While it's looking like NFL teams will get three days to negotiate contracts with their own players before a proposed start of free agency, let's look beyond the guys like Doug Free and Stephen Bowen and maybe Marcus Spears in that group.
It’s not just for free agents, but the veterans who might have to restructure their contract.
Look at a guy like Terence Newman, who is expected to count an even $10 million on the salary cap in 2011. I have a good feeling Newman will not be counting on $10 million on the Cowboys’ cap – or anyone else’s – this season. That doesn’t mean Newman won’t be around with this team, but he’ll likely need some restructuring.
Of course, the tricky part is finding a replacement. If there is one out there in Oakland by the name of Nnamdi, then Newman’s days are very likely to be over here in Dallas.
But even if the Cowboys decide that signing Asomugha is just too pricey, getting Newman to restructure might be of interest.
He’s got an $8 million base salary this year, down from $9 million in 2010. And you add in another $2 million in his signing-bonus proration and that makes an even $10 million on the cap. (Wish they were all that easy to figure).
But if Newman is released, it’s likely that three years of $2 million in proration will hit the cap. So it’s pretty simple for Newman – if he stays on the roster as is it will be $10 million and it will count just $6 million if he’s gone.
The Cowboys could always lower his base salary and then put it into a roster or signing bonus that would also lower his overall cap hit.
Again, it’s a unique situation because there aren’t many players better than Newman. If you can get Nnamdi, then it makes sense. If not, I would imagine the Cowboys try to restructure Newman’s deal to keep him in the fold.
It’s not just for free agents, but the veterans who might have to restructure their contract.
Look at a guy like Terence Newman, who is expected to count an even $10 million on the salary cap in 2011. I have a good feeling Newman will not be counting on $10 million on the Cowboys’ cap – or anyone else’s – this season. That doesn’t mean Newman won’t be around with this team, but he’ll likely need some restructuring.
Of course, the tricky part is finding a replacement. If there is one out there in Oakland by the name of Nnamdi, then Newman’s days are very likely to be over here in Dallas.
But even if the Cowboys decide that signing Asomugha is just too pricey, getting Newman to restructure might be of interest.
He’s got an $8 million base salary this year, down from $9 million in 2010. And you add in another $2 million in his signing-bonus proration and that makes an even $10 million on the cap. (Wish they were all that easy to figure).
But if Newman is released, it’s likely that three years of $2 million in proration will hit the cap. So it’s pretty simple for Newman – if he stays on the roster as is it will be $10 million and it will count just $6 million if he’s gone.
The Cowboys could always lower his base salary and then put it into a roster or signing bonus that would also lower his overall cap hit.
Again, it’s a unique situation because there aren’t many players better than Newman. If you can get Nnamdi, then it makes sense. If not, I would imagine the Cowboys try to restructure Newman’s deal to keep him in the fold.