I'd like to see some stats on what cap room we have. I saw something about $18 million I think after the overall increase, but I'm not sure if that reflected an amount for drafted players, anything allotted for our on FAs or not, etc.
I'll just say this: face value of a contract is a lot different from cap hit. We can easily afford A LOT more than it seems. $30 million for 5 years, just to pick a number out of the air, is NOT a straight $6 million hit. Figuring a medium to large bonus, a low first year salary, and a back-loaded deal. Example: $10 million bonus and salaries of $1, $3, $4, $5, and $7 million - a total of $30 million with a $3 million cap hit the first year - the salary plus proration of the bonus.
I would like to see Byrd and either Orakpo or Worilds signed in addition to keeping Shields and Starks (who I don't think will be very expensive). Obviously we let Raji and Pickett go, Finley too; I'd let James Jones go also - on the assumption somebody will overpay him, like Jennings last year. That much ought to be well within reach if Thompson gets off his ass and tries. Will he do it? That's a different matter. A good GM would.
Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker