Current Redskins Salary Cap Status - 2009

[BrunellMVP?]

football outsider's post today
Under the Cap: Cap Mismanagement

by J.I. Halsell

This week on "Under the Cap," we take a break from the position-by-position analysis of the league's highest paid starters in order to take a look at the Redskins' flawed approach to roster-building. Given that I worked in the front office of the organization for two seasons, I have the unique perspective of having seen that philosophy first hand. As a native Washingtonian, it pains me to see the current state of the organization.

In my Wednesday interview on Washington's "The Sports Fix" on ESPN 980 (click to hear the entire interview courtesy of ESPN 980), one of the prominent issues we discussed was the Redskins' heavy investment in a few players and how this impacts the overall roster and the depth and quality of that roster.

One perspective that I failed to mention is how this approach impacts a team's salary cap situation, particularly when it doesn't have draft picks to fill out its roster. The Indianapolis Colts, who have spent a ton of money on a few players (e.g. Manning, Clark, Sanders, Freeney), are in contention year after year. Heavy investment in a few players, then, isn't the problem -- although a great quarterback can cover up a lot of deficiencies. The key to the Colts and the key to effective salary cap management is the ability to find skilled, cheap labor to offset those expensive few.

This skilled, cheap labor comes in the form of draft picks. When you build your reserves through the draft, not only are you saving a ton of money on the cap, but you're (hopefully) developing your next solid starter or maybe your next great starter. In Tennessee, they drafted a cornerback named Cortland Finnegan in the seventh round, who made cap-friendly peanuts -- relatively speaking -- on his rookie contract, before getting a lucrative contract extension after proving to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Similarly, the Eagles drafted starting guard Todd Herremans late in the draft, allowing them the benefit of a cap-friendly contract, before signing him to a lucrative extension.

In Washington, aside from the 2006 draft class' late round selections -- Kedric Golston, Reed Doughty, and (up until this year) Anthony Montgomery -- the team hasn't had draft picks to use or, when they did have picks, failed to select players that stayed with the team. In 2007, The Redskins used a fifth-round pick on Dallas Sartz. He didn't make it past training camp. In 2008, in the third round, Washington drafted Chad Rinehart. He was inactive the entire season, and appears to have been benched this year after getting an opportunity to fill in for Randy Thomas. In 2009, the Redskins used a third-round pick on Kevin Barnes. He has yet to be active for even one game this season.

All of that said, when you have these issues in the draft, you have to fill your roster with more expensive veteran back-ups, a point I failed to make in the interview yesterday. For example, a player like Dallas Sartz, who would've had a cap number of under $300,000 as a reserve linebacker, doesn't make the team in 2007. You, as a manager, are then are forced to sign a veteran linebacker such as a Randall Godfrey for a $1 million cap number. Or, instead of drafting an inexpensive offensive lineman in any of the recent drafts in order to build depth and hopefully develop that draft pick into a starter, the Redskins have been forced to sign more expensive veterans such as Jason Fabini, Todd Wade, or Will Montgomery as reserves.
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Another dynamic to acquiring quality, cheap labor is that because the cheap labor isn't significantly impacting your cap, you then have unused cap space that you can then roll over into the next capped year. We'll again use the Eagles as an example. They build through the draft cultivating young talent (particularly on both the offensive and defensive lines) and then roll the unused cap space over into subsequent years. This additional cap space allows the team to have a salary cap of $148 million this year, while a lot of clubs -- including the Redskins -- have a salary cap of less than $130 million. In the case of the Eagles, this higher cap gives them an advantage: They can continue to acquire cheap talent, but at the same time take their shots on, as I said on Wednesday, an Asante Samuel in 2008 or a Jason Peters in 2009 (or even a Michael Vick). In Minnesota, where they have a $139 million cap, this advantage gives them the means to sign Brett Favre, after signing Sage Rosenfels to a relatively expensive back-up quarterback contract, to a $12 million contract. This is where effective and efficient cap management gives you the means to dramatically improve your club by taking calculated gambles here and there on veterans.

Another flaw to the Redskins' approach to roster building, particularly as it relates to its impact on the cap, is that instead of signing an Albert Haynesworth to a lucrative free agent contract, the club should be seeking to reap the same inexpensive benefits that the Titans were able to reap when they drafted Albert Haynesworth. Instead of signing a hugely expensive Albert Haynesworth via free agency, the Redskins should be trying to find the next Albert Haynesworth in the draft. That way, if the kid turns into a star, you've had him under contract for about three seasons at a low cap number, yet receiving high-quality play. Unlike signing a veteran from another team and system, you'll know whether that player is a good fit for your organization and your system before investing a ton of money; you're not going to have this same assurance with a veteran from another team (e.g. Adam Archuleta, among others). In Tennessee, Finnegan was a home-grown talent, drafted and cultivated by the club. The same can be said for Herremans in Philly. How many late-round or undrafted players (because there's no excuse for missing on guys in the first two rounds) have the Redskins cultivated into starters or contributors at a cheap price? Heyer, Golston, Doughty, Horton, and that's about it.

Until there is a fundamental change in philosophy on how the Redskins approach roster building, one cannot expect for this team to be a consistent, winning organization.

Next week: The top ten offensive lineman contracts article that we postponed for this look at Washington.

[CRedskinsRule]

Hey, lets postpone our normal article cuz piling on is fun!

[SmootSmack]

I always like reading JI's stuff. He has a unique perspective that few others have. I don't always agree with him, still I like to read his input

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I always like reading JI's stuff. He has a unique perspective that few others have. I don't always agree with him, still I like to read his input

Ok. But why interrupt an ongoing series of articles which had been interesting and insert an article that simply re-iterates and highlights what many accept are negatives about the FO now. Probably to continue piling on the Snyder. It seems a very in thing to do.
He points out he is interrupting it, doesn't really explain why, and then at the end re-states that their normal series will continue.

[SmootSmack]

Oh yeah I definitely agree with that. The timing is peculiar, just saying I like reading his stuff

[Bill B]

I don't think people are just writing articles to pile on to bashing Synder - I think it finally coming out of the woodwork of everyone saying enough is enough of Synder's roster building philosphy - Synder's method of building a roster does only a couple of things - it creates marketing buze and helps sell merchandise (although that is finally gettting thrown overboard as fans are wising up to the way this organization is run), and Synder's method of roster building creates a few very rich players.

If Sydner wants to continue to build the franchise the way he has that is fine - some owners are more stubborn than a mule. Maybe when Fed Ex starts routinely selling out only half of its seats, the games are blacked out and merchandise sales completely fall off will he consider changing his philosphy but from reading a lot of stories on this guy he seems pretty set in his ways.

[Chico23231]

J.I., perfectly said. Well written with a clear points on how you build championship team. Not only from a financial standpoint does it make sense, but on team moral, camaraderie, leadership, as well. Guys coming in a draft together or within a couple years allows that growth to what we call a "core redskin". Snyder's way of paying high priced free agents to plug in hole hasnt worked in his 10 years here. Name a player who has lived up to his contract? Maybe a couple, Marcus Washington is the only name I think of...Phat Albert hasnt improved this team so far. It is time for a change, building through the draft is necessary in building a championship team.

[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

J.I., perfectly said. Well written with a clear points on how you build championship team. Not only from a financial standpoint does it make sense, but on team moral, camaraderie, leadership, as well. Guys coming in a draft together or within a couple years allows that growth to what we call a "core redskin". Snyder's way of paying high priced free agents to plug in hole hasnt worked in his 10 years here. Name a player who has lived up to his contract? Maybe a couple, Marcus Washington is the only name I think of...Phat Albert hasnt improved this team so far. It is time for a change, building through the draft is necessary in building a championship team.

I don't see that. He may wind up on his back huffing and puffing like Madonna, but Andre Carter is having a lot of success because of him.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

J.I., perfectly said. Well written with a clear points on how you build championship team. Not only from a financial standpoint does it make sense, but on team moral, camaraderie, leadership, as well. Guys coming in a draft together or within a couple years allows that growth to what we call a "core redskin". Snyder's way of paying high priced free agents to plug in hole hasnt worked in his 10 years here. Name a player who has lived up to his contract? Maybe a couple, Marcus Washington is the only name I think of...Phat Albert hasnt improved this team so far. It is time for a change, building through the draft is necessary in building a championship team.

Cornelius Grriffin, Shawn Springs, Santana Moss, Randy Thomas, London Fletcher, Phillip Daniels .... And that's only off the top of my head. Plenty of "core Redskins" on that list. Yes.. there were many misses, but let's give credit where credit is due.

As SS has pointed out in the past, we have had plenty of picks and our draft success (in terms of starters & players still on the team) is on par with that of NE.

Bad cap managment is only an issue if it forces you to forego obtaining talent or to get rid of talent b/c you can't afford it under the cap. We have, and always will (as long as DS is at the helm) managed fine under the cap. This is so because ready cash allows you to manipulate the cap and DS has shown he is willing to provide just that. Is there any player we have not aquired or been forced to cut b/c of bad cap management?

The problem, IMHO, is not bad cap management - it's the scattershot approach taken in team building. A lack of focus fostered by DS's unbridled desire and ability to make constant changes in looking for improvement.

[Chico23231]

Springs, Griffin, Fletcher are great examples of good contracts and production. Yeah the misses though, and some are on the team now, have been extremely impactful not only on salary cap but more on team building. I disagree and diffently think mismanagement with the cap has hurt this team under the basic principle you have more money to spend on better players if you dont over spend or over bid for guys who dont fit you team, scheme, etc. Dead cap space? Team building through the draft is the way to go. We need to keep our draft picks and put money into scouting talent. Also when it comes to depth it is important...man look at the Oline...wow that is sorry. IMO bad cap mismanagement is not the biggest problem but is a contributing factor. Plus those guys you mention really havent won us anything.

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Cornelius Grriffin, Shawn Springs, Santana Moss, Randy Thomas, London Fletcher, Phillip Daniels .... And that's only off the top of my head. Plenty of "core Redskins" on that list. Yes.. there were many misses, but let's give credit where credit is due.

