2012 Free Agent Watch

[woodbuck27]

Cardinals bring back Levi Brown on five-year contract

Posted by Evan Silva on March 15, 2012, 11:00 PM EDT
Reuters

Just days after releasing him, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Cardinals have reached a five-year contract agreement with offensive tackle Levi Brown.

Much maligned throughout his Cardinals career, Brown did enjoy one of the better stretch runs of his tenure in 2011. Brown hasn’t missed a start since his rookie season, and he’s capable of playing both tackle spots.

With Brown and Jared Gaither returning to the teams they played for last year, the highest-rated offensive tackles left on the PFT Hot 100 list are Eric Winston, Marcus McNeill, Demetrius Bell, and Anthony Collins.

[woodbuck27]

Cracking the code on Calvin Johnson’s deal

Posted by Mike Florio on March 15, 2012, 11:41 PM EDT
Getty Images

On Wednesday, the Lions extended the contract of receiver Calvin Johnson.

Initially reported as a seven-year, $132 million deal, this characterization overlooked the reality that:

(1) it’s an eight-year deal; and

(2) Johnson already was due to earn $18.5 million in 2012.

Also, the report that Johnson will receive $60 million in guaranteed money is, as reports regarding guaranteed money usually are, inflated.

We heard last night that the numbers may have been grossly inflated. Here’s the real story on the deal.

It’s an eight-year, $131.95 million contract.

Until, however, the team chooses to fully guaranteed $3.5 million in base salary in 2018 and $3.5 million in base salary in 2019, the last two years will void, making it a six-year, $96.7 million deal.

So, basically, the last two years are phony, for now.

Factoring in the $18.5 million Johnson already was due to make in 2012 before the extension, it’s a seven-year, $113.5 million deal.

Dropping the phony-for-now base salaries for 2018 and 2019, it’s a five-year, $78.25 million contract.

Not eight (or seven) years and $132 million.

Five years, $78.25 million.

Without the phony-for-now final two years, the contract has an average new-money value of $15.7 million.

If the Lions choose to buy back the last two years by guaranteeing $7 million total in salary, the new-money average increases to $16.2 million.

It gets more confusing than usual when trying to decipher the guaranteed money.

Before a non-guaranteed option bonus of $20 million is exercised in 2013, the deal has $48.75 million in fully guaranteed money.

After the option is exercised (and including the $20 million option bonus), $37.25 million is fully guaranteed.

The $60 million in guaranteed money arises from a $16 million signing bonus, a fully-guaranteed base salary of $1.25 million, the $20 million non-guaranteed option bonus, and another $22.5 million in fully-guaranteed base salary that becomes guaranteed for injury only after the option bonus is paid.

Though not guaranteed, the option bonus undoubtedly will be paid, because until the option is paid the deal has $31.5 million in fully-guaranteed base salaries. It’s an excellent device for ensuring that the option bonus will be paid.


And now for the nuts and bolts of the deal . . . .

1. Signing bonus: $16 million.

2. 2012 base salary: $1.25 million, fully guaranteed.

3. 2012 roster bonus: $4.5 million. (Earned under prior contract.)

4. 2013 option bonus: $20 million.

5. 2013 base salary: $5 million, fully guaranteed before option is paid, guaranteed for injury only after option is paid.

6. 2014 base salary: $5 million, fully guaranteed before option is paid, guaranteed for injury only after option is paid.

7. 2015 base salary: $12.5 million, fully guaranteed before option is paid, guaranteed for injury only after option is paid.

8. 2016 base salary: $15.95 million, $9 million of which is fully guaranteed before option is paid, not guaranteed after option is paid.

9. 2017 base salary: $16.5 million.

10. 2018 base salary: $17 million, $3.5 million of which is fully guaranteed if the team buys back the last two years.

11. 2019 base salary: $18.25 million, $3.5 million of which is fully guaranteed if the team buys back the last two years.

If you made it this far, congratulations. You get a free one-year subscription to PFT. And all the air you can breathe.

