QCity

No, the two figures are completely different. The News calculates our free amount under the NFL amortized cap at $21M, and our cash to cap space at $33M (both minus Chandler). They also use a projected cash to cap ceiling of $132M and say the Bills should reserve about $15M for signing draft picks. I think the draft pick allotment is way too high, but that leaves about $17M to play with.

You're right, the $35M figure is the amortized one thrown about. I was using it to show how fast money dries up under the cash to cap system. This guy has our current 2012 cash spending at about $83M (last updated Feb 29 - before Stevie signed). If we use $120M as the approximate limit, figure $37M under. Of course, I haven't checked his numbers, but he does seem quite thorough.

Well, they've used it every year since then so we have to assume they will still use it unless we hear otherwise. Every reference from the FO seems to indicate they prefer the cash to cap system. Has anyone heard otherwise? People who don't understand the system incorrectly assume that we are flush with tens of millions to spend.

Heh, I just got done showing how fast that $35M dries up with this post.

According to NFL accounting, yes. Our cash to cap system ignores that however. Cash to cap is simple, it basically means that if you spend money this year, it goes against the cap. I know it sounds crazy, but it's designed to prevent teams from mortgaging their future. I think about half the teams in the league use this system.

OK, we did roll over the $21M and had about $35M to play with. I used the word "had" because that was last week. Stevie's base salary for 2012 is $2.5M with an $8.5M signing bonus. So that's $11M, which drops that $35M figure down to $24M. Now, we don't know what Chandler signed for yet, but let's guess $3M. Just a guess, not even going to include a signing bonus. That $24M is down to $21M. OK, let's not forget about the draft! Conventional wisdom with the new draft salaries says that teams should allot at least $5M for the draft. That figure goes up if a team picks in the top 5. So let's say $5M and now we are down to $16M. So even with $16M left, we still haven't talked about resigning our remaining players like Bell. And in addition to resigning our own, we still will need to have to some cash to go after 2nd and 3rd tier FA's normally used for backup roles. All of a sudden that $35M is looking more like $10-$12M. Now remember, if we do sign a big name FA, even if we backload his deal we still need to fit his signing bonus into that figure. That's pretty much the reality of the situation.

Not really. The Bills operate on the cash to cap model. This means that any roster or signing bonuses will count 100% this year. How much "cap space" we have is really irrelevant.

Tell us how you came to this conclusion. Is it a long history of stadium renovating experience, or did you figure out what it would cost to fix your house siding, then scale it up?

I'd bet that most people on this board had no idea who Mario Williams even was, then saw his name on the free agent list and quickly checked his stats on ESPN.

Yup. That's the only thing he's done. Bahahaha, ok you got me. I fell for it.

Umm, exactly!

Avril franchised in Detroit.

Cliff Avril got franchised today so there's one less DE on the market.

Yes, from wayyyyyyy back when. We used to pay for 10 games in my day! Oh God, I can see it now - "Bills Fans Complain About High Playoff Ticket Prices"

Hmm, maybe I should reword my breaking news story to read "Bills Fans Complain About Purchasing Preseason Tickets That Every Other NFL Fan is Forced to Purchase". That seems a bit wordy for a title though. I wonder if Wawrow would use that?

Breaking news - "Bills Keep Ticket Prices Flat - Fans Still Complain"

"He bought the team in 1959 for an absolutely ridiculous $25,000. Forbes' 2011 NFL valuation estimated the Bills' worth at $792 million. He has no stadium debt. Daniel Snyder bought the Washington Redskins in 1999 for $750 million. Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $150 million in 1989. However, Jones is on the hook for $200 million in debt from his new stadium. All that really puts Wilson's unheard of profit into perspective." This paragraph is hysterical. Did he write that article with a crayon?

While I agree that you listed some very realistic signings - I really hope we don't go after Mincey. 5 of his 8 sacks came against Indy and their scrub QB and this is the only year the guy has done anything, not coincidentally it happens to be his contract year. Some team is going to overpay for him.

This. Also you can't accurately mock the draft until after the combine. For example: at this time last year, Fairley and Bowers were the consensus first 2 defensive picks off the board (in the top 5 overall no less).

It says the former. I do love the rhetoric used in the latter however. "TWO YEARS," as if switching a defensive scheme is something often accomplished in 2 weeks - and "something everyone's been saying since we got here" which of course no one has been saying. In fact, there were people rejoicing to "give Jauron's small, fast, dome defense the boot" all over the forums. So on one hand you are tired of the "same 'ol, same 'ol" at One Bills Drive, and on the other hand you don't want them to attempt to change. Which is it? Don't worry, you don't have to answer. The fact that you watched them miss the playoffs for 12 years doesn't qualify you as a football expert, only a whiner. Seriously, get the sand out of your vagina.

Well, in his interview Chan stated the only thing he could say for certain was that Sheppard was going to be the starting MLB. Which means Barnett will slide over to OLB (he played a fair amount of OLB toward the second half of last season). So you can definitely pencil in: DL: ?????, Williams, Dareus, Kelsey LB: Barnett, Sheppard, ?????

You'll see Barnett and Scott start at OLB I'd bet. The NFL is so pass orientated that most schemes are really a 4-2 nickel anyways, which shouldn't be a problem for either. The big question is how will Sheppard hold up at MLB? That's a big reach imo. (Also I believe we have to re-sign Scott) The line will see Kelsey, Dareus and Williams all return to their natural positions, which should pay huge dividends immediately. Getting the other DE will be a problem, they are going to have to spend some cash to get a Cliff Avril type to come to town.

The Jets didn't cut Thomas Jones because he "freaked out," they cut him because he was due $5.8 million in his last year ($3 million roster bonus). Fred Jackson is owed $1.8M for next year. How is that exactly the same? There's literally zero chance of cutting Freddie at a $1.8M price tag, to think so is asinine. Why would you think a team would outright cut one of the top players at his position when he owed so little money (comparatively)? Instead of listening to radio gossip, why not just listen to Nix himself? I'm paraphrasing, but he said there is no urgency to get this deal done immediately, it's something he will look at over the summer. And you know what? That's a smart more. Wait until Freddie is fully healed and they will get a deal done in training camp.

Sorry to ruin your thread with facts.

Listen. Fred Jackson is still under contract for the 2012 season. One more time. Fred Jackson is still under contract for the 2012 season.