Salary cap room to breathe: The Seahawks were concerned about being tight against the cap. They had more than $9 million of their cap eaten up by the Marcus Trufant franchise tag. Now that Trufant signed a six-year, $50.2 million deal, the Seahawks have plenty of room. His contract saved the team $6.7 million of cap room. After his deal, the Seahawks had $13.9 million of room, which is why they had no problem giving kicker Olindo Mare a two-year, $3.5 million deal. They would like to get an extension with linebacker LeRoy Hill, too.I think the next move seems clear. It is releasing Shaun and taking the whole hit this year. By restructuring Kerney and Grant, it is possible they have created cap hurdles that will have to be maneuvered in the future. But by avoiding any dead money, this team will have flexibility to keep the defense together. Especially when you consider that the team will be loading up on young offensive players in the upcoming drafts. END
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Money To Spare
It is funny how this offseason has gone. At one point the Hawks seemed to be passing on more than reasonable deals all because of salary cap constraints. Well....now, after locking up two of their best young defensive players, the Hawks have money to spare. This is what the professor John Clayton has to say on his ESPN Blog.
Michael, don't laugh or anything, because you know my position.
ReplyDeleteI still think SA is not done. Cutting him and loose a little money, or leave him this year and cut him next year. I see Morris leaving and SA staying for veteran support.
If we have the money and the use for him why not?
On NFL.com, Faulk said that SA is not done in the NFL and hinted that the Seahawks would be smart to keep him. I agree. But time will tell, so keep my opinion in mind, but don't just keep attacking it. I know what your position is and your reasons, you know mine. So it will be interesting to see what happens.
This post just shows me that we have no reason to cut SA, and no reason to keep him. It is a luxury that the FO can take as to the decision. I could live with both, especially with one, obviously.
I am all for taking the full hit for SA this year, also next year we get Wistrom off of the books too, we should have plenty of cap space. Also Rocky's 5 mil deal will be up, depending on how the cap goes up next year we could have over 25 mil in space next year, but then again we will have to pay #23 his 7 million dollar roster bonus.
ReplyDeleteI Love John Clayton.
ReplyDeleteSo cutting SA will put that 13.9 cap down to 9.7 right? We need 4 for draft picks and 2 for injury insurance leaving us with 3.7 mil to work with right now. I don't think it is plausible to lock up Tubbs now until we see how is injury status is affected, but what is stopping them from locking up Hill!? Do you see that being addressed in the near future or am I off on the cap structure?
ReplyDeleteI think we have a better shot of keeping Hill this year than we do if we wait to lock him up next year. With Tru and Lofa being unselfish on their deals I would think that emotions would play big in his decision making. Also, if we do wait and he has a big year that could spell big trouble for next FA... I would love to lock this LB core into place for the next few years.
Go Seahawks!!
I am starting to wonder now if we trade off Morris and keep SA this year and let him retire at the end of the year. Michael, if we do this, what would be our cap hit for retirement? Is there any difference in cutting vs. retiring?
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI am unsure why you are convinced that the FO should release Shauna. What are the pros/cons of keeping him? it seems to me based on the info I have read on this site and others that the benefit of keeping him financially is there. the only reason to release him is because most fans think his first name is Shauna and he is a "turf diver." I see us going into training camp with him JJ and TJ on the squad and that we give him a chance to redeem himself so that we can get a pick or something for him after the season. Granted his contract is bloated and we will be hard pressed to get anyone to take him but we will still take less of a hit next year if we release him right? Also, having those 3 backs could create a challenge for defenses and add a wrinkle to the offense, plus give mora a chance to decide who he likes the most. I am not buying the release of Shauna just yet...I do not see ruskell just cutting his losses so soon after giving him that contract. Shauna might have something to prove this year, we could only hope, that seems to be the only time he plays hard (2005)
Efrin Herrera
"king of the fake field goal"
Yeah, I would be all for absorbing Shaun's hit this year and freeing up as much space for next year and try to add a big name free agent or two.
ReplyDelete-Derek
Oh no.....here we go again. Let me clarify for all those who are starting to get nostalgic....
ReplyDeleteFirst..They will cut Shaun, because no business man in his right mind would shell out 4.6 million in salary for a 3rd or 4th string running back.
2nd...If they take the hit all this year, it will cost 125k of the available cap. By doing this, they free up close to 7.5 million for next year, where as if they cut him next year they would be responsible for the bonus then and it would only free up about 3 million.
Since, now, by no small miracle we have all this space, we should use it and save money for next year. The team only needs about 4-6 million for rookies and emergency. They are fine. They can take the 125k hit and create a ton of flexibility in future years.
