My EARLY 2008 Steelers Roster/Salary Cap Projections � TAKE ONE
Written by steelersalarycap
Introduction
I will be writing the 2008 Steelers� roster and salary cap projections in the same format as I did in 2007 (Note, you can read the 2007 projection here�I still think the Steelers should have extended Alan Faneca. Now, it seems to be too late). As always, I will try to project what I think the Steelers will do � not what I want them to do. In the �TAKE ONE� article (this one), I will do the projections in a �business as usual for the Steelers� approach � meaning, the Steelers keep the players they want/can, sign a second tier free agent or two, draft, and extend a few select players. Later, after I see where they will be in respect to the salary cap, I will write a �TAKE TWO� article. The �TAKE TWO� article will show possible things the Steelers would not normally do, but MIGHT be able to because of their possible salary cap resources.
What will the salary cap be?
The 2008 salary cap will be $116 million. This was determined by the 2006 CBA extension between the NFL and NFLPA. The Steelers� adjusted salary cap will be based on the difference between 2007 individual player incentives (LTBE and NLTBE) that were or were not met and the Cap Adjustment Mechanisms (CAM) (find more about CAM at the NFLPA).
It is still not known if the 2008
As far as the Steelers LTBE and NLTBE adjustment, most likely it will be a negative salary cap adjustment. Obviously, this adjustment cannot be determined yet. Ben Roethlisburger most likely had NLTBE bonuses in 2007 that were met. James Harrison certainly had NLTBE bonuses in 2007 that were earned � based on being a starter. Willie Parker (among others) probably had some NLTBE bonuses that were earned in 2007. The LTBE and NLTBE bonuses are the most difficult data to get, and therefore, I will do a bit of educated guessing as to the Steelers� 2008 NLTBE/LTBE cap adjustment. For now, until the nflpa determines the exact amounts, I am guessing the Steelers� 2008 NLTBE/LTBE salary cap adjustment to be NEGATIVE $2,250,000.
It is possible the Steelers used the bogus LTBE salary cap rule (or lack of a rule). This loop-hole allows teams to push unused salary cap space from the previous year to the next year. I cannot be certain, but I do not believe the Steelers use this loop-hole. They did not the previous two years. However, they had very little unused salary cap space in each of those years to push ahead. In 2007, I believe the Steelers had a little less than $2 million of unused cap spaces. Therefore, they could have pushed some of that space to this year�s salary cap. This data is not available yet. Since the Steelers have not used this loop-hole in the recent past, I will assume they did not this year. (Note: The bogus LTBE loop-hole would be part of the LTBE/NLTBE salary cap adjustment)
Therefore, the 2008 Steelers� salary cap will be $116 million + $134,000 + $200,000 (guess) - $2,250,000 (guess) = $114,084,000.
Positional breakdown of the Steelers 2008 offseason
I will do a positional breakdown for my Steelers 2008 projections. All figures in the tables that are in red are guesses on my part. I am not saying the numbers not in red are correct, but those figures were based on reports.
DRAFT
First, I will start with the draft class. Who the Steelers draft and in what round is too difficult to guess � it will depend on who is available and when, so I will estimate the draft classes� salary cap values. First, I am guessing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks will not be cut. Those guys will make the team. In addition, I am projecting two other draft choices make the team. For purposes of these projections, I will assume the highest picks make the team. Therefore, for now, I am going with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th round picks to make the team.
I am also guessing the Steelers will not receive any conditional draft picks.
The Steelers traded a draft pick for Allen Rossum. This is believed to be a 7th round pick. Therefore, the Steelers do not have a 7th round pick.
The draft choices (only round 6 for these projections) that do not make the team will count towards dead money (for 2008 and 2009).
As far as cap values are concerned, it does not matter what draft picks make the team. The total cap value of the draft picks will be the same. Each will most likely receive $295,000 base salary. Each draftee will get a signing bonus (typically, the 1st round pick does not get a signing bonus paid in year one of the contract � instead, it is a roster bonus). The signing bonus prorations count towards the salary cap no matter what. The only variables would be my guesses as to their cap values (which I based on players chosen in the same draft spot in 2007), the number of drafted players that make the team, and possible trades changing the Steelers draft positions.
