2012 Salary Cap Update Post #107 - (08/21/2012) -- $5,137,214 under

[AdamJT13]

After restructuring the contracts of Orlando Scandrick, Doug Free and Dez Bryant; releasing Terence Newman and David Buehler; and "borrowing" $1.5 million from a future salary cap, we entered the free-agency period $11,386,689 under the salary cap. Newman was designated a "post June 1" cut, so we won't get that $6.016 million of cap relief until June 2 -- in fact, cutting him actually cost us $390,000 of cap room for now, because another player's base salary was added to our top 51 when Newman was released. For now, Newman counts as $8.016 million in dead money. On June 2, that will drop to $2 million. So, one way to look at it is that we entered free agency $17,402,689 under the cap -- we just can't use $6.016 million of it until June 2 or later.

None of our signings have been processed by the league yet (it can take a few days when things are busy), but if the initial contract breakdowns are correct, we were $3,657,522 under the cap before signing Dan Connor but after signing Carr, Orton, Pool, Vickers and Bernadeau. If you want to include the Newman savings after June 2, we're "really" $9,673,522 under the cap.

Other than releasing players, the two main ways that we could gain more cap room, if we need it, would be to restructure DeMarcus Ware's contract (saving about $2.75 million) and to sign Anthony Spencer to a contract extension, lowering his cap number from $8.856 million to something less than $5 million, most likely.

Also, keep in mind the Top 51 Rule when we sign or release players in the offseason. This rule states that the only base salaries (or tenders) that count against the cap during the offseason are those of the current players (including unsigned players who were tendered) with the 51 highest cap numbers on the team. Anyone else's base salary does not count against the cap until after the final preseason cutdown. This means that if we sign a player whose 2012 cap number is $2 million, it doesn't use up $2 million of our current cap room -- that player's $2 million gets added to our cap, but he knocks another player out of our Top 51, so that player's base salary no longer counts against the cap. Right now -- after our first five free-agent signings, that is -- our 50th and 51st players' base salaries are $390,000 each (as are those of players 52-57). Our 40th-49th players' base salaries are $465,000 each. So, whatever Connor's 2012 cap number is, subtract $390,000 to see how much cap room we lose. If we sign or cut someone after that, it either knocks someone else out of the Top 51 or puts someone else back into the Top 51, so their base salary gets added or subtracted as necessary.

[durrrr]

i love you

[wittenacious]

Looks like we still have the $$$ to make a few more mid- to lower-tier FA moves, with added $$$ coming after June 1 to play with, as needed. Thanks for the thorough updated breakdown.

[Az Lurker]

I'm far from the first to say it, but thank you Adam, you are a fantastic addition to this board and your knowledge is astounding.

[jmac]

After restructuring the contracts of Orlando Scandrick, Doug Free and Dez Bryant; releasing Terence Newman and David Buehler; and "borrowing" $1.5 million from a future salary cap, we entered the free-agency period $11,386,689 under the salary cap. Newman was designated a "post June 1" cut, so we won't get that $6.016 million of cap relief until June 2 -- in fact, cutting him actually cost us $390,000 of cap room for now, because another player's base salary was added to our top 51 when Newman was released. For now, Newman counts as $8.016 million in dead money. On June 2, that will drop to $2 million. So, one way to look at it is that we entered free agency $17,402,689 under the cap -- we just can't use $6.016 million of it until June 2 or later.

None of our signings have been processed by the league yet (it can take a few days when things are busy), but if the initial contract breakdowns are correct, we were $3,657,522 under the cap before signing Dan Connor but after signing Carr, Orton, Pool, Vickers and Bernadeau. If you want to include the Newman savings after June 2, we're "really" $9,673,522 under the cap.

Other than releasing players, the two main ways that we could gain more cap room, if we need it, would be to restructure DeMarcus Ware's contract (saving about $2.75 million) and to sign Anthony Spencer to a contract extension, lowering his cap number from $8.856 million to something less than $5 million, most likely.

Also, keep in mind the Top 51 Rule when we sign or release players in the offseason. This rule states that the only base salaries (or tenders) that count against the cap during the offseason are those of the current players (including unsigned players who were tendered) with the 51 highest cap numbers on the team. Anyone else's base salary does not count against the cap until after the final preseason cutdown. This means that if we sign a player whose 2012 cap number is $2 million, it doesn't use up $2 million of our current cap room -- that player's $2 million gets added to our cap, but he knocks another player out of our Top 51, so that player's base salary no longer counts against the cap. Right now -- after our first five free-agent signings, that is -- our 50th and 51st players' base salaries are $390,000 each (as are those of players 52-57). Our 40th-49th players' base salaries are $465,000 each. So, whatever Connor's 2012 cap number is, subtract $390,000 to see how much cap room we lose. If we sign or cut someone after that, it either knocks someone else out of the Top 51 or puts someone else back into the Top 51, so their base salary gets added or subtracted as necessary.

Wow so if we still had that extra 10 mil from the league we probably could have signed 2 big price free agents and not just one in Carr.

[popp1234]

Yep, those are the same numbers I came up with. ;)

[TwentyOne]

After restructuring the contracts of Orlando Scandrick, Doug Free and Dez Bryant; releasing Terence Newman and David Buehler; and "borrowing" $1.5 million from a future salary cap, we entered the free-agency period $11,386,689 under the salary cap. Newman was designated a "post June 1" cut, so we won't get that $6.016 million of cap relief until June 2 -- in fact, cutting him actually cost us $390,000 of cap room for now, because another player's base salary was added to our top 51 when Newman was released. For now, Newman counts as $8.016 million in dead money. On June 2, that will drop to $2 million. So, one way to look at it is that we entered free agency $17,402,689 under the cap -- we just can't use $6.016 million of it until June 2 or later.

None of our signings have been processed by the league yet (it can take a few days when things are busy), but if the initial contract breakdowns are correct, we were $3,657,522 under the cap before signing Dan Connor but after signing Carr, Orton, Pool, Vickers and Bernadeau. If you want to include the Newman savings after June 2, we're "really" $9,673,522 under the cap.

Other than releasing players, the two main ways that we could gain more cap room, if we need it, would be to restructure DeMarcus Ware's contract (saving about $2.75 million) and to sign Anthony Spencer to a contract extension, lowering his cap number from $8.856 million to something less than $5 million, most likely.

Also, keep in mind the Top 51 Rule when we sign or release players in the offseason. This rule states that the only base salaries (or tenders) that count against the cap during the offseason are those of the current players (including unsigned players who were tendered) with the 51 highest cap numbers on the team. Anyone else's base salary does not count against the cap until after the final preseason cutdown. This means that if we sign a player whose 2012 cap number is $2 million, it doesn't use up $2 million of our current cap room -- that player's $2 million gets added to our cap, but he knocks another player out of our Top 51, so that player's base salary no longer counts against the cap. Right now -- after our first five free-agent signings, that is -- our 50th and 51st players' base salaries are $390,000 each (as are those of players 52-57). Our 40th-49th players' base salaries are $465,000 each. So, whatever Connor's 2012 cap number is, subtract $390,000 to see how much cap room we lose. If we sign or cut someone after that, it either knocks someone else out of the Top 51 or puts someone else back into the Top 51, so their base salary gets added or subtracted as necessary.

Did you substract the 10 million hit from the league sanction already ? And in case you did how did you distribute it. 5 mills per 2 years or everything against our 2012 cap ?

[rojan]

So we can't use the money from the Newman release until June 2nd? Is there anyway to structure contracts to work around that if we had to?

How much will Newman count against our cap next year?

[Woods]

I guess this is why Stephen Jones says he "chuckles" with regard to having sufficient cap room when interviewed yesterday.

We clearly have enough to do what we need to do (especially if we want to restructure D Ware), which is entirely consistent with Adam's numbers and what S Jones said.

[Arch Stanton]

Great job Adam....as always.

When does the rookie cap figure get announced? Is it after the draft?

[jswalker1981]

Great job Adam....as always.