[woodbuck27]

Last Updated 11:41 PM, March 15, 2012 EDT

[woodbuck27]

Good Morning or afternoon or evening all Packerrats. It`s now 6:54 AM Eastern Time here in Honey Harbour, Ontario. Yesterday it was clear blue skies all day and 16 Deg. Celcius

( about 61 Deg. F). As I retired for the night it was still lovely at 12 C and this day will be as nice. Winter looks to be about over...an early Spring and OUR winter wasn`t bad at all.I only needed to plow the driveway once.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nvhUMxoTfs

Twice I tried to write some form of editorial and twice that composition went somewhere off into the Nether Land.

So OK I will go with a diversion as it seems to me thats what must be necessary. I`ll explain......

The most remarkable thing happened both times. It has something to do with my keyboards formating or maybe my early AM fat fingers. This is what happened. That video (see LINK above) popped up both times and my writing went poof ! `

Ohh this thingy ...É is a French question mark.

Is that a sign that we are destined to draft Nick PerryÉ. Forgive me as I`m an Irish Canadian. Tomorrow is St. Patty`s Day and my day each year to really celebrate my heritage. Being Irish Canadian makes me a tad superstitious. Things that most overlook we pay attention to. Right now I`m thinking if we drafted Nick Perry would that be a bad thingÉ

I know he`s got a great motor and we have to keep his weight training in balance but I`m coming to really like this possible draft pick.

[woodbuck27]

OK we saw the Buffalo Bills make a huge signing. Mario Williams is a Bill.

Of the PFT.Com I count 38 players resigned or signed by new teams ( 13 resigned ). We`re about two thirds through day three of FA.

The BIG watch all around the NFL will be fans watching to see where Peyton Manning signs.

I`m like most Packer fans keeping an eye on news about Scott Wells and Matt Flynn. Flynn..has to be Irish especially with that redish hair.

[woodbuck27]

A very quiet night.....

Ralph Wilson: At 93, I want to win now

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 16, 2012, 6:36 AM EDT
AP
Why were the Bills so aggressive about making a big splash at the start of free agency and signing Mario Williams?

Partially because 93-year-old owner Ralph Wilson says he doesn’t have time to be patient.

“I’d like to see us make the playoffs and possibly the Super Bowl while I’m around,” Wilson told the Buffalo News. “I don’t expect to be around that many years.”

The Bills haven’t typically been huge spenders in free agency, but Williams’ six-year, $96 million contract is money that Wilson is more than happy to spend.

“I didn’t give a darn about the money,” Wilson said.

“I can’t take the money with me. The money had nothing to do with it.”

Asked how he celebrated signing Williams, Wilson — the NFL’s oldest owner — said he didn’t.

“The same way I did yesterday,” Wilson said, “staying home and having dinner and playing cards with my wife.”

Wilson sounds as happy to pay Williams $96 million as Williams is to make it.

“It was a big win today,” Wilson said, “a big win for everybody.”



Comment woodbuck27: We see some owners shelling out wads of dough to certain players that play certain positions; but need we as fans be certainly concerned. I don`t believe we do.

It comes back to the theory of relativity. Because a few players get very rich doesn`t translate into all top players at that particular position certianly cashing in. It comes down to what the market will bear.

Players can dream of huge contracts guranteeing them more money that the average citizen can ever even imagine. NFL fans are struggling to keep their homes. Feed and cloth their familys. It`s just outrageous what these NFL players are able to sign for IMO.

As the TV deal reaches fruition there will be a lot more money in the pot but ònly a few`will somehow manage to get the lions shares of a teams CAP money.

[Bretsky]

Ralph just might want to go get Payton Manning because I don't think he wins a SB with his QB's.

[woodbuck27]

Ralph just might want to go get Payton Manning because I don't think he wins a SB with his QB's.

With the NE Patriots in that division it`s not where I would expect Peyton Manning to end up. I agree that the Bills need more at QB.