I listened to the Ruskell interview with Gas that Mike posted. I thought it was quite obvious that Shaun is gone.
ReplyDelete-k
Good point Michael! Not sure if I am drinking the Kool aid yet though.
ReplyDeleteBut does cap space transfer over from year to year like that? Why wouldn't you want to resign Hill? What are the Pros and Cons of that?
ReplyDeleteI say we wait and see. I can't but the argument fully for either side. I still think SA might still restructure. It is a complicated decision. Best case scenario for us would be for SA to restructure for just above a vet. min. and then let him battle it out in training camp for the starting spot.
ReplyDeleteThey have enough space to cut Shaun and resign Hill if they want to, and still have money for rookies and emergency.
ReplyDeleteThey can just give Leroy a big roster bonus before next season, using the cap freedom they have gained by taking their medicine this year.
Plus, Leroy is kind of a unique case. I get the sense they may wait, at least until mid season before offering up the big bucks.
Yeah restructuring would be good but nobody wants to pay him his base salary, Mike what is his base salary???
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hill! I love the guy but not sure if he commands Tatupu money. I am thinking they have a wait and see attitue with him.
ReplyDeleteShaun is out, as Michael stated they aren't gonna pay their 3rd string running back 4.6 mil.
ReplyDeleteThe Hawks will do the right thing by releasing him and allowing him to get decent playing time somewhere else.
If Shaun is on the roster Holmgren would find him carries and probably feel bad if he didn't (Holmgren is very loyal to his guys). It works better for everyone if he's off the roster entirely.
Evan...
ReplyDelete4.475 base salary this year
5.563 next year
if they restructure, then his base salary changes so the base salary really doesn't matter if he restructures
ReplyDeletei hate to break it to all the shaun haters, but if he is healthy and not cut we wil not be paying 4.6 mil to a 3rd or 4th string RB. do you really think he wouldn't beat out jj,mm, and tj if he is healthy.
ReplyDeletelet's be realistic. yes, it has appeared shaun has not run hard at times, but he is a former MVP and great running back. the other 3 have maybe 1 1,000 yard season combined?
why wouldn't we keep shaun is the question. if he is healthy and able to come back strong, if potential is far greater than any of the others.
also, michael you can't say on one thread that allen is so rich that money doesn't matter and then say that it would be bad business to keep shaun. if we have plenty of cap space, why not keep shaun. he showed a lot of class and support of the team last year.
anonymous, heath is one of the reasons he's gonna be cut. Shaun has missed significant time the last 2 seasons, how can you guarantee he'll be healthy this year? he's not 25/26 anymore, he's old and injury prone.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, shaun would not beat out Jones. Shaun was an MVP and great back, but that's in the past. As of right now Julius Jones is better than Shaun Alexander, Maurice Morris is better and so is T.J Duckett. I would start all 3 of those guys over Shaun.
Excuse me, but if Shaun was healthy for an entire year, he would out-play all other running backs on our roster by far. J.J. could become a 1,500 yard guy, but not likely in his first year while learning the ropes. Yet Shaun could easily get 1,500 yards this year if his line plays up to par to an average o-line. Last year they were one of the worst (31rst) run blocking o-lines in the league. THAT is why Shaun was hurt, that is why hey could only get 700+ yards. There should be no doubt of Shaun's class, talent, or possible contribution to be gained next year.
ReplyDeleteThe question is health, but I think it will likely not be an issue next year as he will be going in healthy behind a greatly improved line and the top (arguably) run blocking o-line coach in the NFL today.
The question is not SA's usefulness, but how much he will cost.
I don't want to get into another Shaun debate, so I'll just make a couple of points.
ReplyDelete1. I agree the the O-line had issues last seasons, obviously Shaun would of played better with a better line.
2. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/rb.php
Running behind the same O-line, Maurice Morris ranked 19th in the NFL in DVOA (10.7%) and 23rd in DPAR (14.7)
Alexander ranked 50th in DVOA (-16.3%) and 51st in DPAR (-2.8)
Morris was good, Shaun was awful, both ran behind the same O-line.
People Just Stop!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf the team was going to keep him, they have had several press conferences, numerous media obligations, not to mention they could have just said...WE ARE KEEPING HIM, the media reports are wrong.
Instead they have done everything possible to let everybody know this is going to happen with out actually saying it will. Why wouldn't they just tell everybody?