When does the rookie cap figure get announced? Is it after the draft?

It will get announced when the league thinks we won't have enough money to pay the rookies, and will in turn take another $10 mil as a penalty.

[Temo]

Did you substract the 10 million hit from the league sanction already ? And in case you did how did you distribute it. 5 mills per 2 years or everything against our 2012 cap ?

That wasn't factored, I'm pretty sure.

[WG5516]

Adam you're amazing, thank you!

[Beast_from_East]

After restructuring the contracts of Orlando Scandrick, Doug Free and Dez Bryant; releasing Terence Newman and David Buehler; and "borrowing" $1.5 million from a future salary cap, we entered the free-agency period $11,386,689 under the salary cap. Newman was designated a "post June 1" cut, so we won't get that $6.016 million of cap relief until June 2 -- in fact, cutting him actually cost us $390,000 of cap room for now, because another player's base salary was added to our top 51 when Newman was released. For now, Newman counts as $8.016 million in dead money. On June 2, that will drop to $2 million. So, one way to look at it is that we entered free agency $17,402,689 under the cap -- we just can't use $6.016 million of it until June 2 or later.

None of our signings have been processed by the league yet (it can take a few days when things are busy), but if the initial contract breakdowns are correct, we were $3,657,522 under the cap before signing Dan Connor but after signing Carr, Orton, Pool, Vickers and Bernadeau. If you want to include the Newman savings after June 2, we're "really" $9,673,522 under the cap.

Other than releasing players, the two main ways that we could gain more cap room, if we need it, would be to restructure DeMarcus Ware's contract (saving about $2.75 million) and to sign Anthony Spencer to a contract extension, lowering his cap number from $8.856 million to something less than $5 million, most likely.

Also, keep in mind the Top 51 Rule when we sign or release players in the offseason. This rule states that the only base salaries (or tenders) that count against the cap during the offseason are those of the current players (including unsigned players who were tendered) with the 51 highest cap numbers on the team. Anyone else's base salary does not count against the cap until after the final preseason cutdown. This means that if we sign a player whose 2012 cap number is $2 million, it doesn't use up $2 million of our current cap room -- that player's $2 million gets added to our cap, but he knocks another player out of our Top 51, so that player's base salary no longer counts against the cap. Right now -- after our first five free-agent signings, that is -- our 50th and 51st players' base salaries are $390,000 each (as are those of players 52-57). Our 40th-49th players' base salaries are $465,000 each. So, whatever Connor's 2012 cap number is, subtract $390,000 to see how much cap room we lose. If we sign or cut someone after that, it either knocks someone else out of the Top 51 or puts someone else back into the Top 51, so their base salary gets added or subtracted as necessary.


Thanks for the update Adam, we all appreciate it.

[JeffInDC]

That wasn't factored, I'm pretty sure.

He already accounted for that. Why? Because, before all of the moves that he mentioned that saved Cap room, the 'Boys were in negative Cap shape BECAUSE they had $5M taken off. Before the penalty, the 'Boys had almost $4M in cap room (with Spencer's $8.8M already being taken into account). Those numbers where reported by league.

[THUMPER]

It will get announced when the league thinks we won't have enough money to pay the rookies, and will in turn take another $10 mil as a penalty.

Don't give them any ideas! :bang2:

[cowboysooner]

So it looks like the Newman money will be used for draft picks and post camp additions and injury cushions. I wish they would just get rid of the farce of June 1 or not June 1 and immediately give the cap relief.

[dez_for_prez]

:bow: I logged on this morning planing on make a thread wondering about this very thing.

[JeffInDC]

After restructuring the contracts of Orlando Scandrick, Doug Free and Dez Bryant; releasing Terence Newman and David Buehler; and "borrowing" $1.5 million from a future salary cap, we entered the free-agency period $11,386,689 under the salary cap. Newman was designated a "post June 1" cut, so we won't get that $6.016 million of cap relief until June 2 -- in fact, cutting him actually cost us $390,000 of cap room for now, because another player's base salary was added to our top 51 when Newman was released. For now, Newman counts as $8.016 million in dead money. On June 2, that will drop to $2 million. So, one way to look at it is that we entered free agency $17,402,689 under the cap -- we just can't use $6.016 million of it until June 2 or later.

None of our signings have been processed by the league yet (it can take a few days when things are busy), but if the initial contract breakdowns are correct, we were $3,657,522 under the cap before signing Dan Connor but after signing Carr, Orton, Pool, Vickers and Bernadeau. If you want to include the Newman savings after June 2, we're "really" $9,673,522 under the cap.

Other than releasing players, the two main ways that we could gain more cap room, if we need it, would be to restructure DeMarcus Ware's contract (saving about $2.75 million) and to sign Anthony Spencer to a contract extension, lowering his cap number from $8.856 million to something less than $5 million, most likely.

Also, keep in mind the Top 51 Rule when we sign or release players in the offseason. This rule states that the only base salaries (or tenders) that count against the cap during the offseason are those of the current players (including unsigned players who were tendered) with the 51 highest cap numbers on the team. Anyone else's base salary does not count against the cap until after the final preseason cutdown. This means that if we sign a player whose 2012 cap number is $2 million, it doesn't use up $2 million of our current cap room -- that player's $2 million gets added to our cap, but he knocks another player out of our Top 51, so that player's base salary no longer counts against the cap. Right now -- after our first five free-agent signings, that is -- our 50th and 51st players' base salaries are $390,000 each (as are those of players 52-57). Our 40th-49th players' base salaries are $465,000 each. So, whatever Connor's 2012 cap number is, subtract $390,000 to see how much cap room we lose. If we sign or cut someone after that, it either knocks someone else out of the Top 51 or puts someone else back into the Top 51, so their base salary gets added or subtracted as necessary.

Adam, whenever you have the time, can you break down what Dallas had before the penalty (including tenders & franchise tags)?

[dez_for_prez]

:bow: I logged on this morning planing on make a thread wondering about this very thing. Are we allowed to over spend on our cap now and when june 2 hits be under?

[Beast_from_East]

Considering Mara and Goddell tried to knee cap us on the eve of free agency, I think we did a very good job with what we had to work with.


We are still a little thin at TE and WR, but that can be addressed in the draft if need be. I am fully expecting DeCastro or Glenn at pick 14 to upgrade the line.

[Phoenix]

Many thanks Stephen Jo....ERRRR...AdamJT13! Wow! :)

[Sam I Am]

That wasn't factored, I'm pretty sure.

Adam's pretty good about that. The cap numbers show should already include the $5M in dead money this year.

[ethiostar]

i love you

:laugh2:

What s/he said!

[dcowboysfan76]

Thanks Adam, on it as usual:bow:

[casmith07]

Considering Mara and Goddell tried to knee cap us on the eve of free agency, I think we did a very good job with what we had to work with.


We are still a little thin at TE and WR, but that can be addressed in the draft if need be. I am fully expecting DeCastro or Glenn at pick 14 to upgrade the line.

It's great. I love how we basically threw it back in their faces.

Now what would be really sweet? Winning the Super Bowl this year somehow.

[Fla Cowpoke]

Never knew the June 1 designation didn't come off the cap until June 1st. I thought when they changed it that it came off immediately. Makes what we have done all the more impressive.

[noletime95]

Is there a specific date Dallas has to be under the cap or does each team have to be under the cap at all times? Obviously Dallas knows Newman's $$$ is coming off the books and could operate accordingly if the specific date to be under the cap was after June 1st.

Thanks Adam.

[Hostile]

Is there a specific date Dallas has to be under the cap or does each team have to be under the cap at all times? Obviously Dallas knows Newman's $$$ is coming off the books and could operate accordingly if the specific date to be under the cap was after June 1st.

Thanks Adam.
By the start of training camp.

[zeke87]

I am guessing TNew's 6 mil cap savings post June will be used to offset the league's 5 mil cap hit for 2013 and assuming we spread out the 10 mil evenly over 2012 and 2013. Per Adam's numbers we could still sign Spencer to a long term deal and use that savings and maybe Ware's possible restructure to find a starting OC and # 3 WR.

