John Clayton: Some teams ready for an uncapped season, some not - The Orange Mane

rovolution · 05-28-2008, 04:20 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=3415387

Unless the NFL and the NFL Players Association reach a new extension of the collective bargaining agreement, an uncapped year for team salaries will hit the league in 2010.

Restrictions will apply in this uncapped year. Teams will be given an extra transition tag to go with their one franchise player designation to help them keep two of their top free agents. The best teams won't be allowed to jump into free agency.

The four teams that participate in the conference championship games will not be able to sign an unrestricted free agent until they lose a player in free agency. If those teams lose a player, they can enter the market to find a replacement. There are further limitations on the next four postseason teams, those that participate in the divisional playoff round.

The biggest change would be the time it takes to become a free agent. Under the current salary cap, a player can become an unrestricted free agent after four seasons accrued. In 2010, that time frame would increase to six seasons, mainly allowing players drafted in 2004 or earlier to enter the market freely. Unsigned players without six years in the league would be restricted free agents.

Which teams would be affected most if the league can't get a new labor deal before 2010?

Teams prepared to weather the uncapped storm

1. San Diego Chargers: The Chargers have done one of the best jobs of locking up starters in case of an uncapped year. The core group of the team is still young. San Diego has multiple starters who have been to the Pro Bowl and only four would qualify for free agency in 2010 -- guard Mike Goff, quarterback Philip Rivers, wide receiver Chris Chambers and defensive end Igor Olshansky. As long as he comes back successfully from knee reconstruction, Rivers won't be allowed to hit the market. His contract runs out after the 2009 season, and clearly the Chargers will either sign him to a long-term deal or, in the worst-case scenario, franchise him. The Chargers believe they have at least a two-year window to win a Super Bowl. An uncapped year in 2010 won't affect that window.

2. Dallas Cowboys: Gene Upshaw, head of the NFLPA, reminded reporters last week that Jerry Jones locked up starters from his three-time Super Bowl-winning team during the last uncapped year, which happened in 1993. Jones is trying to do the same thing in anticipation of an uncapped 2010 season. Last week, he signed halfback Marion Barber and cornerback Terence Newman to long-term deals. With a new billion-dollar stadium, Jones will have the money to keep his key players.

Overall, the Cowboys have 13 players who have been to the Pro Bowl among the starters. Jones does have some work to do. The contracts of four starters -- wide receiver Terrell Owens, safety Ken Hamlin, right tackle Marc Colombo and linebacker Zach Thomas -- are up after this season. Defensive end Chris Canty is different from the previously mentioned four starters because he won't have six years in the league in 2010 and thus won't be a free agent then. Linebacker Greg Ellis will be a free agent in 2010 but he also will be 34 at that time.

3. Cleveland Browns: Thanks to the aggressive moves of general manager Phil Savage, the Browns should be set to weather the uncapped storm after picking up Shaun Rogers, Corey Williams and Donte' Stallworth this offseason.

Only four starters could be free agents in 2010, and the Browns should be able to keep most of them. One free agent is linebacker Willie McGinest, who plans to retire after the 2008 season. Safety Sean Jones and linebacker Andra Davis will be free agents after this season and would have enough years to quality for free agency in 2010. Guard Rex Hadnot signed a two-year deal to join the Browns this season, and his contract would be up in 2010.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: The forward-thinking Eagles have worried about the uncapped year for some time and starting signing long-term deals with top young players several years ago. As a result, they are tied with the Cowboys, Jaguars and Jets for the league lead in signed starters in 2010 (15). They have only four starters up in 2010 and they are four players who are free agents after the 2008 season: tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas, safety Brian Dawkins and tight end L.J. Smith. Thomas (33) and Runyon (34) could be in their final seasons with the Eagles. If Thomas isn't re-signed after the season, Andy Reid could move Shawn Andrews from guard to left tackle. Dawkins is 34. Smith could be re-signed after this season if he has a good year as a red zone target.

5. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts will stay in contention as long as Peyton Manning is around and there is no reason to think there will be any drop-off in his game by 2010, when he will be 34. Because the Colts draft young players on defense, they won't have to worry about losing much in that unit. Only middle linebacker Gary Brackett would have enough years in the league to qualify for free agency in 2010. The only other starter of concern is center Jeff Saturday, who's in the final year of his contract. Saturday is 32, but it's not out of the question for the team to prevent him from hitting free agency after this season.