Why would they let all this speculation go on if Shaun was going to be around next year? Please look at the whole picture rather than just the fact that Shaun has had a great career here and it would be nice for him to finish it here.
after the tatupu press conference Holmgren mentioned that it would be no suprise for something to happen regarding recievers.......
ReplyDeleteit also seems to slip everyone's grasp that one reason shaun has been perpetually injured has been because the effectiveness of our offensive line was greatly lessened by the departure of hutchinson and tobeck. you also don't get broken bones, (wrist, foot), by not taking hits. in the season opener against detroit in '06, on the road, shaun got injured, and matt was nearly killed all day because we could'nt block anyone. j.p. darche' also had that injured hip, allowing us to have pressure up the middle on our field goal attempts. i have always agreed with what most people have observed about shaun's down turn after the big contract, but two things bother me...i don't think people have given him credit for the spirit and spotsmanship he's displayed in the face of such resentment, let alone attacking him personally about his faith in the LORD, instead of football issues, and i think people have underestimated the woes of our front line, in trying to create lanes for a runner of his style to take advantage of. a lot of things clicked in sync in '05 to get us in the super bowl, not just shaun. a lot of things have tailed off since then to not allow us back yet...not just shaun.
ReplyDeleteum, that should have read, "sportsmanship".:-)
ReplyDeleteHey Michael, a little sensitive today eh? Is your BB team losing?
ReplyDeleteok, point well taken Michael. Based on the numbers you just listed in response to my last post perhaps letting shauna go might be the best financial decision for the team which in all honestly is ALL I am concerned about. I have no loyalty to any player as most players have no loyalty except to the $$$ almighty dollar (few exceptions). Who ever made the point about MM and Shauna running behind the same line and their rank nice work. I still think though if given the opportunity to compete and having to prove something Shauna might step up again like in '05. This Alexander topic sure makes for entertaining reading though the opinions are all over the place.
ReplyDeleteEfrin Herrera
Here are some reasons why Shaun will probably be cut before June 1. This assumes he will not restructure his contract, which doesn't seem likely. He'd HAVE to take a pay cut because any other type of restructure will make it harder to cut him down the road.
ReplyDelete1) Shaun will count $6.7 mil against the cap this year, and even if we cut him after the season, he will for sure count at least $2.3 in '09, possibly $4.6. We'll need that 2.3 - 4.6 mil next year.
2) The FO gave out close to $10 mill in guarantees to Jones and Duckett...how much money are they really interested in spreading out over multiple guys at the same position.
3) Keeping him means we don't have a roster spot for a rookie RB for the future. Not that they'll definitely take on this year, but I'm sure they'd like to leave the possibility open.
4) Even though Paul Allen has deep pockets, it makes a lot of financial sense to cut him now while we can absorb his entire cap hit, considering the room we have this year. Once again...we'll need room under the cap in '09.
5) It's the right thing to do. Does he really want to share time with Duckett and Jones for one of his final years in the league? Probably not. Why not give him a chance to get a new job, a fresh start, and a chance at getting enough carries to get on a roll and be successful.
-Tom
Christopher,I love ya, man. I thought I was the only Shaun fan left in town -- and I don't mean just people who once loved SA. I'm talking about people who believe, without a doubt, that a healthy Shaun is Seattle's BEST running back on the roster. Just read the Dallas media comments about J.J., and you'll see how happy they were to see him go. He's great insurance to have as Shaun's backup, but he's just here to take over MoMo's role as backup.
ReplyDeleteI still think Mo is the one who leaves (in a trade on/around draft day). Duckett is not a threat to start; he's a backup for Weaver. This just makes so much sense.
Michael, take two chill pills and call me in the morning. This kind of dialogue is what you built this blog for, right, buddy?
Run, Shaun, Run!!! :-)
- Hulk
Hey Michael, any word on any of the LB's we looked at in FA??? Any chance we sign another LB? We have money so just curious if we hold on to it and work a deal to use it next year or what?
ReplyDeleteKM
Hulk,
ReplyDeleteI just don't understand why it makes so much sense to keep Shaun. Cutting him after the season will greatly affect the salary cap in the future (see previous comment) when we'll need the space because of other players' roster bonuses kicking in and salaries starting to baloon. If they expect to have any money to sign guys like Hill and other free agents next year, they'll need all the space they can get. Even if Shaun has a good year, his production will NEVER match his salary, not with 2 other RBs on the roster getting playing time. Do you think they really signed Jones thinking he might just be a backup? They didn't pay him a lot, but more than they should have for a backup RB. So how can we expect Shaun to have a significant impact (worth his salary) when he's touching the ball maybe 10 time per game?
