Cap issue could have major impact on Dolphins in 2010

[YoFuggedaboutit]

For those of you who want answers regarding cutting underperforming players regarding an uncapped 2010, here it is:

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/columnists/armando-salguero/story/1407005.html

By ARMANDO SALGUERO
asalguero@MiamiHerald.com
The Dolphins that today cling to improbable -- almost impossible -- playoff hopes cost owner Stephen Ross $126,855,921 in total 2009 payroll.

That figure, which includes bonuses as well as base salaries, is the second-highest total payroll in the NFL this season. Only the New York Giants, who paid $137,638,866, spent more than the Dolphins to put a team on the field in 2009.

And if you think nearly $127 million is too much to pay players for a 7-8 season, you're right. The Dolphins didn't get a good return for their astronomical investment.

And that leads to the subject of the 2010 season.

This coming offseason, if NFL owners and players don't agree on a new collective bargaining agreement (and they likely will not), no salary cap will be established for 2010.

That means teams will be able to spend as much as they wish for talent. It also means teams will be able to spend as little as they wish.

And somewhere between that spending ceiling and floor, teams also can eliminate past financial mistakes from their payrolls.

NO BACKLASH FOR CUTS

Teams will be able to cut underperforming players or players they deem to have toxic contracts without fear of salary cap implications because, again, there will be no salary cap.

No salary cap means no cap backlash for cutting players in 2010, NFL Players Association director of communications Carl Francis confirmed this week.

Typically, there is a backlash because guaranteed monies can accelerate to the year a player is cut and take up valuable cap space. The accounting rules actually make it a competitive disadvantage to cut some under-performing players, so teams sometimes pinch their noses and keep those players.

But no cap backlash removes the primary reason for keeping players who aren't earning their salaries.

And that should make a handful of Miami players feel uncertain about their futures.

Underperformers in Miami and around the NFL who were drafted high and got big bonuses should be worried. They have remained on their teams, in part, because getting rid of them has been cost prohibitive.

But absent a cap, players such as Jason Allen and Ted Ginn Jr. might become luxuries the Dolphins don't want to keep paying.

Allen is signed through 2011. He is scheduled to cost $2.2 million were there to be a cap next year and $2 million in 2011. Neither figure is high for a starting defensive back or even a productive backup.

But Allen hasn't lived up to his draft promise and is basically only a special-teams player. So the Dolphins might want to find a more promising, younger player for less money.

Ginn, the ninth player selected in the 2007 NFL Draft, regressed this season. His production is down, his dropped passes are up, and he is as inconsistent as ever. That would signal trouble in a a typical year, but it can be devastating entering an uncapped year because the $5.8 million in accelerated bonuses it could otherwise cost to cut Ginn aren't a factor.

ARE THEY WORTH IT?

In an uncapped year, that $5.8 million virtually disappears and threatens Ginn's security in Miami unless he gives the team a good reason to keep him.

Veteran players the Dolphins signed to megacontracts also lose the cover of prohibitive cap hits next season.

The Dolphins will evaluate their investment in safety Gibril Wilson this offseason. At the end of that evaluation, they might feel comfortable with the idea of paying Wilson the remaining four years left on his five-year deal for a total of $18.8 million.

Or the Dolphins might decide Wilson didn't live up to his $5 million signing bonus this year and terminate him the way the Raiders did after last season.

Joey Porter, who signed a contract with $20 million in guarantees in 2007, is signed through 2011. And the Dolphins might decide he's still a defensive playmaker and team leader and worth the nearly $8.1 million in base salary he's scheduled to earn the next two years.

But the Miami brass also might decide the linebacker's advancing age and declining production is not worth that salary and figure the added $2 million cap savings for 2011 -- when the cap is likely to be restored -- makes cutting Porter financially wise.

Coach Tony Sparano said last week that Porter's ``leadership out there,'' and how he's ``been very good in the huddle with a bunch of young players,'' makes the player more valuable.

We'll see this offseason exactly how much that value is worth to the Dolphins.

[hordman]

I just got done reading this myself.  on one hand , I am disapointed about what armando said about the possible free agents we had in mind, like Vincent Jackson or Braylon Edwards or Miles Austin because they need a minimum of 6 yrs exp.

I was really hoping to get a big time WR via this route, but it seems as though we'd have to give up draft picks (ie. No. 1 pick) to get this type of player and the top brass won't do this. that sux.  how many WRs come out of college and make an immediate impact?!?  I don't know the nos. and I'm acting like I do, but if the nos. say it takes a WR 2-3 yrs in the NFL to establish himself, I say you take the risk and trade for a proven RFA and give up that no. 1 pick.  hell, we gave Teg Ginn 3 yrs and where are we at with him?  an above avg. KO returner?

and then back to armando's other point, because the cap is not a factor, under-performing players that might otherwise stick with their clubs will be let go by teams next offseason. So what you will see is a bunch of players on the street that didn't live up to their past contracts.

I like this ALOT!!!! get rid of the garbage and the people sucking the life out of our team.  not gonna name names, we've been down that road in these forums, but it will be nice that we can "can" these players and not take a hit with the salary cap.

Let's Go Phins, Beat the Stillers!!!!

[Sunstroke]

I was really hoping to get a big time WR via this route, but it seems as though we'd have to give up draft picks (ie. No. 1 pick) to get this type of player and the top brass won't do this. that sux.  how many WRs come out of college and make an immediate impact?!?