As SS has pointed out in the past, we have had plenty of picks and our draft success (in terms of starters & players still on the team) is on par with that of NE.

Bad cap managment is only an issue if it forces you to forego obtaining talent or to get rid of talent b/c you can't afford it under the cap. We have, and always will (as long as DS is at the helm) managed fine under the cap. This is so because ready cash allows you to manipulate the cap and DS has shown he is willing to provide just that. Is there any player we have not aquired or been forced to cut b/c of bad cap management?

The problem, IMHO, is not bad cap management - it's the scattershot approach taken in team building. A lack of focus fostered by DS's unbridled desire and ability to make constant changes in looking for improvement.

Joe while the players you mentioned did well the problem has been that we managed to get them by overpaying for them and as a result our depth has been depleted severly - so when the eventually injury occurs and lets face it every NFL team has them - the Skins go down as a result because their is no quality backup depth - hence look at our offensive line this year.

Another thing that noone seems to talk about is that the method of going after big time free agents goes against the fact that the average age of NFL service is approximately 3-4 years - due to the violent nature of the game the human body breaks down - yes there are exceptions to the rule but most players simply do not last that long. So by going after the big time free agent you may think you are making a good bet because that player has proven himself in the NFL versus going the draft route, but what one must take into consideration is every year a nfl player takes a pounding and that is sooner or later going to have an effect on performance.

My take is we have tried Synders way for most of his tenure and we have seen the result - why not go after the best GM money can buy and let him build the team with the draft and see where it takes us instead? What do we really have to lose at this point of using the build through the draft method?

[skinster]

I thought this was a good read. I've actually done alot of thinking about this before and agree with him. The only thing I would have to add to this is that the colts pay players that have proven to work in their system. The skins sign players that we don't know will work and don't have a 100% success rate when when sign them to extensions.

[JoeRedskin]

As to the dead cap space issue, we will just have to disagree - dead cap only is a problem if you have to let go players or not aquire players b/c you can't fit them under the cap. I don't care if we overpay as long as DS keeps handing out cash. I do care that we have not had a focused theme in our team philosophy other than "do anything, get anyone" in hopes it will improve us. The cap simply has not been an impediment to our aquiring or retaining anyone we wanted to.

As to the depth issue, we have had lots of picks and it was how we used them that got us into trouble. Had we picked OLine instead of Davis and/or Kelly/Thomas would we be in the OLine mess now? maybe - maybe not. Or perhaps instead of Henson and/or Glenn? or D. Brooks?. We have had lots of missed opportunities and several "You picked who???" moments in the draft. Throw in a few dumb trades (Lloyd, Duckett) made b/c no one was there to say "whoa there buddy... we'll manage w/out those guys" and that to me is what has cost us our depth.

The article bashed DS for mishandling the cap. That is an old story that is simply wrong. DS has artfully managed the cap by spending cold hard cash to avoid its negative consequences.

Lack of focus in player aquisition (whether by FA signings, trades, or drafting) and a lack of long term strategy/philosophy is what brought us to this mess not bad cap management.

[Bill B]

Joe I see what you are saying and to me your last sentence says it best and at some point Synder needs to spend the money first on the best front office money can buy. Without the savy to draft well and also the savy to not give away the farm in trades just what does the current front office do well in? simply paying more than any other team for top tier free agents means that the need to do this to compnesate for their lack of scouting ability and player personnel moves. Lets say we go to an uncapped sitaution and we really move into becoming the Yankees of the NFL - do you really think that will equate to becoming a dominant team? Without the proper mix of young and old I just don't see us getting to the next level consistently. As everyone here like to say they love Joe Gibbs I would simply answer back we also need to equally praise Bobby Bethard as well.

[JoeRedskin]

What does this FO do well? Aquire the players they want. Now, if they just had a solid long term plan to address what players they should want and when they should be getting them (and stuck to it), all would be good.

I absolutely agree that an uncapped year will not mean dominance.

I do take exception to the article on one specific point - he criticizes the Skins for signing AH rather than "looking for the next AH". Well, wait a minute... didn't we draft someone we hope will be the next dominant defensive player? Some guy named Orakpo??

Actually, the AH and Orakpo aquisitions demonstrate both the best and worst of this organization.

AH next to Rak on the Dline would allow the rookie to gain experience at lineplay while benefitting from the double teams AH requires. This would maximize AH's contributions while, hopefully, increasingly exploit Rak's apparent and special physical talents. Truly, a great aquisition of both youth AND experience while increasing depth!

B/c of our scattershot player aquisition, however, we actually have a solid DE in ACarter but no solid SLB. This situation created a huge hole in the defense. So, rather then having the rookie displacing the average-good DE (moving Carter to reserve and providing excellent depth), we have the rookie play out of position so that we can get his skills onto the field and somehow cover for our lack of foresight.

Thus, instead of an average-good SLB and an amazing DL combo, we have an poor SLB (sorry Rak - you're trying but you're not covering) and good DL combo.

More and more, I have come around to understanding and seeing SmootSmack's point that, b/c Danny wants so bad to win, he can't say no when scounts, coaches or personnel people say to him "this player will make a difference". Unfortunately, never saying no means no coherent plan.