Warrick Holdman

Are there any players that will/could restructure their contracts in '06, won't that help with the cap space also?

You think Lavar would restructure again after all that...Brunell will be cut or retire that year. Does anyone know if the cap hit is the same if you cut a player or if he retires? I know that if you cut or trade a guy you have to count the whole bonus but not the contract, other than that Im not sure.

I am pretty sure that a retirement accelerates the bonus in the same as a cut. I don't remember the player but I am pretty sure a couple of years ago a (moderately well known) player worked out a deal where they filed their retirement papers after June 1 to lessen the cap hit on the team.

Did Ken Harvey not do something like this? Although, I'm not sure we could call Ken 'moderately' well known. I could be wrong. Just seems to ring a bell.

Also, how about Irving Fryar?

What are we doing paying Bruce Smith 2 million ++. I know we wavied him, but I thought he retired.

Because he was waived, the remnants of his signing bonus were accelerated. Although he has indicated that he is retiring, I do not believe he has filed the appropriate paperwork with the league. Technically, he can still sign with someone else.

Not to sound dumb, but why didn't we have him retire instead of waive to save cap space? Or is he planning to retire as a Bill and would it affect him retiring there?

To answer the quetion about Holdman, from KFFL.com (4/5/04)



Lions Offer Holdman 2 year Deal

Sources have told ProFootballCentral.com that the Detroit Lions have offered Free Agent LB Warrick Holdman (Bears) a 2 year contract. Holdman, who also has visited Cleveland, St Louis ,Seattle and Washington has been a coveted linebacker in Free Agency. Holdman has played in 59 games (47 starts) during the past five seasons recording 346 career tackles in 5 seasons forced eight fumbles, recorded one interception, one fumble recovery and had 3.5 sacks. Detroit is the only team to offer Holdman a deal so far due to some teams questioning how healthy his surgically repaired knee is and is expected to make a decision by Thursday.

Not to sound dumb, but why didn't we have him retire instead of waive to save cap space? Or is he planning to retire as a Bill and would it affect him retiring there?


I am pretty sure retirement acts just like a waiver in that the salary cap hit gets accelerated. The only way to take a smaller cap hit is for him to retire from the roster after June 1 (same as a post June 1 cut).

Also, the Skins can't make Bruce retire, he has to file the paperwork with the league office (I think date of retirement affects pension, benefits, etc.). From what I have read Bruce is still thinking about playing somewhere this upcoming season.