Shaun might not even fit our scheme very well next year. With Solari taking over, we might see more zone blocking, a scheme that thrives on running backs who hit the hole hard, make one cut, and go down hill. Shaun isn't that kind of back. It's just speculation that we might change schemes, but why else did we pick up two running backs in free agency who fit the mold so well?
Also, Duckett is not a fullback, and not a good lead blocker. He is a short-yardage role player. You're right that he won't challenge for the starting position, because he's going to be in there at HB on short-yardage situations, not on 1st down. That's what he's done throughout his career. The Hawks gave him a $4 mil signing bonues to pick up 1st downs on 3rd and short and score touchdowns, not to be a backup FB.
Besides, does Shaun really want to be on a committee of running backs next year? Seattle is not the best place for him to succeed. Getting a chance to sign with a new team, on his own terms, and get more carries is what would probably be best for him. I for one hope he signs with someone else and has a solid year. Good for him, he deserves to have some more success and prove people wrong. But it just doesn't seem like he fits into our plans. Everything points to us going in a different direction. Whether or not it is the right direction, we'll have to wait and see.
-Tom
KM,
ReplyDeleteAside from the 3 obvious starters at LB, the Hawks have already signed DD Lewis (good pickup, IMO) to go along with Herring and Laury. Cameron Jensen was on the practice squad, if I recall correctly, so he'll likely compete for a roster spot, too. That's 7 guys already we have at the LB position.
I think it's most likely that the Hawks take a LB sometime in the draft (anywhere, really), and probably bring in an undrafted rookie FA as well. Considering this, I think it's unlikely that the Hawks will look at siging any other LBs in free agency. Bringing in cheap, young talent to compete for special teams playing time is probably a good move. Anybody picked up in the draft probally has more potential and upside than anyone in FA. If Hill leaves next year, it would be smart if we had someone on the roster that could *potentially* take over. Might as well give it a shot, taking a chance on a rookie probably gives us more options at the position next season.
-Tom
My baby is crying so I didn't read all the posts on this thread, but I can clearly see Mr. Hill receiving the Franchise Tag next year.
ReplyDeleteI realize it's purely speculation, but $20 to $25 million toward salaries next year creates amazing possibilities! And then, the following year, no salary cap. (Although, I hope that a cap can be negotiated. I'd wholeheartedly abhor for football to become baseball!)
seatowntp
I'd like the Stealers to be lame like the Pirates, though...
ReplyDeleteMichael is spot on in his assesment of the Shaun situation.
ReplyDeleteHe was done the day they signed J. Jones. That was the sign that they were going in a different direction.
So this is what I think happens:
-Shaun cut possibly this week as a pre-June 1st cut (taking the 125K hit this year).
-Wait till draft to see what happens. If we use a fairly high pick on a RB, they will look to trade Mo Mo or will just cut him.
-If no RB drops to them at the right time, then they keep Mo Mo to back up Jones.
-Either way, it's Jones starting with either a rookie or Mo Mo as his backup, with Duckett a short yardage power back.
I'm still on the 'draft Jonathan Stewart' bandwagon. Imagine a backfield of Stewart, Jones and Duckett next year?
If we had an elite receiver, I'd say that was a team with 'Super Bowl' written all over it.
Maybe it will be anyway.
Nice work Tom and Rob, I had to take a break for a while. Talking Shaun Alexander feels like beating my head on a desk sometimes.
ReplyDeleteOnly one thing...this team has an elite receiver...Bobby Engram. Hopefully he is ready for his first pro bowl.
We could be sitting real pretty next offseason with only Leroy Hill and Rockey Bernard needed to be signed ( I assume Bobby stays a Hawk till he retires).
ReplyDeleteSome definate cap room in 2009 to make some more big splashes =
TJ Housh or Tommie Harris or Julius Peppers or Sean Jones or Kerry Rhodes
This is nonsense. Shaun Alexander is not going to be a Seahawks next year and you know why?
ReplyDeleteBecause he never really fit the system anyways. He's "I Formation" running back. He's not a WCO running back and Holmgren had to change his original offense around Alexander because Hasselbeck and Dilfer weren't hacking it for a while.
Now that Hasselbeck clearly can lead this offense with great ease, the Seahawks need a running back to go with the ORIGINAL system.
Alexander is not a Ruskell guy, he's not a WCO RB, and he's not a major leader on this team. I appreciate him carrying the team for the span that he did, but his services are no longer needed.
I don't care if you think Shaun is crappy or still has some left, he doesn't fit the system and no longer can produce more positive outcomes than negative ones for this team. END of discussion.