOU tight end Owen Daniels (although his market value clearly took a hit when he blew out his knee, but there’s no doubting that prior to the injury he was one of the more productive players at his position)
- HOU linebacker DeMeco Ryans
- MIA running back Ronnie Brown
- MIN defensive end Ray Edwards
- NE offensive lineman Logan Mankins
- NO offensive lineman Jammal Brown
- NYJ wide receiver Braylon Edwards
- PHI fullback Leonard Weaver (Weaver joined the Eagles as an unrestricted free agent and has now reverted to restricted free agency due to the uncapped year)
- SD wide receiver Vincent Jackson
- SD offensive lineman Marcus McNeill
- SD linebacker Shawne Merriman
- STL safety O.J. Atogwe

With all of the talent listed above, one has to wonder whether we could possibly see more movement than normal in the restricted free agency market. Historically, very few players have switched teams via restricted free agency. In recent memory, cornerback/return specialist Chris Carr moved from Oakland to Tennessee and tight end Ben Utecht moved from Indianapolis to Cincinnati. Given the value placed on draft picks in today’s NFL, those players who have moved via restricted free agency were tendered at the low level - right of first refusal only. In the cases of Carr and Utecht both of whom were tendered at the low level, neither player was drafted when they came into the league, therefore, their original teams could only match their offer sheets and not receive any draft compensation for their departure. A study that I conducted while at the Redskins determined that since 2007, when the 2nd round tender was introduced, no player tendered at the 2nd round level or higher (1st round tender or 1st & 3rd round tender) had ever received an offer sheet. It will be interesting to see if this fact is challenged this offseason given the quality of the restricted free agent market.

One way to controversially encourage movement in the restricted free agent market would be a reintroduction of the “poison pill” concept. Rewind to the 2006 offseason, you may remember that guard Steve Hutchinson, who was given the Transition tag which is essentially Right of First Refusal with no compensation for an unrestricted free agent, moved from Seattle to Minnesota by virtue of an offer sheet that contained a poison pill. The poison pill is a device that makes it virtually impossible for the original team to match the offer sheet. In the case of Hutchinson, the poison pill language would have guaranteed the full contract value of $49 million if Hutchinson was not the highest paid offensive lineman in Seattle, which given the presence of the contract of Walter Jones could not be achieved. Subsequently, the Seahawks signed restricted free agent wide receiver Nate Burleson to a poison pill contract that contained language stating that if Burleson played five games in the state of Minnesota his full contract value of $49 million would be guaranteed. Clearly, the Minnesota Vikings could not match this provision since they obviously play their home games in Minnesota. However, unlike the Hutchinson transaction where Seattle received no compensation, the Burleson transaction netted the Vikings Seattle’s third round pick due to the fact that Burleson, a former third round pick, was tendered at the low level – right of first refusal plus original round.

If Denver tenders a talented yet troubled Brandon Marshall at the second round tender and if you are a club looking for a legitimate number one receiver and are willing to give up a second round pick in exchange, then to ensure your acquisition why would you not insert a provision that makes it impossible for Denver to match? Some have said that the disappearance of the poison pill after 2006 confirms collusion on the parts of clubs? That said, in today’s unique free agency market with its unique set of rules, nothing would really be too surprising, not even a club using the poison pill to acquire a high end restricted free agent. Can’t wait for those tenders to come out to see who might be a viable target for such a mechanism.



Follow J.I. Halsell on Twitter: @SalaryCap101

Salary Cap 101 Webinar, Saturday, 1.23.10 @ 1pm ET

If you're an aspiring agent or NFL GM, then you may be interested in my Salary Cap 101 webinar taking place on Saturday, January 23rd at 1pm ET. In the webinar you'll learn the nuances of player contracts, salary cap accounting, and information on the ramifications of the uncapped year. For more information & to register, visit www.SalaryCap101.com .

Wichard Has Quite a Crop of 2010 Draft Picks

According to league sources, California-based agent Gary Wichard has quite a stable thus far of 2010 draft eligible clients. Wichards' clients include: Illinois' talented WR Arrelious Benn (a Dunbar (DC) HS product), Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen, USC S Taylor Mays, & Clemson RB C.J. Spiller. All four clients are potential first round picks and recognized as being in the top three or so at their respective positions.

Eugene Parker to no one's surprise landed former Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant. Parker has also signed USC RB Joe McKnight. Parker is a great contract negotiator, but the commonality between Bryant & McKnight in 2009 were that both players were the subjects of media attention for potentially receiving improper gifts while collegiate athletes. Parker has also landed first round prospect Oklahoma OT Trent Williams.

Speaking of the Sooners, super-firm CAA (Tom Condon & Ben Dogra) has made the rounds in Norman, as evidenced by their signings of first round prospects TE Jermaine Gresham and DT Gerald McCoy. Also signed to CAA is first round prospect OT Bryan Bulaga out of Iowa.

The most decorated player in the recent history of college football, Florida's Tim Tebow, has signed with Memphis-based Jimmy Sexton. Given Sexton's strong ties to Bill Parcells, it'll be interesting to see if Tebow lands with a Parcells disciple. One wouldn't think he'd land with the Dolphins given the presence and second round investment in wild-cat QB Pat White a year ago.

Tebow's former Gator teammate, LB Brandon Spikes, signed with Atlanta-based agent Terry Watson. Watson isn't a well known agent, but kudos to Spikes for going with an agent not amongst the usual suspects of agents who represent premier players.

Former Notre Dame WR Golden Tate signed with Todd France, and so did monster-sized WR Demayrius Thomas out of Georgia Tech.

The poster child for NFL agents, Drew Rosenhaus, has two potential first round clients in South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul and Penn State LB Navorro Bowman.

In the coming weeks we should be finding out who the other top prospects sign with. Given Jimmy Sexton's strong ties to the Tennessee program, it wouldn't be surprising to see Vols S Eric Berry go with Sexton. Given CAA's strong ties to the midwest and history of negotiating number one overall pick contracts, it wouldn't be surprising to see Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh sign with CAA. But we'll see.

Moving along, if you're interested in learning the nuances of NFL player contracts and the salary cap (and uncapped year for that matter), then you may be interested in registering for my Salary Cap 101 webinar taking place on Saturday, January 23rd at 1pm ET. For information & to register, visit www.SalaryCap101.com .

Under the Cap: Wrapping Up the Top Ten Defender Contracts

Lets tie up some loose ends and wrap up the remaining Top Ten highest contracts at the following positions:

Inside Linebacker:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/under-cap/2009/under-cap-top-ten-inside-linebackers

Cornerback:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/under-cap/2009/under-cap-top-ten-cornerbacks

Safety:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/under-cap/2009/under-cap-top-ten-safeties

Kicker & Punter:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/under-cap/2009/under-cap-top-ten-specialists

As always, you can follow me on Twitter: @SalaryCap101

Enjoy!

Catching Up on Inside the Cap

Sorry for the long break between entries, but know that, while I've been writing for Football Outsiders & ESPN, that I haven't forgotten about Inside The Cap. Given that FO & ESPN are slightly restrictive because I'm at the mercy of my editors, Inside the Cap provides me an unfiltered outlet for my content. That said, look forward to my future entries to this space, particularly as we enter the uncapped year of 2010.