2009 Cap

[Nconroe]

Good suggestion of something to analyze.

of course from the 29 mil we need to resign several of our own FA, not just Dunta, and rookies, but it should be over 10 mil if desired, although if team decides it is a down economic year, could be go slowly on this. FA in general seem a second choice to building through draft.

some of important dates are:
February 19 Last day for NFL teams to use their franchise tag
February 27 Free agent signing period begins

some top FA
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?...o&confirm=true

here is a good list of FA by position
http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/featu...tion=RB&y=2009
and
http://www.nowpublic.com/sports/2009-nfl-free-agents

or here with some analysis
http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html

[Bigtinylittle]

I think we can forget signing any of the top tier free agents. No way we use almost all our cap space on one player.

[Nconroe]

just wondering, would these guys fit in the budget and be helpful perhaps if available:
Nnamdi Asomugha CB Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Age: 27 , currently Oakland
Karlos Dansby OLB Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Age: 27, currently Arizona

[RunninRaven]

I'm sure Asomugha would be helpful, but I'm thinking he's going to get a big time payday, much like Peppers will. That, or he'll be franchised.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

just wondering, would these guys fit in the budget and be helpful perhaps if available:
Nnamdi Asomugha CB Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Age: 27 , currently Oakland
Karlos Dansby OLB Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Age: 27, currently Arizona

Both of those guys will be franchised. They are their teams version of the Texans Dunta. Not way they let those guys get to free agency.

The Texans while they do have alot of cap room, but need to come to contract agreements with Owen Daniels, Dunta Robinson as well as extending Demeco. That will eat up some serious cap dollars. We will still have money to spend though.

I doubt you will see big splash free agents, instead we will fill in gaps like last year. They will get a deal done with Dunta. It will cost them more than the Reeves deal. Our CB's next year will be Dunta, Reeves, Fred and Molden.

[Keith]

As we work our way through the next two months of the offseason, I'm sure I'll offer more details on my thoughts on the front page of the site. For now though, I think Mike is right.

One other thought I have not seen discussed much anywhere... 2009 is the last capped year. This is very similar to the situation a few years ago before the CBA was extended, but I have heard very little via the media in terms of upcoming extension talks between the owners and the union. Perhaps this has quite a bit to do with the passing of Gene Upshaw.

Anyhoo, there were not any radical changes imposed with the last extension, but I wonder whether that will be the same after 2009. Regardless, I think it impacts how some teams handle free agency this offseason as some teams may look to structure UFA contracts.

Generally speaking, the Texans are in as good a position as ever to make whatever offseason moves they choose. That said, they are still probably somewhere in the middle of the pack in terms of cap room (considering too that they do not have 53 players signed yet) as several other teams have done exceptionally well in managing their salary caps as well.

I'd love to add Asomugha or Dansby - both were franchised last year I think - but I don't think either will hit the open market. Dunta ought to be f-tagged if not re-signed. F-tags usually suck for the player but could really benefit Dunta if he proves to be fully recovered in 2009 (and avoids any new injury, of course, the rub for f-tagged players).

In addition to the guys Mike listed, don't forget that Matt Schaub's option could be exercised or renegotiated during the 2009 cap year. Also, that dead money from Wong, Domanick, etc. may be gone, but there may be new dead money from Weaver, Greenwood, Demps, and Green, to name a few.

The Texans have also avoided holdouts (mostly because they sucked with underperforming players), but that could change this offseason as well with cap implications. Slaton is worth more than he is paid. Pitts is entering a contract year on a Pro Bowl alternate season. Walter has outperformed his current deal and will be a UFA after 2009 as well. Kris Brown (signed thru 2009) has also earned an extension as well. I doubt any will holdout, but the ingredients for doing so are there, DeMeco and Daniels included.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Keith

As we work our way through the next two months of the offseason, I'm sure I'll offer more details on my thoughts on the front page of the site.

Stephanie asked that I write something for her blog on chron.com... I did, but I posted it here too since I've been lagging on site updates through the holidays and my since-concluded vacation.

Towards the end of the thing I have a little more info on the state of the CBA negotiations, or lack thereof.

[Mike]

Keith,

Fantastic front page article. If you did not have a day job and this site, I would submit that you should write the Texans blog on the comical, with me as a co-writer.

[Nconroe]

seems a rookie cap might be a discussion item to prevent those exorbitant first round signing bonuses when unproven results.

[da Bull]

Keith,

Good write-up. Your research and presentation definitely put the financial "state of the Texans" into perspective. Sadly though, I guess that means we can't just put together a "free agent wish list" and go out and buy whatever we want since we've pretty much moved away from the Casserly "blunders".

Since this is the "speculative" time of year, what does your gut tell you about the direction of the CBA. You've spent the time to get a lot closer to this topic than any of the rest of us so I appreciate your insight. Thanks, and Happy New Year!