Donald not at OTAs…now morphed into, do you pay Donald & how much thread

Recent Forum Topics Forums The Rams Huddle Donald not at OTAs…now morphed into, do you pay Donald & how much thread

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  • #69144
    Avatar photozn
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    #69145
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    #69147
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    Moderator

    Rich Hammond @Rich_Hammond
    Aaron Donald not at Rams OTAs. McVay said it wasn’t Injury related, declined to say whether it was related to contract issues.

    Rich Hammond @Rich_Hammond
    Rams recently exercised Donald’s fifth-year option for 2018, so he’s still under contract for a while.

    Rich Hammond @Rich_Hammond
    Seems that Rams GM Les Snead will talk soon about Aaron Donald absence.

    Rich Hammond @Rich_Hammond
    Les Snead: We were aware (Donald) wasn’t going to be here. It has something to do with the contract.

    Rich Hammond @Rich_Hammond
    Snead said Rams are at “serious stage” of contract negotiations and he respects Donald. Details will be “intimate.”

    Rich Hammond @Rich_Hammond
    Snead said he is “very hopeful that this thing will get done” with Donald.

    Rich Hammond @Rich_Hammond
    Re: Tru Johnson, Snead said nothing has changed. They will revisit things after OTAs.

    Vincent Bonsignore @DailyNewsVinny
    #Rams Aaron Donald’s absence is definitely contract related, but Les Snead says team/Donald are at “serious stage” of negotiations

    Vincent Bonsignore @DailyNewsVinny
    #Rams GM Les Snead says he is “very hopeful” this will get resolved soon. (sounds like it’s very close)

    chris gaeta‏
    One of the best defensive players in football, and they are pissing him off.

    Vincent Bonsignore @DailyNewsVinny
    Not getting that sense. Seems more like it’s very close, but that Donald isn’t in hurry to go on field till “very close” is officially done

    Gary Klein ✔ @LATimesklein
    Snead on Donald: “we’re at the serious stages of renegotiating”

    Gary Klein ✔ @LATimesklein
    Snead won’t provide details. “I’m very hopeful this will get done.”

    Gary Klein ✔ @LATimesklein
    Snead on Trumaine Johnson contract status: “we want to get through OTAs”

    Myles Simmons‏ @MylesASimmons
    Snead added that he’s “very hopeful” that Donald’s contract will get done. “We want him to be a Ram … I think that’s his goal [too].”

    Steve Wyche ✔ @wyche89
    Rams GM Les Snead said contract talks w/ DT Aaron Donald are in the “serious” phase. Sounds like Donald avoiding OTAs to avoid injury.

    #69158
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Amid contract talks, Rams’ Aaron Donald absent from optional workout

    RICH HAMMOND | Orange County Register

    link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/05/22/amid-contract-talks-rams-aaron-donald-absent-from-optional-workout/

    THOUSAND OAKS — The Rams’ first day of OTA practice was notable for an absence, as star defensive lineman Aaron Donald stayed away from the optional work because of a contract-related matter.

    Donald isn’t set to become a free agent any time soon. He has one season remaining on his rookie contract, and the Rams recently picked up the fifth-year option on that contract, for the 2018 season.

    Donald is set to make $3.2 million this season and almost $7 million next season, but as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, at only age 25, Donald at some point will receive a massive raise.

    Asked after Monday’s practice session whether the Rams were close to re-singing Donald, and whether Donald chose to stay away until a deal got completed, General Manager Les Snead only smiled.

    “I’m very hopeful about it,” Snead later said, and also added that he felt the Rams were at a “serious stage” of negotiations with Donald.

    Snead and Coach Sean McVay said they knew in advance that Donald wouldn’t be attending the start of OTA practices, and McVay declined to say whether he expected Donald to attend any of the nine remaining OTA sessions in May and June.

    Donald has been a Pro Bowl selection in each of his three NFL seasons. How much will his new contract be worth? In 2014, Houston’s J.J. Watt signed a six-year, $100 million contract, and last year, Denver’s Von Miller signed a six-year, $114.5 million contract.

    Snead, not surprisingly, declined to discuss the details of the Donald negotiations.

    “It’s a process,” Snead said. “We like Aaron. There’s no doubt he’s a really good player. We want him to be a Ram. That’s our goal. We think he wants to be a Ram. That’s what we’re working toward.”

    #69159
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Rams’ Aaron Donald misses first day of organized team activities because of contract situation

    Gary Klein

    http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-ota-20170522-story.html

    Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was absent from the first day of organized team activities Monday because of his contract situation, general manager Les Snead said.

