Scouting out NFC South salary-cap room

[jtnc]

As we linger in lockout limbo, there’s not a lot to do but watch as the negotiators continue on a road that seems to be headed toward a new labor deal. With at least that on the horizon, the possible start of a free-agency period isn’t far behind it.

So let’s take a look at some salary-cap figures as we look forward to free agency. Some of the reports about the possible deal have pegged that 2011 salary cap right about $120 million.

In terms of money already committed toward a 2011 cap (rookie contracts aren’t a factor yet because teams haven’t even been allowed to negotiate with draft picks), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the lowest figure in the league. They’re sitting at $63.8 million. In recent years, the Bucs spent well below the cap and had the league’s lowest payroll in the uncapped 2010 season.

There’s been talk that a new agreement could require all teams to use somewhere near 90 percent of the salary-cap space. That means the Bucs theoretically would have to spend somewhere close to $50 million in cap space to meet the minimum. Could that lead to the Bucs being players in free agency? Yes, but I don’t think you’ll see them going crazy. They have some of their own free agents (like Davin Joseph and Cadillac Williams) that they want to keep. The Bucs also have some other young players under contract for the moment that could be in line for contract extensions. Tampa Bay’s in a youth movement and the Bucs will do their best to keep their core intact first. They could make some moves in free agency. But I don’t expect to see them going out and signing a bunch of big-name free agents who are in their 30s.

The Carolina Panthers are just a bit ahead of the Bucs at $73 million. But that number’s a bit misleading. Assuming the rules for the franchise tag get worked out as expected, center Ryan Kalil, who had the tag placed on him before the lockout, is going to add $10 million to that.

Then, there’s the fact that the Panthers want to keep some of their own free agents, like DeAngelo Williams, James Anderson and Charles Johnson. That’s going to cost some big money. Oh, by the way, the Panthers also are in a youth movement like the Bucs. They may sign a veteran backup quarterback and a few role players, but don’t expect a frenzy in Carolina.The two teams in the NFC South that are the most likely to be active in free agency are the two who currently have the most money committed to the salary cap. The Atlanta Falcons are at $103.5 million and the New Orleans Saints are at $104.8.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/41298/scouting-out-nfc-south-salary-cap-room

[panthers55]

Sounds like what I have been saying in several posts. I wonder when folks will take off the rose colored glasses and realize we are not going to be that big in free agency and that signing our core group will take up most of the cap and salaries.

[jtnc]

They don't get it.

[Dpantherman]

Am I missing something?? Is signing our core players supposed to be a bad thing?

[jtnc]

Am I missing something?? Is signing our core players supposed to be a bad thing?

It's not a bad thing, it's just that we won't be able to explore FA, guys like Coefield or Jonathan Joseph may not be signed.

[Ivan The Awesome]

So basically what everyone has been saying all along. Sign Core, get 2-3 FA, if lucky?

[Ja Rhule]

We def gonna sign some free agents.

[TruCatzFan]

I think the huddle should be segregated... Not by race but by football IQ... I think that if we could get all of the intelligent fans in one area, and all the morons that barely know what a first down or free agency even means in another area.... I think that the Huddle would be way more enjoyable!

The disparity between posts is borderline rediculous... How can you join a blog online, and know very little about the sport or organization?

[Panthercougar68]

I'm gonna try and find it but I read somewhere that number isn't right because something can be adjusted to where were a little under 70 mil...I can't remember where I read it though...must have been drunk at the time

[jtm]

I think we will only get a DT and vet back-up QB (assuming Smith stays). If Smith leaves, I think we will go after another WR to give Cam some help.

Panthers have never been big in free agency and I have said all along that this isn't going to change all of a sudden. Big ticket free agency moves fail more than they work. We, like the Pats and Steelers build through the draft. If you don't like it, go pull for the Skins where they sign every free agent on the market.

On another note, I thought the $120 million number was the MINIMUM salary cap and the max is projected to be around $150.

[Cyberjag]

JTM, did you mean DT? With Johnson, Hardy, and Brown I am not sure we will go looking for a DE, but we certainly need some help in the middle.

CB is another area I expect us to look at in FA. But that's about it.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Noone here is saying we are going on a massive spending spree.

We are saying that we will resign our core, and we WILL, regardless of what anyone says, make a push for a few key FA's. Cofield has been thrown around, now guys like Weddle are, amongst others. Just because a few people here let the media brainwash them into thinking Richardson is some cheap goober doesn't mean that it's true...

Don't be positive Anderson returns here. If he wants to be back at a fair price, he'll be back. But we won't break the bank for a position we are deep at, ESPECIALLY with the Beast needing a conract extension here shortly.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

Things I believe are imparative as soon as the lockout is over:

1. Resign the core football players of our team:

A) DeAngelo Williams

B) Charles Johnson

C) James Anderson

D) Dante Rosario

2. Contract extensions or player trades for our bubble players:

A) Jon Beason (extend)

B) Ryan Kalil (extend)

C) Steve Smith (extend or trade)

D) Mackenzy Bernadeau (extend)

We cant have talented players just walking away from our team anymore; (see Julius Peppers) we must either extend or trade them in their last year on contract.

3. Sign the rookies (come on Rookie Cap!, no whammie, no whammie, stop)

4. Make some serious moves in FA

A) DT

B) CB

C) O-Line, G and T

D) WR depth (depending on smitty)

4. Get into training camp and let talent levels sort out our starters!

Anyone want to predict if this is gonna be possibly with our salary cap room? I do not know how much these things cost.

[panthers55]

Noone here is saying we are going on a massive spending spree.

We are saying that we will resign our core, and we WILL, regardless of what anyone says, make a push for a few key FA's. Cofield has been thrown around, now guys like Weddle are, amongst others. Just because a few people here let the media brainwash them into thinking Richardson is some cheap goober doesn't mean that it's true...

Don't be positive Anderson returns here. If he wants to be back at a fair price, he'll be back. But we won't break the bank for a position we are deep at, ESPECIALLY with the Beast needing a conract extension here shortly.

Yeah some people are acting like we have 30-40 million to sign free agents and we will go out and pursue top name talent. When you add that the 30-40 million is a cap figure and doesn't include the signing bonuses which have to paid upfront at the time the contract is signed, it will be actually a lot more coming out of Richardson's pocket.

No one is saying Richardson won't be spending money. Just to sign the core group of guys will cost him 80-100 million in signing bonuses. That is hardly cheap. But what people are saying is that once he does that, there won't be a ton of cash left to throw around. We will be picking up free agents but they may not be the big name expensive name guys being thrown out for discussion. Just as likely it will be guys you haven't heard about who have been around the league and can be had for less money. When we needed a right tackle a few years ago we brought in four or five guys and found Vincent. He was solid but not spectacular and was cheap. If we make a big splash this year it will be one guy maybe 2 but not the flood some folks expect. If we pick a dozen guys in free agency most people will not be wowed by the majority of them. Much like they weren't when we picked up Brayton for example.