Reminders about the 2008 cap
 

While I have this in bold on my future cap hits page
"Please note that these figures do NOT include any escalators or incentives that players may reach"

I continue to see posts about the Patriots 2008 cap picture that do not mention the fact that each and every year there are
1.) Patriot players who reach NTLBE incentives. Example - Dillon in 2004. Moss in 2007
2.) Patriots players who reach salary escalator clauses. Example - Wilson's 2007 salary
3.) that are ERFAs and RFA who have to be tendered an offer. In 2008 Alexander, Eckel, and Gemara Williams will be ERFAs and Wright will be an RFA.

It has been reported that the following players have escalator clauses in their contracts which may increase their 2008 salary.
Wilfork - as much as $4 million
Watson - as much as $2.4 million
Hobbs - maximum escalator amount unknown
Kaczur - maximum escalator amount unknown
Hochstein - as much as $800,000
Green - maximum escalator amount unknown

I am not sure about this but Vrabel may also have escalator clause in his contract.

Moss is well on his way to earning $2 million in NTLBE incentives. That 2 million has to be accounted for. Given the Patriots' success offensively and defensively it seems reasonable to presume that other players will also have reached their NTLBE incentives.

For 2008, the RFA tender levels will be --

$927,000 = original draft pick compensation (but a second-rounder if the player was a first-round pick)
$1.417 million = second-round pick
$2.017 million = first-round pick
$2.562 million = first- and third-round picks

Whatever the amount of the RFA tender offer to Wright is it needs to be accounted when one talks about the Patriots 2008 salary cap picture.

Re: Reminders about the 2008 cap
 

does this basically mean they are coming close or over the cap?

Re: Reminders about the 2008 cap
 

Basically, it seems safe to presume that after the reached NTLBE incentives and escalator clauses are factored in the Patriots will be a great deal closer to the 2008 cap limit than they are now.

Basically, what I am trying to say that my numbers are a snapshot in time. What is true now may not and will not be true in late February/early March.

Re: Reminders about the 2008 cap
 

Personnel dept. has done such a tremendous job. There's star quality and depth everywhere on this team. Only a matter of time until we lose some good players. That's the way it is in the NFL. Let's enjoy this historic roll and fret about who's leaving after our Parade Feb 6th.

Re: Reminders about the 2008 cap
 

If the Patriots front office can build a great team in 2007 while also focusing on the future, I see no reason why their fans can not also enjoy the present while discussing the future.

Re: Reminders about the 2008 cap
 

Didn't mean we couldn't talk about it Miguel. Just hate to speculate whom might be leaving.

Re: Reminders about the 2008 cap
 

Let's zoom straight to the conclusion.

I think the biggest question marks as to what the Pats can or can't afford are:

Moss
Samuel
A hypothetical Very High Draft Pick
Stallworth

All other variables seem smaller by comparison.

Assuming that enough is otherwise budgeted for depth and the middle class -- e.g., Gay and Wright stay with non-trivial bumps, but Wilson goes -- and that the Patriots wind up using, say, the #5 overall pick, how much money do you estimate will be left over for Moss, Samuel or a replacement for him, and Stallworth?

Before any cap money is pushed via restructuring to future years, of course ...

Re: Reminders about the 2008 cap
 

There is something to be said for ignoring the future, but some of us like to see the big picture. As one who does look at the Pats situation present and future, I would hate for the providing of news and info to be discouraged because some folks can't enjoy the present if they consider the future.

Let's let those who want to discuss it, go ahead and discuss it, and those who don't, simply move on to another thread. That way everyone should be happy. At least I will be :D

Re: Reminders about the 2008 cap
 

No, No, No Miguel all this is not true. We are using our first round pick to sign McFadden to a $64 million dollar deal just like Calvin Johnson's last year, sign Moss for 3-4 years at $30 million, sign Asante at $40 million, keep Stallworth on the books, extend Wilfork, and sign all our draft picks.

We play fantasy football here in NE, and not worry abou tthe cap.:rolleyes:

Re: Reminders about the 2008 cap
 

At the same time, how much money will the Patriots roll into next year from this year's cap?

Miguel has the Pats around $6mm+ under the cap. $5mm or so could be pushed into next year, as they did last year (when this year was last year's next year, as Bugs might say).

Is that stuff reported?

If they bump $5mm into next year, that's also a non-trivial impact, and would cover some of those NLTBE increases.

(By the way, isn't it Not Likely To Be Earned, not NTLBE? Or am I mis-acronymizing?)