Teams with concerns for the 2010 uncapped year

1. New England Patriots As well-prepared as the Patriots are for anything, they do have to worry about an uncapped year. Tom Brady is signed through 2010, so they don't have to worry about him yet. Nor are the next two seasons cause for concern. They would have 19 of the 22 starters locked up for next season if linebacker Jerod Mayo wins a starting job as a rookie.

However, several players could qualify for free agency in 2010. Hardest hit could be New England's defense. Defensive linemen Richard Seymour, Jarvis Green and Vince Wilfork are up in 2010, as are linebackers Mike Vrabel and and Tedy Bruschi.

Safety Rodney Harrison is in the last year of his contract.

The Patriots have one of the oldest starting defenses in football and it might be hard to find a lot of replacements in a limited free-agent market over the next two seasons. On offense, tight end Ben Watson could hit free agency in 2010. Guard Steve Neal is a free agent after this season.

2. Denver Broncos: Mike Shanahan is paying the price for relying too much on free agency and trades and not doing as well in the draft. The Broncos' biggest problem isn't which players they lose. Their biggest problem is finding replacements, particularly for a defense that is still one of the oldest starting units in football. They have 11 starters under contract in 2010. Linebacker D.J. Williams, perhaps their best young defender, is a free agent after this season. Safeties John Lynch and Marlon McCree are free agents after this season.

Defensive end John Engelberger is free in 2010, when he will be 33. On offense, Tom Nalen is 37 and entering the final year of his contract. This is a roster that is in transition, which is not good as the uncapped year approaches.

3. Detroit Lions: Teams with older starting quarterbacks could be in trouble in the next couple of years because no top quarterback will hit the free-agent market. Jon Kitna will be 37 and unsigned in 2010 and the Lions have done very little to find their long-term starter. Drew Stanton is the best hope for the future.

The first big decision for Detroit involves wide receiver Roy Williams, who will be a free agent after this season. Williams could be asking for top receiver money, which could be around $10 million a year. The Lions could franchise him next year but that doesn't answer the 2010 question. Kitna, center Dominic Raiola, guard Edwin Mulitalo, safety Dwight Smith, linebackers Paris Lenon and Alex Lewis, and halfback Tatum Bell are among the starters whose contracts are up over the next couple of years. The challenge facing the Lions is not so much whom they could lose as it is finding starters for the future.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs also have to look long term at quarterback. Jeff Garcia is 38. Jon Gruden has to figure out the long-term solution before 2010. Because the Bucs love veteran-laden teams, plenty of contracts come due over the next few years. Seven starters are under contract in 2010, including cornerback Ronde Barber, who will be 35 that year. Tackle Luke Petitgout, linebackers Derrick Brooks and Cato June, wide receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, and cornerback Phillip Buchanon are signed only through 2009.

5. Washington Redskins: The Redskins are in great shape for the next two seasons, but 2010 could be tough. Eleven of their 22 starters are in their 30s, including five starters on the offensive line. Age is also creeping up on their defense. Cornerback Shawn Springs is 33. Linebacker Marcus Washington is 30. Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin is 31. Linebacker London Fletcher is 33. Defensive end Phillip Daniels is 35.

With more teams preparing for the chance of an uncapped year, finding replacements for older starters becomes harder and harder. The Redskins soon will have to prepare to replace the entire offensive line and five older starters on defense.

John Clayton, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

Kaylore · 05-28-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Teams will be given an extra transition tag to go with their one franchise player designation to help them keep two of their top free agents. The best teams won't be allowed to jump into free agency.

And this why contrary to popular belief that it won't be the spending spree everyone expects. Some of the richest teams, because of the structures of their payroll like the Redskins, will have less money in free agency then they would under the cap.

theAPAOps5 · 05-28-2008, 04:24 PM

Its uncapped in 2010. If I take that to mean what I think. Sign the guys you want to keep on your team with extensions that have extremely high numbers for that year with a deescalation clause if an agreement is reached.

Beantown Bronco · 05-28-2008, 04:27 PM

Clayton is really stretching with this article. 2010 is still three seasons away and the teams he lists (both on the good side and bad side) will change every year until then. Why? Because two more drafts and entire off-seasons of player signings will take place between then and now (not including what is left of this summer). Given that teams' rosters can change dramatically in just one year, how on Earth can he make a claim about what teams will look like in 2010?

