Merged: CBA Impacts on Next Year

[Reddawn36]

Oh, and here is a list of F.A. for just about every team
[url="http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/features/freeagents/fa.php?option=By+Team&y=2010"]My link[/url]

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='J-man' date='18 January 2010 - 08:42 PM' timestamp='1263865328' post='346443']
Prescott Burgess OLB RFA Ravens ... No
David Tyree WR UFA Ravens ... Keep. Great on ST.
Frank Walker CB UFA Ravens ... Frank the Tank. Hate to say it, but keep
[/quote]

I agree with the majority of your list but I don't see why the Ravens would keep Tyree and not Burgess. Tyree has made some play but I've seen Burgess in on so many special teams tackles.

And as for Frank Walker, part of me actually wants to see him remain a Raven. We'll see what they do wit him.

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='19 January 2010 - 02:18 AM' timestamp='1263885525' post='346645']
surprisingly enough I don't see people making a whole lot of noise about Vincent Jackson from SD who if I'm not mistaken is a FA
[/quote]

People haven't been making a lot of noise about V-Jax because he's one of the best receivers in the league and will be re-signed. Why would SD let him go?

[CARavensFan]

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='18 January 2010 - 11:18 PM' timestamp='1263885525' post='346645']
surprisingly enough I don't see people making a whole lot of noise about Vincent Jackson from SD who if I'm not mistaken is a FA
[/quote]

The reason no one has been making as much noise about him is because under the uncapped rules he would be a RFA so the Chargers have the right to match any offer we make him or get one of draft picks and you know they are going to tender him with a 1st grade at the very least if they don't out right resign him.

[Reddawn36]

okay then, what about Malcom Floyd?

[Twoo]

No CBA will singlehandedly ruin the NFL. This will be the most boring off season in recent memory *sigh*

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='20 January 2010 - 12:53 AM' timestamp='1263966780' post='347487']
okay then, what about Malcom Floyd?
[/quote]

I have a feeling Floyd's value will be inflated due to the lack of talent on the market. Plus, does anyone think he can really be a #1 receiver if Mason doesn't come back?

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='20 January 2010 - 10:45 AM' timestamp='1264002343' post='347575']
I have a feeling Floyd's value will be inflated due to the lack of talent on the market. Plus, does anyone think he can really be a #1 receiver if Mason doesn't come back?
[/quote]

He's got the size and I believe the speed

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='20 January 2010 - 02:22 PM' timestamp='1264015324' post='347735']
He's got the size and I believe the speed
[/quote]

I don't mean to be rude but what does that mean? There are dozens of receivers in the league with size and speed that aren't very good.

Floyd has made some plays but I just don't know if he could be a top receiver for this team. If he's signed, the Ravens will definitely need another quality player opposite him.

[FerrariFan87]

Being in the final 8 is going to stink this off-season.

[noy]

Ok, I'm not sure if this clears it up, but...er...I guess? I've put certain statements relating to us specifically in bold.

Taken from ESPN.com James Walker's blog:

"During the Final League Year, [b]the eight clubs that make the Divisional Playoffs in the previous season have additional restrictions that limit their ability to sign unrestricted free agents from other clubs[/b]. In general, the four clubs participating in the championship games are limited in the number of free agents that they may sign; the limit is determined by the number of their own free agents signing with other clubs. They cannot sign any UFAs unless one of theirs is signed by another team.

[b]For the four clubs that lost in the Divisional Playoffs, in addition to having the ability to sign free agents based on the number of their own free agents signing with other clubs, they may also sign players based on specific financial parameters. Those four only will be permitted to sign one unrestricted free agent for $5.5 million (estimated) or more in year one of the contract, plus the number of their UFAs who sign with another team. They also can sign any unrestricted free agents for less than $3.7 (estimated) million in year one of the contract with limitations on the per year increases.[/b]

In the case of all final eight teams, the first year salary of UFAs they sign to replace those lost cannot exceed the first year salary of the player lost with limitations on the per year increases."

Edit: Ahhhh, so this puts players like Boldin and Marshall back on the table for us (just examples for an area of dire need). This makes me happy again. And I should learn to click on links, updated version already posted earlier.