    Donald, a three-time Pro Bowl selection in his first three seasons, is due to earn $3.2 million this season as part of the rookie contract he signed after the Rams made him the 13th pick in the 2014 draft.

    In April, the Rams exercised a fifth-year option that would pay Donald about $6.9 million in 2018 if they cannot agree to a long-term deal before then.

    Organized team activities are voluntary.

    “We were aware he wasn’t going to be here,” Snead said, adding, “It had something to do with the contract. I can tell you this: We’re definitely at the serious stage of renegotiating.”

    The 6-foot-1, 285-pound Donald has become one of the most disruptive defensive players in the NFL. He has 28 sacks.

    Snead said in March at the NFL scouting combine that Donald was due for an extension.

    “It’s definitely coming,” he said at the time. “The guy deserves a raise, there’s no doubt. Whether he gets a raise or not, he’s going to show up, do the things he does. But that’s coming.”

    Donald has participated in the voluntary offseason program and also took part in a voluntary veteran minicamp.

    Coach Sean McVay said Monday that “everything’s good with Aaron” and that “we’re confident that he’s going to be a very important part of what we’re doing moving forward.

    “When he’s back it will be great for everybody.”

    #69163
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant


    It is in everyone’s interest to get a contract done. The Rams have Donald for at least 3 more years, this year, the option year, and a franchise year. Donald would like to make more for the next 2 years. Those years are locked in now. Most likely the core point will be guaranteed money over the first few years of the contract. I would expect that to be ~40 million for the first 3 years.

    Agamemnon

    #69173
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    It is in everyone’s interest to get a contract done.

    Reading around the net, it appears that some are seeing this as a Donald hold-out. From what the reporters are saying, it sounds more like it’s a case of the contract being close and Donald, with the complete understanding of the front office, not wanting to risk injury by practicing. I really think that’s all this is. Any controversy around it I see as just being a foggy drizzle in Barbie doll teacup.

    .

    #69175
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    With contract talks heating up, Aaron Donald a no-show at Rams OTAs

    VINCENT BONSIGNORE

    link: http://www.ocregister.com/2017/05/22/bonsignore-with-contract-talks-heating-up-aaron-donald-a-no-show-at-rams-otas/

    Let’s get the bad news out of the way first.

    Such as it is, anyway.

    The Rams kicked off Day One of their full-team Organized Team Activities on Monday in Thousand Oaks and Aaron Donald, their best player, was nowhere to be found.

    Oops.

    Granted, these practices are voluntary and thanks to the Collective Bargaining Agreement it’s not like anyone gets fined or punished if they blow one off.
    But let’s not kid ourselves. With the precious little off-season time coaches and players get to work together on the field these days, it’s strongly suggested in the strongest of terms that players show up.

    So clearly something had to be awry for Donald to just skip it.

    And something is up indeed..

    Turns out Donald’s absence is contract-related, according to Rams general manager Les Snead. Or, to be more specific, Donald desires to renegotiate his contract to make it more reflective of his status as one of the top two defensive linemen in the league.

    And while his current deal still has two years remaining on it – the one he signed as a rookie after the Rams selected him 13th overall four years ago – he’s really not keen on letting another day go by, let alone 24 more months, before getting paid what he’s truly worth.

    That means a new contract that falls somewhere between the six years, $114.3 million Miami gave defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh three years ago and the six years, $102.6 million the Philadelphia Eagles gave Fletcher Cox last year.

    And as Donald’s actions on Monday suggests, he’s going to play every bit of leverage to get the Rams to see things his way.

    If that means skipping a few voluntary workouts, so be it.

    So much for the bad news.

    As multiple people in the Rams organization confirmed on Monday, the club is eager to do right by their All-Pro defensive tackle and are hopeful things will get sorted out.

    As in very, very soon.

    And as Snead suggested, the club and Donald are in the “serious stage’ of renegotiation. He declined to go any further than that, or provide any sort of concrete timeline on when they’ll wrap this up and get Donald back in the fold.

    But it seems both sides are motivated to get this done.

    “We like Aaron. There’s no doubt he’s a really good player,” said Snead. “We want him to be a Ram. That’s our goal. I think his goal is to be a Ram, and that’s what we’re working toward.”

    They should.