The draft will be used to get the BPA which will hopefully be an OG, CB, S, and blocking TE.

[cowboy_ron]

After restructuring the contracts of Orlando Scandrick, Doug Free and Dez Bryant; releasing Terence Newman and David Buehler; and "borrowing" $1.5 million from a future salary cap, we entered the free-agency period $11,386,689 under the salary cap. Newman was designated a "post June 1" cut, so we won't get that $6.016 million of cap relief until June 2 -- in fact, cutting him actually cost us $390,000 of cap room for now, because another player's base salary was added to our top 51 when Newman was released. For now, Newman counts as $8.016 million in dead money. On June 2, that will drop to $2 million. So, one way to look at it is that we entered free agency $17,402,689 under the cap -- we just can't use $6.016 million of it until June 2 or later.

None of our signings have been processed by the league yet (it can take a few days when things are busy), but if the initial contract breakdowns are correct, we were $3,657,522 under the cap before signing Dan Connor but after signing Carr, Orton, Pool, Vickers and Bernadeau. If you want to include the Newman savings after June 2, we're "really" $9,673,522 under the cap.

Other than releasing players, the two main ways that we could gain more cap room, if we need it, would be to restructure DeMarcus Ware's contract (saving about $2.75 million) and to sign Anthony Spencer to a contract extension, lowering his cap number from $8.856 million to something less than $5 million, most likely.

Also, keep in mind the Top 51 Rule when we sign or release players in the offseason. This rule states that the only base salaries (or tenders) that count against the cap during the offseason are those of the current players (including unsigned players who were tendered) with the 51 highest cap numbers on the team. Anyone else's base salary does not count against the cap until after the final preseason cutdown. This means that if we sign a player whose 2012 cap number is $2 million, it doesn't use up $2 million of our current cap room -- that player's $2 million gets added to our cap, but he knocks another player out of our Top 51, so that player's base salary no longer counts against the cap. Right now -- after our first five free-agent signings, that is -- our 50th and 51st players' base salaries are $390,000 each (as are those of players 52-57). Our 40th-49th players' base salaries are $465,000 each. So, whatever Connor's 2012 cap number is, subtract $390,000 to see how much cap room we lose. If we sign or cut someone after that, it either knocks someone else out of the Top 51 or puts someone else back into the Top 51, so their base salary gets added or subtracted as necessary.
Awesome info as usual Adam, thanks man

[AdamJT13]

Did you substract the 10 million hit from the league sanction already ? And in case you did how did you distribute it. 5 mills per 2 years or everything against our 2012 cap ?

The cap penalty is included.

Our adjusted salary cap is $133,786,426, which includes $17,132,826 of cap room carried over from last year, $1,500,000 of cap room borrowed from the future, the minus-$5,000,000 penalty and minus-$446,400 in miscellaneous adjustments from previous seasons.

..$120,600,000
+$..17,132,826
+$...1,500,000
-$....5,000,000
-$......446,400
---------------
=$133,786,426

.

[hra8700]

Can we carry all of our extra money to next year or because we carried it over from last year already we cant carry it over again

[hipfake08]

The cap penalty is included.

Our adjusted salary cap is $133,786,426, which includes $17,132,826 of cap room carried over from last year, $1,500,000 of cap room borrowed from the future, the minus-$5,000,000 penalty and minus-$446,400 in miscellaneous adjustments from previous seasons.

..$120,600,000
+$..17,132,826
+$...1,500,000
-$....5,000,000
-$......446,400
---------------
=$133,786,426

.

If the Cowboys and Redskins get legal with the NFL and win....
How long will the process take to get back the 5 million.
Will they add back right away of jump it into next year if it is too late.

In the Cowboys case not a monster hit. But the Redskins who are trying to rebuild around an incoming new QB.....

[Disturbed]

So we have $3.6M before Connor deal.

We have to sign all of our draft picks.....this does not look like enough to do that....what am I missing?????

[Trajan]

Pure gold, as usual AdamJT13

[speedkilz88]

So we have $3.6M before Connor deal.

We have to sign all of our draft picks.....this does not look like enough to do that....what am I missing?????Brain? kidding, Newman's savings doesn't count until June 2, that money will be plenty for draft picks and Adam already said they could still work Ware's deal or sign Spencer long term for more cap room.

[Disturbed]

Brain? kidding, Newman's savings doesn't count until June 2, that money will be plenty for draft picks and Adam already said they could still work Ware's deal or sign Spencer long term for more cap room.


Okay, so the 6M will cover draft picks this year. I was concerned because the first and second round signings typically get paid...salary and signing bonus. 6M does not seem like much to get this done.

[Fla Cowpoke]

Okay, so the 6M will cover draft picks this year. I was concerned because the first and second round signings typically get paid...salary and signing bonus. 6M does not seem like much to get this done.

Adam has said on multiple occasions the draft picks will add less than 2m to the cap because you have to take off a salary for each guy you add. It's not a big deal.

Stephen Jones was quoted the other day saying the same thing Adam has been saying all along. The cap won't keep us from doing what we want to do.

[AdamJT13]

Okay, so the 6M will cover draft picks this year. I was concerned because the first and second round signings typically get paid...salary and signing bonus. 6M does not seem like much to get this done.

Unless we trade for more picks, all of our rookies will use up less than $2 million of cap room, because of the Top 51 Rule.

[AdamJT13]

Can we carry all of our extra money to next year or because we carried it over from last year already we cant carry it over again

Anything that is left at the end of the year can be carried forward into 2013.

[Disturbed]

Unless we trade for more picks, all of our rookies will use up less than $2 million of cap room, because of the Top 51 Rule.


Thank you.

[the_h0wey]

After restructuring the contracts of Orlando Scandrick, Doug Free and Dez Bryant; releasing Terence Newman and David Buehler; and "borrowing" $1.5 million from a future salary cap, we entered the free-agency period $11,386,689 under the salary cap. Newman was designated a "post June 1" cut, so we won't get that $6.016 million of cap relief until June 2 -- in fact, cutting him actually cost us $390,000 of cap room for now, because another player's base salary was added to our top 51 when Newman was released. For now, Newman counts as $8.016 million in dead money. On June 2, that will drop to $2 million. So, one way to look at it is that we entered free agency $17,402,689 under the cap -- we just can't use $6.016 million of it until June 2 or later.

None of our signings have been processed by the league yet (it can take a few days when things are busy), but if the initial contract breakdowns are correct, we were $3,657,522 under the cap before signing Dan Connor but after signing Carr, Orton, Pool, Vickers and Bernadeau. If you want to include the Newman savings after June 2, we're "really" $9,673,522 under the cap.

Other than releasing players, the two main ways that we could gain more cap room, if we need it, would be to restructure DeMarcus Ware's contract (saving about $2.75 million) and to sign Anthony Spencer to a contract extension, lowering his cap number from $8.856 million to something less than $5 million, most likely.

Also, keep in mind the Top 51 Rule when we sign or release players in the offseason. This rule states that the only base salaries (or tenders) that count against the cap during the offseason are those of the current players (including unsigned players who were tendered) with the 51 highest cap numbers on the team. Anyone else's base salary does not count against the cap until after the final preseason cutdown. This means that if we sign a player whose 2012 cap number is $2 million, it doesn't use up $2 million of our current cap room -- that player's $2 million gets added to our cap, but he knocks another player out of our Top 51, so that player's base salary no longer counts against the cap. Right now -- after our first five free-agent signings, that is -- our 50th and 51st players' base salaries are $390,000 each (as are those of players 52-57). Our 40th-49th players' base salaries are $465,000 each. So, whatever Connor's 2012 cap number is, subtract $390,000 to see how much cap room we lose. If we sign or cut someone after that, it either knocks someone else out of the Top 51 or puts someone else back into the Top 51, so their base salary gets added or subtracted as necessary.

