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Never mind, you're right. (I'm not sure about the numbers, but about the average of the top 5 QBs)

It is the greatest of the average of the top 5 of the largest group ....... or 120% of the highest 5 salaries at his position ...... or 144% of his prior year's salary, whichever is greatest.

It's the QB number.

I think we will now be able to sign Dawson. Before I got the feeling it was the number of years. We wanted a short deal and Dawson wanted security. We tagged him for two, so now two years later I believe if is going to be easier for Dawson to look at a 3 year deal and the Browns should feel pretty comfortable that Dawson is going to be able to kick for at least 2 of those 3 years.

$3.5 mil bonus, $2.5 mil a year for 3 years, $1.5 mil buyout in any of year 2 or 3.

Is Mike Wallace worth a $60 million contract from the Dolphins?

Dolphins have identified receiver Mike Wallace as their top free agent target, but is the former Steelers receiver worth $12 million a season?

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-omar-kelly-dolphins-0220-20130219,0,5495647.story

That would be insane. No way would I pay a guy who cannot, or will not, run routes $12 million/year.

What would people consider giving up for Revis? I understand the injury concern with his knee, but if he's healthy, I don't see another corner in the draft with a chance to be that good.. and he and Haden almost immediately give us the best CB tandem in football... The contract extension he would want would be huge...

So obviously we would give up #6 this year, what else would you throw in to get Revis? A second next year? Would it take more than that?

I wouldn't give up the #6 for Revis.

Jets are going to have to take a loss if they want to trade him.

If we had a 2nd I'd offer that, nothing more. He's already 27 (28 in July) and has been average and hurt since he got paid (sound familiar?)

The Jets are awfully close to the cap, and may have to make decisions on players like Revis just to be able to sign draft picks. Trading him would save the Jets $3 million against the cap. IIRC, even after cutting 4 big dollar veterans, they are only like $2 million under the cap.

Coming off of a significant knee injury, and in a contract dispute already, (despite having ... IIRC ..... 4 years left on his current deal) he's going to be a problem. I would guess that he will onlt bring a 2nd round offer at best. Just my best guess though.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000140842/article/nfc-veterans-on-the-roster-bubble

Chris Wesseling did a great job breaking down the potential salary cap casualties in the AFC. Now let's take a crack at some of the biggest names that could be let go in the NFC. With the salary cap not expected to rise much this year, there are plenty of teams looking to cut dead weight.

Candidates for release

1. Nnamdi Asomugha, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback: With $4 million of his scheduled $15 million salary guaranteed, the Eagles could try to work out a pay cut to keep Asomugha. More likely: They cut ties after two straight disappointing seasons.

2. Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals quarterback: The Cardinals publicly have said they need to reduce Kolb's deal. He's due more than $11 million and his poor arm strength does not match up well with new coach Bruce Arians' vertical offense. Kolb is due a $2 million bonus on March 19 that serves as a soft deadline for both sides.

3. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons running back: Don't overpay for running backs (yes, $6.9 million for a part-timer power runner in decline counts as overpaying). Turner appears as good as gone.

4-5. Devin Hester and Kellen Davis, Chicago Bears: Cutting both players would save less than $5 million, but Hester seems to want a fresh start elsewhere. Davis simply has been ineffective as a starting tight end.

6-7. Alex Smith and David Akers, San Francisco 49ers: Akers is an easy cut because he's paid like a top-shelf kicker. Smith is trickier. The 49ers want to get his $7.5 million salary off the books, but they can be patient about a potential trade if they make moves elsewhere. My best guess is that the 49ers will get a late-round pick for Smith and avoid releasing him.

8. Eric Wright, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback: Wright was guaranteed $7.75 million ... until his peformance-enhancing drug suspension at the end of 2012. Now the Bucs can release last year's free-agent mistake without a problem. That has to be one of the costliest suspensions in memory.

9. Jay Ratliff, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle: He's overpaid, underperforming, and just got a DUI. And yet owner Jerry Jones probably will try to find a way to keep Ratliff anyway because he loves hanging on to players for a year too long.