    Donald has been a human wrecking ball since stepping foot in the NFL, racking up 28 sacks and 163 tackles in three seasons. In that time, Donald has earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, been selected to three Pro Bowls and earned first team All-Pro honors twice.

    He’s a quiet, lunch-pail carrying tough guy from Pittsburgh who shows up to work every day and does his job. More often than not, at a level as elite as anyone in the NFL.

    The Rams can’t afford to lose him. And if that means locking him up long term right now rather than waiting until the end of his rookie deal, so be it. He’s too valuable to a team in desperate need of star quality and productive, reliable football players to mess around with.

    The Rams are wise to get this done as quickly as possible.

    And you get the sense the Rams are perfectly fine with how Donald is approaching the situation. Skipping a team practice included.

    This doesn’t appear an act of subordination or intimidation or out of frustration.

    On the contrary.

    In no way do the Rams want the business side of this affair to reflect poorly on Donald. The Rams love Donald and want him in Los Angeles for many years to come.

    So if everyone is on the same page here and talks are heating up and the two sides closing in on a deal, why is Donald making such as newsworthy stand?

    It’s pretty simple, actually.

    Donald stands to make a guaranteed $8.7 million over the next two years, but his new deal will likely guarantee him north of $70 million given the neighborhood he is about to move into.

    There is no reason for him to risk losing that life-changing $70 million by injuring himself during a voluntary practice in May or June.

    Better for him to play things safe until the contract is wrapped up and the money is in the bank before stepping back onto the field.

    At least during this phase of the process.

    If the two sides haven’t reached an accord come the end of July, that’s a whole other story. Donald doesn’t seem like a guy who is going to officially hold out of when the Rams report to training camp. Not with two years left on his deal and fines coming into play and the public relations impact it would create.

    But that’s a long ways off, relatively speaking.

    And the sense you get talking to Snead and others in the organization, everything is moving in the right direction and while they might be haggling on a few issues, it seems like both sides have a pretty good idea of Donald’s monetary value.

    And what might that be?

    It seems doubtful Donald will get the absurd amount of money the Dolphins gave Suh, which included a $25,500,000 signing bonus, $59,955,000 guaranteed for an average yearly salary of $19 million.

    It’s been three years since the Dolphins gave Suh that contract, and it’s yet to be topped by another defensive tackle. In fact, Denver defensive end Von Miller barely nudged ahead of Suh last year when he signed a six-year, $114,500,000 with a $17 million signing bonus and $70 million guaranteed for an average annual salary of $19,083,333.

    Donald, as good as he is – and he’s better than Suh – won’t get to that level.

    But it’s not unreasonable to think he won’t land a contract exceeding what the Eagles gave Fletcher, as he’s the superior player and a year younger.

    That means somewhere in the neighborhood of six years, $110 million with a $25 million signing bonus and $70 million guaranteed.

    #69177
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    It is in everyone’s interest to get a contract done.

    Reading around the net, it appears that some are seeing this as a Donald hold-out. From what the reporters are saying, it sounds more like it’s a case of the contract being close and Donald, with the complete understanding of the front office, not wanting to risk injury by practicing. I really think that’s all this is. Any controversy around it I see as just being a foggy drizzle in Barbie doll teacup.

    .

    I agree.

    Agamemnon

    #69178
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    #69179
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    #69183
    Avatar photonittany ram
    Moderator

    Oh great. Donald’s absence obviously means he wants to be traded. It couldn’t mean anything but that.

    Hopefully the Rams can capitalize on this and come out ahead like they did when they traded Dickerson and Bettis.

    #69194
    Avatar photosnowman
    Participant

    Oh great. Donald’s absence obviously means he wants to be traded. It couldn’t mean anything but that.

    Hopefully the Rams can capitalize on this and come out ahead like they did when they traded Dickerson and Bettis.

    Like a special prosecutor, maybe the Rams will bring back Jay Zygmunt to negotiate with Donald. What could go wrong?

    #69197
    JackPMiller
    Participant

    He is not in camp not only just for money, but we missed out on both Ethan Pocic and Pat Elflein. In his words we needed to draft a Center early. 😁😁😁😁

    #69198
    Avatar photosnowman
    Participant

    Jack, we can trade him for Pocic and bump our draft grade up to a solid ‘B’.

    #69212
    JackPMiller
    Participant

    Jack, we can trade him for Pocic and bump our draft grade up to a solid ‘B’.

    I was joking. It was supposed to be, Aaron Donald was not happy not drafting Ethan Pocic or Pat Elflein. Need to work on my sense of humor, a little more.

