Profootballtalk is reporting that the titans are at 102 million for next year? Can this possibly be right?

Starkiller?

I'm not sure if $102 is entirely accurate, but certainly we're over.

But remember that it's all monopoly money. McNair isn't going to actually get his $50M bonus. Olson and Hopkins will not get their $5M bonuses (both probably get cut, though Hopkins could take a pay cut to stay).

Basically, the Titans aren't going to be gutting the team again to get under the cap. They may dump some high-priced players who haven't performed, but it's not going to be like last offseason.

If it is monopolly money I lost my gameboard last christmas. We could use the money to get Freeny, or even better, the whole Chicago´s D.

Who wants the dices?!

lol

JC-150 millions... and i drive a japanese small car

i had fogotten about mcnair's bonus coming due.

thanks as always to our resident capologist.

When it's all said and done, don't we expect to be something like 10 mil or more under the cap? So maybe we can take some more chances on some FA's.

As long as we learned our lesson and don't get back into this situation in 5 or so years...I actually have grown to like the "grow your own team" mentality we've taken on in the last few years. IMHO, the few expensive FA's we took on (Thigpin, Pickens, anyone?) weren't really all that helpful. Lance was good for a year, but eventually let go. I think maybe one decent FA and another good draft and we're back in the hunt.

And I don't think Freeney is going anywhere...

When it's all said and done, don't we expect to be something like 10 mil or more under the cap? So maybe we can take some more chances on some FA's.

Probably, but that may also be before they decide which of their own free agents to sign and before the rookie pool allocation.

They won't be big players in free agency. If they're lucky, they can get another couple lower-priced vets help fill out the roster. Maybe they'll find another bargain like KVB (well...that's a best case scenario, but maybe they'll still find a bargain).

I also don't see much in the way of big moves in free agency. We aren't going to be contenders. And with the league CBA up in the air, the Titans might not want to invest too heavily into free agents. Either way, the team generally prefers to build through the draft rather than spend big on someone else's free agents.

Plus, assuming they re-sign KVB I'm not sure there will be too much left to spend. If they can't afford him, I expect they will go more after value picks, role players, and depth.

I think we will be able to afford a good LB and a good OL plus KVB. The contracts that Kendrell Bell and Antonio Pierce signed last yr both counted around 2mil against the cap this yr because they have minimum base salaries and mod. signing bonuses. The numbers for the guards that got new contracts were similar. So by having them sign cap friendly deals we can afford a few guys. We all know that with the next CBA the cap is going to take a significant increase so why not go ahead and try to lock in a few good young FAs now with backloaded contracts. By the time the big portion of the contract is due the cap will be much higher. So I say spend the money on FAs this yr and give our young guys another yr before locking some of them up long term.

They are more likely to invest that money in their own younger players, though. Like, say....Jacob Bell or Eugene Amano (whose contracts are up after 2006, I think).

The backloading thing is all relevative. The cap may be higher after 2007 (assuming the uncapped year doesn't kill the golden goose) but it will also cost you more to re-up your own players (or sign more free agents) because market prices will go up accordingly.

So if you backload too much on contracts you sign now, you'll still be back in a situation where you have less to spend later.

re do McNair's deal, Sirmon restructures or goes. Hopkins is cut and or retires, Bell takes over for Pillar or Olsen and one of those two starters is cut. Bingo, cap's fixed...

treat McNair the same as they did George. Offer a fair price and if he refuses let him go. No need to keep paying dead money on him

If we cut McNair, Hopkins, Olsen, Sirmon and LT we save over 27 million in cap money. We also let Tank, Hartwig and Kassel walk unless they are willing to play for the vet minimum. Except for McNair it looks like all these guys have underachieved this year and need to go anyway. McNair's best days are behind him.

If we cut McNair, Hopkins, Olsen, Sirmon and LT we save over 27 million in cap money. We also let Tank, Hartwig and Kassel walk unless they are willing to play for the vet minimum. Except for McNair it looks like all these guys have underachieved this year and need to go anyway. McNair's best days are behind him.
If we cut all those guys at once we'll have the 1st pick in next year's draft.