10. Matt Flynn, Seattle Seahawks quarterback: I doubt anyone will want to take on Flynn's $5.25 million contract, much less give up a draft pick for it. A release seems more likely.

11. DeAngelo Hall, Washington Redskins cornerback: The up-and-down veteran says he will "do what I got to do" to stay in Washington. A pay cut is possible, but simply cutting Hall and his $7.5 million salary is simplest.

12. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers running back: I've already discussed this one at length. Paying two backs big money is a luxury the Panthers can't afford.

13-14. Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma, New Orleans Saints: The Saints have kept their Super Bowl winners together for too long. For now, the team is trying to get both players to take a pay cut. The reality is that both players don't fit their new 3-4 scheme and are more likely to get cut.

15. Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions running back: He's only due $876,000, but every dollar counts for the Lions. Best's future remains uncertain.

16. John Carlson, Minnesota Vikings tight end: Cutting Carlson would be less about cap savings and more about admitting a big mistake from an offseason ago.

Candidates for restructure

NFL Exposure
NFL salary cap situations
Take a look at how each team stands in regard to the expected $121 million salary cap in 2013.

1. Doug Free, Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle: Yes, Free is very overpaid. But Jones doesn't like admitting mistakes, and he would be costly to release. A reduced contract is possible.

2. Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle: He's not worth close to $7 million, but he could be amenable to taking less money to stay.

3. Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions wide receiver: The Lions need receiving options, but Burleson has a big salary number ($4.5 million) coming off surgery. He would be costly to cut free.

4. Jordan Gross, Carolina Panthers offensive tackle: Gross is still a key player for Carolina, but he's 31 years old and not $8.7 million good.

5. Corey Webster, New York Giants cornerback: Webster is due $7 million in the final year of his contract. His career has been wildly up and down.

6. A.J. Hawk, Green Bay Packers linebacker: Few players get overpaid for long in the NFL. Hawk has pulled off the trick for a while, and my guess is he should stick around in Green Bay again with teammates Desmond Bishop and D.J. Smith coming off injury.

7. Santana Moss, Washington Redskins wide receiver : A $3.7 million pay day is too much for a No. 4 receiver, even though Moss helped the Redskins last year.
Potential surprise cuts

1. Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals running back: Wells doesn't have an onerous contract, but he might have worn out his welcome with the organization. The coaching change actually gives him a better chance to stick around.

2. Dunta Robinson, Atlanta Falcons cornerback: If the Falcons bring back Brent Grimes, don't be shocked if Robinson leaves town.

3. DeMeco Ryans, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker: I've read that Ryans fits what the Eagles' defense wants to do under coach Chip Kelly. Ryans played well last season, but $6.6 million is a big number for someone who doesn't make a lot of plays.

4. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers tight end: Halfway through last season, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the Packers already made their decision to let Finley go. He finished the season strong, but is due almost $8 million in 2012. Finley pegged his chances of returning at 50/50. I'd say it's a little higher than that.

5. Carlos Rogers, San Francisco 49ers cornerback: These are called "potential surprise cuts" for a reason. Rogers contributed plenty to the 49ers last season, but he's due $5.5 million and turns 32 this year.

6-7. Brodrick Bunkley and Jabari Greer, New Orleans Saints: I love Greer as a player, but the Saints have way too many defensive players making a ton of money on an awful defense.

8. Jon Beason, Carolina Panthers linebacker: With $3.75 million of Beason's $5.25 million in pay guaranteed, it would only make sense for the Panthers to cut the linebacker if they don't think he can get healthy. Or if they think he won't react to playing outside linebacker with Luke Kuechly in the middle.

Other potential cuts

Arizona Cardinals: S Adrian Wilson, T Levi Brown, LB Stewart Bradley, CB William Gay

Carolina Panthers: CB Chris Gamble, LB James Anderson, DT Ron Edwards

Chicago Bears: TE Kellen Davis, G Roberto Garza

Dallas Cowboys: DL Marcus Spears, LB Dan Connor

Detroit Lions: WR Mike Thomas

Green Bay Packers: FB John Kuhn

Minnesota Vikings: WR Michael Jenkins

New Orleans Saints: CB Jabari Greer, LB Chris Chamberlain

New York Giants: T David Diehl

Philadelphia Eagles: DL Mike Patterson

San Francisco 49ers: LB Parys Haralson

Seattle Seahawks: CB Marcus Trufant, WR Ben Obomanu, T Breno Giacomini

St. Louis Rams: S Quintin Mikell, T Wayne Hunter

Washington Redskins: DL Adam Carriker, S Brandon Meriweather

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000140448/article/afc-veterans-on-the-roster-bubble

Tuesday's flurry of cuts by the New York Jets was a reminder that the chopping block looms for veterans with bloated contracts. Let's take a look at the AFC salary-cap casualty candidates for the next few months.

Candidates for release

1. Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders quarterback: The Jets get much-deserved attention for their bloated contracts, but former Raiders owner Al Davis left general manager Reggie McKenzie in a salary-cap hell of his own. The most egregious example is the nearly $14 million in dead money left behind from free agent Richard Seymour's contract. Scheduled to earn $13 million himself, Palmer has no chance of returning as the starter unless he takes a pay cut. In full-blown rebuilding mode, the Raiders might find that it makes more sense to give Terrelle Pryor a one-year trial run.

2. Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback: Benched twice in favor of Brady Quinn last season, Cassel has reached the point in which a change of scenery is needed for himself, as well as Chiefs fans. Due $7.5 million, Cassel has no chance of returning. It will be interesting to see if he reunites with Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels in New England, allowing the Patriots to shop backup Ryan Mallett.

3. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills quarterback: New coach Doug Marrone could find a hiccup in his quarterback competition. Fitzpatrick is due a $3 million roster bonus in March on top of a $4.25 base salary. It actually will cost the Bills more to keep him than to cut him loose.

4. James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker: Although coaches still are counting on Harrison opposite LaMarr Woodley this season, the Steelers' front office is expected to balk at his $6.57 million salary. Unless all three sides can find middle ground, the declining star will be in another uniform for his age-35 season.

5. Jared Gaither, San Diego Chargers offensive tackle: Local and national observers expect Gaither to be history in San Diego after alienating coaches and teammates alike last season. Coined "Big Lazy," Gaither has earned a reputation with both the Chargers and Baltimore Ravens for malingering. The Bolts will take a $6 million cap hit to release Gaither.

6. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland Raiders wide receiver: The No. 7 overall pick in the 2009 draft has flashed at times, but he hasn't shown the consistency to merit $7.721 million this season. McKenzie can find the much-needed salary-cap relief of $5.341 million by releasing Heyward-Bey.

7. Tyson Jackson, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end: The No. 3 overall pick in the 2009 draft has failed as a pass rusher, and the Chiefs can field a poor run defense with or without Jackson's whopping $14.72 million salary.

8. D.J. Williams, Denver Broncos linebacker: The Broncos sported one of the NFL's stingiest defenses with Williams watching from the sideline for the majority of the season. John Elway can save $6 million against the cap by releasing the 30-year-old who's coming off two suspensions in 2012.

9. Rolando McClain, Oakland Raiders linebacker: The No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 draft would have been axed this past season if not for salary-cap implications. A massive draft bust, McClain won't see his $4.005 million salary after disappointing on the field, off the field and in the locker room.

10. Willie Colon, Pittsburgh Steelers guard: Colon keyed a mid-season resurgence in the Steelers' running game, but his $5.5 million salary is untenable after he ended the season on injured reserve for the third consecutive year.

Candidates to restructure

1. Santonio Holmes / David Harris / Sione Pouha, New York Jets: Holmes isn't worth $11 million coming off Lisfranc surgery, but $7.5 million of that is guaranteed. Harris' $10.9 million salary is cost-prohibitive for a cap-strapped team after a subpar season in 2012. Pouha is due a reasonable $3.8 million, but that number counts $4.9 million against the cap. It doesn't help that his level of play fell off last season.

2. Troy Polamalu / Heath Miller / Ike Taylor, Pittsburgh Steelers: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette paints a salary-cap picture so dire that the Steelers could lose several key veterans if the players don't agree to pay cuts. Polamalu ($7.5 million) has missed multiple games in three of the past four seasons. Miller ($5.16 million) is coming off a torn ACL, PCL and MCL in his right knee. Taylor ($6 million) appears to have fallen behind free agent Keenan Lewis in the organization's pecking order.

3. Anquan Boldin / Jacoby Jones / Vonta Leach, Baltimore Ravens: Three-time All-Pro Leach probably is the best bet of the trio to be outright released, as his $3 million salary counts $4.33 million against the cap. The Ravens can save much-needed cap space by extending the contracts of Boldin ($6 million) and Jones ($3 million, plus $1 million roster bonus in March).

4. Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts: Mathis' roster spot likely is secure after the Colts cut ties with Dwight Freeney, but he might be asked to restructure a $4 million salary and $3 million roster bonus that count $10.75 million against the cap.

5. Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee Titans: While the Titans have a low-paid starter in Jake Locker ($1.52 million), NFL backup quarterbacks simply don't collect $5.5 million in salary. Hasselbeck already has stated that he's amenable to a contract adjustment.

Potential surprises

1. Brandon Lloyd, New England Patriots wide receiver: After failing to fulfill expectations as the left-sideline "X" receiver in New England, Lloyd is due a $3 million option bonus on top of his $1.9 million base salary.

2. Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos running back: McGahee's age (turns 32 in October), late-season right tibia injury and $2.5 million salary could have him on the roster bubble. The Broncos are in the market for a tailback with size, perhaps looking primarily at veteran free agents.

3. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos running back: Moreno's $1.7 million salary in the final year of his rookie contract carries a $3.28 million cap hit. The Broncos might have lost confidence in Moreno's ability to stay on the field after he suffered yet another knee injury in the season-ending loss to the Ravens.

4. Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars tight end: Although incoming general manager David Caldwell labeled Lewis a "very good" player, one report suggests the tight end's Jacksonville future is in doubt at $4.35 million for 2013.

5. Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans wide receiver: Washington has been the Titans' most reliable receiver over the past two seasons, but his $4.2 salary is more of a luxury than a necessity with the young trio of Kenny Britt, Kendall Wright and Damian Williams pushing for regular snaps.

Other potential cuts

Buffalo Bills: DE Chris Kelsay, WR/KR Brad Smith, TE Scott Chandler, RT Erik Pears

Miami Dolphins: CB Dimitri Patterson, LG Richie Incognito, K Dan Carpenter

New England Patriots: TE Daniel Fells

Cincinnati Bengals: OG Travelle Wharton, CB Jason Allen, DE Jamaal Anderson

Cleveland Browns: LB Chris Gocong, FB Owen Marecic

Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Aaron Ross, WR Laurent Robinson

Houston Texans: WR Kevin Walter

Denver Broncos: LB Joe Mays

Kansas City Chiefs: WR Steve Breaston, TE Kevin Boss - The Chiefs announced that both veterans were released late Tuesday afternoon.

Oakland Raiders: DT Tommy Kelly, RG Mike Brisiel

San Diego Chargers: LB Takeo Spikes, WR Eddie Royal, RT Jeromy Clary, DT Antonio Garay

Looks like there are some interesting candidates for us in those posts.. Hope Lombardi, Banner and Chud can fine the ones we can get behind.

Browns to talk with agents of Dawson & Cribbs during the combine...

Quote:

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What are the odds that this was caught? 1 in 5?.

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98%.. it was practice. He probably caught everything in practice.

My point was that his thumbs should be on plane and they're so far off that it looks like it'd be at least difficult to catch a ball like that.

I wish his thumbs were on a plane along with the rest of him. Heading somewhere else.

Looking like Reggie Bush will hit the market...

Breaston looking like a fit at WR for Steelers
By Jason La Canfora | CBS Sports NFL Insider
February 24, 2013 12:08 pm ET

The Steelers are the favorite to land wide receiver Steve Breaston, according to league sources.