Kaylore · 05-28-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beantown Bronco

Clayton is really stretching with this article. 2010 is still three seasons away and the teams he lists (both on the good side and bad side) will change every year until then. Why? Because two more drafts and entire off-seasons of player signings will take place between then and now (not including what is left of this summer). Given that teams' rosters can change dramatically in just one year, how on Earth can he make a claim about what teams will look like in 2010?

Late May-June is no man's land for football. Throw the guy a bone.

bronco militia · 05-28-2008, 04:35 PM

LMAO @ this article...what a joke

3 years is an entire career for most NFL players

DomCasual · 05-28-2008, 05:27 PM

Did anyone else's heart leap into their throats when they saw that John Engelberger was going to be a free agent after 2010?

I hope that Shanahan is smart enough to get some pieces in place to try and make one last run before Engelberger's gone.

no-pseudo-fan · 05-28-2008, 05:29 PM

Not worried about it right now. I think Denver has mades strides to correct things as far as Drafting and FA's, and I think the NFLPA and the Owners will work something out.

bronco militia · 05-28-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DomCasual

Did anyone else's heart leap into their throats when they saw that John Engelberger was going to be a free agent after 2010?

I hope that Shanahan is smart enough to get some pieces in place to try and make one last run before Engelberger's gone.

bwhaha....no doubt

snowspot66 · 05-28-2008, 05:56 PM

At least four guys who if they are playing in 2010 will need to be wheeled onto the field considering their age. Man I hope we don't do something crazy like use the next two or three drafts to fill some of these future holes on the team.

Drek · 05-28-2008, 06:17 PM

So we're a very old defense staffed with a couple 30 somethings at safety, but early to mid-20 somethings filling out the entire front seven, two guys who're barely 30 starting at CB, and a couple 20-somethings backing them up? Yeah, we're real long in the tooth? Also, he shows just how pointless this article is when he talks about SD's belief that they have a two year window, when the uncapped season is, gasp! Two years away! So they want to enter uncapped waters as a possible conference team unable to sign anyone to contracts bigger than what they lose right when they believe their SB window to be closing? That is the most prepared team in the league for a cap free NFL? And DJ is a free agent this year, not in 2010, so he's either re-upped or replaced before a cap is in place. Biggest junk article Clayton has ever put up. You'd think he was Pasquerelli with the random conjecture and BS he's throwing at the wall in this article.

Broncos4Life · 05-28-2008, 06:35 PM

ESPN is just running out of crap to write about this offseason. One of the worst Ive read this year.

nickademus · 05-28-2008, 06:43 PM

This article was a summer fluf piece with some current events thrown in. as most teams have around a 25-30% turnover every year lets see that means that most teams will have maybe 25% of their current rosters in place when this actually might happen? just gotta love the off season.

boltaneer · 05-28-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drek

Also, he shows just how pointless this article is when he talks about SD's belief that they have a two year window, when the uncapped season is, gasp! Two years away! So they want to enter uncapped waters as a possible conference team unable to sign anyone to contracts bigger than what they lose right when they believe their SB window to be closing? That is the most prepared team in the league for a cap free NFL? And DJ is a free agent this year, not in 2010, so he's either re-upped or replaced before a cap is in place. Biggest junk article Clayton has ever put up. You'd think he was Pasquerelli with the random conjecture and BS he's throwing at the wall in this article.

I agree that this is one of those off-season articles that is a tad silly but I don't think you fully understand what's going to happen if a new CBA isn't agreed upon. An uncapped season would benefit the Chargers greatly if this happens just as Clayton states.

Players will need six credited seasons before becoming an UFA and teams will get an extra transition tag to go along with the existing transition and franchise tags. At most a team usually has to let a good player or two at the most walk because they couldn't re-sign them because of cap reasons. Teams are going to be using all their tags every year because they will no longer have to worry about the cap. Teams will want to and now be able to keep their players that they normally would have had to let walk because the big name free agent pool is going to become just about non-existent.

The Chargers will most likely be able to sign everyone with the exception of probably one, maybe two players) and the three tags they'll have will allow them to keep everyone if that happens. (If a new CBA is reached, everyone is already speculating that Merriman is the one they're gonna have to let walk.)

However I think it's a moot point because I think they'll find some way to get a new CBA done. Too much on the line for both sides for it to not happen. And I hope it doesn't happen as it won't be a good thing for football if it does, even if it would benefit the Chargers.

