Off Season CAP

[Breaker]

I posted most of this two months ago in the Draft Forum, but I have amended it a little. First, here is the best cap calculator I have found (done by a Broncos fan). In the list below bold players are free agents.

http://overthecap.com/calculator/?Team=Broncos

Year Total Liabilities Salary Cap Cap Room
2014 $119,366,762 $133,485,990 $7,000,000

Here is sort of how I see it playing out:

Offense (Highlighted are unrestricted free agents)

QB's

Peyton Manning (Cut or redo deal, can't have one player eat 17% of the cap space)
Brock Osweiler
Zac Dysert

RB

Montee Ball
C.J. Anderson
Ronnie Hillman - Cut
Knowshon Moreno - Allow to leave via Free Agency

WR

Demarius Thomas
Eric Decker - Hometown discount or allow to leave
Wes Welker
Andre Caldwell - Free Agent
Trindon Holliday Keep (If restricted and gets offer let go)

TE
Julius Thomas
Virgil Green
Joel Dreessen Cut
Jacob Tamme cut

Offensive Line

Dan Koppen - cut
Manny Ramirez
Steve Vallos Free Agency
Zane Beadles - Free Agency
Chris Kuper Free Agency
Louis Vasquez
Ryan Clady
Chris Clark
Orlando Franklin
Winston Justice Free Agency

Defense

Robert Ayers - Sign cheap or gone
Malik Jackson
Shaun Phillips - Cheap or gone
Quanterus Smith
Derek Wolfe
Sione Fua
Terrance Knighton
Mitch Unrein
Kevin Vickerson
Sylvester Williams
Jeremy Mincey - Free Agency
Stewart Bradley - Free Agency
Nate Irving
Steven Johnson Keep
Paris Lenon - Free Agency
Brandon Marshall Cut
Lerentee McCray
Von Miller
Danny Trevathan
Wesley Woodyard - Free Agency
Champ Bailey - Cut
Tony Carter - Free Agency
Chris Harris - Re-sign
Quentin Jammer - Free Agency
DRC Re-sign
Kayvon Webster
Mike Adams - Re-sign cheap
Omar Bolden
David Bruton
Quinton Carter
Michael Huff - Free Agency
Duke Ihenacho
Rahim Moore

Total Cap Space (with these roster cuts)
2014: $26,357,128
2015: $61,748,754
2016: $79,279,340
2017: $119,256,000 (2 players signed)

Contracts, the quick and dirty:

Contracts generally consist of a base salary amount, along with a variety of other things such as roster, performance, and signing bonus. Each dollar in the contract counts against the CAP, so for instance an 5 yr/40 million dollar deal would have all 40 million count against the CAP, the secret is to WHEN that money counts against the cap. Team are allowed to give signing a signing bonus which essentially is a one time payment of monies over the base salary amount. This is good because all bonus money is divided by the number of years of the contract and each year that amount is added to the base salary to get the total CAP number. Players and agents LOVE this, and teams like it because it gives more CAP room to spend on other players. However it can screw a team long term. The following is a hypothetical example with DRC as the player.

Broncos sign DRC for 5 yr/$40 million/$20 million guaranteed/$10 million signing bonus. It could look like this

2014: 2 million salary+ $ 2 million prorated signing bonus - 4 Million CAP
2015: 4 million salary + 2 million signing bonus = 6 million CAP
2016: 6 million salary + 2 million signing bonus = 8 million CAP
2017: 8 million salary + 2 million signing bonus = 10 million CAP
2018: 10 million salary + 2 million signing bonus = 12 million CAP

The problem with this is enormous however. If a player retires or gets cut, the entire amount that was the signing bonus gets accelerated to the current year and is dead money against the CAP.

Existing contracts can also have salary converted into a bonus, which has the same impact. This does not however change the total amount the player is owed. I will use Ryan Clady contract as an example

Current Contract:

2014: $8 million + $600,000 roster bonus = 8.6 million CAP
2015: 8.5 million + $600,000 pro rated bonus + 1.5 million roster bonus = 10.6 Mill CAP
2016: 9.5 million + $600,000 roster bonus = 10.1 million CAP
2017: $10 million + $600,000 roster bonus = 10.6 million

Contract after converting 7 million of the 2014 base salary to bonus.