So, for these projections, I am not going to guess what position will be drafted in what round. Instead, I computed the total cap value of all draft picks. Therefore, the positions I feel the Steelers will draft will be mentioned below. However, the draft picks salary cap values found below (in the positional break downs) will be left blank. Their cap values have already been accounted for here.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
CAP VALUE |
|
1st Round |
? |
2008 |
$295,000 |
? |
? |
|
? |
$1,200,000 |
|
2nd Round |
? |
2008 |
$295,000 |
? |
|
|
|
$525,000 |
|
3rd Round |
? |
2008 |
$295,000 |
? |
|
|
|
$460,000 |
|
4th Round |
? |
2008 |
$295,000 |
? |
|
|
|
$395,000 |
|
5th Round |
? |
2008 |
$295,000 |
? |
|
|
|
$325,000 |
|
6th Round |
? |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
$22,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$2,927,000 |
QB (3)
Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch will almost certainly be back. Batch is entering his last year of his contract, so he might be extended. However, I believe the Steelers will let him play under his current contract, and then, at the end of the 2008 season, decide whether to resign him or find someone new. Even if Batch reaches
The 3rd string QB in 2007 was Brian St. Pierre. He is an
Roethlisberger has two year remaining on his contract. Even though the Steelers have rarely extended a player with more than one year remaining on their contract (Tommy Maddox is the only one that comes to mind), I feel they will extend Roethlisberger this year. It will be the biggest contract in Steelers history.
Before I get into details, I would like to state the obvious. Contracts can be structured in many different ways. For this projection article (TAKE ONE), I am going to assume Roethlisberger�s extension will be similar in structure to other recent Steelers� extensions.
I am guessing a seven-year, $82 million contract extension for Roethlisberger. I am also guessing a $14 million signing bonus ($9 million paid in 2008 and $5 million paid in 2009) � with around $33.5 million guaranteed. (Obviously, a contract for Roethlisberger will be a lot. The bigger the contract is, the harder to accurately predict. 10% of a $10 million contract is $1million. 10% of an $85 million contract is $8.5 million.)
|
Year |
base salary |
SB |
roster bonus |
workout bonus |
LTBE bonus |
Deion Prorations |
cap value |
|
2008 |
$5,500,000 |
$3,047,400 |
|
|
|
($277,500) |
$8,269,900 |
|
2009 |
$6,500,000 |
$3,880,733 |
|
|
|
|
$10,380,733 |
|
2010 |
$7,500,000 |
$2,333,333 |
$4,000,000 |
|
|
|
$13,833,333 |
|
2011 |
$8,500,000 |
$2,333,333 |
|
|
|
|
$10,833,333 |
|
2012 |
$9,500,000 |
$2,333,333 |
|
|
|
|
$11,833,333 |
|
2013 |
$11,500,000 |
$2,333,334 |
$1,000,000 |
|
|
|
$14,833,334 |
|
2014 |
$13,000,000 |
$833,334 |
$1,000,000 |
|
|
|
$14,833,334 |
The $4 million roster bonus could be changed to a signing-type bonus; therefore prorated.
|
Year |
base salary |
SB |
roster bonus |
workout bonus |
LTBE bonus |
Deion Prorations |
cap value |
|
2008 |
$5,500,000 |
$3,047,400 |
|
|
|
($277,500) |
$8,269,900 |
|
2009 |
$6,500,000 |
$3,880,733 |
|
|
|
|
$10,380,733 |
|
2010 |
$7,500,000 |
$3,133,333 |
|
|
|
|
$10,633,333 |
|
2011 |
$8,500,000 |
$3,133,333 |
|
|
|
|
$11,633,333 |
|
2012 |
$9,500,000 |
$3,133,333 |
|
|
|
|
$12,633,333 |
|
2013 |
$11,500,000 |
$3,133,334 |
$1,000,000 |
|
|
|
$15,633,334 |
|
2014 |
$13,000,000 |
$1,633,334 |
$1,000,000 |
|
|
|
$15,633,334 |
With the above guess, Roethlisberger�s signing bonuses (in 2008 and 2009) and his 2008, 2009, and 2010 base salaries would be guaranteed.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Ben Roethlisberger |
QB |
2008 |
$5,500,000 |
$3,047,400 |
|
|
|
-$277,500 |
$8,269,900 |
|
Charlie Batch |
QB |
2008 |
$1,355,000 |
$266,667 |
|
|
|
|
$1,621,667 |
|
ROOKIE |
QB |
2008 |
$295,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$295,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$10,186,567 |
FB (1)
Last year, Carey Davis won the starting FB spot over Dan Kreider. Davis�s contract has two years remaining, and Kreider is a
Davis will play under his current contract.
