Saban and the Salary Cap

[Shouright]

I've seen a lot of posts today about how the team is not yet "Saban's team" and how he'll have to turn over more of the roster to get the kinds of players he wants from a mental and physical standpoint.

My issue is this -- how possible is this going to be in light of the salary cap? When you cut or trade a guy, his remaining signing bonus is accelerated into the cap during the year he's cut or dealt. If a player has guaranteed money in his contract, that money still counts against the cap as well, making it harder to get the kinds of new players Saban may want.

So how possible will it be for Saban to make this team "his" team? And how long will it take?

 

[eddie4fins]

I've seen a lot of posts today about how the team is not yet "Saban's team" and how he'll have to turn over more of the roster to get the kinds of players he wants from a mental and physical standpoint.

My issue is this -- how possible is this going to be in light of the salary cap? When you cut or trade a guy, his remaining signing bonus is accelerated into the cap during the year he's cut or dealt. If a player has guaranteed money in his contract, that money still counts against the cap as well, making it harder to get the kinds of new players Saban may want.

So how possible will it be for Saban to make this team "his" team? And how long will it take?

I have read in more than one story that we may be 25 million under the cap next year.

 

[DolphinsRising]

I'd say three years. The fact that there are few quality players from Wannstedt's tenure should make it easier to replace those guys with free agents and draftees. Other than Madison, Thomas and Taylor (JJs guys) there aren't any players making big bucks that will affect the cap going forward. Overall that should make it easier for Saban to make this, his team.

 

[Nublar7]

I've seen a lot of posts today about how the team is not yet "Saban's team" and how he'll have to turn over more of the roster to get the kinds of players he wants from a mental and physical standpoint.

My issue is this -- how possible is this going to be in light of the salary cap? When you cut or trade a guy, his remaining signing bonus is accelerated into the cap during the year he's cut or dealt. If a player has guaranteed money in his contract, that money still counts against the cap as well, making it harder to get the kinds of new players Saban may want.

So how possible will it be for Saban to make this team "his" team? And how long will it take?

We are actually going to be in great cap shape his upcoming offseason with around $15-25 million to spend. We probably won't use all of it, and some will go towards the draft picks(The draft is how Saban will build this team). However, we will probably be able to pick up a few big time FAs unlike the previous years where we get older players and scrubs who just have "potential".

 

[umpalu]

with the rescent cuts and trades it is more like $28 million. However, remember how many 'band aid' players were signed this offseasoon to one year contracts. We lose a lot of the roster at some key spots..

 

[Hummer23]

Lets get Shaun Alexander LOL

 

[nolefin]

there are 33 players on our team that have contracts next year and 14 of those players are saban's players so after he drafts and picks 19-20 players this team will be 70% saban picked players.

 

[dolphan117]

I have read in more than one story that we may be 25 million under the cap next year.

This whole 25 mill under the cap idea was started by a story that some writer did. It was his estimate on how low we could get if we cut certain guys and reworked some other contracts. Unfortanantly the rumor has sprouted legs and is off to the races with most people now assuming we will be that low. According to our GM we will be more like 10 to 12 million. (tried to search for the link of the news story where he said it but I cant find it. )

 

[Jal]

This whole 25 mill under the cap idea was started by a story that some writer did. It was his estimate on how low we could get if we cut certain guys and reworked some other contracts. Unfortanantly the rumor has sprouted legs and is off to the races with most people now assuming we will be that low. According to our GM we will be more like 10 to 12 million. (tried to search for the link of the news story where he said it but I cant find it. )

I found this as part of an article at the link below.

"Dolphins GM Randy Mueller said he projects his team will be $10 million to $12 million under the salary cap entering the 2006 off-season so that the team can continue to upgrade its roster."

http://colts.scout.com/2/449764.html

 

[DolphinsRising]

there are 33 players on our team that have contracts next year and 14 of those players are saban's players so after he drafts and picks 19-20 players this team will be 70% saban picked players.

The percentage makes it sounds that by next year Nick will have made it his team. I'd disagree with that conclusion until the majority of players are signed by him are for 3 and 4 year deals. Only at that point can you really say these are the players he's comfortable with and is willing to bet the organization's future on. Most of the players he brought in as free agents are here for one or two years and they are here as stop gaps.

 

[Maynard the Hammer]

This whole 25 mill under the cap idea was started by a story that some writer did. It was his estimate on how low we could get if we cut certain guys and reworked some other contracts. Unfortanantly the rumor has sprouted legs and is off to the races with most people now assuming we will be that low. According to our GM we will be more like 10 to 12 million. (tried to search for the link of the news story where he said it but I cant find it. )

this is from his press conference. i believe he said that 10 to 12 million is a more reasonable number considering that they may not want to spend 25 million on players they dont want.

in other words, they arent going to clear all 25 million worth if they cant fill it with reasonable salaries and talent. you also want to use as much as you can. but it doesnt mean they cant clear 25 million. its just that 10-12 is the wisest in most situations

 

[Duss]

I found this as part of an article at the link below.

"Dolphins GM Randy Mueller said he projects his team will be $10 million to $12 million under the salary cap entering the 2006 off-season so that the team can continue to upgrade its roster."

http://colts.scout.com/2/449764.html

I trust espn over them

 

[Maynard the Hammer]

I trust espn over them

its not really a question of either source.

next years cap space could be from zero to 25 million. its up to them how much they think is the most workable number. thats why mueller said 10-12

 

[Duss]

to that extent I agree who knows who we cut/trade vs who we resign and who we restructure

 

[Maynard the Hammer]

to that extent I agree who knows who we cut/trade vs who we resign and who we restructure

pretty tough job when you have all those options.

on one hand you have the opportunity to clear a lot of room, but on the other hand you dont know who is available and how new signing effect your flexibility in the future