If Stewart is not here it won't be because Hurney didn't try and sign him, it will because Stewart wants to go elsewhere. It is Stewart who is supposedly not negotiating. Tolbert was brought in because Stewart wouldn't negotiate from what I can tell. Could we keep both of them? I think so. Williams will count around 8 million cap space next year (4.75 million salary). Stewart will count his prorated signing bonus next year and a nominal salary which is very typical the first year of a contract. If it was like William's contract he will cost 3.2 million in prorated signing bonus and likely 1.5 million in salary. His will be backloaded while WIlliams was somewhat front loaded. So between them it will likely be roughly 13 million. With Tolbert it will be 15 million. How is that much different than this year where Williams costs 8.5 million cap space, Stewart is 2.6 million and Tolbert is 2 million? So we can afford 13 million this year but can't afford 15 million next year??
The reality is that if we can't afford them next year, we can't afford them this year. I think we can afford them this year and can do so again next year. With the increased cap space in 2014 and likelihood that Wiliams will be done in a few years, it makes keeping Stewart both very doable but desirable. If he isn't here it will be by his own making not Hurney's.
Cam is signed through 2014 with an option year already built in 2015. There is absolutely no reason to worry about extending him before 2014 at the earliest. We only have to worry about 2013 and as I just showed a few posts ago, the increase next year to keep Stewart will likely be around 2 million dollars. Not the king's ransom some of you suggest or that much more than we are spendiing this year. With the cap space likely to go up by 20-30 million in 2014, there is not a huge crisis here.
20 million is way overstated. we will spend 13 million this year and likely 15 million next year assuming we keep all three. If we can't afford them next year, we can't afford them this year either,
Sure it is. Cap space is not the same as Salary. Wwe can sign him to a big contract but since he gets the signing bonus up front he doesn't need a big salary. So we have a cap friendly contract for 2013, he gets a fat signing bonus and the majority of the contract is deferred until 2014 or later when the cap increases. Meanwhile William's cap hit if we release him goes down every year so that by 2014 if we do a June 1st release we have a very manageable 3 million a year in dead cap space if hee tailss off his production. If he stay productive the 16 million will be only 1/10th of the cap hit in 2014.
If we trade Stewart it is because we know we can't sign him long-term and can't afford to tag him and pay him 8 million next year. The ball is in his court.
Thanks, you've given me a lot of hope that keeping my favorite player for the long haul isn't impossible. With the increase in cap next season and salary cap shenanigans, I'm starting to think we really can bring Stewart back if we wanted (we do). People can talk all day about spending too much in the backfield, but you're right about us having a lot of money invested in the backfield as of right now. If we are okay with spending that much right now, what's a little more going to hurt considering the increase in salary cap? 13 million doesn't hurt us right now, but 15-17 million next season will kill us?
I can't believe there's people that support giving up the best running back in the league without a fight, especially with the possibility of tagging him and making a team give up a first rounder to take him from us. Stop begging for 3rd rounders guys, we're not out of time or options yet. Stop valuing picks over our own players too. You guys are just as shallow and pathetic as bandwagoners. It's embarrassing.
Good argument about spending 1/6th of the cap last season on two lineman on an average line. Puts it all in perspective I suppose. Oh Hurney, please work that magic of yours that I doubt ever so often.