[Mahatma_Sloth]

[quote name='Eso' date='13 January 2010 - 10:23 AM' timestamp='1263403420' post='340263']
[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d808736ba&template=with-video&confirm=true"]Final 8 rule overview[/url]

[b]IF[/b] we lose on Saturday, we could still sign some free agents, we could also sign free agents off of the final 4 teams, although I don't think they are many key wide receivers there.[/quote]
V.Jackson-Chargers

[Mahatma_Sloth]

[quote name='DocMartin' date='18 January 2010 - 08:21 PM' timestamp='1263871307' post='346525']
and don't forget to keep Heap
draft WR, CB, DE, TE and we will be in good shape !!!

[/quote]
we need a center too and it never hurts to pick up an lb here and there it would be good to pick up another DT and move ngata back to DE he did really good there in '08

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Mahatma_Sloth' date='22 January 2010 - 01:40 AM' timestamp='1264142414' post='348912']
V.Jackson-Chargers
[/quote]

V-Jax isn't going anywhere.

Even though I'm not personally a fan, Maclolm Floyd is a much more realistic option.

[MikeMike]

Tell me why the luck is not on our side. Pick #25 and CBA rules affecting progress? So that leaves us with what? Another hopeful chance of a steal like Oher? Or a big trade? The guys on the site are saying the team won't change much. Then I guess neither will our chances Baltimore! What will it take? I'm done with any conversation on what if now.....I'm gonna sit back and see if the organization will crumble or rise to the status of what a Superbowl contender is suppose to consist of. If we wanted a cinderella story we would read the damn book, not hope on a star that our defense and running can win, sorry. Ravens!

[Moderator 2]

I "stole" this from the Blogs it is really helpful.

[b]Frequently Asked Questions: CBA[/b]
Straight from the NFL: FAQ's about the CBA by BaltimoreRavens.com
Jan 21, 2010, 10:36PM [b]Q. When does the CBA expire should there be no extension to the agreement?[/b]

A. In March of 2011.

[b]Q. Will there be a college draft in 2011?[/b]

A. Yes.

[b]Q. What is the "Final League Year" in the current agreement?[/b]

A. The "Final League Year" is the term used in the CBA to refer to the last year of the agreement. Without a further extension of the CBA, the "Final League Year" would be the 2010 League Year, which begins on March 5.

[b]Q. What are the differences between the "Final League Year" and any other "League Year?"[/b]

A. The principal differences are that in the "Final League Year" there is no salary cap and there are substantial additional restrictions on player free agency and reductions in player benefits.

[b]Q. Are current player benefits affected in the Final League Year?[/b]

A. We expect current player benefits to decline in the Final League Year. The union agreed that in the Final League Year, clubs would be relieved of their obligation to fund numerous benefit programs. Examples include second career savings (401K), player annuity, severance pay and performance-based pay. The total league-wide contributions to such plans in 2009, the last capped year, were in excess of $325 million or more than $10 million per club.

[b]Q. Are retired player benefits affected in the Final League Year?[/b]

A. Commissioner Goodell has stated in a letter to the NFL Alumni Association Board of Directors that there will be no reduction in pension or disability payments to retired players during the Final League Year (2010). Since at least the fall of 2007, NFL owners have consistently agreed and planned that they will not reduce the funding for pension or disability benefits for retired players. Nor will they reduce funding for the 88 Plan during the Final League Year.

[b]Q. What determines an unrestricted free agent in the Final League Year (2010)?[/b]

A. In capped seasons, a player whose contract has expired becomes an unrestricted free agent if he has four or more accrued seasons. In the Final League Year (2010), a player whose contract has expired becomes an unrestricted free agent only if he has [u]six or more accrued seasons[/u]. An unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any club with no compensation owed to his old club.

[b]Q. What determines whether a player is a restricted free agent in the "Final League Year?"[/b]

A. In capped seasons, a player whose contract expires becomes a restricted free agent if he has three accrued seasons. In the Final League Year (2010), a player whose contract expires becomes [u]a restricted free agent if he has three, four or five accrued seasons[/u]. The first refusal/compensation rights of restricted free agents remain unchanged in the Final League Year.

[b]Q. In addition to the right to designate a franchise (or transition) player each capped year, can clubs designate additional players in the Final League Year?[/b]

A. Yes, one additional player can be tagged. In capped years, a club may designate a franchise player or a transition player. In the final league year (2010), a club may designate [u]one[/u] additional transition player. A transition player must be offered a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of the prior season at the player's position or 120 percent of the player's prior year's salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no draft pick compensation from that club.