Kreider has a chance of coming back. However, I believe he will see a bigger contract offer from a couple other teams. Relatively, he will not get too much money, but offers from other teams will be more than what the Steelers are willing to pay.
Again, Kreider may come back, but for now, I am thinking just Davis will be on the roster.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
CAP VALUE |
|
Carey Davis |
RB |
2008 |
$370,000 |
|
|
|
|
$370,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$370,000 |
RB (4)
Willie Parker will return. Najeh Davenport will likely return (if not, Davenport would count $202,500 towards the 2008 salary cap � a savings of $1,000,000).
I believe Parker will have LTBE in 2008, and I am guessing the amount will be $250,000 (I have yet to add this LTBE to the main page, I am waiting for reliable data).
I wrote the following in my 2007 Projection article,
�At this time, it is my opinion that the Steelers will try to get another quality RB. Perhaps they will accomplish this via free agency. I think they will draft a RB on day one. I would not expect a first round RB, but a RB drafted in round two or three is more likely.�
I still think the Steelers would like to add more depth at RB; therefore, I once again believe the Steelers will try to draft a RB. (The drafted RBs salary cap value has been accounted for above.)
Gary Russell�s contract has two years remaining, and I think he will be back as the 4th RB. However, I do not believe the Steelers are too high on him. Despite Parker missing games due to injury, Russell only had 7 regular season rushing attempts. I think the Steelers bring other RBs into camp, and one of these guys could end up winning the 4th RB spot. If so, Russell would count $1,333 of dead money in 2008 and $1,334 of dead money in 2009. In addition, if Russell loses the camp battle, most likely the guy taking his spot would be a rookie. Therefore the rookie would have a base salary of $295,000 (or $75,000 less than Russell).
Verron Haynes is a
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Willie Parker |
RB |
2008 |
$2,900,000 |
$937,500 |
$250,000 |
|
$250,000 |
|
$4,337,500 |
|
Najeh Davenport |
RB |
2008 |
$1,000,000 |
$202,500 |
|
|
|
|
$1,202,500 |
|
DRAFT |
RB |
2008 |
$295,000 |
? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary Russell |
RB |
2008 |
$370,000 |
$1,333 |
|
|
|
|
$371,333 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$5,911,333 |
WR(6)
Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes will be the starters, and play under their current contracts. It is possible Ward would be asked to renegotiate his contract; however, I do not think this will be the case. In 2009, when only one year is left on his contract, I would think he and the Steelers would discuss a new deal.
In 2007, Holmes had a $200,000 LTBE bonus. For these projections (despite not including it on my main page, yet), I am going to guess he will have $200,000 LTBE bonus in 2008.
Nate Washington is a RFA. The tender amounts for RFAs in 2008 are as follows:
$927,000 � same round as drafted
$1.417 million � 2nd round pick
$2.017 million � 1st round pick
$2.562 million - 1st and 3rd round picks
First, Washington will be tendered either $1.417 or $2.017 million (leaning towards the $1.417 million). He has made a little less then $1 million to date in his career. As a result, he would certainly be in a situation to take a �Steeler-friendly� deal. However, this �Steeler-friendly� deal is only �Steeler-friendly� if Washington becomes a starting WR. Otherwise, his contract would not be so Steeler-friendly.
I think a contract for Washington could be a four-year, $9 million contract, which includes a $3 million signing bonus.
|
Year |
base salary |
SB |
roster bonus |
workout bonus |
LTBE bonus |
cap value |
|
2008 |
$520,000 |
$750,000 |
|
|
|
$1,270,000 |
|
2009 |
$1,250,000 |
$750,000 |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
|
2010 |
$1,530,000 |
$750,000 |
$225,000 |
|
|
$2,505,000 |
|
2011 |
$2,250,000 |
$750,000 |
$225,000 |
|
|
$3,225,000 |
I doubt Washington would sign a contract for too much less. I believe the Steelers are facing a tough decision with Washington. For now, I am thinking the Steelers will tender him at $1.417 million, let him play the 2008 season with this amount, and evaluate the situation again in 2009.