It's funny but when I talk to my friends about what the Cowboys have to spend I always tell them not to worry because Adam will figure it out.

[AdamJT13]

With Kyle Orton's cap number coming in at $1.9 million instead of the $2,566,667 that had been reported, we would be $4,324,189 under the cap before signing Connor and Livings. That's $666,667 more than what I posted based on the media reports of our signings.

I'll continue to update at the signings are approved by the league and I get the official numbers. Orton and Bernadeau are the only ones so far. (The number above includes the *reported* cap numbers for Carr, Vickers and Pool but not Connor or Livings.)

[Wulfman]

With Kyle Orton's cap number coming in at $1.9 million instead of the $2,566,667 that had been reported, we would be $4,324,189 under the cap before signing Connor and Livings. That's $666,667 more than what I posted based on the media reports of our signings.

I'll continue to update at the signings are approved by the league and I get the official numbers. Orton and Bernadeau are the only ones so far. (The number above includes the *reported* cap numbers for Carr, Vickers and Pool but not Connor or Livings.)

And this is why if I ever become an "Official GM", you are going to be my first hire. Excellent stuff, as always, Adam!

[Bluefin]

Never knew the June 1 designation didn't come off the cap until June 1st. I thought when they changed it that it came off immediately. Makes what we have done all the more impressive.

I've never heard of that before, either.

Did something change in the new CBA?

The team did Terence Newman a favor by cutting him immediately so he could start visiting new clubs while the free agent market was still hot.

And yet they get punished by having to wait to gain over $6M in cap room the move provided.

Why punish Dallas (or any team)?

I know it hasn't stopped the team from carrying out its free agent plan, so it doesn't really matter, but I see no reason for this accounting rule.

On a side note, what's the 2012 dead money up to now?

$29 million?

[anava]

I've never heard of that before, either.

Did something change in the new CBA?

The team did Terence Newman a favor by cutting him immediately so he could start visiting new clubs while the free agent market was still hot.

And yet they get punished by having to wait to gain over $6M in cap room the move provided.

Why punish Dallas (or any team)?

I know it hasn't stopped the team from carrying out its free agent plan, so it doesn't really matter, but I see no reason for this accounting rule.

On a side note, what's the 2012 dead money up to now?

$29 million?

Are you really being punished? You dont have to be under the salary cap until training camp starts, so you can still use that money.

[Bluefin]

Are you really being punished? You dont have to be under the salary cap until training camp starts, so you can still use that money.

My understanding has been teams need to be under the salary cap the first day of the new league year, which is when free agency starts.

Did that change?

Teams were making moves to get under the cap last week prior to the start of free agency, just as usual.

Would they do that if the cap wasn't being enforced until training camp?

[anava]

My understanding has been teams need to be under the salary cap the first day of the new league year, which is when free agency starts.

Did that change?

Teams were making moves to get under the cap last week prior to the start of free agency, just as usual.

Would they do that if the cap wasn't being enforced until training camp?

I could be wrong.

[AdamJT13]

My understanding has been teams need to be under the salary cap the first day of the new league year, which is when free agency starts.

Did that change?

Teams were making moves to get under the cap last week prior to the start of free agency, just as usual.

Would they do that if the cap wasn't being enforced until training camp?

Teams have to be under the cap every day of that league year. The 2012 league year began this week.

[Corleone]

Awesome information, your salary cap info is enough reason alone for logging into this site, I can no longer trust the media guys when they talk about the cap. Much appreciated!

[AdamJT13]

With Kyle Orton's cap number coming in at $1.9 million instead of the $2,566,667 that had been reported, we would be $4,324,189 under the cap before signing Connor and Livings. That's $666,667 more than what I posted based on the media reports of our signings.

I'll continue to update at the signings are approved by the league and I get the official numbers. Orton and Bernadeau are the only ones so far. (The number above includes the *reported* cap numbers for Carr, Vickers and Pool but not Connor or Livings.)

The cap numbers for Carr and Vickers are now official, with no changes from what was reported. So that $4,324,189 under includes the reported cap number for Pool (which might be $100,000 too high) but nothing for Connor or Livings.

[speedkilz88]

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4690951/dan-connors-deal-worth-6-5-million

Dan Connor’s two-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys totals $6.5 million and includes a $2.7 million signing bonus.

Connor’s base salaries will be $800,000 and $3 million in 2012-13.

[AdamJT13]

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4690951/dan-connors-deal-worth-6-5-million

Dan Connor’s two-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys totals $6.5 million and includes a $2.7 million signing bonus.

Connor’s base salaries will be $800,000 and $3 million in 2012-13.

If there are no voidable years tacked on, his cap number this year would be $2.15 million, and we'd have $2,564,189 of cap room before signing Livings and Ogletree.

[JoaquinFenix]

Is there a specific date Dallas has to be under the cap or does each team have to be under the cap at all times? Obviously Dallas knows Newman's $$$ is coming off the books and could operate accordingly if the specific date to be under the cap was after June 1st.

Thanks Adam.

By the start of training camp.

Teams have to be under the cap every day of that league year. The 2012 league year began this week.

Oops.

[noletime95]

Going to need to restructure more contracts if Dallas wants to do anything else before the draft. Not much room left.

[Woods]

Going to need to restructure more contracts if Dallas wants to do anything else before the draft. Not much room left.

We save a bit of money with Kosier being released, and I think we could still restructure a couple more contracts, including Ware and re-doing Romo's.

[Fla Cowpoke]

If we had about 2.5m, Ogletree's deal only will take about 200k off the cap. I haven't seen Livings numbers but I am guessing no more than about 1.2m-1.4m in cap hit.

With Kosier's money coming off, I beleive there will be about 1.15m in net cap gain, as he was on the books for 2.95m, his prorated cap hit is 1.4m and with taking him off you gotta add back a minimum salary to the bottom.

So it should be about 3.45m minus Livings deal.

Ware's restructure is readily available. Coleman is the most likely guy to the gallows if money is needed. And Spencer could get a deal.

We could make a quite a bit of money if needed. And Newman's savings are just waiting for June 1st.

Say there is 2m after Livings deal....Ware adds 3m, Coleman would add 1.5(rule of 51 again), Newman adds 5.6-6m. That is up to 12.5m. If we added 2.5m by signing Spencer long term, that is 15m in room. Rookies will take 2m....so 13m for emergency, other shopping if someone we like becomes available, and to carry over to next year if needed. Will offset the 5m punishment and then some.

And if we do decide to fight the cap reduction, we could be in for a nice bounty.

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Anything that is left at the end of the year can be carried forward into 2013.
Wait, are you sure this is this true?

I thought the 2011-2012 year was the only year you could move cap space.

[Wulfman]

Wait, are you sure this is this true?

I thought the 2011-2012 year was the only year you could move cap space.

You're questioning whether or not Adam is sure of something cap-related?!?

Really?!?

[Blue Eyed Devil]

anyone can make a mistake and I've never seen this reported anywhere else.

[AdamJT13]

Wait, are you sure this is this true?

I thought the 2011-2012 year was the only year you could move cap space.

Teams have been able to carry over cap room every year there has been a cap. Before the new CBA, they did it by exploiting the LTBE loophole. The new CBA made it possible just by sending the league a letter --

(v) Carrying Over Room. A Club may “carry over” Room from one League Year to the following League Year by submitting notice in writing signed by the owner to the NFL no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the start of the next League Year indicating the maximum amount of Room that the Club wishes to carry over. The NFL shall promptly provide a copy of any such notice to the NFLPA. The amount of Room carried over will be adjusted downward based on the final Room available after the year-end reconciliation.

[Blue Eyed Devil]

That's crazy. Is the amount limited in any way? If a team has 60 million in cap space one year can they carry the whole thing over and just buy every free agent they want to build an uber-team?

[AdamJT13]

That's crazy. Is the amount limited in any way? If a team has 60 million in cap space one year can they carry the whole thing over and just buy every free agent they want to build an uber-team?