2014: $1 million + $600,000 roster bonus + 1.7 million bonus = 3.3 million CAP
2015: 8.5 million + $600,000 pro rated bonus +( 1.5+ 1.7 =3.2 bonus) = 12.3 Mill CAP
2016: 9.5 million + $600,000 roster bonus + 1.7 = 11.8 million CAP
2017: $10 million + $600,000 roster bonus + 1.7 = 12.3 million CAP

Ok then, if we do all of our cuts as I intend to, we have 26 million ish to play with, next we make two moves.

Contracts to Re-structure:

Ryan Clady - The Broncos can free up nearly 5 million dollars by converting Clady's 2014 salary to a signing bonus as shown in the prior example and I think that they should. Let us add 5 million to the CAP.

Manning - If Manning refuses to take a pay cut I think it is worth exploring converting 14 million of his owed 15 million next year to a signing bonus, that would allow us some major flexibility. I advocate this based on the following math.

2014: 1.0 million base salary + 7.1 (4.1 from 2014 signing bonus + 2.5 from prior) = 8.1
2015: 19 million + 4.1 million = 23.1 million
2016: 19 million + 4.1 million = 23.1 million

This would get us an additional 7 million. Ok so why do this. As of now the Broncos have 54 million available in cap space for 2015, if we put off 4.1 in 2015 there will still be over 50 million to sign DT and JT. Not only that, but if you make DT and JT's contracts signing bonus based you could give them very nice contracts which only escalate after Manning is gone.

Ok so based on three moves only we would have

6 (Clady) + 7 (Manning) = 13 +26 = 39 million to spend

1. DRC - # 4 rated corner this year, must resign.

5 yr/$40 million/$20 million guaranteed/$10 million signing bonus.

2014: 2 million salary+ $ 2 million prorated signing bonus - 4 Million CAP
2015: 4 million salary + 2 million signing bonus = 6 million CAP
2016: 6 million salary + 2 million signing bonus = 8 million CAP
2017: 8 million salary + 2 million signing bonus = 10 million CAP
2018: 10 million salary + 2 million signing bonus = 12 million CAP

2. Chris Harris - Great Slot Corner, but there is a worry about his injury.

4 yr/20 M/ 12 guaranteed 8 Mill signing bonus

2014: $ 1 million base + 2 Million Signing = $3 million
2015: $ 2 million + 2 million signing = $4 million
2016: $ 4 million + 2 million = 6 million
2017: $ 5 million + 2 million = 7 million

3. Sam Shields CB - 26 yrs old

3 yr/ 22 million/ 9 Million signing bonus

2014: 3 million base + 3 million signing = 6 million
2015: 5 million base + 3 million signing = 8 million
2016: 5 million base + 3 million signing = 8 million

This could be an attractive offer for a young FA corner: He would be 29 at the end and be able to sign one more lucrative contract, or you could go more years higher number but I think that we need to get another great corner.

Shaun Phillips - 2 yrs/5 million

2014: 2.5 million
2015: 2.5 million

Jared Allen 3yr/ 9 million/4 guaranteed/ 6 million signing bonus (health clause)

2014: 1 million base salary + 2 million = 3 million
2015: 1 million + 2 Million = 3 million
2016: 1 million + 2 million = 3 million

Champ Bailey - 1 yr/1 million/guaranteed contract. I know I cut him but come on people he could drop to safety and he can cover a #4 receiver, re-sign him!

2014: 1 million

Maurice Jones Drew - Still a bad ass RB, can do everything we need and is actually able to take it to the house. 3yr/9 million/5 guaranteed

2014: 3 million
2015: 3 million
2016: 3 million

That is 22 million in off season additions, leaving 17 million remaining.

With that you have either enough to spend on Decker, or a safety or ILB, or you hold onto it and use it on DT and JT next year. But F that, we are all in on this, go sign Byrd and be done with it. You might actually be able to fit in Decker and Byrd as long as you do the signing bonus trick and just make sure they stay cheap until after Manning is gone.