    #69219
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Rams’ Aaron Donald skipping OTAs while team, reps talk extension

    Alden Gonzalez

    http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19440137/los-angeles-rams-dl-aaron-donald-missing-otas-negotiating-contract-extension

    THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Aaron Donald, the game’s best interior pass-rusher, was absent from the first day of the Los Angeles Rams’ organized team activities on Monday, while he and his representatives at CAA continued to negotiate a potential extension.

    Rams general manager Les Snead confirmed that Donald’s absence “has something to do with the contract” and said he is “very hopeful that this thing will get done.”

    Donald recently had his fifth-year option picked up, but that was always considered something of a placeholder while he and the Rams went back and forth on an extension. The No. 13 overall pick in 2014 will be paid a base salary of about $1.8 million in 2017 and $6.9 million in 2018, then will be eligible for free agency.

    Donald’s representatives at CAA were not immediately available for comment. But Snead said at the NFL combine in early March that Donald “deserves a raise,” then said Monday that the Rams are “definitely at the serious stages of renegotiating” his contract.

    “We like Aaron,” Snead said. “There’s no doubt he’s a really good player. We want him to be a Ram. That’s our goal. I think his goal is to be a Ram, and that’s what we’re working toward.”

    Donald has been invited to the Pro Bowl each of his three NFL seasons and was first-team All-Pro the past two years. In 2015 and ’16, he was considered the game’s best defensive player, regardless of position, by Pro Football Focus. Last season alone, he led the NFL with 31 quarterback hits, was tied for the lead with 17 tackles for loss, and added eight sacks.

    Rams rookie head coach Sean McVay said Donald was present for the voluntary veteran minicamp from April 25-27 and had been a part of most of the team’s offseason program. Participating in OTAs is voluntary, but players are required to show up for the minicamp that runs from June 13-15.

    “Everything’s good with Aaron,” McVay said. “We expected him not to be here today, but what we have seen from Aaron this offseason, in terms of the effort, the way that he’s competed — we’ve been very pleased with him.”

    The Rams don’t have much of any cap space remaining, but could pay Donald more money in 2017 by virtue of a signing bonus, which is traditionally paid in a lump sum but is spread out over the course of a contract with regards to the salary cap.

    Roster bonuses and restructuring other contracts can also allow Donald to be paid more money up front. A source with knowledge of the negotiations said the Rams’ cap space in 2017 “isn’t an impediment” with Donald’s contract. The team is set up to have $43 million on cap space in 2018, currently fifth most in the NFL.

    Another option could be signing cornerback Trumaine Johnson to an extension, which would likely mean he makes less in 2017 than the $16.7 million he’s on track to receive under his second consecutive franchise tag. But Snead said the Rams won’t pursue extension talks with Johnson until after OTAs wrap up.

    Any extension for Donald might require making him the game’s highest-paid defensive player, though he could be willing to sacrifice some of that in order to make more in his two seasons before free agency.

    The game’s highest-paid defensive player is Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, who signed a six-year, $114.5 million contract, with $70 million guaranteed, last July. After Miller are a couple of defensive tackles: Ndamukong Suh of the Dolphins (six years, $114.375 million with nearly $60 million guaranteed) and Fletcher Cox of the Eagles (six-year, $102.6 million contract with nearly $63.3 million guaranteed).

    J.J. Watt — the only one among the five highest-paid defensive players to get an extension before his fourth season — got a six-year deal worth about $100 million with nearly $52 million guaranteed with the Texans.

    But that was in 2014.

    “You always look at comparisons,” Snead said, smirking a bit. “We always do that, right?”

    #69220
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    rams can’t possibly screw this up can they?

    #69222
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    Last year we did several posts on the Salary Cap, positional spending (franchise tag as % of the Cap), different Salary Cap Models. Some significant details are: the franchise number for DT’s is ~8.0% of the Cap. the highest paid defensive players are DEs @ 10.0% of the Cap, a QB gets ~13.0% of the cap.
    The average Salary Cap over the next 6 or 7 years will approach $200M. So, for an average number, we are right at $20M/yr. But, Donald is under contract for $3M this year and $7M next year. The franchise number for 2019 will be about $19M.

    Donald would like to be paid what he is worth. Let’s say $20M/yr. But, he is under contract to get only $5M/yr for the next 2 years. That would leave him ~$30M dollars short of his value. He can’t make up that money by holding out, at least no the money he will lose this year. In theory Donald can get more money up front and the Rams can get a slightly lower number overall.

