2009 Cap

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Keith

I think this is one reason why I am and have been so fascinated by Dunta's contract situation. Given his injury and inconclusive 2008 performance (by his own pre-injury standards), I had been thinking that the F-tag really might be the best way to go.

But if that means then trying to negotiate with Robinson's agent in an uncapped year after he (optimistically) has justified his full return to pre-injury form, then that would cost the team a whole heck of a lot more by using the F-tag.

It'd be a gamble by Robinson to come to the table next month asking for the moon knowing the F-tag might be the consequence, but it would certainly be a calculated one.

Owen Daniels is in a slightly similar position, different since he is a RFA and coming off his best season ever, injury-free. And really, same question can be applied for all those other '09 UFAs like DeMeco Ryans... do you pay them now under the current cap system when you have ample room to do so or do you wait until next year and follow the Domanick Davis lesson of why pay now when you can pay later? But if you wait, then there may not be a cap, at least for one year and maybe more.

It is a philosophical question for the front office, and I am very interested to find out what path they choose. This one offseason could have huge ramifications on the future of this team well beyond what happens on the field in 2009.

My guess is to do it now if you can is the best way to go. History (of the NFL) shows that salaries are only going to go up. We have some young talented players that I'm sure McNair wants to keep around. The owners are supposedly a united front on the CBA this time around, but if things go uncapped I can't imagine one or two wouldn't go on spending spree (read Jones, Jerry and Synder, Dan). That's only going to make negotiations that much more difficult.

With Dunta's injury I'm very tempted to use the F-tag if negations stall, but hopefully it never comes to that. There's nothing to stop these guys from demanding a new contract and threatening holdouts if a things go uncapped and they see lesser players, at least in their minds, cashing in. Either way, guys like Owen, Demeco, and Dunta are too important to not lock in.