What I'd Do With The Uncapped Year

As you've undoubtedly heard by now, it's all but certain that the 2010 NFL season will go on without a salary cap.  No salary cap also means no salary floor.  If this happens long-term, it'd be Goodnight Irene for the Bengals' chances at a championship as long as Mike Brown ran the team.  However, I'm of the belief that we don't have to worry about this.  For all their posturing, the NFLPA knows that the salary cap system in place is good for both parties.  After the 2010 season, whenever football is played again, it will be under a salary cap.

Thus, I'm operating under the assumption that 2011 and beyond will be under very similar cap rules as those that have been in place.  A quick, very basic refresher.  A player's salary counts only towards their cap number for the year it is paid, and can vary wildly by year.  It can go from $10M one year to only $300k the next, depending on the structure of the contract.  Thus, a player can have very, very different figures against the cap from year to year.  Obviously, no player would allow their pay to be jerked around so violently every season.  This is stemmed by two types of bonuses, signing and roster (they can be but are not always guaranteed).  Signing bonuses are prorated over the life of the contract.  For example, a 5 year contract with a $20M signing bonus means that $4M counts towards a player's cap figure every year of the deal.  If a player is released at any point of those 5 years, the remaining bonus proration counts against the cap immediately.  Roster bonuses, for the purpose of this article, function very similar to base salaries, at least in the way they are counted against the salary cap.

I follow the league as a whole daily, and I've yet to see any conclusive opinion on how exactly contracts signed in 2010 will count towards future salary caps.  Will they be prorated as per usual?  Will they work under a different set of rules?  Nobody knows for sure, and nobody will until the next CBA is hammered out, which will be in March 2011 at the earliest.

What seems fairly obvious is that there will be no penalty for releasing players as there normally would be.  For instance, if the Bengals were to release Lavernaues Coles under normal salary cap rules, they would take a large hit for the 2010.  It's possible that the hit would be so large that it wouldn't be worth it to cut him.  Without the salary cap, there is obviously no salary cap hit, and it is not a consideration.  Strictly financial and performance issues must be taken into account.  Without a significant restructuring of his deal, I'd release Coles.  He's simply not worth what he'll be owed, even given the weakness at the position.  Other than that, I can't think of another veteran on the roster who is making too much money and would be convenient to get rid of while there is no penalty for doing so.  I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, however.

Now, back to the fact that nobody knows how new contracts will be handled.  Again, while noboody knows for sure the exact rules, it's pretty much agreed on that salaries paid in 2010 cannot count against future caps.  Signing bonuses could count into future years, but base salaries and/or roster bonuses paid in 2010 probably will not.

This being the case, it seems to be that it'd be a great time to extend the contracts of young players who will help the team continue to be competitive in the long-term.  To make their contracts extremely cap friendly, I'd give them large, fully guaranteed base salaries for the 2010 season.  These would essentially function as signing bonuses, but would not impact the cap in the future as signing bonuses normally would.

For the players, the contract wouldn't differ from an extension they would have signed any other year.  Same guaranteed money, same base salaries in future years, just different wording.  Thus, the players would be open to signing an extension, just as they would be any other time

The one downside I could see from the team's perspective is cash on hand.  I won't pretend to know how much liquid assets the team or family has on hand.  This strategy would require more than usual, I'd estimate, but nothing totally out of reason for an NFL team.

The players I'd consider giving these contracts to are, in order:  Jonathan Joseph, Leon Hall, and Cedric Benson.  Again, like before, I'm sure I'm missing someone.  I'd only be looking to extend young starters who I felt had the potential to be quality contributors for 4 or 5 more seasons.

As I said, I follow the NFL as a whole, not just the Bengals.  I'm very eager to see how all teams, especially this one, handle the uncapped year.  I have a feeling it won't be as big of a deal as most have made it out to be for 18 months or so.  Two things I do know if the salary cap is gone for good:  this post was pointless and Bengals fans are totally screwed.

Comments

[Mr. X]

You seriously can't think of another veteran who isn't playing up to his salary? If Dan Coats is making more than 50 bucks, you can add his name to the list.

On the opposite side, when does Domata Peko's contract expire? If it's in the next year or two, we should be locking him in now.

[5chw4r7z]

I don't see Brown spending any money, as guys leave for greener pastures he'll be signing UFL guys for $75-100k a year. It will be another 19yrs before the Bengals make the playoffs again.