[woodbuck27]

Giants sign safety Chris Horton

Posted by Evan Silva on March 15, 2012, 10:23 PM EDT
Getty Images

The Giants announced Thursday that they have signed safety Chris Horton, formerly of the division-rival Redskins.

Horton, 27, signed a one-year deal. He was out of football last season after Washington waived him at final cuts.

Horton will likely focus on special teams with the Giants, though he did gain some starting experience early in his Redskins career.

Horton started ten games as a rookie in 2008 and five more in 2009.

[woodbuck27]

Amendola could be New England’s new Welker

Posted by Mike Florio on March 16, 2012, 7:34 AM EDT
Getty Images

Silva pointed out on Thursday that Rams restricted free agent Danny Amendola has been spotted in the Boston area.

Our pal Tom Curran of CSNNE.com elaborated on the topic, sharing details of his efforts to pry details from Amendola’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, which seems to be even harder that squeezing blood from the Blarney Stone. (And that’s the closest I’ll come to acknowledging that tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day.)

The Patriots have a well-earned reputation for reading the riot act to agents who represent players in whom the Pats are interested.

“If word of this gets out,” the warning usually goes, “we’re pulling the plug.”

As Curran explains it, this one is even more delicate than usual because Amendola possibly would replace Wes Welker, who currently wears the franchise tag.

If Welker catches wind of the possibility that the Pats will try to pry Amendola away from the Rams,

Welker could sign the franchise tender, which would give him a fully-guaranteed one-year salary in the range of $9.4 million.

Then again, maybe that’s what the Patriots are hoping to do.

Once Welker signs the tender, he could be traded.

Maybe to the Rams.

For the rights to Danny Amendola, and perhaps the second-round pick the Rams squeezed out of the Redskins last week.

It would be a win-win deal.

The Rams need a savvy, experienced slot receiver, who would provide a reliable safety valve for developing quarterback Sam Bradford.

In New England, Tom Brady is the savvy and experienced one; adding Amendola allows them to go younger and cheaper at the position.

Regardless of what the Patriots are up to, it looks like they’re up to something.

Some of you would say they always are.

[woodbuck27]

Colt McCoy now favored to remain the Browns’ starting quarterback

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 16, 2012, 8:27 AM EDT
AP

Browns President Mike Holmgren makes no secret that he wanted to draft Robert Griffin III and was disappointed that the Rams rejected his trade offer. But now that the Griffin ship has sailed, the Browns appear to be favoring another year with Colt McCoy as the starter.

Holmgren said Thursday that he trusts in the system the Browns have in place and believes McCoy has plenty of room for growth in that system, especially with a full offseason this year.

“We will stick with our system,” Holmgren said, via the News-Herald. “The big thing is learning the system. I think in the second year of the system you will see more productivity from the offense. We’re not going to change it, but it takes times to get good at it. If you can stick with your quarterback and you stick with the system and you stick with the coaches in the program, it works. You just have to trust me on that.”

Browns General Manager Tom Heckert is also talking up McCoy.

“We do think Colt has a big ceiling,” Heckert said.

“It’s my job to get better players surrounding him. After the season, we said we have to protect him better. We have to be able to run the football, which we did at times last year. If you look at the games when we ran well and protected well, Colt played very well. Colt has proven he can play in this league. As Coach Holmgren said, another year in the system and we get him better players, he has a chance to be really good.”

Of course, if the Browns really believed McCoy was a future elite quarterback, they wouldn’t have tried so hard to move up and draft Griffin. All the talk about McCoy’s high ceiling may be more about the Browns now resigning themselves to the fact that McCoy is the best they can do this year, after the Redskins out-maneuvered them for Griffin.

There are other options: There’s been talk of drafting Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill at No. 4 overall. The idea of drafting Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden with the 22nd overall pick has also been floated, although Weeden is three years older than McCoy, so unless the Browns’ brass is blatantly lying when they say they think McCoy has a lot of room to grow, it’s hard to see why the Browns would think Weeden has a better future than McCoy does.