Drek · 05-28-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boltaneer

I agree that this is one of those off-season articles that is a tad silly but I don't think you fully understand what's going to happen if a new CBA isn't agreed upon. An uncapped season would benefit the Chargers greatly if this happens just as Clayton states.

Players will need six credited seasons before becoming an UFA and teams will get an extra transition tag to go along with the existing transition and franchise tags. At most a team usually has to let a good player or two at the most walk because they couldn't re-sign them because of cap reasons. Teams are going to be using all their tags every year because they will no longer have to worry about the cap. Teams will want to and now be able to keep their players that they normally would have had to let walk because the big name free agent pool is going to become just about non-existent.

The Chargers will most likely be able to sign everyone with the exception of probably one, maybe two players) and the three tags they'll have will allow them to keep everyone if that happens. (If a new CBA is reached, everyone is already speculating that Merriman is the one they're gonna have to let walk.)

However I think it's a moot point because I think they'll find some way to get a new CBA done. Too much on the line for both sides for it to not happen. And I hope it doesn't happen as it won't be a good thing for football if it does, even if it would benefit the Chargers.

I'd say I understand what happens in an uncapped season better than most, and if you really think that most teams will suddenly start spending so much more money in an uncapped league then you don't get the entire reason the owners opted out.

A small handful of teams make a huge amount of cash more than the rest of the league (Dallas, Washington, the NY teams). Those teams will increase spending, but teams like SD, Denver, etc. are living pretty close to their actual budgets as it is. They won't go into the red just to keep one or two guys who weren't deemed good enough to sign in a capped system.

broncosteven · 05-28-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DomCasual

Did anyone else's heart leap into their throats when they saw that John Engelberger was going to be a free agent after 2010?

I hope that Shanahan is smart enough to get some pieces in place to try and make one last run before Engelberger's gone.

Won't Lynch be 78 by 2010? In football years anyway...

boltaneer · 05-29-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drek

I'd say I understand what happens in an uncapped season better than most, and if you really think that most teams will suddenly start spending so much more money in an uncapped league then you don't get the entire reason the owners opted out.

A small handful of teams make a huge amount of cash more than the rest of the league (Dallas, Washington, the NY teams). Those teams will increase spending, but teams like SD, Denver, etc. are living pretty close to their actual budgets as it is. They won't go into the red just to keep one or two guys who weren't deemed good enough to sign in a capped system.

I agree. Teams won't go crazy and spend their entire fortunes (it won't become like the Steinbrenner league) but they would now have the ability to sign that one player or two that they previously wouldn't have been able to.

Owners want to win. Winning brings in more money. And you have to spend money (albeit wisely) to win in this league.

The only part I'm not really clear on is what happens in I believe 2012. According to what I've heard, since the CBA will be dead there will be no NFL draft beginning that year. I'm not sure how things will work after that. Maybe you can enlighten me on that.

But hopefully none of this ever happens.

Man-Goblin · 05-29-2008, 12:25 AM

Only thing this article made me wonder about is whether the Broncos need to start negotiating with DJ or not....

BroncosinDC · 05-29-2008, 01:23 AM

Doesn't an article as crazy as that need a punch line like Cutler will throw for 6,000 yards and the Broncos are basically guaranteed to go 14-2. Or have I spent to much time lurking on other boards?

DivineLegion · 05-29-2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man-Goblin

Only thing this article made me wonder about is whether the Broncos need to start negotiating with DJ or not....

Yes...

We have a pretty good core of young players and I think the look of this seasons draft reflects some of the Broncos planning. Jack Williams was a good value pick where we snagged him but Shanny was talking about how he got everyone he was targeting. Why do we need another corner? I think the Broncos are looking ahead, all of you know what this means, we need to abandon buying Bronco paraphanalia on Ebay and soley buy from Broncos sources (partial sarcasm). As fans our impact in an un-capped leauge is greater...the more you spend on your team directly the better they will do.

Atlas · 05-29-2008, 04:22 AM

The defense isn't that old. They have youth at LB and DL and Both Bly and Bailey should still be productive. I see no reason to panic. Denver just needs all of the drafts to pan out. 2006 looks dynamite. If the 2007, 2008 and 2009 drafts turn out good than Denver will be sitting in a good position in 2010.