Breaston, released by the Chiefs, has drawn interest from several teams, including the Browns, but a return to his hometown of Pittsburgh is likely at this point, sources said. Breaston excelled for Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley when they were with the Cardinals.

Though there are some concerns about Breaston's health, he is seen as a good fit with the Steelers. Pittsburgh is preparing to lose receiver Mike Wallace to free agency and is looking for depth at the position.

What team will spend money early in free agency? Look to the Cleveland Browns.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000144932/article/nfl-scouting-combine-what-we-learned-sunday

49ers leaning against Dashon Goldson

Building through the draft is the way to go. But using free agency to plug some holes, build depth, that kind of thing ... is fine, IMO

OG, CB, and possibly FS in FA would be fine by me.
WR I guess (depending on who and for how much)

Ask the Ravens if they regret adding Anquan Boldin.

I'm tired of being a bottom feeder with 50M in cap room. Spend some money and get a few cornerstone type players.

Or lower ticket prices.

We can add 1 or 2 big money guys and that's enough. We won't win big in 2013 with new coaches, new FO, new everything, so why spend all the cap room this season? That's short sighted....keep some cap and do the carry over thing again to spend on 1 or 2 big money guys next offseason too. We have to pay our own guys in 1-2 seasons (Sheard, Mack, Haden, Ward), that'll be costly enough, we have to factor those contracts in for 2014 already and if we someday have our franchise QB, that guy will take 10-15% of our cap alone then

Spend, but spend wisely

We have to spend up to a certain amount, why not go out and get 2 or 3 guys like an Ellerbe, Kruger, Levitre, or Vazquez? I mean we have to spend it, the salary cap floor I believe it is called.

Shouldn't you have ended that with a "get ur done"

I'm going to do something I never do,offer advice.
Apathy is the best medicine.
No one that matters really cares what you,I,or anyone else on this board feels.It's nice to say you aren't going to put up with a bunch of excuses,but in the end,there's not a damned thing we can do about it.
I have a sneaking suspicion that in the next 4-5 years there's going to be alot of excuses rolling down the pike.

I agree, but disagree ..... if that makes sense.

We can add 2 really high end free agents with heavily front loaded contracts that eat up a bunch of our cap room this year, and save future cap space at the same time. Then we could add 1 more "traditional" type free agent contract, plus a couple of lesser free agents who fill holes, and who receiver lower contacts.

Let's say that we have 2 free agents who will get 5 years and $60 million. We could give each a first year salary of $15 million, (no signing bonus) then drop the annual salary back down to a more cap friendly dollar amount in future years.

Maybe something like $15, $8, $9, $12, and then $16 in the final year of the deal. If the player is not worth that amount in the final year, then we simply dump him. The player would get what he wants in salary ..... we could have a sliding guarantee where year 1-3 are fully guaranteed, year 4 is 75% guaranteed, and year 5 is 50% guaranteed.

The structure of the contract could change somewhat ....... but the basics remain the same. Give a higher 1st year salary, with reduced salaries down the line to keep the salary cap in line for future years.

Then if we add a 3rd free agent with a 4 year, $30 million deal with a 1st year cap number of somewhere around $6 million.

That's 3 players with a 1st year cap number combined of $36 million. We have a total of $48 million cap space available. That means that we would still have $12 million left to fill a couple of holes and sign our draft picks.

Now ..... that doesn't mean that we have to spend the money on free agents if there isn't a quality player who is a good fit for this team .... but we have the ability to really make some significant improvements this year.

We can definitely help fill a few big holes, and add a few guys who can really help the team this year. We need help at TE, at OLB, at ILB, a CB, at S, and we need a veteran WR. We also need a K and a P. These last 2 can be found in the UDFA ranks .... but most of the rest are going to have to come either from the draft, or in free agency. I am a firm believer in trying to fill holes in free agency so that we can draft with the idea of taking the very best available player who fits our schemes, as opposed to "having to draft" a certain position because of a hole.