[b]Q. What is the Final Eight Plan?[/b]

A. During the Final League Year, the eight clubs that make the Divisional Playoffs in the previous season have additional restrictions that limit their ability to sign unrestricted free agents from other clubs. In general, the four clubs participating in the championship games are limited in the number of free agents that they may sign; the limit is determined by the number of their own free agents signing with other clubs. They cannot sign any UFAs unless one of theirs is signed by another team.

For the four clubs that lost in the Divisional Playoffs, in addition to having the ability to sign free agents based on the number of their own free agents signing with other clubs, they may also sign players based on specific financial parameters. Those four only will be permitted to sign one unrestricted free agent for $5.5 million (estimated) or more in year one of the contract, plus the number of their UFAs who sign with another team. They also can sign any unrestricted free agents for less than $3.7 (estimated) million in year one of the contract with limitations on the per year increases.

In the case of all final eight teams, the first year salary of UFAs they sign to replace those lost cannot exceed the first year salary of the player lost with limitations on the per year increases.

[b]Q. Is there an Entering Player Pool in the Final League Year?[/b]

A. There may be. The CBA provides that the league has the unilateral right to keep or eliminate the rookie pool in the Final League Year.

[b]Q. Is there a Minimum Team Salary in the Final League Year?[/b]

A. There is [u]no[/u] Minimum Team Salary in the Final League Year. The Minimum Team Salary in 2009 is $107,748,000, meaning each team is [u]required[/u] to allocate more than $107 million to player costs (not including benefits). The team salary cap in 2009 was $123 million.

[b]Q. Are there individual player minimum salaries in the Final League Year?[/b]

A. Yes, but they rise at a rate somewhat slower than player minimum salaries rise in capped years.

[b]Q. Do any player contract rules from capped years remain in place for the Final League Year?[/b]

A. Yes, some rules like the "30% increase rule" are still in effect in the Final League Year for player contracts signed in capped years. That rule restricts salary increases from 2009 to 2010. For example: a player with a $500,000 salary in 2009 would be limited to annual salary increases of $150,000 ($500,000 x 30%) beginning in 2010.

[Twoo]

This whole not having a any Cap in the 2010 season fiasco has really, and I mean REALLY angered me. Football is fun and interesting to watch for one reason: competition. Teams can go from being the worst team in the NFL to winning the Superbowl in 12 months. That doesn't happen in sports that don't utilize a Cap.... like Baseball.

If there isn't a new CBA drawn up I doubt I'll watch another Football game post 2010 season. People have no idea how much this is going to ruin the entire sport.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Twoo' date='23 January 2010 - 12:10 PM' timestamp='1264266615' post='349524']
This whole not having a any Cap in the 2010 season fiasco has really, and I mean REALLY angered me. Football is fun and interesting to watch for one reason: competition. Teams can go from being the worst team in the NFL to winning the Superbowl in 12 months. That doesn't happen in sports that don't utilize a Cap.... like Baseball.

If there isn't a new CBA drawn up I doubt I'll watch another Football game post 2010 season. People have no idea how much this is going to ruin the entire sport.
[/quote]
If it makes you feel any better, just think of the Steelers, Colts, and Patriots. They're sort of like the NFL's version of the Red Sox and Yankees already.

[Bazooka Joe]

[quote name='Twoo' date='23 January 2010 - 12:10 PM' timestamp='1264266615' post='349524']
This whole not having a any Cap in the 2010 season fiasco has really, and I mean REALLY angered me. Football is fun and interesting to watch for one reason: competition. Teams can go from being the worst team in the NFL to winning the Superbowl in 12 months. That doesn't happen in sports that don't utilize a Cap.... like Baseball.

If there isn't a new CBA drawn up I doubt I'll watch another Football game post 2010 season. People have no idea how much this is going to ruin the entire sport.
[/quote]


Honestly, Major league baseball should have these rules in place. The top 6 teams can not sign a FA unless they lose a player and they only can sign a player of the value of what they lost.

[Bazooka Joe]

[quote name='Twoo' date='23 January 2010 - 12:10 PM' timestamp='1264266615' post='349524']
This whole not having a any Cap in the 2010 season fiasco has really, and I mean REALLY angered me. Football is fun and interesting to watch for one reason: competition. Teams can go from being the worst team in the NFL to winning the Superbowl in 12 months. That doesn't happen in sports that don't utilize a Cap.... like Baseball.