That would be legal, if a team could manage to do it.

Of course, if we did it, the league probably would punish us for upsetting the league's competitive balance.

[TwentyOne]

The cap penalty is included.

Our adjusted salary cap is $133,786,426, which includes $17,132,826 of cap room carried over from last year, $1,500,000 of cap room borrowed from the future, the minus-$5,000,000 penalty and minus-$446,400 in miscellaneous adjustments from previous seasons.

..$120,600,000
+$..17,132,826
+$...1,500,000
-$....5,000,000
-$......446,400
---------------
=$133,786,426

.

Thanks Adam.

[esmith1790]

This is an ADAM question but i am sure others are just as smart.

I see lots of contract breakdowns since the recent signings.

I see some have a big signing bonus, like 5 million plus. THen i see that the 1st year is fully guaranteed.

So my question is, if a veteran is on the roster week #1, his salary is guaranteed for the year anyways right?

I also serious doubt they would cut a player before the start of the week#1 if they just gave a huge signing bonus to.

So be default wouldnt the 1st year salaray be fully guaranteed no matter what? Why state the obvious is my question.

just might as well say that ROMO's and WARE's contract is guaranteed for 2012 also. Not like the cowboys are going to cut them this season.

[cowboyjoe]

Teams have to be under the cap every day of that league year. The 2012 league year began this week.

Then, I am confused Adam, way back I remember reading best I remember that the Skins, 49ers were over the cap by so much like in November and December and they had to adjust to get under later.

So, why werent those teams punished for being over?

I think at one time I read somewhere to the Giants were over to sometime during the season and they had to adjust to get under the cap, but these teams didnt get under the cap that day they were over, but later.

Why werent they punished for competitive imbalance?

[cowboyjoe]

That would be legal, if a team could manage to do it.

Of course, if we did it, the league probably would punish us for upsetting the league's competitive balance.

Totally agree Adam about the league trying to punish us if we did that. Cotton Picking John Mara, I cant wait till his team gets in trouble. As old saying what goes around comes around, or what you dish out, most of the time comes back to you in spades.

I bet if the Skins GM one day gets to be Head Chairman of the Competition Committee that the Giants will get punished some way one day.

Got another question for someone, as you know the competition committee best I read, voted without a vote for all teams owners or GMs. Isnt Stephen Jones on that competition committee? Couldnt he have called for a vote by all teams?

Or was this also done without the whole competition committee being there, just John Mara pushing it down DeSmith face on NFLPA, and whimp noodle Goodell agreed to this:

Oh, im starting to get ticked off again. :bang2:

[AdamJT13]

Then, I am confused Adam, way back I remember reading best I remember that the Skins, 49ers were over the cap by so much like in November and December and they had to adjust to get under later.

So, why werent those teams punished for being over?

I think at one time I read somewhere to the Giants were over to sometime during the season and they had to adjust to get under the cap, but these teams didnt get under the cap that day they were over, but later.

Why werent they punished for competitive imbalance?

The Skins and 49ers were never close to the cap in November or December.

The league won't approve contracts if they would put a team over the cap. At most, a team might be able to sign a player, then have until the end of the next business day at the league office to make a move to put them under the cap. There are certain instances when cutting a player might temporarily put a team over the cap, and the team is given seven days to get under the cap, but the team can't sign anyone until it is under the cap -- not even someone to replace the player who was cut.

Teams can be over a future cap before that league year begins. So, for example, the Raiders and Cardinals could be over this year's cap before the league year began. They had to cut players or restructure contracts to get under the cap before the league year began, however.

[Blue Eyed Devil]

So Adam, what are we looking like in 2013? These new contracts seem to be a lot heavier in 2013 plus we have the restructued contracts pushing back money and aren't Romo's, Ware's, and Austin's contracts going to jump next year?

I'm glad we're getting a lot of new players but have we mortgaged next year's free agency period to get them?

[speedkilz88]

I got a question Adam.

I know you originally thought it best to push the NFL "fine" into 2013, but if the Cowboys decided to add as much cap room in 2012 by basic restructuring (Ware, Romo, etc) and extending Spencer and possibly others. Would it be possible to have the NFL to go and subtract the rest of the "fine" this year so that they could have it off the books in 2013? Or with the ability to push money into next year anyway is that moot?

[cowboyjoe]

The Skins and 49ers were never close to the cap in November or December.

The league won't approve contracts if they would put a team over the cap. At most, a team might be able to sign a player, then have until the end of the next business day at the league office to make a move to put them under the cap. There are certain instances when cutting a player might temporarily put a team over the cap, and the team is given seven days to get under the cap, but the team can't sign anyone until it is under the cap -- not even someone to replace the player who was cut.

Teams can be over a future cap before that league year begins. So, for example, the Raiders and Cardinals could be over this year's cap before the league year began. They had to cut players or restructure contracts to get under the cap before the league year began, however.

Thanks Adam, not I understand. :)

[Wulfman]

I got a question Adam.

I know you originally thought it best to push the NFL "fine" into 2013, but if the Cowboys decided to add as much cap room in 2012 by basic restructuring (Ware, Romo, etc) and extending Spencer and possibly others. Would it be possible to have the NFL to go and subtract the rest of the "fine" this year so that they could have it off the books in 2013? Or with the ability to push money into next year anyway is that moot?

Adam will certainly correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's a moot point specifically because the $5 mil could get carried forward to next year's cap anyway. By not doing it now, though, they leave themselves the leeway of using those resources this year, should it become necessary due to injury or because they want to do one of those mid-year extensions (Jason Witten, for example).

I am also pretty sure I read that the decision has already been made to go $5 mil in each year, and my guess is that it's on the books at the league office that way. If that's the case, it likely wouldn't be subject to change.

[Temo]

That's crazy. Is the amount limited in any way? If a team has 60 million in cap space one year can they carry the whole thing over and just buy every free agent they want to build an uber-team?

Well the new CBA has minimum spending limits.

[AdamJT13]

Well the new CBA has minimum spending limits.

The minimum spending requirements for individual teams are only for the combined spending during two four-year periods -- 2013-2016 and 2017-2020. It would be easy for a team to vastly underspend for a year or two, then go crazy one year. I'm not sure whether that team would gain an advantage in the long run, however.

[Gregory]

you the best ;) Adam

[Temo]

The minimum spending requirements for individual teams are only for the combined spending during two four-year periods -- 2013-2016 and 2017-2020. It would be easy for a team to vastly underspend for a year or two, then go crazy one year. I'm not sure whether that team would gain an advantage in the long run, however.

Indeed.

[Wulfman]

Adam, as of the last official number I saw, there were still some contracts that hadn't been figured into the cap space. Can we get an update about what the actual number is now that they appear to be looking forward towards the draft, please?

Thanks!

[AdamJT13]

As of today, we are $2,164,189 under the cap. We will gain an additional $6.016 million in cap room on June 2, when Terence Newman's base salary disappears.

