PFT: Last Capped Year Looking Likely

[alamo]

Re: PFT:Last Capped Year Looking Likely

I don't believe that the union will play with no CBA in effect. An uncapped year is part of the current agreement.

It's certainly likely that a deal would get done before expiration, but even if not I would be surprised if they strike or are locked out. Players are so much better off than 15 years ago, and would be very unlikely to be able to make up any strike losses. And owners, for all their moaning, aren't really doing so badly.

I have heard most likely the union would decertify themselves, which can be a trigger to all sorts of things. But I know little labor law so don't know what.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: PFT:Last Capped Year Looking Likely

No one has mentioned the fact that it will be tougher for players to become a free agent, the time before UFA increases from 4 to 6 years. I am pretty sure 6th year players will be restricted free agents like 4th year players are now, though I am not certain offhand whether 4th and 5th year players will be RFA or exclusive rights.

I'm virtually certain that the 4th/5th-year players become RFAs.

I believe the reason the final year under the CBA is uncapped, rather than letting it expire and then being uncapped, is because upon expiration the same rules as currently in effect stay in effect.

Not entirely. For example, if the CBA goes poof after 2010, in 2011 there is no draft.

When will these go into effect...in 09?? 10? How eill NOT having a CBA influence the FA market and draft of next year? ARe there other restrictions or other poisin pills that will be in effect next year? 10?

As I stated, those rules would take effect for the 2010 offseason. There are some rules regarding the structures of contracts that run into uncapped years, but I don't remember what they are. (Disturbingly, I more or less remembered exactly what the rules were for the so-called "Final Eight" plan, except for the exact salaries involved. . . . ) Other than those preexisting rules that still apply, however, I don't think there are any "new" rules that come into play for 2009.

 

[alamo]

Re: PFT:Last Capped Year Looking Likely

An interesting link with lots of info about the last capped year etc. : Three, three letter acronyms: NFL CBAFAQ - Turf Show Times

I'm virtually certain that the 4th/5th-year players become RFAs.

The link above agrees.

Not entirely. For example, if the CBA goes poof after 2010, in 2011 there is no draft.

The link above disagrees, though doesn't say why. And I don't understand why everything else could stay the same but the draft changes. Perhaps the draft being ended may be based more on potential decertification of the union which could lead to loss of the antitrust exemption, but I am not sure.

As I stated, those rules would take effect for the 2010 offseason. There are some rules regarding the structures of contracts that run into uncapped years, but I don't remember what they are. (Disturbingly, I more or less remembered exactly what the rules were for the so-called "Final Eight" plan, except for the exact salaries involved. . . . ) Other than those preexisting rules that still apply, however, I don't think there are any "new" rules that come into play for 2009.

The other page lists them:

Q. Now that 2009 is the last capped year, are there rules that impact player contract negotiations and a club’s salary cap planning?

A. Yes. Here are the key differences:

§ After the last game of the 2008 regular season, signing bonus proration is reduced from a maximum of six years to a maximum of five years.

§ In 2009, there is no June 1 rule for Signing Bonus acceleration. If a player is removed from the roster or his contract is assigned via waivers or trade at any time in the 2009 League Year, any unamortized signing bonus will be immediately included in Team Salary.

§ There is no year-end netting of incentives in 2009. Not-likely-to-be-earned incentives are charged to team salary immediately when earned, and likely-to-be-earned incentives are deducted when they are no longer possible to earn.

§ Guaranteed salary from 2010 and beyond is reallocated to capped years unless the entire 2009 salary is guaranteed.

§ 50% of guaranteed salary in any League Year beyond 2012 is reallocated to capped years.

§ The 30% increase rule restricts salary increases from 2009 to 2010. For example: a player with a $500,000 Salary in 2009 would be limited to annual salary increases of $150,000 ($500,000 x 30%) beginning in 2010.

§ A team can include only three veteran team incentives in a player contract covering 2009 and beyond. These incentives must also be coupled with a playtime requirement. Previously, clubs were limited to eight team incentives and no playtime requirement.

2009 will see teams carry players they'd rather cut, because the entire remaining signing bonus proration will immediately hit the cap. We will see teams having to cut players to get under the cap.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: PFT:Last Capped Year Looking Likely

The link above disagrees, though doesn't say why. And I don't understand why everything else could stay the same but the draft changes. Perhaps the draft being ended may be based more on potential decertification of the union which could lead to loss of the antitrust exemption, but I am not sure.

Actually, it's because I mis-remembered what the rule says; in any case, the basic principle of the draft is embedded in the CBA.