Draft - I know people love to stockpile draft pick and use all this money on multiple players, but face the facts, it is time to sack up and move up the draft boards and get the guys we need.

1st Round - MLB (CB)

Thought Process: We need a destructive tackling force in the middle, and like it or not the draft is the place to get it. We will not get that at 31 so I say we trade future draft picks to move the hell up and make sure we get one of these guys

-C.J. Mosley - I would pay a crap load to move and grab him. He is good enough in coverage to shut down any TE in the league, play zone, and is a great run defender. Think Patrick Willis, but better in coverage. Not real likely since we would have to move into the top 10
- Shane Skov
- Yavin Smallwood

If we stay put, I say we grab a corner.

2nd Round: CB - Dennard, Gilbert, Fuller, probably all gone at this point. However my favorite guy might be there, although we might have to move up to grab him, meet:

Bradley Roby CB Ohio State: Here is the scouting report on the man from CBS Sports. Strengths: Roby has world-class speed with the click-and-close ability to play tight coverage and mirror receivers all over the field. 4.39-second 40-yard speed and a good fighting attitude to battle for the ball.Weaknesses: Lacks preferred size for the position. Can be late looking for the ball. Tendency to concede underneath throws, although some might have been scheme-based in college. Must prove he can drive on the ball and limit plays in front of him

3. WR - Paul Richardson (CU)
4. CB - CB's are worth their weight in gold these days
5. C - Fellow Ram Weston Richburg is our C for the next 10 years
6 - 12. Best Available

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Would you guys ****ing stop with this "cut peyton manning" BS? It's ridiculous!!!!!!

However, im all for him restructuring, taking a paycut...but its not my money

[stoxman]

I'm down with just about every FA move you suggested except not sure about MJD. Old and tons of miles and injuries. For the right CAP number he might be a nice compliment to Ball though.

Draft picks look great. I also agree we need to target and mortgage the future a tad to get a Mosley on this Defense. I see you moved Champ to Safety. Not sure he'd play for $1M...whatever the vet minimum is would be the most I'd pay him AND bring in Byrd! I like Shields at CB. Good job overall!

[The1percentKid]

Bring in Verner!!

If this team wants to win the SB next year while manning still has some gas, they aren't going to get instant impact from rookies drafted at the end of each round.

[stoxman]

Bring in Verner!!

If this team wants to win the SB next year while manning still has some gas, they aren't going to get instant impact from rookies drafted at the end of each round.

Also a good choice. Cannot improve enough on DEF IMO. Early and often in the draft and get solid players, if possible, in FA.

[Breaker]

Top Free Agent Corners - Pick one to target, keeping in mind who is likely to be franchised or re-signed.

Brent Grimes, CB, Dolphins. Age: 31.
It's very difficult to return to form coming off an Achilles tear. Brent Grimes did just that, as he was one of the NFL's top cornerbacks in 2013. He'll be 31 in July and is still recently removed from that Achilles injury, but he's still one of the top free agents this spring.

1. Vontae Davis, CB, Colts. Age: 26.
   It could be argued that Vontae Davis is the No. 1 free agent cornerback. He's coming off a great 2013 campaign and will be only 26 in May, compared to Brent Grimes, who's in his 30s already and is also recently removed from a torn Achilles. Davis struggled in a playoff victory against the Chiefs, but wasn't healthy.
2. Captain Munnerlyn, CB, Panthers. Age: 26.
   Captain Munnerlyn wasn't even starting at the beginning of the 2012 season, yet he's turned into a terrific corner for the Panthers. He'll only be 26 in April.
3. Sam Shields, CB, Packers. Age: 26.
   The Packers have struggled to cover this year as a team, but Sam Shields hasn't been responsible for that. Shields was terrific in 2012 and solid this past season. He's an excellent starting cornerback.
4. Alterraun Verner, CB, Titans. Age: 25.
   A former fourth-round pick, Alterraun Verner had an excellent 2013 campaign, though he faded down the stretch. A solid No. 2 corner going forward, Verner won't be 26 until December.
5. Aqib Talib, CB, Patriots. Age: 28.
   Aqib Talib is awesome when he's on, but he can have meltdowns when he's struggling, which is what happened against the Panthers in a Monday night loss. He's a legitimate No. 1 corner though, provided he stays out of trouble.
6. Tarell Brown, CB, 49ers. Age: 29.
   Tarell Brown has been an excellent cornerback for the 49ers over the past few years. However, he missed some time with a rib injury this past season and lost his job to the emerging Tramaine Brock.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Why sign Chris Harris long term? He's restricted.