Cedric Wilson is entering his last year of his contract. Last offseason, I thought the Steelers would cut him. They did not. This year, I think they should cut him, but feel as though they will let him battle for the spot in training camp. For now, I say he makes the team.
Willie Reid is entering the last year of his contract. He has been a big disappointment. The Steelers will give him another shot in training camp, but unless he impresses them, he will be cut. If the Steelers cut Reid, he would count $151,034 of dead money in 2008 � with no future cap hits. It would be sweet if Reid showed the skills to at least be the return man. I am not so optimistic with him, and say he will get cut.
The Steelers will draft a WR. Unless a stud falls to them, I am thinking the WR will be a day two pick. (this cap value was accounted for above)
In addition, going with the idea of �infusion of youth,� the Steelers will have another rookie make the team as a WR. Perhaps to be nothing more than a solid special teams player. The rookies base salary would be $295,000 with a very small (if any) signing bonus.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Hines Ward |
WR |
2008 |
$4,700,000 |
$2,000,000 |
|
|
$750,000 |
|
$7,450,000 |
|
Santonio Holmes |
WR |
2008 |
$600,000 |
$890,000 |
|
|
$200,000 |
|
$1,690,000 |
|
DRAFT |
WR |
2008 |
$295,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nate Washington |
WR |
2008 |
$1,417,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$1,417,000 |
|
Cedric Wilson |
WR |
2008 |
$2,085,000 |
$500,000 |
|
|
|
|
$2,585,000 |
|
ROOKIE |
WR |
2008 |
$295,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$295,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$13,437,000 |
OL(10)
I believe Darnell Stapleton, Kendall Simmons, Willie Colon, and Sean Mahan will all return and play under their current contracts.
Marvel Smith will be entering his last year of his contract, and therefore, is a candidate for a contract extension. However, since the Steelers were unwilling to offer relatively healthy Alan Faneca a market value contract extension last offseason, I cannot imagine them extending Smith. I think he will be on the team, and play under his current contract.
Max Starks and Faneca are UFAs. It seems unlikely the Steelers can come to terms with Faneca. As far as Starks, I believe Starks will not sign any deal until he becomes a
Trai Essex and Chris Kemoeatu are both RFAs. I believe the Steelers will tender $927,000 to Essex, and $1,417,000 to Kemoeatu. I look for the Steelers to sign at least one of these two players to a long-term contract. Both are at about the same level as far as amount of a contract extension. I look for something in the neighborhood of a four-year contract worth $12 million, which includes $3 million signing bonus. I do not believe either player will be offered a long-term contract until training camp � at least not until after the draft. For now, I am just going to use their tender amounts in the salary cap computations.
To quote myself again, in my 2007 Projections article I wrote the following:
�I believe the Steelers should draft an OT in the early rounds of the draft. Marvel Smith has been fine, but upgrading his position would be great. Also, Smith isn�t getting any younger � time to groom his replacement now. If the available OTs when the Steelers are drafting would cause them to reach for a player, they could get by with the OTs they have this year. Then, one of the top priorities for the 2008 draft would be OT.�
The Steelers did not draft an OT in the 2007 draft, and I stand by my comment from last year. One of the top priorities for this years draft is OT. It has been reported that the 2008 draft is deep in OT, maybe the Steelers foresaw this. I think they take an OT on day one, and probably in round one.
I also believe the Steelers will draft at least one other OL in the 2008 draft � most likely an interior OL. (the draftees� salary cap values have already been accounted for above).
I also believe another rookie OL will make the team. His base salary will be $295,000 with a very small (if any) signing bonus.