I do believe Denver has to be careful on how they resign their players with the 2010 season looming. I think the NFL and the players union will come to an agreement before that. From what I have been hearing the uncapped year really isn't going to be that good of a thing for players and that a lot of older players will lose their jobs in an uncapped year.

400HZ · 05-29-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boltaneer

I agree. Teams won't go crazy and spend their entire fortunes (it won't become like the Steinbrenner league) but they would now have the ability to sign that one player or two that they previously wouldn't have been able to.

Owners want to win. Winning brings in more money. And you have to spend money (albeit wisely) to win in this league.

The only part I'm not really clear on is what happens in I believe 2012. According to what I've heard, since the CBA will be dead there will be no NFL draft beginning that year. I'm not sure how things will work after that. Maybe you can enlighten me on that.

But hopefully none of this ever happens.

The biggest factor for the Chargers is players needing 6 accrued seasons to reach unrestricted free agency as opposed to 4. That means extra years in San Diego for a LOT of good players. Shawne Merriman, Luis Castillo, Marcus McNeill, Vincent Jackson, and Darren Sproles would all be either on the roster for additional years, or bringing in massive compensation as RFAs. What would totally suck is if teams give up 1st and 3rds for all our highest tendered guys and then the draft ceases to exist the following year.

TheReverend · 05-29-2008, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man-Goblin

Only thing this article made me wonder about is whether the Broncos need to start negotiating with DJ or not....

I think I'm waiting for mid-season to make my final verdict on DJ, and I think the FO is doing the same.

If he takes the situational awareness he's learned from the other spots he's played, along with the other defensive schemes, and lets a little more thought enter his game coupled with some more ferocity, he will truly become a GREAT player. Dude has all the tools and skill-sets to not only be an all-pro but one of the few players that comes along every decade to change the game. I think by mid-season the team and us fans will have a guage on whether or not he's going to be great, or perenially wasted talent in the mediocrity of "good".

Beantown Bronco · 05-29-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReverend

Dude has all the tools and skill-sets to not only be an all-pro but one of the few players that comes along every decade to change the game.

eddie mac · 05-29-2008, 10:51 AM

2. Denver Broncos: Mike Shanahan is paying the price for relying too much on free agency and trades and not doing as well in the draft. The Broncos' biggest problem isn't which players they lose. Their biggest problem is finding replacements, particularly for a defense that is still one of the oldest starting units in football. They have 11 starters under contract in 2010. Linebacker D.J. Williams, perhaps their best young defender, is a free agent after this season. Safeties John Lynch and Marlon McCree are free agents after this season.

Defensive end John Engelberger is free in 2010, when he will be 33. On offense, Tom Nalen is 37 and entering the final year of his contract. This is a roster that is in transition, which is not good as the uncapped year approaches.

Who on earth gives a **** about how we'll cope without 4 of the 5 players Clayton mentioned

Lynch and Nalen will be done after this season anyway (never anything to do with the uncapped year), McCree is only a stop-gap (that's why he got a 1 year deal Clayton you dumbass) and Engelberger will only ever be a half-decent rotational guy.

This tube makes the average reader think that we will be in a desperate situation cos we're losing so many guys who we'll struggle to replace. If that's the case why aren't Cutler, Marshall, Bailey, Moss, Dumervil, Crowder, Bly, Kuper, Clady etc on that list. Oh yes that's right Mike they're all under contract through the uncapped year. Oh and as for the Broncos are in transition he may not have noticed but we've been that way since we lost the AFC title game and have added 3-4 potential pro-bowlers since then via the draft.

Total dumb****.