Section 1. Time of Draft: There shall be an Annual Selection Meeting (the “College Draft” or “Draft”) each League Year during the term of this Agreement and in the League Year immediately following the expiration or termination of this Agreement, with respect to which the following rules shall apply:

So, if I'm not mistaken, a draft is guaranteed in 2011, but not in 2012.

 

[Pats726]

So with preperation of uncapped years being in place..(by March 09) What are the chances once this process is started for teams (preparing for uncapped years) that a CBA can be in agreement?? I really have to wonder...

 

[mgteich]

Re: PFT:Last Capped Year Looking Likely

I agree with your comments. I did NOT say that a deal is likely to be signed. I said that the union is unlikely to play without a deal. Lockout, deal or strike.

It's certainly likely that a deal would get done before expiration, but even if not I would be surprised if they strike or are locked out. Players are so much better off than 15 years ago, and would be very unlikely to be able to make up any strike losses. And owners, for all their moaning, aren't really doing so badly.

I have heard most likely the union would decertify themselves, which can be a trigger to all sorts of things. But I know little labor law so don't know what.

 

[Pats726]

Re: PFT:Last Capped Year Looking Likely

An interesting link with lots of info about the last capped year etc. : Three, three letter acronyms: NFL CBAFAQ - Turf Show Times


The link above agrees.

The link above disagrees, though doesn't say why. And I don't understand why everything else could stay the same but the draft changes. Perhaps the draft being ended may be based more on potential decertification of the union which could lead to loss of the antitrust exemption, but I am not sure.



The other page lists them:


2009 will see teams carry players they'd rather cut, because the entire remaining signing bonus proration will immediately hit the cap. We will see teams having to cut players to get under the cap.

So basically all deferred money...(signing bonuses) will be brought to the 09 season...I wonder HOW that will affect the league? What teams have MORE money tied up in future years..Whether some teams might have trouble fitting ALL under a cap for 09??

 

[alamo]

Re: PFT:Last Capped Year Looking Likely

So basically all deferred money...(signing bonuses) will be brought to the 09 season...

Not ALL deferred money. Only if the player is waived or traded, or in some cases if their salary is guaranteed (different from a signing bonus). If a player with lots of deferred money stays on the roster nothing changes.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: PFT:Last Capped Year Looking Likely

So basically all deferred money...(signing bonuses) will be brought to the 09 season...I wonder HOW that will affect the league? What teams have MORE money tied up in future years..Whether some teams might have trouble fitting ALL under a cap for 09??

Not all deferred money, just the remaining bonus prorations for players who are waived, and portions of certain guaranteed payments.

 

[Pats726]

Re: PFT:Last Capped Year Looking Likely

Not all deferred money, just the remaining bonus prorations for players who are waived, and portions of certain guaranteed payments.

Thanks...and does anyone really know HOW MUCH that will hurt teams? Ut seems like a detail..but it could have a large impact..no?? OR maybe not...more curious...

 

[VJCPatriot]

I wonder what this means long term for the league???

It means that Snyder can go even more crazy in the free agent market and end up bankrupting his team because he's paying out more than the revenue coming in.

Meanwhile the Pats can finally afford not to go 'cheap' on FA pickups and get some premier players.

 

[alamo]

Re: PFT:Last Capped Year Looking Likely

Thanks...and does anyone really know HOW MUCH that will hurt teams? Ut seems like a detail..but it could have a large impact..no?? OR maybe not...more curious...

Under the present rules, if they cut someone after June 1 they keep the normal already-on-the-cap bonus proration but the remaining years go to next year's cap. This is set up that way so that a training camp or in-season cut doesn't suddenly increase the cap charge and require immediate action to stay under the cap. Under the last-capped-year rules a cut of a player with lots of bonus money in future seasons could cause a situation where a team is suddenly millions over the cap and other players need to be cut within 24 hours to get back under it. I don't expect this to happen much, though, as it will actually make more sense to carry that player for the rest of the year.

I am more concerned about the effect of NLTBE incentives suddenly being added to the cap the day they are earned. Teams will probably guard against that by being unwilling to spend as close to the cap as they would have, so there's a buffer. But some teams may be unwilling or unable to do that.

All in all the effects are manageable if a team has a plan and some sense, but it will definitely add some twists to salary cap and personnel management.

It means that Snyder can go even more crazy in the free agent market and end up bankrupting his team because he's paying out more than the revenue coming in.

Meanwhile the Pats can finally afford not to go 'cheap' on FA pickups and get some premier players.

That's only true as long as a team doesn't fall under the "final eight" rules by going deep in the playoffs. Which is relatively easy for the Redskins and for Jerry Jones to do, but hard for the Patriots