If we cut McNair, Hopkins, Olsen, Sirmon and LT we save over 27 million in cap money. We also let Tank, Hartwig and Kassel walk unless they are willing to play for the vet minimum. Except for McNair it looks like all these guys have underachieved this year and need to go anyway. McNair's best days are behind him.
Were're already coming in at almost $10 million under the cap. Why go and cut all of our Vets again. For what? Draft picks?? How long do you plan on sucking?

No, we're still over the cap. Just not nearly like we were in the past.

I think when it is all said and done we will be under cap... But I agree some pay cuts are going to be an order. Don't we have a few options when it comes to McNairs bonus and wouldn't he leave behind a cap charge? I would hate to lose our vets on an team that is full of novice?

Were're already coming in at almost $10 million under the cap. Why go and cut all of our Vets again. For what? Draft picks?? How long do you plan on sucking?

In reality the only one on that list that should be brought back is McNair at a drastically reduced salary.
Hopkins CAP total as it stands is 10 million next year. Olsen is 9 million. Sirmon is 5.5. LT is 2.3. McNair without changing his contract is at 29.
Thats almost 56 million in CAP money for players that are not playing real well. Even if we cut them we still only save 27 million. Why not cut our losses now, take the 27 million to fill in any gaps with FAs.
Where are we going to get the money to sign KVB? I would rather have him than any of these guys. We could cut Henry but we only save 1.5 million so I'm thinking he is worth the low CAP hit of 2.1 to have a quality RB signed through 2009 especially with Brown becoming a FA after next year.

Kassel, Tank and Hartwig are all FAs. Anyone feel like throwing alot of money their way? The only one on that list worth considering is Tank IF he plays like he did against Houston the last 3 games. Tank might be a decent value. Certainly Reynolds or a rookie or FA can play MLB and Hartwig has really stunk this year. I'm not sure I want him back at any price over the vet minimum and only because he can be a versatile backup.

In reality the only one on that list that should be brought back is McNair at a drastically reduced salary.
Hopkins CAP total as it stands is 10 million next year. Olsen is 9 million. Sirmon is 5.5. LT is 2.3. McNair without changing his contract is at 29.
Thats almost 56 million in CAP money for players that are not playing real well. Even if we cut them we still only save 27 million. Why not cut our losses now, take the 27 million to fill in any gaps with FAs.
Where are we going to get the money to sign KVB? I would rather have him than any of these guys. We could cut Henry but we only save 1.5 million so I'm thinking he is worth the low CAP hit of 2.1 to have a quality RB signed through 2009 especially with Brown becoming a FA after next year.

Kassel, Tank and Hartwig are all FAs. Anyone feel like throwing alot of money their way? The only one on that list worth considering is Tank IF he plays like he did against Houston the last 3 games. Tank might be a decent value. Certainly Reynolds or a rookie or FA can play MLB and Hartwig has really stunk this year. I'm not sure I want him back at any price over the vet minimum and only because he can be a versatile backup.

BHOP will go, Olsen or Pillar will most likely be cut, McNair will rework his deal and Reese wont have the 50 million dollar bonus to worry about.
Resign Tank at the vet minumum(or close to it). We should be able to grab a center from one of the OL we have drafted over the past 2 years or there will be a couple of descent ones that will be FAs that we can sign. Kassel should be resigned only for the vet min-he's hurt all the time because he is always busting his butt

BHOP will go, Olsen or Pillar will most likely be cut, McNair will rework his deal and Reese wont have the 50 million dollar bonus to worry about.
If you are McNair, do you take a huge cut to stay with a team who will have a second-year LT and other new guys up front? Add to that the issues surrounding the targets he has on offense and that the Titans don't look close to being a playoff team and probably won't be until '07.

I don't know if he'd be willing to do it.

BHOP will go, Olsen or Pillar will most likely be cut, McNair will rework his deal and Reese wont have the 50 million dollar bonus to worry about.
Resign Tank at the vet minumum(or close to it). We should be able to grab a center from one of the OL we have drafted over the past 2 years or there will be a couple of descent ones that will be FAs that we can sign. Kassel should be resigned only for the vet min-he's hurt all the time because he is always busting his butt
Hopkins could stay if he were to take a paycut, and he might be willing to stay in Nashville, but I don't think I'd start him at LT ahead of Roos anyway.