If there isn't a new CBA drawn up I doubt I'll watch another Football game post 2010 season. People have no idea how much this is going to ruin the entire sport.
[/quote]


This is why I hope a new deal is signed. It could cost us le Ron McClain, Jared Gaither, and Sam Koch because they would all become UFAs with a new CBA, but it would make things much more clear and smooth.

[die_hard_raven]

[quote name='Bazooka Joe' date='23 January 2010 - 06:29 PM' timestamp='1264289380' post='349733']
This is why I hope a new deal is signed. It could cost us le Ron McClain, Jared Gaither, and Sam Koch because they would all become UFAs with a new CBA, but it would make things much more clear and smooth.
[/quote]

They have not been in the league 6 years, we are fine with them. I think a deal will get done. I just think it's very funny that people want to accuse the players of being greedy while the owners of the teams don't want to disclose what they are making. Football happens to be a lucrative business. Regardless of what they players make the owner are filthy rich. If the NFL's revenue is a direct of impact of the players on the field that the public pays to see and that the networks market they have every right to be paid.

I don't think anyone on this board would not expect the same if your individual or collective efforts sent your companies profits through the roof from what they are now. You would be entitled to want more just as the athletes do.

I just hope a deal gets done. Let's go Ravens!

[Twoo]

[quote name='die_hard_raven' date='01 February 2010 - 12:24 PM' timestamp='1265045040' post='353890']
They have not been in the league 6 years, we are fine with them. I think a deal will get done. I just think it's very funny that people want to accuse the players of being greedy while the owners of the teams don't want to disclose what they are making. Football happens to be a lucrative business. Regardless of what they players make the owner are filthy rich. If the NFL's revenue is a direct of impact of the players on the field that the public pays to see and that the networks market they have every right to be paid.

I don't think anyone on this board would not expect the same if your individual or collective efforts sent your companies profits through the roof from what they are now. You would be entitled to want more just as the athletes do.

I just hope a deal gets done. Let's go Ravens!
[/quote]

The Comish stated today that a deal being done is near impossible. It's the Owners decision to implement a new CBA and the NFL isn't accepting what the owners are putting on the table and there hasn't been any negotiation on either side.

The owners want to have more a share of the profit being they assume ALL the risk in the franchise- they also want to put caps on salary contracts and rookie contracts, the NFL is happy with the current deal and the NFL players are more than happy with the current deal.

The only way a new CBA will be put in place is if the NFL owners say enough is enough and have a lockout in 2011 and show the NFL that they hold the power and therefore deserve more profits that the NFL is hoarding from them. No football for a year will put a nail in the tongues of the NFL executives and they'll fold and redo the contract to better the NFL owners.

So... don't be surprised when there isn't a full NFL season in 2011- expect there not to be one.

[Twoo]

On a side note... NFL owners actually do not make all that much money owning a team. The NFL average for 2008 was a profit of $24.7 million in the owners pocket. Compared to the 9 BILLION the NFL made in 2008. The profit margin is obscenely biased towards the NFL and not the owners... who assume all risk while the NFL reaps the benefits of a successful franchise.

Thus... the NFL owners opting out of the CBA because they want more money and to protect the money they have.

[McBurks]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='22 January 2010 - 11:32 AM' timestamp='1264177949' post='348995']
V-Jax isn't going anywhere.

Even though I'm not personally a fan, [b]Maclolm Floyd is a much more realistic option.[/b]
[/quote]


He definentley isn't a #1 WR right now,we have someone like him called Demetrius Williams.The only upside about signing Floyd is hes rarely injured.

[Twoo]

SB 44 broke the record and just became the most watched television show of all time (104 million viewers). It just goes to show how much the NFL needs to address the CBA and avoid a lockout.

[u]R.G. stated after the game that they're going to propose changes where the NFL absorbs more of the player's salary costs to help struggling NFL teams return to profit. This is incredibly reassuring that the NFL is taking the necessary steps to resolving the current problem and locking the NFL teams in a contract and keep football alive.[/u]

Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best. The NFL is going to make money no matter what, but the teams hold the power in this situation.

[b]The best analogy of the current NFL situation is let's say General Motors tells the Auto Workers that instead of GM paying the Auto Workers money for working, they now have to pay GM for the honor of working for GM. SO... the Auto Workers go on strike and refuse to work until their compensated for their work... BUT... GM doesn't back down from their stance and refuses to pay workers--- The problem for GM is the Auto Workers own all the equipment, the factory, the offices and the property. The only thing GM owns is the name and emblems put on the cars.[/b]

[DocMartin]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='18 January 2010 - 06:51 PM' timestamp='1263858677' post='346341']
Already did; this is a hot topic of discussion now that the Ravens have been eliminated and people don't really understand what the rule means.