Therefore, I have the Steelers heading into camp with Smith at LT, Simmons at LG, Mahan at C, Kemoeatu at RG, and Colon at RT. I do not believe the Steelers ever rely on draftees to be starters in year one, but they are not afraid of starting a rookie if that rookie deserves it. I foresee many great OL camp battles.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
DRAFT |
OL |
2008 |
$295,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trai Essex |
OL |
2008 |
$927,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$927,000 |
|
Darnell Stapleton |
OL |
2008 |
$370,000 |
$2,666 |
|
|
|
|
$372,666 |
|
Willie Colon |
OL |
2008 |
$445,000 |
$94,500 |
|
|
|
|
$539,500 |
|
ROOKIE |
OL |
2008 |
$295,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$295,000 |
|
Marvel Smith |
OL |
2008 |
$3,950,000 |
$2,195,500 |
$500,000 |
|
|
|
$6,645,500 |
|
DRAFT |
OL |
2008 |
$295,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sean Mahan |
OL |
2008 |
$2,175,000 |
$800,000 |
|
|
|
|
$2,975,000 |
|
Chris Kemoeatu |
OL |
2008 |
$1,417,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$1,417,000 |
|
Kendall Simmons |
OL |
2008 |
$3,400,000 |
$1,570,000 |
|
|
|
|
$4,970,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$18,141,666 |
TE (2)
Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth should return, with no changes to their existing contracts.
Jerame Tuman, entering the last year of his contract, will be cut, and therefore count $300,000 of dead money in 2008 � with no future cap hits. He will save the team $1.1 million. I like Tuman, and feel he is a good blocking TE. However, his cap value is too high for a 3rd string TE. Additionally, I feel the Steelers like using two TEs and an extra OL in their 3 TE packages. Perhaps the Steelers will offer Tuman a new contract for less money, but for now, I am thinking he would not agree to it.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Heath Miller |
TE |
2008 |
$657,500 |
$862,500 |
|
|
|
|
$1,520,000 |
|
Matt Spaeth |
TE |
2008 |
$370,000 |
$188,063 |
|
|
|
|
$558,063 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$2,078,063 |
DE (4)
Brett Keisel will return with no changes to his contract. Aaron Smith will return with no changes to his contract.
I believe the Steelers will draft a DE on day one of the draft. Smith is not getting any younger, although his play is still at a high level. However, unlike some other positions, backup DEs see playing time. (draft pick�s salary cap value has already been accounted for above.)
I also feel the Steelers will sign a second-tier
Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason are both UFAs, and could be an option (although, neither of these guys would fetch $2 million). Also, Ryan McBean is still on the Steelers roster. If he shows skills in training camp, he just might make the team.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Brett Keisel |
DE |
2008 |
$3,250,000 |
$822,500 |
|
|
? |
|
$4,072,500 |
|
Aaron Smith |
DE |
2008 |
$3,150,000 |
$1,600,000 |
|
|
|
|
$4,750,000 |
|
DRAFT |
DE |
2008 |
$285,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DE |
2008 |
? |
? |
|
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$10,822,500 |
DT (2)
I think the DTs (NTs) will be the same as 2007, and I think both Casey Hampton and Chris Hoke will play under their existing contracts.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Casey Hampton |
DT |
2007 |
$3,800,000 |
$2,377,083 |
|
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
|
$6,337,083 |
|
Chris Hoke |
DT |
2007 |
$1,100,000 |
$375,000 |
|
|
|
|
$1,475,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$7,812,083 |
LB (8)
James Harrison, Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley, and Lawrence Timmons will return and play under their current contracts.
James Farrior is entering the last year of his contract, so he could get an extension. I do not think he will, and believe he will play this year under his current contract.
For 2008, the Steelers will have Foote, Farrior, James Harrison, Woodley, and Timmons. All of these players could be starters, and after last years draft I feel that LBs is an area of strength.
I do not foresee the Steelers signing
Clint Kriewaldt is entering the last year of his contract. He will not be extended. He is a special team�s specialist, on a team with poor special teams. I could see the Steelers cutting Kriewaldt and find a younger player to play special teams. If Kriewaldt is cut, he will count $266,667 of dead money towards the 2008 salary cap. If the Steelers do find a younger replacement for Kriewaldt, that player will probably have similar cap value (if not a bit less) to Kriewaldt. Therefore, for now, I say Kriewaldt makes the team.
Arnold Harrison is an ERFA. I believe the Steelers will tender him. The tender amount will be $445,000.
