This would change everything

Adam Schefter said on NFL Net that the Bucs are going to have a very tight off season, cap-wise. Might be their tightest year yet. Atlanta has a good deal of work to do in getting Dunn re-structured, as well as re-signing some other key components. The Saints, IMO, are going to endure a mass exodus, due to the clusterfuck the organization in currently in the midst of.

I really feel that of the four NFC South teams, the Panthers are the best equipped to not only retain talent, but to make a few key additions. To pour $50 million into one player this spring would be foolish. Assuming Foster and Spoon return, here's who I would like to add:

WR Finneran
HB C. Taylor
CB B. Williams

I add Williams in the mix b/c I don't see RMJ back in 2006. That, and Williams is stout. He's young, from the area, and damn fine tackler. Instant upgrade from RMJ, and provides some good depth/competition for Gamble.

 

. No shit

My tickets have one up 50% in 10 years

 

Isn't he an RFA? If he is he'll be around at least 1 more year.

 

He is an RFA. Perhaps saying he "won't be back" this year is a little strong. Regardless, I think making a play for a solid corner wouldn't hurt. I don't think it's a "need", but it sure is a want.

 

Oops, check this out from the CBA. This is in effect in uncapped years.
------------------
ARTICLE XXI
FINAL EIGHT PLAN

Section 1. Application: The provisions of this Article shall apply only in any League Year during the term of this Agreement in which no Salary Cap is in effect.

Section 2. Top Four Teams: Each of the four Clubs that participated in the NFC and AFC Championship games the Prior League Year shall not be permitted to negotiate and sign any Unrestricted Free Agent to a Player Contract, except: (a) any Unrestricted Free Agent who acquired that status as a result of the NFL waiver system; (b) any Unrestricted Free Agent who was under contract to such Club on the last date of the last League Year of the player’s most recent Player Contract; and (c) any Unrestricted Free Agent signed pursuant to Section 4 below.

Section 3. Next Four Teams: Each of the four playoff Clubs that lost in the immediately preceding playoff games to the four Clubs that participated in the NFC and AFC Championship games the Prior League Year shall not be permitted to negotiate and sign any Unrestricted Free Agent to a Player contract, except: (a) any Unrestricted Free Agent who acquired that status as a result of the NFL waiver system; (b) any Unrestricted Free Agent who was under contract to such Club on the last date of the last League Year of the player’s most recent Player contract; (c) any Unrestricted Free Agent signed pursuant to Section 4 below; and (d) any Unrestricted Free Agent as follows:

(i) One such player for a Player Contract that has a first year Salary of $1,500,000 or more; and

(ii) Any number of such players for a Player Contract that has a first year Salary of no more than $1,000,000 and an annual increase in any future contract years of no more than 30% of the first contract year Salary, not including any amount attributed to any signing bonus. In addition, each such Club and each such player entering into a Player Contract pursuant to this subsection may not renegotiate to increase the amount of Salary to be paid during the term of the Player Contract for a period of one year after the signing date of such contract.

Section 4. Replacement of Free Agents Signed by Other Club: Each of the eight Clubs subject to the provisions of this Article shall be permitted to negotiate and sign one Unrestricted Free Agent to a Player Contract (“New Player”) for each Unrestricted Free Agent who was under contract to such Club on the last date of the prior League Year, who has signed with another Club (“Previous Player”), so long as the Player Contract for the New Player shall have a first year Salary of no more than the first year Salary of the Player Contract signed by the Previous Player with the New

Club, and an annual increase in any future contract years of no more than 30% of the first contract year Salary, excluding any amounts attributable to any signing bonus. In addition, each such Club and each such player entering into a Player Contract pursuant to this subsection may not renegotiate to increase the amount of Salary to be paid during the term of the Player Contract for a period of one year after the signing date of such contract.

Section 5. Increases: The amounts specified in this Article ($1,500,000 and $1,000,000) shall increase each League Year following the 1993 League Year by the same percentage as the increase in Projected DGR over the prior League Year’s DGR (as defined in Article XXIV (Guaranteed League-wide Salary, Salary Cap & Minimum Team Salary)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the amounts specified in this Article increase if the Projected DGR for the League Year in question is not greater than the highest DGR of any previous League Year.

Section 6. Salary Definition: For purposes of this Article, “Salary” means Paragraph 5 Salary, roster and reporting bonuses, prorata portions of signing bonuses, likely to be earned incentive bonuses, and other payments in compensation for the playing of professional football, as defined in Article XXIV (Guaranteed League-wide Salary, Salary Cap & Minimum Team Salary) below.

Section 7. Trade Limitation: No Club subject to the provisions of this Article may, for one League Year, trade for a player it otherwise would not be permitted to sign as an Unrestricted Free Agent as a result of the provisions in this Article.

* [R]egarding whether Clubs subject to the Final Eight Plan are permitted to negotiate with and sign Transition Players, and Franchise Players who otherwise are permitted to negotiate and sign with other Clubs…Final Eight Plan Clubs are permitted under the CBA to negotiate with and sign such players, since these players are not Unrestricted Free Agents.

* For purposes of the Final Eight Plan provisions, each of the eight teams subject to the provisions of Article IX of the Stipulation and Settlement Agreement and Article XXI of the Collective Bargaining Agreement may, after the later of July 15 or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, in any League Year in which the Final Eight Plan is in effect, sign any Unrestricted Free

Agent whose team did not make the June 1 Tender or whose team subsequently withdrew that Tender.

 

I am really concerned about the CBA. It would be criminal to see the NFL go the Major League Baseball route. It's hard for me to understand the all the money and the greed for more but I guess on a much smaller scale it's not that unlike our day to day actions...always trying to make more I mean.

I am still a little hungover from the season and havent ramped up for the draft yet but I think to some degree I am just holding my breath to see what comes of the CBA.

 

that'd be incentive to get something done, I don't know any team that would want to be crippled by the NFL telling them they can't sign unrestricted free agents except Sec.4's "replacement". I'm sure teams could work with it (and around it), but it's ridiculous to have such a thing in place anyway.

this is no less ridiculous. If you make the playoffs, but not the championship games, you get to sign a couple free agents.

 

Vikings | Team tags B. Williams
Thu, 23 Feb 2006 0939 -0800

The Associated Press reports the Minnesota Vikings named CB Brian Williams as their transition player Thursday, Feb. 23, which prevents him from becoming an unrestricted free agent. By league rules, the Vikings must tender Williams a one-year qualifying offer at the average of the 10 highest-paid players at his position or 120 per cent of his 2005 salary, whichever is greater. Williams will still be allowed to sign an offer sheet with another team, which Minnesota would have a week to match.



*I highly doubt Manning will leave as an RFA, and other than Williams' hight advantage, there is really not much difference between the two. And as a nickle, I would still rather have Ricky - even though he hasn't exactly thrived in that role.

 

I think Manning's been good enough. I wouldn't first-round tender him, especially since I don't think he's worth paying twice what Gamble makes.

 

maybe this did change everything