It's not so much that this puts the team at a huge disadvantage -- if anything, it further emphasizes the need for teams to draft well as opposed to relying on free agency.

The draft got us to the dance numerous times over this team's history -- why change that approach? Why pay for a name when you can get quality talent for cheaper by putting in the work? The Giants, Steelers, and Patriots won Super Bowls by signing mid-range names and acquiring utility players through the draft. They didn't win it all by bringing in wave-after-wave of big names.
[/quote]
Agreed. Nicely put, Franch, wave-after-wave of big names, reminds me of Dan Snyder & Redskins, doesn't it? With the way NFL has it for us now, draft is the way to go, and I know front office doesn't have a problem with that, they relish the opportunity for sure.

[Twoo]

If there's not a CBA agreement in 6 days it's a 99.99% probability there won't be a NFL season in 2011-2012. NFL owners are already restructuring coach's contracts with lockout terms and the NFL players union is figuring out how to address the rookies salaries who are drafted in the 2011 draft.

IF there is a lockout, after the free agency/draft in 2011- the lockout will begin in April, usually when players report for preliminary training meetings. Essentially players will not be allowed to report to camp or step on team property. Lockout salaries will go in to effect (players/rookies will not be paid unless it's guaranteed) and the lawsuits will begin.

Here it begins. Enjoy the 2010 season because you won't see regular season football again until the end of 2012.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Twoo' date='26 February 2010 - 11:52 AM' timestamp='1267203129' post='365331']
If there's not a CBA agreement in 6 days it's a 99.99% probability there won't be a NFL season in 2011-2012. NFL owners are already restructuring coach's contracts with lockout terms and the NFL players union is figuring out how to address the rookies salaries who are drafted in the 2011 draft.

IF there is a lockout, after the free agency/draft in 2011- the lockout will begin in April, usually when players report for preliminary training meetings. Essentially players will not be allowed to report to camp or step on team property. Lockout salaries will go in to effect (players/rookies will not be paid unless it's guaranteed) and the lawsuits will begin.

Here it begins. Enjoy the 2010 season because you won't see regular season football again until the end of 2012.
[/quote]

I disagree wholeheartedly... the NFL Owners and the NFLPA will come to terms on a new CBA by the end of the 2010-2011 season. A lockout hurts everyone's pockets.

[Twoo]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='26 February 2010 - 12:05 PM' timestamp='1267203900' post='365347']
I disagree wholeheartedly... the NFL Owners and the NFLPA will come to terms on a new CBA by the end of the 2010-2011 season. [b]A lockout hurts everyone's pockets.[/b]
[/quote]

Not really, which is quite sad. The NFL sold exclusive rights to all it's footage to DirectTV in a billion dollar deal, it also owns the rights to the team names and merchandising. ESPN had a article about it a while back that pointed out if there was a full season lockout the NFL would still net close to 2 billion in profits for the year.

NFL owners would lose money from the loss of ticket sales and guaranteed player salaries- but so many teams are in the red right now that they'd be willing to accept a year of dramatic losses to ensure the long term profitability of their franchise.

The NFL is so lopsided right now in profit sharing that the NFL owners are sinking themselves into massive amounts of debt just to be able to say, "I own an NFL team". The owners LOVE Goodell because he's expanding the NFL at a mind-blowing pace... BUT... the teams are the ones who assume the financial risk while the NFL reaps the benefits. It's a horribly designed system.

IMO we will see a lockout because that's the only way the NFL owners will be able to prove to the NFL that drastic changes need to be made. The NFL is making boatloads of money and is all smiles. The team owners are either losing money or they're showing yearly profits of less than 20 million for a billion dollar franchise. The players are getting record breaking contracts and are on cloud 9 and LOVE the current deal.

It's a huge mess and the fans will end up being the collateral damage.

[JO_75]

Here's something very interesting. Apparently the league rejected an offer to keep the salary cap the way it was from 2006 to 2009 into 2010. So as a result of that, the first uncapped year will start next Friday at Midnight.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/02/26/league-rejects-union-offer-to-keep-cap-in-place/


Wow, I can't believe the league would do something stupid to reject a offer to keep the cap the way it was just for one year until they can get a new one worked out. Looks like a Lockout is very much possible unless something gets done before the end of the year.