you don't backload contracts on guys in free agency...thats how you end up with diminishing returns and high hits on your cap down the line...you front load if anything
I disagree with you on a few points..
Backloading is fine if you are trying to make a run at the playoffs and beyond now...Mr. Ross is about to do this. Also, if the player is younger like Soliai and Langford they have a much better chance of playing out the life of the contract.
I DO agree you do not want to get in the practice of this, but I hate letting our players we drafted and developed get away.
I also disagree about letting Langford walk. I would work hard to sign both Soliai and Langford (obviously nothing guaranteed in a free market), but let both hit free agency if they did not take my deal prior to FA starting. There are some good NT's available this year in FA and we could play the market.
However, this is why I would sign Langford and perhaps backload the deal some: Randy Starks is in his last year of his deal. Let Starks play out the last year of the deal and you let him walk. In 2013, you would have Langford, Soliai and Ordrick for a starting D-line.