[TheCarlPickensClause]

"What I'd do with an uncapped year" is spend abundantly AND wisely on quality free agents while re-signing some of their own free agents.
Own guys I'd re-sign: Tank Johnson, Roy Williams, Brandon Johnson, Frostee Rucker, Kyle Cook, Bobbie Williams (maybe), Rashad Jeanty (maybe) and even Jeremi Johnson is a maybe. I base keeping JJ around due to the fact that the running game improved tenfold with a true blocking FB in there as opposed to 2008.
Guys I'd let walk: Dan Coats, Jerome Simpson, Reggie Kelly (though I know he's unsigned), maybe JJ.
Free Agents I'd try and bring in (not all, but a combination of some, and I realize that some are restricted FA's so that's why I have multiple names):
1.) Address WR position (at least one)--Brandon Marshall (make a trade), T.O., Vincent Jackson, Miles Austin, Steve Breaston, Kevin Walter OR Davonne Bess. I'd make sure that I got one top-tier WR and maybe look at bringing in another second-tier WR, so to not handcuff the team going into the draft.
2.) Address TE position: Do everything in my power to get either Ben Watson or Owen Daniels in free agency. As fall-back guys, I'd look at Leonard Pope or Matt Spaeth.
3.) Address Safety Position: Besides re-signing Roy, look at O.J. Atogwe, Sean Jones, Dawan Landry.
4.) Address O-line: If Bobbie isn't retained, look at other Guards. Antoher interesting thing to look at is that the Saints have two good O-Lineman that are free agents, and may look to trade one (Bushrod and Brown). I'd see who they're looking at trading and what they want for one of those guys.
5.) Address Defensive End/Pass rush: Sniff around at Julius Peppers (though he wants a 3-4 system), more realistically look at Elvis Dumervil (another 3-4 guy, but he can get to the QB) or Ray Edwards.
What I didn't get in free agency, I look for in the draft. The only exceptions are TE and WR. If I get on of each (it doesn't matter who), I'd still draft one of each in the first three rounds. What I'd most likely draft: Round 1--TE/S Round 2--WR, Round 3 (two picks)--Guard and DE, Round 4--QB, Round 5--CB, Rounds 6-7--O and D-Line.
After this, I would extend the contracts of: Johnathan Joseph, Leon Hall, Domata Peko, Cedric Benson.
Scheme-wise, I'd look at re-shuffling the O-Line again. It is my believe that the all-around strongest lineup for this group would look like this: Andre Smith--RT, Bobbie Williams/New Guy--RG, Kyle Cook--C, Andrew Whitworth--LG and Anthony Collins--LT. Collins is not a RT and played very well at LT in 2008 against stout competition. Whitworth can hold his own at LT, but that's not where he's best suited. I look at him as a Leonard Davis/Robert Gallery-type. A huge guy who was a great college LT, but is a pro Guard. Plus, with him next to Collins, he can really help him out.

Bottom line: In an uncapped year, I would do anything and everything in my power to fill every hole that I saw in the roster. I would make sure that as an Owner/GM, I'd make sure that sites like WDR didn't exist. Too bad Mike Brown doesn't see things the same way.

[The truth]

Wow carlpickens made Synder look like a cheap owner. Wow. I'm all for being active in free agency but he's basically doubling the teams salary next year at least. If they brought back the cap we'd have to cut 1/3 of the roster if they made all these moves.
No team/gm will or would spend that much.

[TheCarlPickensClause]

The Truth --

Read again. I didn't say make ALL of these moves. I said SOME. You have to have backup plans. I don't want Brandon Marshall AND T.O.--that's asenine. If you get one, then make a bid for a second-tier guy (Walter, Bess) and/or draft a guy high. If you get quality guys, you can also dump salaries like Coles' and Simpson's. My point was that the Bengals, more than any other franchise in the NFL, have proven year in and year out that they need depth at all positions because they get plagued by injuries. That's why it's intelligent to get a quality veteran AND draft a guy at these positions. It's also wise to go after top-tier guys in free agency this year because it's a weird year and players may accept a little less than they would have last year with the impending capless year. Safety, Wide Receiver Tight End, Guard, and Defensive Line are areas of concern. They need to also look at making upgrades at backup QB and a 3rd/4th CB. We all know that Mike Brown won't be this active in free agency, because he never is, save for last year. I think he'll be more active than he's been over the last decade, but nowhere near what we saw last season.

Guys they need to look at in the draft in rounds 1-4 (not in any particular order):
Safety: Taylor Mays, Nate Allen, Major Wright, Myron Rolle
Tight End: Jermaine Gresham, Rob Gronkowski, Anthony McCoy
Wide Receiver: Damian Williams, Arrelious Benn, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Williams, Brandon LaFell
Defensive End: Carlos Dunlap, George Selvie, Greg Hardy, Eversen Griffen
Quarterback: Jevan Snead, Jonathan Crompton, Tony Pike, Dan LeFevour, Tim Tebow (yes, think about it--good guy and this player will be a backup anyway, if he slips to round 3 or 4, you may want to take him).