Olson is gone. He has a $5M bonus this offseason and there is no chance the Titans will pay it.

Hartwig could end up being anothr DiNapoli, asking for a lot of money. I wouldn't pay him much. They can just hand Amano the job or find someone else.

Piller could stay because he doesn't have a huge cap hit, but it's not impossible that he could be gone. Still, I'd rather keep him around at least 1 more year just to keep some measure of stability in the OLine.

I could bring back Tank for the minimum and let him compete for a starting job, but I certainly wouldn't guarantee him anything.

As for Kassell, I didn't like paying him $1M last year and he certainly hasn't lived up to it. I'd give him the same offer as Tank (minimum, chance to compete for playing time).

If you are McNair, do you take a huge cut to stay with a team who will have a second-year LT and other new guys up front? Add to that the issues surrounding the targets he has on offense and that the Titans don't look close to being a playoff team and probably won't be until '07.

I don't know if he'd be willing to do it.
Same reason that he came back after the team cut all the other veterans and went into rebuilding mode. He makes a ton of money. If he wants to keep playing, they'll work something out financially. It's not like he can make another $7M-$10M working on the farm for 5 months out of the year.

Same reason that he came back after the team cut all the other veterans and went into rebuilding mode. He makes a ton of money. If he wants to keep playing, they'll work something out financially. It's not like he can make another $7M-$10M working on the farm for 5 months out of the year.
If money is the only incentive, not much to add here. But he only lost ONE starting OL (and a gimpy one at that) and was promised an offense dedicated to keeping him off his backside.

With Bennett's production last in '04, you figure he would have been a least somewhat more productive as would Calico.

If you are McNair, do you take a huge cut to stay with a team who will have a second-year LT and other new guys up front? Add to that the issues surrounding the targets he has on offense and that the Titans don't look close to being a playoff team and probably won't be until '07.

I don't know if he'd be willing to do it.


I know this is just ridiculus but why would not a guy like McNair do the O'Donnell thing, hang in town and stay on the team for 1M/y and be available/mentor for the QB's???

Heck Fisher would let him do that till he was 45

Would be nice, GoT. Especially if our QB of the future is Vince Young. :winker:

My concern with McNair is his year to year attitude. Not knowing if he will even be back each year should IMO reduce him down to roster bonus and salary only contracts. No way he should get close to his current salary either.

The comment TJ made about the production of the WRs has more than one dimension to it. No WR is going to catch the ball unless the ball is thrown his way. The WRs are not going to get good yardage stats if all they catch are 5 yard passes. As long as the WRs are running good routes and catching the ball when it is thrown their way they are doing all we can ask.
For the most part Bennett has done that. Add in the poor blocking by the OL and the WRs have the deck stacked against them.
Calico obviously is not fully recovered and has been a dissapointment. Although he was moving well last game he dropped a couple of passes.
On the other hand the rookies have managed to step up fairly well at WR and the TE play has been pretty good.
Still, if I was a FA WR looking for a team to play for where I could run up some impressive stats it wouldn't be the Titans. Look at Mason's production this year. Not terrible but he only has 2 TDs. Is he the problem?
I wouldn't want to be a WR on the Texans or 49ers either.

One thing to think about here as far as McNair's contract goes, there are other factors involved that may come into play.

You have three rookie WRs who will likely be close to their peak in 2-3 more seasons assuming that Jones, Williams and Roby all continue to develop as planned. How much longer can McNair go? 2-3 years?

Would the Titans want a McNair with likely more declining skills and injury issues at the point or the future QB with a couple of seasons of experience as well?

i thought i remember readign a while back that were 6 million under this year then next year were like 27 million under

Very good point. We want the WRs, OL and QB all peaking at the same time and the only way for our QB to be able to do that is to get drafted this year, and get inserted into the lineup ASAP.
Volek is signed and cheap. I say let McNair walk or retire, give Volek the reigns and draft a potential future QB. If Volek does well fine, if he doesn't play the young guy. It is time to not think year to year but 3-5 years down the road.