05-28-2008, 04:20 PM	#1
rovolution Ring of Famer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 2,949 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	John Clayton: Some teams ready for an uncapped season, some not http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=3415387 Unless the NFL and the NFL Players Association reach a new extension of the collective bargaining agreement, an uncapped year for team salaries will hit the league in 2010. Restrictions will apply in this uncapped year. Teams will be given an extra transition tag to go with their one franchise player designation to help them keep two of their top free agents. The best teams won't be allowed to jump into free agency. The four teams that participate in the conference championship games will not be able to sign an unrestricted free agent until they lose a player in free agency. If those teams lose a player, they can enter the market to find a replacement. There are further limitations on the next four postseason teams, those that participate in the divisional playoff round. The biggest change would be the time it takes to become a free agent. Under the current salary cap, a player can become an unrestricted free agent after four seasons accrued. In 2010, that time frame would increase to six seasons, mainly allowing players drafted in 2004 or earlier to enter the market freely. Unsigned players without six years in the league would be restricted free agents. Which teams would be affected most if the league can't get a new labor deal before 2010? Teams prepared to weather the uncapped storm 1. San Diego Chargers: The Chargers have done one of the best jobs of locking up starters in case of an uncapped year. The core group of the team is still young. San Diego has multiple starters who have been to the Pro Bowl and only four would qualify for free agency in 2010 -- guard Mike Goff, quarterback Philip Rivers, wide receiver Chris Chambers and defensive end Igor Olshansky. As long as he comes back successfully from knee reconstruction, Rivers won't be allowed to hit the market. His contract runs out after the 2009 season, and clearly the Chargers will either sign him to a long-term deal or, in the worst-case scenario, franchise him. The Chargers believe they have at least a two-year window to win a Super Bowl. An uncapped year in 2010 won't affect that window. 2. Dallas Cowboys: Gene Upshaw, head of the NFLPA, reminded reporters last week that Jerry Jones locked up starters from his three-time Super Bowl-winning team during the last uncapped year, which happened in 1993. Jones is trying to do the same thing in anticipation of an uncapped 2010 season. Last week, he signed halfback Marion Barber and cornerback Terence Newman to long-term deals. With a new billion-dollar stadium, Jones will have the money to keep his key players. Overall, the Cowboys have 13 players who have been to the Pro Bowl among the starters. Jones does have some work to do. The contracts of four starters -- wide receiver Terrell Owens, safety Ken Hamlin, right tackle Marc Colombo and linebacker Zach Thomas -- are up after this season. Defensive end Chris Canty is different from the previously mentioned four starters because he won't have six years in the league in 2010 and thus won't be a free agent then. Linebacker Greg Ellis will be a free agent in 2010 but he also will be 34 at that time. 3. Cleveland Browns: Thanks to the aggressive moves of general manager Phil Savage, the Browns should be set to weather the uncapped storm after picking up Shaun Rogers, Corey Williams and Donte' Stallworth this offseason. Only four starters could be free agents in 2010, and the Browns should be able to keep most of them. One free agent is linebacker Willie McGinest, who plans to retire after the 2008 season. Safety Sean Jones and linebacker Andra Davis will be free agents after this season and would have enough years to quality for free agency in 2010. Guard Rex Hadnot signed a two-year deal to join the Browns this season, and his contract would be up in 2010. 4. Philadelphia Eagles: The forward-thinking Eagles have worried about the uncapped year for some time and starting signing long-term deals with top young players several years ago. As a result, they are tied with the Cowboys, Jaguars and Jets for the league lead in signed starters in 2010 (15). They have only four starters up in 2010 and they are four players who are free agents after the 2008 season: tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas, safety Brian Dawkins and tight end L.J. Smith. Thomas (33) and Runyon (34) could be in their final seasons with the Eagles. If Thomas isn't re-signed after the season, Andy Reid could move Shawn Andrews from guard to left tackle. Dawkins is 34. Smith could be re-signed after this season if he has a good year as a red zone target. 5. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts will stay in contention as long as Peyton Manning is around and there is no reason to think there will be any drop-off in his game by 2010, when he will be 34. Because the Colts draft young players on defense, they won't have to worry about losing much in that unit. Only middle linebacker Gary Brackett would have enough years in the league to qualify for free agency in 2010. The only other starter of concern is center Jeff Saturday, who's in the final year of his contract. Saturday is 32, but it's not out of the question for the team to prevent him from hitting free agency after this season. Teams with concerns for the 2010 uncapped year 1. New England Patriots As well-prepared as the Patriots are for anything, they do have to worry about an uncapped year. Tom Brady is signed through 2010, so they don't have to worry about him yet. Nor are the next two seasons cause for concern. They would have 19 of the 22 starters locked up for next season if linebacker Jerod Mayo wins a starting job as a rookie. However, several players could qualify for free agency in 2010. Hardest hit could be New England's defense. Defensive linemen Richard Seymour, Jarvis Green and Vince Wilfork are up in 2010, as are linebackers Mike Vrabel and and Tedy Bruschi. Safety Rodney Harrison is in the last year of his contract. The Patriots have one of the oldest starting defenses in football and it might be hard to find a lot of replacements in a limited free-agent market over the next two seasons. On offense, tight end Ben Watson could hit free agency in 2010. Guard Steve Neal is a free agent after this season. 2. Denver Broncos: Mike Shanahan is paying the price for relying too much on free agency and trades and not doing as well in the draft. The Broncos' biggest problem isn't which players they lose. Their biggest problem is finding replacements, particularly for a defense that is still one of the oldest starting units in football. They have 11 starters under contract in 2010. Linebacker D.J. Williams, perhaps their best young defender, is a free agent after this season. Safeties John Lynch and Marlon McCree are free agents after this season. Defensive end John Engelberger is free in 2010, when he will be 33. On offense, Tom Nalen is 37 and entering the final year of his contract. This is a roster that is in transition, which is not good as the uncapped year approaches. 3. Detroit Lions: Teams with older starting quarterbacks could be in trouble in the next couple of years because no top quarterback will hit the free-agent market. Jon Kitna will be 37 and unsigned in 2010 and the Lions have done very little to find their long-term starter. Drew Stanton is the best hope for the future. The first big decision for Detroit involves wide receiver Roy Williams, who will be a free agent after this season. Williams could be asking for top receiver money, which could be around $10 million a year. The Lions could franchise him next year but that doesn't answer the 2010 question. Kitna, center Dominic Raiola, guard Edwin Mulitalo, safety Dwight Smith, linebackers Paris Lenon and Alex Lewis, and halfback Tatum Bell are among the starters whose contracts are up over the next couple of years. The challenge facing the Lions is not so much whom they could lose as it is finding starters for the future. 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs also have to look long term at quarterback. Jeff Garcia is 38. Jon Gruden has to figure out the long-term solution before 2010. Because the Bucs love veteran-laden teams, plenty of contracts come due over the next few years. Seven starters are under contract in 2010, including cornerback Ronde Barber, who will be 35 that year. Tackle Luke Petitgout, linebackers Derrick Brooks and Cato June, wide receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, and cornerback Phillip Buchanon are signed only through 2009. 5. Washington Redskins: The Redskins are in great shape for the next two seasons, but 2010 could be tough. Eleven of their 22 starters are in their 30s, including five starters on the offensive line. Age is also creeping up on their defense. Cornerback Shawn Springs is 33. Linebacker Marcus Washington is 30. Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin is 31. Linebacker London Fletcher is 33. Defensive end Phillip Daniels is 35. With more teams preparing for the chance of an uncapped year, finding replacements for older starters becomes harder and harder. The Redskins soon will have to prepare to replace the entire offensive line and five older starters on defense. John Clayton, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