Andre Frazier is a RFA. Although the Steelers might tender him, I am thinking they will lean towards finding a younger player as a backup LB/ ST player. I say an undrafted rookie or street FA makes the team. This player�s base salary will be $295,000 with a very small (if any) signing bonus.
James Harrison had $1 million of bonuses throughout his contract. These bonuses were based on if he was the starter. He is the starter; therefore, the bonus will be LTBE. I do not know the yearly breakdown of this bonus, and guessed at $250,000 (I have yet to add this bonus on the main page�waiting for a credible source).
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Clint Kriewaldt |
LB |
2008 |
$730,000 |
$266,667 |
|
|
|
|
$996,667 |
|
James Farrior |
LB |
2008 |
$3,240,000 |
$1,258,750 |
|
|
|
|
$4,498,750 |
|
James Harrison |
LB |
2008 |
$1,200,000 |
$343,750 |
|
|
$250,000 |
|
$1,793,750 |
|
Larry Foote |
LB |
2008 |
$2,340,000 |
$1,047,500 |
|
|
|
|
$3,387,500 |
|
ROOKIE |
LB |
2008 |
$295,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$295,000 |
|
LaMarr Woodley |
LB |
2008 |
$370,000 |
$350,000 |
|
|
|
|
$720,000 |
|
|
LB |
2008 |
$370,000 |
$1,378,750 |
|
|
|
|
$1,748,750 |
|
|
LB |
2008 |
$445,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$445,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$13,885,417 |
CB (6)
Ike Taylor, Deshea Townsend, Anthony Madison, and William Gay will all return and play with their current contracts.
Bryant McFadden is entering the last year of his contract, and I look for the Steelers to extend his contract. I am thinking a five-year contract extension worth $21 million, which includes a $6.5 million signing bonus.
|
Year |
base salary |
SB |
roster bonus |
workout bonus |
LTBE bonus |
cap value |
|
2008 |
$520,000 |
$1,569,750 |
|
|
|
$2,089,750 |
|
2009 |
$3,000,000 |
$1,300,000 |
|
|
|
$4,300,000 |
|
2010 |
$4,000,000 |
$1,300,000 |
|
|
|
$5,300,000 |
|
2011 |
$3,500,000 |
$1,300,000 |
|
|
|
$4,800,000 |
|
2012 |
$3,500,000 |
$1,300,000 |
|
|
|
$4,800,000 |
Although I listed Allen Russom as a WR on the main page, the nflpa lists him as a CB. Therefore, I will include him here. I believe Russom did an adequate job as a return guy in 2007. I do believe the Steelers will sign several players to battle for the returner position. I cannot say for sure who wins this camp battle, but I do believe that none of the return guys will have a bigger salary cap value than Russo. Therefore, for now, I say Russom returns as the returner. If Russom is cut, he will not have any dead money.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Bryant McFadden |
CB |
2008 |
$520,000 |
$1,569,750 |
|
|
|
|
$2,089,750 |
|
Deshea Townsend |
CB |
2008 |
$1,400,000 |
$572,500 |
|
|
|
|
$1,972,500 |
|
Ike Taylor |
CB |
2008 |
$4,090,000 |
$1,350,000 |
$300,000 |
|
|
|
$5,740,000 |
|
Allen Rossum |
CB |
2008 |
$770,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$770,000 |
|
Anthony Madison |
CB |
2008 |
$445,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$445,000 |
|
William Gay |
CB |
2008 |
$370,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$370,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$11,387,250 |
S (4)
I think Ryan Clark, Anthony Smith, Troy Polamalu, and Tyrone Carter all return and play with their existing contracts.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Anthony Smith |
S |
2008 |
$445,000 |
$173,834 |
|
|
|
|
$618,834 |
|
Ryan Clark |
S |
2008 |
$1,500,000 |
$712,500 |
|
|
|
|
$2,212,500 |
|
Troy Polamalu |
S |
2008 |
$1,625,000 |
$2,195,000 |
|
|
|
-$544,500 |
$4,570,000 |
|
Tyrone Carter |
S |
2008 |
$730,000 |
$93,333 |
|
|
|
|
$823,333 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$8,224,667 |
ST (3)
I believe Jeff Reed and Daniel Sepulveda will return with their current contracts. As always, long-snapper Greg Warren, will need to battle for the spot in camp. He does a fine job, but eventually he will be replaced by a younger, cheaper LS. For now, I say the Steelers sign Warren to a one-year contract worth $520,000 � his minimum base salary.
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Jeff Reed |
K |
2008 |
$1,375,000 |
$583,333 |
|
|
$15,000 |
|
$1,973,333 |
|
Greg Warren |
LS |
2008 |
$520,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$520,000 |
|
Daniel Sepulveda |
P |
2008 |
$370,000 |
$115,000 |
|
|
|
|
$485,000 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$2,978,333 |
DEAD MONEY
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Jerame Tuman |
TE |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$300,000 |
|
Willie Reid |
WR |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$151,034 |
|
|
WR |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$26,500 |
|
Cameron Stephenson |
OL |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$86,667 |
|
ESTIMATE SFA 2007 |
ALL |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$40,000 |
|
Marvin Philip |
OL |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$19,716 |
|
Chukky Okobi |
OL |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$357,500 |
|
Ryan McBean |
DE |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$196,458 |
|
Chris Gardocki |
P |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$212,500 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,390,375 |
*NOTE: I am still assuming Gardocki - when cut - was processed as though he was cut after
PRACTICE SQUAD / WORKOUT BONUSES
Practice squad players count at least $4,700 per week. There are normally 8 players on the practice squad (the maximum number permitted). There are 17 weeks in the NFL season (counting the bye week). Therefore, the total salary cap value of the entire practice squad should be $639,200. (THESE ARE 2007 NUMBERS � I BELIEVE THE PRACTICE SQUAD MINIMUMS INCREASED, BUT HAVE YET TO FIND EXACTLY THE AMOUNT; THEREFORE, I WILL INCREASE THIS TOTAL TO $650,000.
Individual workout bonuses are paid to all players who workout in the offseason. I guess at the total amount of workout bonus money the Steelers will pay. This figure does not include workout bonuses some players have negotiated as part of their contract � only the workout bonuses each player receives per the CBA (Casey Hampton has a $100,000 workout bonus for 2008. The �Estimate Workout Bonuses� below does NOT include this bonus).
|
PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
BASE SALARY |
PRORATED SB |
ROSTER |
WORKOUT |
LTBE |
DEION |
CAP VALUE |
|
Practice Squad |
ALL |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$650,000 |
|
ESTIMATE |
ALL |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$180,000 |
|
WORKOUT BONUSES | |||||||||
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$830,000 |
TOTALS
|
POSITION |
CAP VALUE |
|
DRAFT |
$2,927,000 |
|
QB |
$10,186,567 |
|
FB |
$370,000 |
|
RB |
$5,911,333 |
|
WR |
$13,437,000 |
|
OL |
$18,141,666 |
|
TE |
$2,078,063 |
|
DE |
$10,822,500 |
|
DT |
$7,812,083 |
|
LB |
$13,885,417 |
|
S |
$11,387,250 |
|
CB |
$8,224,667 |
|
ST |
$2,978,333 |
|
DEAD MONEY |
$1,390,375 |
|
PRACT SQUAD |
$830,000 |
|
WORKOUT BONUS | |
|
TOTAL |
$110,382,254 |
This leaves $3,701,746 (from my estimated adjusted salary cap of $114,084,000). The Steelers would like to enter the season with at least $1 million of salary cap space to sign other players throughout the year as needed due to injuries. Also, the salary cap was managed without having to restructure any players� contracts, which is good for the future.
So, in review, I did NOT resign any of the Steelers UFAs. Some of these players I would like to have on the team, but feel they will be priced out of what the Steelers are willing to spend. I tendered offers to Washington, Essex, and Kemoeatu. I extended Roethlisberger and McFadden. I signed a second-tier
The Steelers are in decent shape with respect to the salary cap. No players should need to be cut only for cap purposes, and MAYBE the Steelers will get a bit more creative this offseason to sign some higher quality UFAs. Keep checking for additional articles as to other possibilities the Steelers have�.there is a little room to play with, especially if the Steelers cut players like Wilson and Davenport.