Keeping Henry is looking better the more I look at it as well. Having a feature RB for only 2% of your total CAP is ridiculously cheap. If Brown is willing to stay at a decent CAP hit we still can have two quality backs for only about 5% of the CAP. Figure in the savings at QB with Volek and we have plenty of $$ to sign FAs as well.

I think Steve will agree to whatever contract the Titans offer him. He has always renegotiated in the past to help out the team, and he doesn't seem like the type than needs his ego puffed up by wanting a bigger contract that some other QB.
He's set financially, he's loyal, he wants to play here, he will be the team player and do what they want (need) him to do, like he always has.

That's just the impression I get, but I have no idea really...:cool:

Steve will stay one or two more years, then Volek and the Rookie will fight it out in next year's training camp to see who gets the job. Hoffa, you make a great point. Steve has sacrificed himself in alot of ways for this team and I don't see why he won't one more time. Steve's lack of production this year is due to the new system. It's one where you have to be with the offensive unit in practice all the time and Steve isn't known for being around practice much.

I dont think you will find Steve and Billy on the same team next year.

I heard the tail end of an interview with Mike Keith this week on Knoxville's Sports Talk 99.1 FM. Someone called in and asked what position the Titans would draft in the first round. Mike said it all depended on free agent pickups. He said the Titans have 10 million to spend and would be active in free agency.

Take it for what it's worth.

As far as I can tell, the Titans would head into the offseason with a total salary cap charge of approximately $96M. That's not accounting for any of our own free agents, just the 44 guys scheduled to be under contract (plus dead money from 2 players). We'll have to wait and see what the salary cap will be in 2006 before we know how far over that puts us.

As for savings, there is a lot of money to be saved by cutting just 2 guys prior to March 1. Hopkins would save over $3M (plus more in the future). Olson would save $6M. They could save over $1.5M by letting Henry walk.

Less likely would be Lamont Thompson, who could be cut to save $1.3M. Releasing Sirmon would probably save $3M or more (I'm not sure how big his option bonus is), but I'd guess they'll just alter his contract instead to save money.

If McNair retires, it would save over $14M (assuming you prorate the $50M bonus ahead of time). If they just decline the option and change nothing else, they'd save about $4M. In theory, if they reworked the contract to last through 2009, threw out the option, and paid him his current $9M this year in base salary, it would save $12.5M (the prorated value of the $50 option bonus).

$9M in base salary sounds more than fair to me. Simply pay him in that range on a year by year basis and don't pay a bonus we have to eat later on.

The QB situation that I don't want is to have Volek and our next franchise guy on the team together. That just sets you up for a QB contraversy. The young franchise QB needs to be mentored on what it takes to be a starting QB in the league. Volek doesn't know what it takes because he hasn't done it. If Mac is gone and we bring in a young QB that needs a yr or 2 to get NFL ready then I'd rather have a Dilfer, Kitna, Brad Johnson type come in and know that their role is to mentor the young QB and to manage the game without making mistakes. I say we try to get whatever value we can for Volek this offseason.

The main issue needs to be which QB gives us the best chance of winning in the developmental window. The secondary issue is the cost. If our chances of winning during that 2 year period are better with Volek and Volek is less of a burden on the CAP I would go with Volek.

Either way there is always going to be a contraversy if we have a young guy on the bench and the vet isn't playing well. It might be easier benching Volek if he isn't getting it done than a guy like McNair.

If McNair wants to come back, he'll be back. I think it's that simple. It's just a matter of reworking his contract.

As for Volek, they can trade him for a solid draft pick (maybe making up for Henry's 3rd rounder) and save about $620k in the process.

The real question might be has the coaching staff given up on Volek?
I agree, for better or worse McNair will be the one calling the shots. No doubt the parties will agree on a contract IF McNair wants to return. IMO, for $9 million per year I would play until someone forced me to leave.

whar is franchise tag for QB???

whar is franchise tag for QB???It was about $8M last year, but we'll have to wait and see about 2006.

From what I understand from SK's post, we should be a good bit under the cap once we release/renegotiate/re-sign the guys that need to. I think the only FA's that have a shot at staying are KVB and possibly Tank. My question is, what positions do we address in FA and which do we address in the Draft??