    Talking about how this affects other players is in fact talking about how your want to structure your Salary Cap. That being how much and how many of your top players you want to fit under the Cap. Which can be 8, 10, 12, or even 14 players for as much as 60 to 64 percent of your cap.

    link: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/some-thoughts-on-salary-cap-numbers-qb/
    link: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/rams-53-man-roster-projection-includes-five-first-round-picks-on-defensive-line-2/
    link: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/one-kind-of-roster-model/

    That is why I suggested that the guaranteed money should be about $45M for the first 3 years. If it isn’t close to that, then I think we should try to trade him.

    Let’s project a $200M Salary Cap. With $120M used for the 8-14 premium players. Subtract 20M for Donald, 26M for a QB, that leaves 74M for the rest of the premium players. Maybe 7 more players at 10-11M/yr. That is the kind of Cap Model* Seattle runs.

    The gross money for Donald’s contract has probably already been figured. They are probably working out how and how much the guaranteed money will be structured. imo

    • This reply was modified 7 years, 7 months ago by Avatar photoAgamemnon.

    Agamemnon

    #69226
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    The Rams have 11 players using 62% of the Cap. It should be 65%. Because when I checked they figured it on the total value of all the contracts for 90 players. It would be 65% on a Cap of $167 million.

    • This reply was modified 7 years, 7 months ago by Avatar photoAgamemnon.

    Agamemnon

    #69247
    Avatar photosnowman
    Participant

    Jack, we can trade him for Pocic and bump our draft grade up to a solid ‘B’.

    I was joking. It was supposed to be, Aaron Donald was not happy not drafting Ethan Pocic or Pat Elflein. Need to work on my sense of humor, a little more.

    I was joking too buddy. It’s all good.

    #69248
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    I read that Donald is asking $125M over 6 yrs., with $70M guaranteed.
    I am ok with the $125M for 6 years. $70M guaranteed is too high. imo
    But, not all guaranteed money is equal. What an agent brags about is not always what is an absolute guarantee.
    What an agent asks for is not what he will settle for. imo
    I see no problems at this time.

    Agamemnon

    #69249
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    I read that Donald is asking $125M over 6 yrs., with $70M guaranteed.

    There’s a fear that they might have to cut someone in 2017 cause of this deal. I don’t see it. They could convert his 2017 money into a signing bonus and then park a huge guaranteed roster bonus in 2018. That is, as long as they have 2018 cap space (which of course they do) then they can leave 2017 relatively alone.

    #69250
    Avatar photoZooey
    Moderator

    I’m not going to OTAs, either, and what do I get? Nothing.

    Just another example of the disparities in our system.

    #69251
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    I read that Donald is asking $125M over 6 yrs., with $70M guaranteed.

    There’s a fear that they might have to cut someone in 2017 cause of this deal. I don’t see it. They could convert his 2017 money into a signing bonus and then park a huge guaranteed roster bonus in 2018. That is, as long as they have 2018 cap space (which of course they do) then they can leave 2017 relatively alone.

    As I see it, the deal is “How do you want to model your Salary Cap?”. I prefer the “Keep your very best players if you get value.”. Value is subjective. They can certainly manipulate the salary, as you suggest. That is why I think the guaranteed money will be spread over 3 years. I think they prefer yearly roster bonuses to a signing bonus, although they might use both methods. And just guaranteeing the base salary for a number of years.

    They still need to find 6 or 7 million for operating expenses for 2017. I would cut, if I could, Trumaine Johnson. I think his contract sux.
    But, they can work the Salary Cap and fit it all in or just make a judgement on how they want to structure their Cap Model going forward. I don’t see it as a big deal.

    Ogletree is on the books for 8.4 million this year. They could extend him and work his figure to help the Cap for this year. Cut Harkey for minor savings. Convert Barron’s base salary of 5 million. They might be able to convert some salary to incentives? I am not sure that works, but maybe they can? I think they could do more, but I would not recommend it.

    Agamemnon

    #69252
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    I’m not going to OTAs, either, and what do I get? Nothing.

    You ran a 9.7 40.

    Not sure what you were expecting.

    .

    #69256
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    even if by some chance they had to cut a player, i’d do it.

    i don’t understand this salary cap stuff so i trust you guys when you say it isn’t necessary, but even if it was, i mean how many times do you come across a player of donald’s caliber at a position like his? he is the best of the best at a difficult position. maybe the third hardest position to fill outside of quarterback and defensive end?

    you don’t let a player like that go.

