PFT.com: Hearing coming in May on Redskins, Cowboys cap grievance

[E-Dog Night]

Free Agency is not over. Just because the draft is coming up, doesn't mean you can't still sign guys. We would also need relief for our rookie contracts and any injuries we might sustain during the season, so I'd like at least a portion of our cap space back this year.

Yes, however, the real impact players are gone. Between Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks, Brandon Carr, Ben Grubbs, Mario Williams, Eddie Royal, Evan Mathis, Chris Meyers...plus a half dozen other offensive linemen, the Redskins definitely would have signed at least one out of that group, and probably two or three. There's nothing that can be done to reverse that.

This was a very deep FA class with loads of talent. The Redskins knew it coming in, and they prepared for it. Then, an owner in their division abused his power and took away $36M - an absolutely staggering figure - from their cap space.

So, even if the Redskins get all their cap money back (and I suspect they will), the damage is done, never to be undone. I suspect that was Mara's plan all along, hence the timing.

[Bliz]

If Bruce Allen believes there was no wrongdoing in the actions of the FO, isn't anything less than the full $36M just an insult? I mean, 2012 cap space may serve no real purpose at this point, but it seems like it would be more principal than anything.

Or is it just cutting losses and moving forward?

IMO if we get that offer we sign immediately. I think it's the best realistic outcome of the arbitration. Getting all $36M back seems highly unlikely. If we're getting a settlement offer that is equal to the best likely outcome, we take it with no hesitation, for the good of the team. Screw principle. What matters are Ws and Ls.

[Chris Worthy]

Well if we do get back the 18 mil for the 2013 season, here is a quick look at who will be Free Agents at that time. I grabbed a top 50 with position and age:

1. Drew Brees
QB
34

2. Calais Campbell
DT
26

3. Ray Rice
RB
26

4. LeSean McCoy
RB
25

5. Cliff Avril
DE
26

6. Jake Long
OT
28

7. Matt Forte
RB
27

8. Greg Jennings
WR
29

9. Joe Flacco
QB
28

10. Antonio Brown (Restricted)
WR
24

11. Duane Brown
OT
28

12. Mike Wallace
WR
26

13. Dwayne Bowe
WR
28

14. Cameron Wake
DE
31

15. Brent Grimes
CB
30

16. Wes Welker
WR
32

17. Daryl Smith
OLB
31

18. Victor Cruz (Restricted)
WR
26

19. Matt Schaub
QB
32

20. Sebastian Vollmer
OT
28

21. Brian Urlacher
ILB
35

22. Ed Reed
S
34

23. Chris Clemons
DE
31

24. Jairus Byrd
S
26

25. Jonathan Stewart
RB
26

26. Anthony Spencer
OLB
29

27. Rashard Mendenhall
RB
26

28. Jason McCourty
CB
26

29. Dwight Freeney
DE
33

30. Tyvon Branch
S
26

31. Henry Melton
DT
26

32. Mathias Kiwanuka
OLB
30

33. Jason Jones
DT
27

34. Michael Griffin
S
28

35. Felix Jones
WR
26

36. Darryl Tapp
OLB
28

37. Alan Branch
DT
28

38. Kenny Phillips
S
26

39. Jermon Bushrod
OT
29

40. Fred Jackson
RB
32

41. Connor Barwin
DE
26

42. LeGarrette Blount (Restricted)
RB
26

43. Bernard Pollard
S
27

44. LaRon Landry
S
28

45. James Laurinaitis
ILB
26

46. Fred Davis
TE
27

47. Justin Durant
OLB
27

48. Lawrence Jackson
DE
28

49. Jeff Otah
OT
27

50. Will Svitek
OT
31

[bird_1972]

So when we get our 18 million back for this year, what do we do with it?

Roll it over into 2013

[Hitman21ST]

I'd be all over Laurenitis, Barwin, or possibly even Kenny Phillips from that list in a heartbeat.

[SkinsFTW]

When did Felix Jones switch to WR?

[bedlamVR]

I think there is going to be some face saving deal done . We will not get the full 36, or even the 18 - I don't doubt that but I think if we take the deal there may be things worth more than money - well cap space - on the table .

People need to remember that this is only the first step . If the NFL arbitrator says there was nothing wrong with the way the punishment was handed out by the new CBA, then the next step is to challenge the CBA or challenge the act of collusion in itself .. though going that way is not without risks and the argument gets weaker and weaker ....

[ECU-ALUM]

I agree with everyone who says there will be a face saving deal. Although I think John Mara is on a power kick because his team won the Lombardi...I have not rooted for team to fall flat on their face so badly in a LONG time!

[s0crates]

Not sure if this has been posted, but NFL Network's Albert Breer is saying the hearing will be May 10th. https://twitter.com/#!/AlbertBreer/s...71161950285825

[Zazzaro703]

I'm not 100% on this, but from what i understand we would be able to carry what ever is left into next season.

My guess would be we won't get anything back this year. Money was already distributed to other teams and a cap set. Whatever we get will be awarded next year.

[Wrong Direction]

I know it's TK saying we'll get nothing this year, but I still suspect we'll get some relief this year and full relief next year. We are close enough to the current cap that it will still affect what we do with contracts. Even getting $6 million back this year and $18 million back next year would allow the league to save some face, while not hurting the Skins too much moving forward.

I hate that this is all led by Mara, but just about every other franchise is on board.

[WHALEN]

I have a bad feeling that the NFL has Burbank in their pocket.





http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6172379
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[HailGreen28]

I really think anything less than *all our cap space back and some extra compensation* should be appealed. Even if we get nothing in the end. There's trying to get along, and there's refusing to accept getting hosed on principle. With the nature and timing of this mugging, "getting along" was tossed out the window by Mara and Co. weeks ago.

[shakinaiken]

So when we get our 18 million back for this year, what do we do with it?

a few weekend funded kegs and eggs celebrations..

[Rocky52Mc]

So when we get our 18 million back for this year, what do we do with it?

You pay off a bunch of these contracts we just picked up lol