Jameel McClain has taken a paycut

[B-more Ravor]

Brian McFarland ‏@RavensSalaryCap 1m

According to NFLPA records, LB Jameel McClain has taken a $1.5M paycut. His base salary is now $1.5M (was $3M). Team's Cap has gone up $1.5M

 

 

So, that seemingly addresses the various conversations that he might be released.

 

Brian McFarland ‏@RavensSalaryCap 44s

Yes, the Ravens are now $5,529,459 under the Cap. MT @LaLaLaLaToya so instead of 4$ mil it's up to 5.5$ mil?

[harfordravenfan]

Smart guy to take the pay cut versus being cut all together if he don't get back on the field fast. Still an uphill battle for him with all the competition he has now.

[JO_75]

Finally a player with some sense to realize it's better to take a pay cut than be released.

[mgridda]

This is great news. The Ravens really have gone from having a thin inside linebacker corps, to being very deep at the position. I really like what I see from Josh Bynes on the field, clearly Daryl Smith is a beast and Arthur Brown was one of the most elating draft picks this team has made in a while. I'm very excited to see Brown's future, but I think Bynes might surpass him. Meanwhile, McClain's back is taking time to be 100%. And it can take all the time it needs, but he's really eating up cap space. 

I don't know what we're going to do next year.

 

 

Clearly, you're alluding to Anquan not having the sense to take the paycut. Well, I don't really blame him. He came off a really great post-season, and got traded to a team that by odd-maker's standards has an even better chance of winning the Superbowl. I think all of this is prelude to the legend of Joe Flacco, really. The Ravens win the Superbowl in 2012, and all anyone can say is about how it's Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Anquan Boldin. Well, all those guys are gone. Imagine if Joe Flacco repeats without any of them...

[Stephenjr]

Still think he should of been cut instead of Boldin!!

[callahan09]

So what might we actually do with 5.5 million in cap space?

[ravens533]

Its good to see that the team still wants Jameel McClain around. This also has to be an incentive for him to get back on the field. A "we won't cut you now, but..." Hope he makes it back soon.

[rmw10]

Classy move by McClain.  I'm sure this beats being cut, but I do applaud him for thinking about the team as well.

[B-more Ravor]

A little more detail on the move:

 

http://russellstreetreport.com/jameel-mcclain-take-a-pay-cut/

[izvoodoo]

Still think he should of been cut instead of Boldin!!

It would have had to have been him, Leach and restructure someone to hit Boldin's cap hit.

[rmw10]

So what might we actually do with 5.5 million in cap space?

 

Keep it in the reserves.  We need some extra money going into the season in case of injuries and such.  All of our IR/PUP players, PS players, and slots 52 and 53 will count against the cap once final rosters are announced.  That will probably take us down in the $3M range.  We may be able to get away with another vet minimum signing, but I think this is a security move more than anything.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

So what might we actually do with 5.5 million in cap space?

pay the other two players when we move from rule 51 to active roster of 53, then the practice squad, IR settlements etc - basically we might break even

 

Classy move by McClain.  I'm sure this beats being cut, but I do applaud him for thinking about the team as well.

the team supported him through his injury, he's now giving his support back to the team while making sure he's got a place of work to return to

[B-more Ravor]

Still think he should of been cut instead of Boldin!!

 

Perhaps, but it would have taken more than just releasing McClain ($1.8M in savings) to make up the difference in Cap space they received from releasing Boldin ($6M in savings).

 

So what might we actually do with 5.5 million in cap space?

 

 

Right now, only the top 51 Cap numbers are counting against the Cap.  Come week 1, they all - 53, IR, PUP, NFI, PS - have to be fit under the Cap.  At that point, there will likely be nowhere near $5.5M left and they'll need to carry space into the season to have money to pay for guys signed to replace injured players.

[Stephenjr]

Perhaps, but it would have taken more than just releasing McClain ($1.8M in savings) to make up the difference in Cap space they received from releasing Boldin ($6M in savings).

 

 

 

Right now, only the top 51 Cap numbers are counting against the Cap.  Come week 1, they all - 53, IR, PUP, NFI, PS - have to be fit under the Cap.  At that point, there will likely be nowhere near $5.5M left and they'll need to carry space into the season to have money to pay for guys signed to replace injured players.

McClain was originally a 4 million cap figure,he just recently took a pay cut down to 1.5 million.So Boldin would have only been 2 million more.Boldin was due 6 mill,McClain 4 mill, 6 minus 4 =2 mill Ravens should have made that work!!