    • This reply was modified 7 years, 7 months ago by Avatar photoInvaderRam.
    #69262
    Avatar photoZooey
    Moderator

    I’m not going to OTAs, either, and what do I get? Nothing.

    You ran a 9.7 40.

    Not sure what you were expecting.

    .

    It was windy.

    #69263
    sanbagger
    Participant

    I read that Donald is asking $125M over 6 yrs., with $70M guaranteed.

    There’s a fear that they might have to cut someone in 2017 cause of this deal. I don’t see it. They could convert his 2017 money into a signing bonus and then park a huge guaranteed roster bonus in 2018. That is, as long as they have 2018 cap space (which of course they do) then they can leave 2017 relatively alone.

    As I see it, the deal is “How do you want to model your Salary Cap?”. I prefer the “Keep your very best players if you get value.”. Value is subjective. They can certainly manipulate the salary, as you suggest. That is why I think the guaranteed money will be spread over 3 years. I think they prefer yearly roster bonuses to a signing bonus, although they might use both methods. And just guaranteeing the base salary for a number of years.

    They still need to find 6 or 7 million for operating expenses for 2017. I would cut, if I could, Trumaine Johnson. I think his contract sux.
    But, they can work the Salary Cap and fit it all in or just make a judgement on how they want to structure their Cap Model going forward. I don’t see it as a big deal.

    Ogletree is on the books for 8.4 million this year. They could extend him and work his figure to help the Cap for this year. Cut Harkey for minor savings. Convert Barron’s base salary of 5 million. They might be able to convert some salary to incentives? I am not sure that works, but maybe they can? I think they could do more, but I would not recommend it.&

    I think they’ll give him a sizable signing bonus paid up front but prorated through the contract.

    His cap hit is already only around 3 mil this year..he could end up taking home 20 mil this year but only cost around 6 mil…that would only be 3 mil of cap space they have to come up WITH.

    I really don’t see it being a problem fitting it in….I think they may be having more of a hard time figuring out the guaranteed money at this point.

    The Rams have been pretty stead fast with front loading all their contracts so they have an out around 3-4 years…I don’t see that trend ending now.

    #69275
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    I read that Donald is asking $125M over 6 yrs., with $70M guaranteed.

    There’s a fear that they might have to cut someone in 2017 cause of this deal. I don’t see it. They could convert his 2017 money into a signing bonus and then park a huge guaranteed roster bonus in 2018. That is, as long as they have 2018 cap space (which of course they do) then they can leave 2017 relatively alone.

    As I see it, the deal is “How do you want to model your Salary Cap?”. I prefer the “Keep your very best players if you get value.”. Value is subjective. They can certainly manipulate the salary, as you suggest. That is why I think the guaranteed money will be spread over 3 years. I think they prefer yearly roster bonuses to a signing bonus, although they might use both methods. And just guaranteeing the base salary for a number of years.

    They still need to find 6 or 7 million for operating expenses for 2017. I would cut, if I could, Trumaine Johnson. I think his contract sux.
    But, they can work the Salary Cap and fit it all in or just make a judgement on how they want to structure their Cap Model going forward. I don’t see it as a big deal.

    Ogletree is on the books for 8.4 million this year. They could extend him and work his figure to help the Cap for this year. Cut Harkey for minor savings. Convert Barron’s base salary of 5 million. They might be able to convert some salary to incentives? I am not sure that works, but maybe they can? I think they could do more, but I would not recommend it.&

    I think they’ll give him a sizable signing bonus paid up front but prorated through the contract.

    His cap hit is already only around 3 mil this year..he could end up taking home 20 mil this year but only cost around 6 mil…that would only be 3 mil of cap space they have to come up WITH.

    I really don’t see it being a problem fitting it in….I think they may be having more of a hard time figuring out the guaranteed money at this point.

    The Rams have been pretty stead fast with front loading all their contracts so they have an out around 3-4 years…I don’t see that trend ending now.

    This is an extension, not a new contract. In fact, it is an unusual 2 year extension. That means the typical front loading won’t/can’t occur. Although they will still try to give themselves the earliest out possible. That is why you are seeing more and more roster bonuses as opposed to signing bonuses. imo
    Also, signing bonuses are typically paid out in full at the front end of the contract. Teams would rather not do that. They prefer to spread it out. Andy benoit has some good stuff in various podcasts about how contracts are seen and negotiated.

    Agamemnon

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