2009 Cap

[Keith]

Originally Posted by kravix

*Pitts, Chester 2009 $4,380,000 $1,810,000 $6,190,000

I like Chester, and I think he is a very good OG, but that seems pretty steep, especially since we have a RT that is pro bowl caliber, IMO, that is gettin 1M less than him.

Pitts ought to be a prime candidate for an extension under normal CBA (and cap constrained) circumstances, but the Texans aren't hurting for cap room this year, so there's no urgency. Assuming he's still in the team's long-term plans (and I have every reason to believe he is at this point), I imagine Pitts will re-sign before he ever hits the market. Then again, with 2010 being uncapped, I'm sure Pitts and his agent will be looking for this much and more in a new contract.

Everything about the Texans' actions right now seems to indicate to me that they do not expect a new CBA soon and at least for 2010 to be uncapped.

And I like Winston, but 2008 was not a stellar year for him, much less Pro Bowl caliber. Hope he has it in him, but I think he should have something to prove in 2009.

[Keith]

From Kuharksy's ESPN.com AFC South blog:

The Texans' biggest cap number belongs to Matt Schaub ($10.25 million, 8 percent of their cap) and the most dead money is tied up in Anthony Weaver ($5.4 million, 4.2 percent).

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/...ead-money.html

Here's what each team currently has remaining under the $127 million cap, with details on the one big remaining expense:

Jacksonville: $19.304 million (six draft picks to sign)
Tennessee: $12.9 million (two draft picks to sign)
Houston: $9.72 million (four draft picks to sign)
Indianapolis: $7.47 million (eight draft picks to sign)

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/...-cap-room.html

So I have the biggest cap figure and dead money hit correct on the ItB.com cap page, but I am still off, but only by less than $1 million, or about 0.72%. I am late in adding Glove's new contract, which might lessen the gap a little bit, but not much.

[bckey]

Do the Texans have enough cap room to pay Dunta nearly $10 million if he signs the agreement for the franchise tag?

[cadams]

i am guessing that is factored in to that number, but that is just a guess.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by bckey

Do the Texans have enough cap room to pay Dunta nearly $10 million if he signs the agreement for the franchise tag?

Yes, tendered amounts are already reflected on the cap, even if they are unsigned. The available cap room would increase by almost $10 million if the tender was rescinded.

Given the four unsigned rookies, once signed, they will probably lower the cap room by another $3 million or so. I haven't done any estimates, but in case anyone is concerned from that angle, don't be. There is plenty of cap space for them... the question is really just fitting them under the rookie cap, which probably shouldn't be all that concerning either, esp since the team didn't draft a cap-busting QB or anything.

[bckey]

We still have Owen Daniels and DeMeco Ryans to sign also.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by bckey

We still have Owen Daniels and DeMeco Ryans to sign also.

Yes, but both are already on the cap this year with $2.8M and $1.3M cap figures, respectively.

It's possible (though maybe unlikely) Daniels' 2009 cap figure could decrease a little with a new contract. Ryans' would almost certainly go up if re-signed before the end of the season, but the larger cap figures would most likely come in future years (assuming there is a cap, of course).

[bckey]

Sounds like the Texans are in pretty good cap shape this year. Thanks Keith.