[TonyR]

Here's a Broncos FA summary:

http://www.itsalloverfatman.com/bron...agency-tracker

[Breaker]

Why sign Chris Harris long term? He's restricted.

It is a good point, however I think the situation dictates it. Harris will have one year to be able to prove he has come back to the form he has shown. ACL injuries are no longer career killers and so many players have come back just as good if not better. Harris will have a great year, then enter into free agency the same year that we have to sign DT and JT. I would argue Harris is one of the best slot corners in the league, besides if we sign him long term now coming off an injury like that, we can probably get him cheaper than after we know that he has recovered. It is a win/win for us.

[Great13]

Instead of MJD, what about Darren McFadden? He's never played a full season, so he should be cheap, plus we can rotate him with Ball like we did Moreno to keep him healthier. That gives us a really explosive option out of the backfield.

If we don't sign DRC we should move on a big name pass rusher like Hardy or Orakpo with that money. We also need to address our OL, with either moving Franklin to LG and finding a RT, or just finding a bigger, stronger, meaner left guard.

[Desi]

Draft - I know people love to stockpile draft pick and use all this money on multiple players, but face the facts, it is time to sack up and move up the draft boards and get the guys we need.

1st Round - MLB (CB)

Thought Process: We need a destructive tackling force in the middle, and like it or not the draft is the place to get it. We will not get that at 31 so I say we trade future draft picks to move the hell up and make sure we get one of these guys

-C.J. Mosley - I would pay a crap load to move and grab him. He is good enough in coverage to shut down any TE in the league, play zone, and is a great run defender. Think Patrick Willis, but better in coverage. Not real likely since we would have to move into the top 10
- Shane Skov
- Yavin Smallwood

A hundred times yes to this kid. He has exactly the intensity you need, with a touch of crazy. Even better if you could also manage to grab his teammate Trent Murphy. Combine them with Vickerson and the attitude of the defense completely changes.

[Breaker]

Instead of MJD, what about Darren McFadden? He's never played a full season, so he should be cheap, plus we can rotate him with Ball like we did Moreno to keep him healthier. That gives us a really explosive option out of the backfield.

If we don't sign DRC we should move on a big name pass rusher like Hardy or Orakpo with that money. We also need to address our OL, with either moving Franklin to LG and finding a RT, or just finding a bigger, stronger, meaner left guard.

McFadden is ALWAYS hurt but MJD has only had one year that he was hurt in. The injuries have robbed McFadden of his explosiveness. Plus he is not a great blocker and never has been, MJD is the better option. I don't think Orakpo or Hard are going to be allowed to leave, they will at least get franchised. I would LOVE to point out Orakpo was taken one pick after we took Moreno, McDaniels should be banned from the NFL for intentionally destroying our franchise.

[BroncoMan4ever]

Would you guys ****ing stop with this "cut peyton manning" BS? It's ridiculous!!!!!!

However, im all for him restructuring, taking a paycut...but its not my money

thank you. such a stupid ****ing idea. not only is it insane to cut the greatest QB of his generation and one of the best ever but the cap hit from doing so is something like 25 million. he counts more against our cap off the roster than he would if he played.

[rmsanger]

Prefer Tate over MJD and DMC. Also would live to have DRC + Verner. Any solid MLB FA's or do we need to go through the draft on that? What's the safety FA pool look like?

[eddie mac]

Mannings' 2014 salary is fully guaranteed so cutting him is meaningless in terms of money so your whole offseason is a load of crap and your dummies guide to salary cap management is just that. Jared Allen took home just less than $15m alone last year and you reckon he'll sign a $3m per year deal Share them pills around.