Here are the current cap numbers for every player --


TOP 51

DeMarcus Ware $10,301,693
Anthony Spencer $8,856,000 (tender)
Tony Romo $8,060,503
Jason Witten $5,500,000
Jay Ratliff $5,291,044
Doug Free $4,220,000
Brandon Carr $3,200,000
Orlando Scandrick $2,980,000
Tyron Smith $2,840,022
Miles Austin $2,721,000
Dez Bryant $2,703,500
Marcus Spears $2,700,000
Kenyon Coleman $2,345,000
Dan Connor $2,150,000
Jason Hatcher $2,100,000
Kyle Orton $1,900,000
Felix Jones $1,884,500
Mackenzy Bernadeau $1,812,500
Gerald Sensabaugh $1,800,000
Nate Livings $1,700,000
Mike Jenkins $1,672,000
Sean Lee $1,350,000
Brodney Pool $1,200,000
Bruce Carter $1,103,318
L.P. Ladouceur $985,000
Lawrence Vickers $900,000
Stephen McGee $748,000
Victor Butler $739,635
DeMarco Murray $675,781
Kevin Ogletree $640,000
David Arkin $598,400
John Phillips $584,564
Sean Lissemore $552,150
Josh Price-Brent $551,887
Barry Church $544,000
Phil Costa $544,000
Danny McCray $541,668
Baraka Atkins $540,000
Clifton Geathers $540,000 (tender)
Jeremy Parnell $540,000 (tender)
C.J. Wilson $540,000
Bill Nagy $476,475
Dwayne Harris $475,000
Shaun Chapas $472,000
Kevin Kowalski $466,666
Dan Bailey $465,833
Alex Albright $465,500
Phillip Tanner $465,500
Andre Holmes $465,000
Chris Jones $465,000
Isaiah Greenhouse $465,000


CURRENT PLAYERS OUTSIDE TOP 51 (base salary does not count against cap during offseason)

Mana Silva $465,000
Mario Butler $390,000
Rob Callaway $390,000
Kai Forbath $390,000
Orie Lemon $390,000
Raymond Radway $390,000
Brashton Satele $390,000
Justin Taplin-Ross $390,000
Teddy Williams $390,000


DEAD MONEY

Roy Williams $8,750,000
Terence Newman $8,016,000 (reduces to $2 million on June 2)
Leonard Davis $4,166,670
Marc Colombo $4,050,000
Marion Barber $4,000,000
Andre Gurode $1,666,670
Kyle Kosier $1,400,000
Igor Olshansky $1,200,000
Jon Kitna $1,000,000
Keith Brooking $800,000
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah $225,262
Josh Thomas $144,600
Brandon Williams $116,000
Dwayne Harris $82,545
Sam Young $55,250
Shaun Chapas $42,639
David Buehler $37,125
Travis Bright $6,000
Jose Acuna $4,334
Lyle Leong $4,000
Mario Butler $3,334
Chris Gronkowski $3,334
Chris Randle $3,334
Orie Lemon $2,000
Laupepa Letuli $2,000
Zack Eskridge $1,667
Corey Adams $1,334


Adjusted team salary cap: $133,786,426
Current total used: $131,622,237
Cap room: $2,164,189

Total dead money: $35,784,098 (will drop to $29,768,098 on June 2)



.

[skinsscalper]

As of today, we are $2,164,189 under the cap. We will gain an additional $6.016 million in cap room on June 2, when Terence Newman's base salary disappears.

Here are the current cap numbers for every player --


TOP 51

DeMarcus Ware $10,301,693
Anthony Spencer $8,856,000 (tender)
Tony Romo $8,060,503
Jason Witten $5,500,000
Jay Ratliff $5,291,044
Doug Free $4,220,000
Brandon Carr $3,200,000
Orlando Scandrick $2,980,000
Tyron Smith $2,840,022
Miles Austin $2,721,000
Dez Bryant $2,703,500
Marcus Spears $2,700,000
Kenyon Coleman $2,345,000
Dan Connor $2,150,000
Jason Hatcher $2,100,000
Kyle Orton $1,900,000
Felix Jones $1,884,500
Mackenzy Bernadeau $1,812,500
Gerald Sensabaugh $1,800,000
Nate Livings $1,700,000
Mike Jenkins $1,672,000
Sean Lee $1,350,000
Brodney Pool $1,200,000
Bruce Carter $1,103,318
L.P. Ladouceur $985,000
Lawrence Vickers $900,000
Stephen McGee $748,000
Victor Butler $739,635
DeMarco Murray $675,781
Kevin Ogletree $640,000
David Arkin $598,400
John Phillips $584,564
Sean Lissemore $552,150
Josh Price-Brent $551,887
Barry Church $544,000
Phil Costa $544,000
Danny McCray $541,668
Baraka Atkins $540,000
Clifton Geathers $540,000 (tender)
Jeremy Parnell $540,000 (tender)
C.J. Wilson $540,000
Bill Nagy $476,475
Dwayne Harris $475,000
Shaun Chapas $472,000
Kevin Kowalski $466,666
Dan Bailey $465,833
Alex Albright $465,500
Phillip Tanner $465,500
Andre Holmes $465,000
Chris Jones $465,000
Isaiah Greenhouse $465,000


CURRENT PLAYERS OUTSIDE TOP 51 (base salary does not count against cap during offseason)

Mana Silva $465,000
Mario Butler $390,000
Rob Callaway $390,000
Kai Forbath $390,000
Orie Lemon $390,000
Raymond Radway $390,000
Brashton Satele $390,000
Justin Taplin-Ross $390,000
Teddy Williams $390,000


DEAD MONEY

Roy Williams $8,750,000
Terence Newman $8,016,000 (reduces to $2 million on June 2)
Leonard Davis $4,166,670
Marc Colombo $4,050,000
Marion Barber $4,000,000
Andre Gurode $1,666,670
Kyle Kosier $1,400,000
Igor Olshansky $1,200,000
Jon Kitna $1,000,000
Keith Brooking $800,000
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah $225,262
Josh Thomas $144,600
Brandon Williams $116,000
Dwayne Harris $82,545
Sam Young $55,250
Shaun Chapas $42,639
David Buehler $37,125
Travis Bright $6,000
Jose Acuna $4,334
Lyle Leong $4,000
Mario Butler $3,334
Chris Gronkowski $3,334
Chris Randle $3,334
Orie Lemon $2,000
Laupepa Letuli $2,000
Zack Eskridge $1,667
Corey Adams $1,334
Adjusted team salary cap: $133,786,426
Current total used: $131,622,237
Cap room: $2,164,189

Total dead money: $35,784,098 (will drop to $29,768,098 on June 2)



.

Wow! 36 million in dead money this season (well, 29.7 after June). Holy crap! Next season we'll feel like we won the lottery!

[da_boyz_mk]

Does all the dead money go away after this year or is it spread out depending on the player?

[Wulfman]

Does all the dead money go away after this year or is it spread out depending on the player?

I believe it depends on the individual players' contracts, as well as when they are officially let go.

With over $2 mil in cap space, they have enough, then, to sign all of their draft picks prior to June, if they choose, without having to redo any other contracts, and could then use the money that frees up after June 2nd (for Newman) to either sign lower tier free agents to plug any remaining holes or extend an existing contract. I know they usually wait until training camp to do that, though, so the $2 mil could also be used to bring in a mid-tier free agent to fill any glaring holes immediately following the draft, and then use the money freed up from Newman contract to sign draft picks. Good stuff.

I do have one question, Adam. I noticed that both Brooking and Kitna have dead money showing on this list, but both of their contracts ended this past season. Does the dead money still count because of bonuses and/or escalator clauses that stretch into this year's cap (after the contract is completed) or what?

[AdamJT13]

Does all the dead money go away after this year or is it spread out depending on the player?

Other than players who were designated June 2 releases, there's no dead money for a future season until after June 1 in the previous year, so our only dead money for 2013 so far is $2 million for Terence Newman.

[AdamJT13]

I do have one question, Adam. I noticed that both Brooking and Kitna have dead money showing on this list, but both of their contracts ended this past season. Does the dead money still count because of bonuses and/or escalator clauses that stretch into this year's cap (after the contract is completed) or what?

Their contracts went through 2012, but the 2012 season was voidable.

[Wulfman]

Their contracts went through 2012, but the 2012 season was voidable.

Thanks. I figured it had to be something like that. As always, I appreciate the knowledge.

[Bluefin]

Total dead money: $35,784,098 (will drop to $29,768,098 on June 2)

Yowser.

So by the time the regular season arrives, the team will almost certainly wind up with over $30 million in dead money.

That's close to 1/4 of the team's adjusted salary cap.

Adam, could you give us an idea how much salary the team has committed for 20133 as things stand?

I know there isn't much point in looking ahead given the fluid nature of the cap and all, but it'd be cool to get an idea on things currently look.

[RastaRocket]

Their contracts went through 2012, but the 2012 season was voidable.

Just out of curiosity. How did you learn all this stuff? Do you just read the CBA?