On the TDMMC radio show last night, we made our "bold Phins predictions for next season," and one of mine was that "one of the players that Miami drafts in the first two rounds makes the pro bowl as a rookie." I took it a step further and said that I believe we will take a WR in teh first two rounds, and that it will be that WR who makes the pro bowl.

So, rest easy, hordman...the Good Hands man is coming.

[dolphins4life]

I'm confused, why would teams not use as much of the cap as possible?  I figured teams would do what they can to make a good team.

The Dolphins are really at least 9-6, or 10-5.  They have had at least 2 and possibly 3 games stolen from them.

I'm more worried about a lockout in 2011. 

[Philly Fin Fan]

The Dolphins are really at least 9-6, or 10-5.  They have had at least 2 and possibly 3 games stolen from them.

Dude, give it up. the only people who "stole" any games from them are the players who failed to show up in the first half vs. the Texans and Titans.

[fyo]

If there is an uncapped year, there is NO question that the team needs to restructure or terminate a lot of contracts. It would be a golden opportunity to get in GREAT cap shape for 2011 and you can bet a lot of teams are going to be taking full advantage. We cannot afford not to do the same.

Basically, almost EVERY SINGLE player with a prorated cap hit for 2011 needs to be restructured or cut so that the hit comes in 2010 where it doesn't hurt.

[dolphins4life]

What if we sign a player to huge contract because it is uncapped, but then they set up a cap in 2011?

[fyo]

What if we sign a player to huge contract because it is uncapped, but then they set up a cap in 2011?

Then we're idiots.

2010 is uncapped, but is still governed by the CBA (the uncapped year is a provision in the CBA -- 2011, on the other hand, would be completely ungoverned). So it's not like there aren't ANY rules. Still, sure, we could write a contract that would come back to haunt us in the future...

[Tenshot13]

On the TDMMC radio show last night, we made our "bold Phins predictions for next season," and one of mine was that "one of the players that Miami drafts in the first two rounds makes the pro bowl as a rookie." I took it a step further and said that I believe we will take a WR in teh first two rounds, and that it will be that WR who makes the pro bowl.

So, rest easy, hordman...the Good Hands man is coming.

If it's Damien Williams or Golden Tate, then I agree.  If it's Arrelious Benn, maybe.  Benn might take a year or two to be a dominant WR.  I didn't even mention Brandon LaFell because he would be a reach with our 1st round pick, and probably won't be around when we pick in the 2nd round, but he has the potential to be a pro bowler.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Based on this article, here are the players I want gone:

Ted Ginn, Jason Allen, Joey Porter, Gibril Wilson, Reggie Torbor, Will Allen, Patrick Turner, and Pat White (unless they can use him at another position)

[ethurst22]

Forget the free agent stuff. Miami needs two solid drafts to compete on a championship level. Miami isn't one player away from anything.

I would shoot for an adequate #1 receiver next year. The Dolphins should totally revamp their linebacker positions which means that all four linebackers should be young and new. Draft a NG while their at it.

As for Jason Taylor he'll never win a SB with Miami.

I wouldn't overspend on veterans at all.

[hordman]

Based on this article, here are the players I want gone:

Ted Ginn, Jason Allen, Joey Porter, Gibril Wilson, Reggie Torbor, Will Allen, Patrick Turner, and Pat White (unless they can use him at another position)

Ted Ginn - definitely gone  he's the first one out of MIA, funny he was Missing In Action all year, except in the stinkin Meadowlands (Jets Fans rot in Hell!)

Jason Allen - still think he can be a ST player and stop-gap guy for some plays

Joey Porter - The Mouth has Left the Building!

Gibril Wilson - the only sound I want to hear from him is the door smacking his ass on the way out!

Reggie Torbor - I've got HS LBs that cover TEs better than him.  but I would still work with him

Will Allen - still keep

Patrick Turner - still don't know what this kid can do! the coaches should have activated him this week and gave him a shot.  who knows, maybe he can still be a nice WR

Pat White - love PW in college, love his tenacity, his ability, etc, but DAMN, that man is small! and he took a wicked hit today.  feel for him, hope he's ok.  I like him but I'm still scratching my head on why we wasted a No. 2 on him?

[fyo]

Reggie Torbor - I've got HS LBs that cover TEs better than him.  but I would still work with him

And Ayodele did a terrific job today, right?

[Brian Fein]

the buffoon parade never ends around here.

None of the players you mentioned will be gone, Tommy.  Don't be ridiculous.  OK, maybe Wilson.  Ginn, Allen, and the other Allen will BE HERE next season.

Just cause YOU hate him doesn't mean the coaches do.  These guys have ability and are young and its up to the coaching staff to develop their talent and use it properly.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

the buffoon parade never ends around here.

None of the players you mentioned will be gone, Tommy.  Don't be ridiculous.  OK, maybe Wilson.  Ginn, Allen, and the other Allen will BE HERE next season.

Just cause YOU hate him doesn't mean the coaches do.  These guys have ability and are young and its up to the coaching staff to develop their talent and use it properly.

How am I being a buffoon for wanting them gone?  I didn't say they WILL be gone.  Re-read my post. 

Back on topic.... in a way, this is good for the league, because it will offer amnesty to teams that made mistakes with high draft picks.  They will be able to cut those players and not suffer any backlash from the cap. 

I just hope there's no lockout in 2011.