05-28-2008, 06:43 PM	#13
nickademus Samurai of Smack Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,105 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eddie Royal	This article was a summer fluf piece with some current events thrown in. as most teams have around a 25-30% turnover every year lets see that means that most teams will have maybe 25% of their current rosters in place when this actually might happen? just gotta love the off season. Last edited by nickademus; 05-28-2008 at 06:50 PM.. Reason: you cant fix stupid

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-28-2008, 04:24 PM	#3
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,057 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	Its uncapped in 2010. If I take that to mean what I think. Sign the guys you want to keep on your team with extensions that have extremely high numbers for that year with a deescalation clause if an agreement is reached.

05-28-2008, 04:27 PM	#4
Beantown Bronco Athletic Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mass Posts: 19,040 Adopt-a-Bronco: Matt Prater	Clayton is really stretching with this article. 2010 is still three seasons away and the teams he lists (both on the good side and bad side) will change every year until then. Why? Because two more drafts and entire off-seasons of player signings will take place between then and now (not including what is left of this summer). Given that teams' rosters can change dramatically in just one year, how on Earth can he make a claim about what teams will look like in 2010?

05-28-2008, 04:35 PM	#6
bronco militia Ring of Famer THE GREATEST Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: colorado springs, co Posts: 22,568	LMAO @ this article...what a joke 3 years is an entire career for most NFL players

05-28-2008, 05:27 PM	#7
DomCasual The Dude abides. Shameless Homer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cocytus Posts: 13,167 Adopt-a-Bronco: Gus Frerotte	Did anyone else's heart leap into their throats when they saw that John Engelberger was going to be a free agent after 2010? I hope that Shanahan is smart enough to get some pieces in place to try and make one last run before Engelberger's gone.