[Gregory]

Thanks Adam ;)

[da_boyz_mk]

Adam and Wulfman thanks for responding. Without the dead money and the expectation of higher cap figures in the future, it sure sets up nice

[Beast_from_East]

Other than players who were designated June 2 releases, there's no dead money for a future season until after June 1 in the previous year, so our only dead money for 2013 so far is $2 million for Terence Newman.

Our dead money is going to drop from $30 million to $2 million next season?


Wow................I wonder if Mara is going to say we will have too much cap space next season and that might upset the competitive balance of the NFL so we will have to forfeit half of that.:laugh2:

[AdamJT13]

Our dead money is going to drop from $30 million to $2 million next season?

That will go up when we cut players after June 1, such as during training camp.

[burmafrd]

Roy $8 Million
Bigg, Colombo and MB all $4 million each. $20 million right there.

Bigg was too expensive and MB should not have been resigned. THen of course Roy. Those three huge mistakes- without them we could have done so much better.

But on the other hand there was no one around to tell Jerruh otherwise at that time.

[AdamJT13]

Update (4/30/2012) -- After signing Jeremy Parnell to a three-year contract and before handing out UDFA bonuses, we are $1,680,856 under the cap. The UDFA bonuses will count no more than $25,000 against this year's cap. Also, our standard offseason workout bonuses should hit the cap soon. With 60 players under contract, that should use about $334,800 of cap room -- the actual number will be adjusted after the workout program ends, based on who missed any days.

The rookie pool has not been announced, but if it did not increase or increased very little from last year, our rookie pool should be set at about $5.64 million. If so, then signing all of our rookies would use up no more than $2.685 million of cap room. It should be noted that trading up for Claiborne increased the offseason cap cost of our rookies by about $880,000.

Finally, remember that Terence Newman's base salary comes off the books on June 2, which will give us $6.016 million more cap room. None of our draft picks will need to be signed before then.

[Hostile]

Update (4/30/2012) -- After signing Jeremy Parnell to a three-year contract and before handing out UDFA bonuses, we are $1,680,856 under the cap. The UDFA bonuses will count no more than $25,000 against this year's cap. Also, our standard offseason workout bonuses should hit the cap soon. With 60 players under contract, that should use about $334,800 of cap room -- the actual number will be adjusted after the workout program ends, based on who missed any days.

The rookie pool has not been announced, but if it did not increase or increased very little from last year, our rookie pool should be set at about $5.64 million. If so, then signing all of our rookies would use up no more than $2.685 million of cap room. It should be noted that trading up for Claiborne increased the offseason cap cost of our rookies by about $880,000.

Finally, remember that Terence Newman's base salary comes off the books on June 2, which will give us $6.016 million more cap room. None of our draft picks will need to be signed before then.There is also a possibility of a long term deal for Spencer which could take more off I believe.

[AdamJT13]

There is also a possibility of a long term deal for Spencer which could take more off I believe.

That is correct.

[AdamJT13]

By the way, Parnell's cap numbers are $873,333 for this season, $1,356,421 for 2013 and $1,833,334 for 2014. His signing bonus was $1 million. He also has escalators for 2013 and 2014.

[AdamJT13]

Our rookie pool reportedly has been set at $5,714,522. That means we will use no more than $2,684,522 of cap room to sign all of our rookies.

[AdamJT13]

Update (5/10/2012) -- After signing 21 UDFAs, claiming Akwasi Owusu-Ansah and Jake Rogers off waivers and releasing Brashton Satele, we currently are $2,045,361 under the cap. We will need no more than
$2,659,022 of cap room to sign all of our draft picks -- and almost all of that (roughly $2.5 million) will come from signing Claiborne. None of the others will use more than about $75,000 of cap room, and signing Matt Johnson should reduce our cap room by no more than $146. (Yes, $146.)

I should note that Terence Newman still counts as one of our Top 51 until June 2, which is a change from my previous updates. The way that post-June 1 designated players are treated in regard to the Top 51 isn't clearly stated in the CBA, but I think I've been able to clarify it through a former GM. Some sources within the league don't treat post-June 1 releases correctly, which is why our cap room has been reported as being $465,000 less in some places than in others. On June 2, Newman's cap number will drop from $8.016 million to $2 million and he will be replaced in our Top 51 by a player who has a $465,000 base salary, so our net cap savings on June 2 for Newman will end up being $5.551 million.

[Woods]

Update (5/10/2012) -- After signing 21 UDFAs, claiming Akwasi Owusu-Ansah and Jake Rogers off waivers and releasing Brashton Satele, we currently are $2,045,361 under the cap. We will need no more than
$2,659,022 of cap room to sign all of our draft picks -- and almost all of that (roughly $2.5 million) will come from signing Claiborne. None of the others will use more than about $75,000 of cap room, and signing Matt Johnson should reduce our cap room by no more than $146. (Yes, $146.)

I should note that Terence Newman still counts as one of our Top 51 until June 2, which is a change from my previous updates. The way that post-June 1 designated players are treated in regard to the Top 51 isn't clearly stated in the CBA, but I think I've been able to clarify it through a former GM. Some sources within the league don't treat post-June 1 releases correctly, which is why our cap room has been reported as being $465,000 less in some places than in others. On June 2, Newman's cap number will drop from $8.016 million to $2 million and he will be replaced in our Top 51 by a player who has a $465,000 base salary, so our net cap savings on June 2 for Newman will end up being $5.551 million.

That's great stuff, Adam.

And assuming that Coleman is also upgraded this pre-season (reasonable possibility), along with the Newman savings, and maybe a long-term deal for Spencer, we'll be in really good shape if we want to extend guys like Lissemore, F Jones, M Jenkins, etc.

Let's hope we get back the cap money that was taken away from us as well!

[Fla Cowpoke]

So almost 7.6 m once June 1st hits. We will have a little space in the event we decide to do a little bargain shopping or have an injury. Would have been nice to have that extra 5m that the league took away.

Good to see we are sitting in decent shape after all that we have done and that next year we should be in even better shape.

[AdamJT13]

Update (5/10/2012) -- After releasing Troy Woolfolk and signing Ben Bass and Jamize Olawale, we are $2,044,361 under the cap. Neither Bass nor Olawale got a signing bonus.

Also, our reported rookie pool of $5,714,522 DOES NOT include the undrafted rookie reservation of $25,528, it's only the pool for the draft picks. Therefore, our total rookie pool is $5,740,050. If we use every dollar for our draft picks, signing them will use up $2,684,522 of cap room. As I stated before, almost all of this will come from signing Claiborne. Signing our other six picks will have very little effect on the salary cap, because of the Top 51 Rule.

All of this means that after Newman's release becomes official and we sign all of our draft picks, we should have about $4,910,839 of cap room left if everything else remains the same.

[Doomsday101]

Update (5/10/2012) -- After releasing Troy Woolfolk and signing Ben Bass and Jamize Olawale, we are $2,044,361 under the cap. Neither Bass nor Olawale got a signing bonus.

Also, our reported rookie pool of $5,714,522 DOES NOT include the undrafted rookie reservation of $25,528, it's only the pool for the draft picks. Therefore, our total rookie pool is $5,740,050. If we use every dollar for our draft picks, signing them will use up $2,684,522 of cap room. As I stated before, almost all of this will come from signing Claiborne. Signing our other six picks will have very little effect on the salary cap, because of the Top 51 Rule.

All of this means that after Newman's release becomes official and we sign all of our draft picks, we should have about $4,910,839 of cap room left if everything else remains the same.

But then that number changes once we go from 90 players to 53?

[AdamJT13]

But then that number changes once we go from 90 players to 53?

Yes, it could go up or down based on whatever moves we make.

[CoCo]

Yes, it could go up or down based on whatever moves we make.

The only way that cost goes up is if we make a roster addition whose cost falls in our Top 51 or we redo someone's deal to be more costly in 2012.

It goes down by cutting loose guys currently in our Top 51 or redoing one of those Top 51 deals to lessen the 2012 cap hit.

