Rob0729

Yes. Franchise tag numbers still count against the cap and he actually signed his tender. So technically, he is no longer a franchised player, but a player under contract.

HomerSchooled

So who are going to be the big winners in FA this season? Looks like Chicago is poised to spend big again, and they'll probably want to grab a bit of the spotlight back from Green Bay. Tampa and KC may be appealing to free agents as teams on the rise with plenty of cash to spend. I keep hearing Philly's itching to make a move. St. Louis could be a draw for one of the big receivers. Any guesses on who may head where?

Here's my shot in the dark: Santonio Holmes goes elsewhere and takes the big money that the Jets can't give him. Considering all the maneuvering the Jets already did before the lockout, it's hard to believe they'll be able to manage market value for any of their bigger free agents. I think that means Holmes and Cromartie walk, and to save face the Jets manage to resign one or a couple of Edwards, Ellis, or Pool.

BlueThunder

That sounds about right...but certain Jet fans think that their Gang Green is going to be ok and Tangenius will pull a rabbit out of the hat.....

Will be fun watching them scramble to field as effective a team as they had last season....

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My guns are no threat to anyone who isn't trying to deprive me or my family of life,liberty or property. They are,however, EXTREMELY dangerous to anyone who threatens to take those things.

MoLewisrocks

They had been working on cleaning up their cap position for a couple of seasons and they took full advantage of what they could do last season in absorbing all of Haynesworth's $21M option in the uncapped season. They can now cut him if they want to and save more. The cap is a little like life, takes money to make money (or cap room).

BlueThunder

There are a few teams that can sign just about anyone they go after...

HOW did Tampa get that much under ??????

__________________
My guns are no threat to anyone who isn't trying to deprive me or my family of life,liberty or property. They are,however, EXTREMELY dangerous to anyone who threatens to take those things.

HomerSchooled

Honestly, it's hard to see how they resign anyone given they already trimmed their obvious fat (Woody, Jenkins, Taylor, Gholston). Signing Harris long term may free up a couple million, but not enough to pay ANY of their free agents a starter's salary.

I'm not an expert, and I'm actually expecting them to pull a rabbit out of their hat in some way. As far as I can tell, they can't sign anyone, so I'm guessing they'll manage to resign a couple players. But Holmes and Cromartie could each pull as much as or maybe even more than 8 million a year on the open market, and it's hard to believe there's anything the Jets could do to keep those two around.

BlueThunder

I forgot about them losing JT.....he wasn't spectacular, but was a solid player for them....vets like that are tough to replace...

__________________
My guns are no threat to anyone who isn't trying to deprive me or my family of life,liberty or property. They are,however, EXTREMELY dangerous to anyone who threatens to take those things.

PatsWickedPissah

Tamper is cheap. They're a prima facie example why the NFLPA* (justifiably in my view) want a high salary floor. Tamper signed lots of young players. Got a blind squirrel hit the QB lottery and drafted some good players. But despite contending for a playoff spot into December, they couldn't fill the stadium and had weekly blackouts.

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BradyFTW!

From what I've seen, the Jets will probably have to sign Harris long term, restructure Sanchez, and cut Bryan Thomas if they want to make significant headway with the cap.

HomerSchooled

Cutting Bryan Thomas seems nuts to me. He's arguably got the friendliest contract on the team. He lead the team in sacks, and he's only making 3.7 million for the year. Given that many thought they had troubles rushing the passer last season, they've got no upcoming youth behind him, and their 3rd and 4th team leaders in sacks are already FAs, I doubt they could put his cap value to any better use. Tomlinson seems like a feasible cut at 3.1 million, but he was their leading rusher last year, and nobody behind him really lived up to expectations. The point is, there's no one they could cut without obviously harming the team.

Restructuring Sanchez and signing Harris long term seems the obvious answer, but that can only go so far. Harris will be looking for at least 8 million a year, and given that his fellow (and certainly inferior) ILB Bart Scott is already making that, he may even end up closer to 9 million a year. They'll likely only be able to save 1-2 million off the franchise tag with him. As for restructuring Sanchez, I haven't a clue. Tons of QBs have done it in the past, and it's not like Sanchez is going to give up any money. What's the history for these sorts of deals? What's usually gained?