The uncapped year is 2010, not 2009. 2009 will operate under a cap but exacerbated by the rules for an expiring CBA. Those effect contract negotiation via limits on amortization and salary backloading. There are also rules to limit the ability of playoff teams to sign FA.
Not sure when a strike or lockout might occur, but that is another thing to plan for. But if it was as early as 2009 then teams would all be reluctant to be handing out bonus money this year, and they don't seem to be. So maybe it's 2011 - in which case bonus money this season wouldn't be a concern since you would essentially be paying for 2-3 years in advance and those would occur pre work stoppage. You want nothing on the books but salary you won't pay in a strike year.
Thing is, and I don't know what the situation is across the league, we only have 5 players signed through 2010, and just 1 beyond that - Ty Warren. Brady should be locked down through retirement before any of this unfolds, which would mean a new deal or extension this year. I assume that will cost them AT LEAST $30M in some form of bonus/guaranteed money. So maybe they are eschewing large bonuses elsewhere this year for that reason. It's not always just about cap space, it's cash resources. And they may also be earmarking some of the next couple of seasons revenue to cover debt service in the event of a strike or lockout when no one will have revenue streams but teams will still have expenses unless they want to risk losing not just their on but off field talent (scouts, coaches, administrators) to a new renegade league.