PFT:Cap penalties reportedly getting in way of London Fletcher deal

[Smurf85]

Well this is starting to hurt now. I didn't really think this was the reason why Fletcher hasn't signed, but now it looks to be that way. This really is pissing me off now.

Given the public statements on both sides, we would have expected to have word of a new deal between the Redskins and linebacker London Fletcher by now.

The Redskins said they wanted him back and Fletcher said he wanted to return, so what’s the hold up? According to Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com, it is the $18 million cap penalty levied on the Redskins for their spending during the uncapped 2010 season.

“LB Lorenzo Alexander says NFL cap penalty hindering contract talks 2 re-sign LB London Fletcher & could lead 2 vets leaving in ’13,” Marvez said via Twitter.

The second half of Marvez’s report isn’t much of an issue. The Redskins have been moving in a younger direction and that would likely have continued whether or not they were docked by the NFL. Most of the veterans at risk of leaving — including Alexander, whose contract expires after next season — would likely be players whose production level has dipped to a place where their departure wouldn’t create many problems. But Fletcher was crucial to the team’s defense last season and he’s been playing at a very high level for the last three years, so losing him would be a major negative for the team.

Dealing with the cap squeeze in the next two years is particularly relevant for a 37-year-old player like Fletcher. Spreading out the cap hit over many years, as they did with free agent acquisitions Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, is less of an option with Fletcher. There’s probably a way to get a deal done, though it may take compromise on both sides.

Fletcher would have to take a little less money and the Redskins might have to build some dead money into the end of the deal if the relationship is going to continue.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...fletcher-deal/

[Park City Skins]

Link Smurf. Link.

[Smurf85]

Link Smurf. Link.

Fixed it

My Fault.

[LaRonDontLikeUgly]

Just read this. Super-bummed. At this point though, I think if Fletcher wants to play next season he is still going to get the most money here.

[bowhunter]

Fletch may well be the poster-child of the cap penalties. I do not think he will sign before the cap appeal is settled. He just might get used as Redskins "exhibit A"

[jivelikenice]

Is this actually true? I thought we had $11 MM in cap space. The problem is we can create more but not until June 1st. I'd dip into the draft picks money because they don't have to sign until TC roles along and by then we can open up more space. The only concern is that some of the rooks might not participate until they sign their deal.

[GaryGreenMonk]

Is this actually true? I thought we had $11 MM in cap space. The problem is we can create more but not until June 1st. I'd dip into the draft picks money because they don't have to sign until TC roles along and by then we can open up more space. The only concern is that some of the rooks might not participate until they sign their deal.

nobody really knows.. but my guess is about ~7 million at the moment..

problem being.. we have to sign all our draft picks. Griffin will cost us roughly 5.

We dont have another 6-7 to sign Fletch... unless we start axing other vets.

As I originally specualted.. the whole cap scandal is going to cripple our defensive backfield this year. I'm sure re-signing Fletch and signing a vet FS or SS was in our plans for FA. But as of right now, we can do neither.

[cjbrown]

This may have a silver lining. The skins can show actual damages in their grievance and request compensation, not just return to status quo. They can request to be made whole. If we had to cut some players right after the announcement and could not sign others this shows damage and the skins may legitimately request compensation from an arbitrator.

[Missouri_Skins_Fan]

Skins Lawyer..."Your Honor, it's unfortunate that we had to let a Exhibit A: multi-pro Bowler like London Fletcher walk because of these false & unfounded allegations against us. We abided by the rules as is Section: C-43917 & yet we continue to sit on the sidelines as we watch all the players in Free Agency walk & sign to other teams.

But we would be satisfied by the courts and their affirmation on this issue. We believe
we could be compensated with a 1st & 2nd rd draft choice for the next 3 years of 13', 14' & 15' and that all parties would be satisfied on this matter.

This is our request and that all issues, will be closed on our side, your honor."

[rk3025]

How much does Hawthorne need to sign?

[Crazy Levi]

Meh. Don't believe any of this stuff till I see actual proof.

Could easily be fed from the FO who are trying to excuse cheapness in the dealings with Fletch.

Fletch should sign anyway. Obviously if anybody was offering a better deal he'd take it.

[SKINS'n'Spurs]

I don't think it's cheapness from the FO which is holding back this deal. or at least "cheap" is not the best word to describe it. How about "being sensibly rational in the current economic environment" ? We would love to give LF59 big money because he has deserved it, but we CAN'T give someone his age a 5 yr deal, it's insane, just doesn't make sense. So we are between a rock and a hard place on how to spread out his big money due and at the same time leave enough in under the cap to sign rookies. I would hope the FO can just bulldoze these NFL chumps in this owner's meeting this week and come out with a carte blanche to sign whoever they want and for whatever they want.

[Missouri_Skins_Fan]

IMO, I don't think London has been signed because we can't afford it.

I think he hasn't been signed, because he will be used as Exhibit A on why there was an unfair competitive balance against the Redskins on this CAP situation & arbitration.

Exactly contrary to why we were penalized cap space, because of competitive balance.

Which I think is a brilliant move on our part.

[sjinhan]

I am just horrible with the search function so I cant find the post but.. there was one really extensive overview of the CBA by one of the ESers talking about what the Redskins can do to fight this...

I believe the post said only way to force an arbitration case to be heard is if a PLAYER makes a case that the league's actions are keeping him from making money that he normally would...

Maybe there is a backdoor agreement with Fletcher and Redskins to pursue the complaint against the league.. and after we win the case, Fletcher would be in for a nice pay day...

[Major Harris]

if sjinhan is right, and i had the same thought while reading the article, this could be huge. and very interesting.