05-28-2008, 05:29 PM	#8
no-pseudo-fan True Orange & Blue Follow me... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: EPT Posts: 2,136 Adopt-a-Bronco: Hidalgo	Not worried about it right now. I think Denver has mades strides to correct things as far as Drafting and FA's, and I think the NFLPA and the Owners will work something out.

05-28-2008, 05:56 PM	#10
snowspot66 Ring of Famer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,642	At least four guys who if they are playing in 2010 will need to be wheeled onto the field considering their age. Man I hope we don't do something crazy like use the next two or three drafts to fill some of these future holes on the team.

05-28-2008, 06:17 PM	#11
Drek Ring of Famer Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 12,315	So we're a very old defense staffed with a couple 30 somethings at safety, but early to mid-20 somethings filling out the entire front seven, two guys who're barely 30 starting at CB, and a couple 20-somethings backing them up? Yeah, we're real long in the tooth? Also, he shows just how pointless this article is when he talks about SD's belief that they have a two year window, when the uncapped season is, gasp! Two years away! So they want to enter uncapped waters as a possible conference team unable to sign anyone to contracts bigger than what they lose right when they believe their SB window to be closing? That is the most prepared team in the league for a cap free NFL? And DJ is a free agent this year, not in 2010, so he's either re-upped or replaced before a cap is in place. Biggest junk article Clayton has ever put up. You'd think he was Pasquerelli with the random conjecture and BS he's throwing at the wall in this article.

05-28-2008, 06:35 PM	#12
Broncos4Life Ring of Famer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: QC....both sides... Posts: 1,777	ESPN is just running out of crap to write about this offseason. One of the worst Ive read this year.

05-29-2008, 12:25 AM	#18
Man-Goblin Giving You The Business Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 5,588 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	Only thing this article made me wonder about is whether the Broncos need to start negotiating with DJ or not....

05-29-2008, 01:23 AM	#19
BroncosinDC Now Live From Baltimore! True Men have Facial Hair Join Date: May 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 530 Adopt-a-Bronco: Kyle Orton	Doesn't an article as crazy as that need a punch line like Cutler will throw for 6,000 yards and the Broncos are basically guaranteed to go 14-2. Or have I spent to much time lurking on other boards?

05-29-2008, 04:22 AM	#21
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	The defense isn't that old. They have youth at LB and DL and Both Bly and Bailey should still be productive. I see no reason to panic. Denver just needs all of the drafts to pan out. 2006 looks dynamite. If the 2007, 2008 and 2009 drafts turn out good than Denver will be sitting in a good position in 2010. I do believe Denver has to be careful on how they resign their players with the 2010 season looming. I think the NFL and the players union will come to an agreement before that. From what I have been hearing the uncapped year really isn't going to be that good of a thing for players and that a lot of older players will lose their jobs in an uncapped year.

05-29-2008, 10:51 AM	#25
eddie mac Ireland's No1 Bronco Eddie Mac 87 gone but never forgott Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: IRELAND Posts: 15,572 Adopt-a-Bronco: Rod Smith	2. Denver Broncos: Mike Shanahan is paying the price for relying too much on free agency and trades and not doing as well in the draft. The Broncos' biggest problem isn't which players they lose. Their biggest problem is finding replacements, particularly for a defense that is still one of the oldest starting units in football. They have 11 starters under contract in 2010. Linebacker D.J. Williams, perhaps their best young defender, is a free agent after this season. Safeties John Lynch and Marlon McCree are free agents after this season. Defensive end John Engelberger is free in 2010, when he will be 33. On offense, Tom Nalen is 37 and entering the final year of his contract. This is a roster that is in transition, which is not good as the uncapped year approaches. Who on earth gives a ** about how we'll cope without 4 of the 5 players Clayton mentioned Lynch and Nalen will be done after this season anyway (never anything to do with the uncapped year), McCree is only a stop-gap (that's why he got a 1 year deal Clayton you dumbass) and Engelberger will only ever be a half-decent rotational guy. This tube makes the average reader think that we will be in a desperate situation cos we're losing so many guys who we'll struggle to replace. If that's the case why aren't Cutler, Marshall, Bailey, Moss, Dumervil, Crowder, Bly, Kuper, Clady etc on that list. Oh yes that's right Mike they're all under contract through the uncapped year. Oh and as for the Broncos are in transition he may not have noticed but we've been that way since we lost the AFC title game and have added 3-4 potential pro-bowlers since then via the draft. Total dumb**.