Giving McCoy another year as the starter would be less a statement that the team believes in him as the long-term answer than a statement that the team has no better answer.

But until they come up with a better answer, someone has to be the starter in Cleveland.

And right now it’s looking like that someone, for 2012, will be McCoy.

[woodbuck27]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1106798-breaking-down-tennessee-titans-contract-for-life-offer-to-peyton-manning

Peyton Manning Rumors: Breaking Down Tennessee Titans' Contract for Life Offer

By Gary Davenport (Featured Columnist) on March 15, 2012




Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Peyton Manning is one of the most unprecedented free agents in the history of the National Football League, and as his saga unfolds the league could well be headed into uncharted territory.

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams reportedly offered a "contract for life" to the four-time MVP.

As Pro Football Talk reports, the contract is in theory possible, but the potential Pandora's Box it could open in the NFL almost certainly has commissioner Roger Goodell secretly praying that Manning chooses any team but the Titans as his new home.

Per a source with knowledge of the league’s procedures, Manning and the Titans would be required to sign two contracts: one for the work as player, and one for the job as a non-player. The second job would have to be a “real job,” and the wages for the second job would have to represent fair market value. Manning would have to actually perform the duties of the job after his playing career ends.
Also, the entire arrangement would require league approval.

This kind of pact could create the sort of the possibilities for salary cap manipulation that makes it hard to believe that Daniel Snyder didn't think of it first, and that's what's giving Goodell heartburn and either freaking out or inspiring front offices across the league, depending on the franchise.

The NFL is trying to guarantee that the Titans (or any future team) don't create grossly overpaid front office jobs, where retired stars could garner millions of backloaded dollars in jobs such as "assistant general scouting consultant to the assistant general manger's assistant," since that money wouldn't count against the salary cap.





Bud Adams Badly Wants a Handshake Deal With Peyton Manning
Grant Halverson/Getty Images


Or treacherous teams could potentially offer actual front office jobs to these players, with the caveat that a rather liberal attendance policy would require the new assistant general manager to show up for work twice a season.

The rent on an empty office is chicken feed compared to the millions in revenue that could be generated by a player like Manning in Nashville, especially if the team could add other components by effectively increasing this year's cap with a no-show job down the road.

The third of a potentially endless array of possibilities is that the Washington Redskins (I still can't believe Snyder didn't think of this first) could hire a new assistant general manager who even occasionally appeared at the office, but who did 37 more appearances on "Around the Horn" each year than they made personnel decisions, all while raking in $11 million in tasty backload that doesn't count against the salary cap.

Get where I'm going here?

Granted, if a team were to be caught blatantly flaunting the salary cap in this fashion (like the Redskins were to a fashion earlier this week...corruption in D.C., who knew?) the penalties would be harsh beyond comprehension, as Washington can well attest to after having their salary cap room for the next two seasons gutted a day before free agency was set to begin.

Proving that sort of violation could be nearly impossible to prove; however, and were this practice to gain any traction enforcing the rules it would inspire could cost the National Football League millions annually just in enforcement.
In case you haven't been keeping track, the NFL isn't in the business of spending money. It's in the business of making it, which is why Roger Goodell and the powers that be are privately hoping that Manning signs with a squad that might let them put the lid back on the box.
Problem is, once the box is opened it can't be closed, although PFT also pointed out that the maelstrom that has surrounded Peyton Manning's free agency may have yet to hit its crescendo.

To the extent that the contract “for life” would entail purchasing a portion of the team, there would be salary cap implications. Before getting to that point, the transaction would have to be approved by a vote of the 32 owners (via Pro Football Talk).

Stay tuned.

[woodbuck27]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...denver-broncos

Peyton Manning signing... Why it will work with the BRONCOS.

[woodbuck27]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1104509-peyton-manning-rumors-reasons-broncos-have-a-better-shot-than-titans

Peyton Manning Rumors: Reasons Broncos Have a Better Shot Than Titans

By Jesse Reed (Featured Columnist)

on March 14, 2012