[rmw10]

McClain was originally a 4 million cap figure,he just recently took a pay cut down to 1.5 million.So Boldin would have only been 2 million more.Boldin was due 6 mill,McClain 4 mill, 6 minus 4 =2 mill Ravens should have made that work!!

 

That's not how the cap works.  McClain still has money on the books beyond this year.  That bonus money accelerates and hits the cap this year.  If we cut him, we would have only saved $1.8M.

[Ravenslifer]

Very good move by Jameel.  He knows know that instead of being cut, he has a chance to show the Ravens that he's all the way back, possibly even better, than before, and in 2 years he's going to be a FA again, with another chance to get paid - maybe even more than before if he proves he is indeed the answer to the middle of the defense.

[scrock]

What a stand up guy...but honestly he shouldn't have done it, he got injured playing for the team and his contract wasn't huge anyway. Selfishly I'm glad he took the paycut...but he earned it, he may never be the same again. I hope he will one day return and this probably secures his future in Bmore, at least until next year if he hasn't made improvement.

 

I understand why he did it, team guy.....but if I was him and I got hurt like that I'd be keeping as much money from that contract as I could..yeah they could have cut him i guess...but some portion of that contract must have some guaranteed money in it?

[flaccopoe]

$1,500,000!  Time to have a party in FA! :p

[gabefergy]

I thought this would be the most likely course of action taken concerning Jameel. 

 

I would imagine he starts the season on the PUP and the team takes a wait and see approach. If he gets cleared he can come back and help out depth at ILB. He is a veteran leader and has value on this defense. I know we all love the potential of Arthur Brown (no one more than me), but he is looking like our sub-package LB similar to what Ellerbe used to play and if given the choice I would start Jameel over Josh Bynes.

[Ravenseconbeast]

i wonder if a possible trade is in the discussion @ FO.   ozzie working it

[gabefergy]

i wonder if a possible trade is in the discussion @ FO.   ozzie working it

I strongly doubt anyone will trade for a player that isnt cleared to play.

[arnie_uk]

I strongly doubt anyone will trade for a player that isnt cleared to play.

I think he was talking about us trading for someone with a similar cap number to the savings we made

[gabefergy]

I think he was talking about us trading for someone with a similar cap number to the savings we made

Yeah, that makes sense. I was thinking about the other side obviously. I assume WR would be the position that is still somewhat of need. 

[arnie_uk]

Yeah, that makes sense. I was thinking about the other side obviously. I assume WR would be the position that is still somewhat of need.

would make the most sense but I can't think of anyone who would be surplus to requirements at his current club

[JO_75]

Isn't this his last year of his contract?

[gabefergy]

Isn't this his last year of his contract?

Nope. One more year after this. Next year's salary was not changed, but he is likely cut after this year anyways.

[rmw10]

Nope. One more year after this. Next year's salary was not changed, but he is likely cut after this year anyways.

 

Yeah he's cut unless he wants to take a pay cut again.  He would save us $3.2M next year.

[ellicottraven]

Brian McFarland ‏@RavensSalaryCap 1m
According to NFLPA records, LB Jameel McClain has taken a $1.5M paycut. His base salary is now $1.5M (was $3M). Team's Cap has gone up $1.5M
 
 
So, that seemingly addresses the various conversations that he might be released.
 
Brian McFarland ‏@RavensSalaryCap 44s
Yes, the Ravens are now $5,529,459 under the Cap. MT @LaLaLaLaToya so instead of 4$ mil it's up to 5.5$ mil?

I just read it on russellstreetreport.com. They speculate that Ozzie may have gone to Jameel with an either be cut or take a pay cut option. Wisely, Jameel opted for the latter. This way he stays a Raven and will be on PUP through the first 6 games. He will add great depth in the second half of the season when bodies are sore...

[Stephenjr]

That's not how the cap works.  McClain still has money on the books beyond this year.  That bonus money accelerates and hits the cap this year.  If we cut him, we would have only saved $1.8M.

Okay, well trade him instead of Boldin!! We could of got a late 7th for McClain!

[beanfigger]

This was a great decision by McClain to take this cut. His stock has dropped significantly the past few weeks, but if he does get healthy and comes back strong he will still be able to make big bucks next year with his current contract instead of losing it all to pride and getting cut. All parties win here, I believe.