I have something for the frequenters to this site to think about: Do you think that Mike Brown is subtly moving Marvin Lewis into a quasi-GM role, while still being his Head Coach? Think about it: lately (especially last year) the drafts and free agents have been "Marvin's guys" for the most part. Do you think that Mikey is slowly giving the reigns to Marvin without telling him or any of us? I think that there's a possibility that a situation like this could be happening and nobody but Mike knows it. Think about it: he'll get a GM type out of Marvin (obviously not the best candidate), he won't have to pay extra salary towards a true GM and he'll get to keep that GM bonus he pays himself, all while not doing the work himself. Basically, he gets a GM-type out of Marvin for free. He'd be letting Marvin have a little more pull in who comes through the doors, but he'd have the final authority as the owner. Obviously, he'd never admit to relinquishing any power to anyone, but it's something that would reek of Mike Brown. Does this make sense to any of you?

[The truth]

WTF do you watch football carlpickens??? Plenty of great coaches like Cowher, parcells, etc demand GM authority identical to what you are claiming MB is doing to be cheap??

Secondly even if the bengaks only took one guy from each position ie Marshall, st. Louis's safety and daniels and then resigned their own plaers that would double the salary st least.

[TheCarlPickensClause]

Truth --

You're still not reading me correctly. So, for the third time, I'm not saying they need to do ALL of these moves. I was laying out OPTIONS for the team. There's no reason why they can't sign a Marshall and a Watson while re-signing and/or extending some of their guys. Last season alone, Mike Brown signed Coles, Tank, Roy Williams, CedBen, Chris Crocker, Foschi, O'Sullivan and others. I don't think it's asking too much to sign two top-tier guys and another one or two second tier guys. The whole point of the article is "what would YOU do...?". I stated what I would do as a GM in an uncapped year.
Furthermore, You of all people calling someone out on not knowing football is laughable at best. You are continuously crucified on these boards for your idiocy. I think the fact that I mentioned numerous college prospects from all different schools and positions should alone prove "that I watch football". Nevertheless, thanks for creating another bickering sesh on another WDR article.

[WhoDeyFans]

Truth -

You see how it works now? Showtime made an excellent post with some good information. Then the commenters come in and ruin it. People like carlpickens will never understand that their wishes can not be reality. I knew someone would come on here and write how they would sign 20 pro-bowlers and the Bengals will win every superbowl forever.

These people are not based in reality when thinking about the Bengals.

[Hofbraunow]

Hmmm...I see Ladainian Tomlinson on the horizon...

MFB might not redeem him, but he might try to cash him in...

[The truth]

Carlpickens my "do you watch football" was in regards to
having Marvin be the GM and MB doing it to be cheap. Again watch any football show and they will say how the good coaches are demanding that now.

[TheCarlPickensClause]

Good God, you people are freaking 'gloids. The article asked the question of what I would do as GM. ME. MYSELF. NOT Mike Brown. What I would do and what MB would do are different scenarios. I know this. I wrote that fact at the end of my original post. Read it again.

Truth and WhoDeyFans, you may want to learn how to read an entire post before you blast it.

[WhoDeyFans]

ok, where in the post was the question? Or do you generally assume when someone states an opinion they want to know yours as well.

Showtime made a post stating what he would do. It was very interesting, I did read the whole thing. At no time did he switch into fantasy land and start signing all kinds of players that no NFL team could afford or do.

So are we the gloid's because we rip apart your comment or you because you thought the post was a question to you?

[Neutered Bengal]

@truth and whodey fans;

As an unbiased observer you two are retarded and Carl Pickens is correct in his argument.

[the truth]

really?? I'm retarded Neutered Shecat? Carlpickens thinks players will sign for less money in an uncapped year and i'm the dumb one???? I still stand by my arguement that modern coaches want a semi-GM role and if Marvin is getting one it isn't because MB is cheap and trying to get a GM for free but that Marvin is demanding the power.

Also CarlPickens "2nd tier" guys in his post (walter) are still the in the top 10 of their position and not "2nd tier" guys. Lastly he was basically saying the Bengals should sign all the top FA at each position. Not even Washington can afford that.

[Neutered Bengal]

@ Truth;

Wow, look I get what you're saying about Marvin filling in the place of GM, that's fine. What you are failing to understand is that Carlpickens doesn't want to sign all players he mentioned but the immediate necessities. Anyway, I know you won't concede to any of this because you are a stubborn mule who thinks he wins every god damn argument. Well, continue to get ripped on these message boards you're wasting my time.

[the truth]

I never assumed he wanted to sign all the players, but I was given the impression he wanted the top tier player from each position he mentioned. That and he thought they should resign their top players. Just resigning their own players and signing the top WR, SS, TE, and DE would double if not triple the teams salary. No team does that was my point. Realistically they should aim to sign a top WR, look for a second tier SS or draft one high. Same with TE and DE they should look to the draft or look for second tier free agents.

I for one would not want to see Joseph or Hall go so that we can overpay for a free agent this offseason.

[Neutered Bengal]

That's if m. Brown will ever seriously spend in F.A.