Right?

[Afigueroa22]

So we can't use the money from the Newman release until June 2nd? Is there anyway to structure contracts to work around that if we had to?

How much will Newman count against our cap next year?


Your sig threw some salt on my open wound!

[AdamJT13]

The only way that cost goes up is if we make a roster addition whose cost falls in our Top 51 or we redo someone's deal to be more costly in 2012.

It goes down by cutting loose guys currently in our Top 51 or redoing one of those Top 51 deals to lessen the 2012 cap hit.

Right?

He was talking about after the final cuts, when the Top 51 Rule no longer applies and everyone counts against the cap in full.

But to answer your question, there are other ways that we can lose cap room while the Top 51 Rule still applies. For example, we can lose cap room by signing someone who doesn't make our top 51 (such as a late-round draft pick) if he gets a signing bonus or by cutting someone outside our Top 51 before June 2 if he has signing bonus prorations that can accelerate into this season (such as one of our UDFAs).

[AdamJT13]

Update (6/2/2012) -- Terence Newman’s release is now official. His cap charge goes from $8.016 million to $2 million for 2012, with $2 million in dead money left in 2013. He is replaced in our Top 51 by a player whose base salary is $465,000, giving us a net gain of $5.551 million in cap room. We are now $7,595,361 under the cap.

It should cost us $2,759,522 of cap room to sign all of our draft picks, which would leave us $4,835,839 under the cap if we don't make any other moves before then.

These should be the cap numbers for each of our draft picks --

Mo Claiborne........$2,957,182
Tyrone Crawford... $533,813
Kyle Wilber........... $499,805
Matt Johnson....... $465,146
Danny Coale........ $437,513
James Hanna....... $416,213
Caleb McSurdy..... $404,850

[MichaelWinicki]

Thanks Adam!

[ravidubey]

Seems like next year's dead money will be greatly reduced, the biggest hits probably from the NFL punitive action, Newman, and to a lesser degree Kosier.

Sounds like a comparitive windfall in available cap space between next year and this year.

Since the Cowboys signed a ton of free agents this year the team could be poised for an even bigger haul in 2013, though it will be a contract year for Romo.

[AdamJT13]

Seems like next year's dead money will be greatly reduced, the biggest hits probably from the NFL punitive action, Newman, and to a lesser degree Kosier.

There's no dead money for Kosier next year. The only dead money for 2013 right now is Newman's $2 million.

[RamziD]

Update (6/2/2012) -- Terence Newman’s release is now official. His cap charge goes from $8.016 million to $2 million for 2012, with $2 million in dead money left in 2013. He is replaced in our Top 51 by a player whose base salary is $465,000, giving us a net gain of $5.551 million in cap room. We are now $7,595,361 under the cap.

It should cost us $2,759,522 of cap room to sign all of our draft picks, which would leave us $4,835,839 under the cap if we don't make any other moves before then.

These should be the cap numbers for each of our draft picks --

Mo Claiborne........$2,957,182
Tyrone Crawford... $533,813
Kyle Wilber........... $499,805
Matt Johnson....... $465,146
Danny Coale........ $437,513
James Hanna....... $416,213
Caleb McSurdy..... $404,850

The above totals $5.7 million, not $2.7 million. Is there anything I'm missing here?

[irishline]

The above totals $5.7 million, not $2.7 million. Is there anything I'm missing here?

Not 100% on this but fairly sure he means their cap hit is $2.7 when u factor in the rule of 51. Assuming the average salary for for players 45 to 51 is $425,00 that would be deducted from each of the draft pick salaries when calculating the cap...

Mo Claiborne........$2,957,182 -$425,000 = $2,532,182 cap hit
Tyrone Crawford... $533,813 - $425,000 = $108,813 cap hit
Kyle Wilber........... $499,805 - $425,000 = $74,805 cap hit
Matt Johnson....... $465,146 - $425,000 = $40,146 cap hit
Danny Coale........ $437,513 - $425,000 = $12,513 cap hit
James Hanna....... $416,213 = no change to cap
Caleb McSurdy..... $404,850 = no chage to cap

Not exact numbers since I obviously am not using actual salaries for players 45 to 51, but look at that its pretty close to the figure Adam gave,

[Fla Cowpoke]

Not 100% on this but fairly sure he means their cap hit is $2.7 when u factor in the rule of 51. Assuming the average salary for for players 45 to 51 is $425,00 that would be deducted from each of the draft pick salaries when calculating the cap...

Mo Claiborne........$2,957,182 -$425,000 = $2,532,182 cap hit
Tyrone Crawford... $533,813 - $425,000 = $108,813 cap hit
Kyle Wilber........... $499,805 - $425,000 = $74,805 cap hit
Matt Johnson....... $465,146 - $425,000 = $40,146 cap hit
Danny Coale........ $437,513 - $425,000 = $12,513 cap hit
James Hanna....... $416,213 = no change to cap
Caleb McSurdy..... $404,850 = no chage to cap

Not exact numbers since I obviously am not using actual salaries for players 45 to 51, but look at that its pretty close to the figure Adam gave,

That is EXACTLY the case. For each guy signed, a salary comes off the cap....so the addition to the cap is only the difference in salary, not the entire salary.

[RamziD]

Thank you both for clearing that up.

[Blue Eyed Devil]

AdamJT13, I'm concerned about our future money. The news came out today that the NFL is telling teams to expect a 120 million salary cap for the next 3 years, lower than 2009's salary cap. ESPN also reported (for whatever it's worth) that the Cowboys are already $20 million over the cap in 2014.

With Romo's contract being a bit of an open issue, where does this team stand with the cap in 2013+?

Have the lavish deals handed out to Carr, Ratliff, Free, Scandrick, and Sensabaugh put this team in a salary cap bind next season?

[RastaRocket]

AdamJT13, I'm concerned about our future money. The news came out today that the NFL is telling teams to expect a 120 million salary cap for the next 3 years, lower than 2009's salary cap. ESPN also reported (for whatever it's worth) that the Cowboys are already $20 million over the cap in 2014.

With Romo's contract being a bit of an open issue, where does this team stand with the cap in 2013+?

Have the lavish deals handed out to Carr, Ratliff, Free, Scandrick, and Sensabaugh put this team in a salary cap bind next season?

I don't think it is a concern. We back load contracts for now so you can't really tell what the future actually looks like. As we have seen over the years, it is going to change a lot and there are many ways you can manage it and keep the players you want to keep.

[cowboy_ron]

Adam, where do we stand as of today?

[AdamJT13]

Adam, where do we stand as of today?

We're $5,137,214 under the cap.

[Bluestang]

How much dead money is coming off the books?

[cowboy_ron]

We're $5,137,214 under the cap.
Thanks Adam

[jobberone]

I have a question. Seems we'll have about 5M after signing the rooks. What can we do with that money and how much do we and most teams leave in reserve for emergencies down the road?

[AdamJT13]

I have a question. Seems we'll have about 5M after signing the rooks. What can we do with that money and how much do we and most teams leave in reserve for emergencies down the road?

Anything we have left after final cuts and forming a practice squad could give us room to sign or trade for a veteran or extend one of our player's contracts (although an extension could save more cap room this year, too). Most teams try to keep a million or two in reserve in case of injuries during the season. At the end of the season, any cap room that's left can be carried over into 2013.

[Rockytop6]

I'm far from the first to say it, but thank you Adam, you are a fantastic addition to this board and your knowledge is astounding.

Most definitely! I say amen, amen and amen to your post. I don't know any other source where we fans can receive the kind of information he provides.

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Adam - What would the dead money be for 2013 if the Cowboys cut Ratliff this off-season? What would it be in 2014 if they parted with him then?

I'm concerned about his durability and wonder what the new contract's affect on our cap would be if he can't play anymore.

[Phoenix]

Just saw this on the Twitter:


John Clayton ‏@ClaytonESPN (https://twitter.com/ClaytonESPN)


(https://twitter.com/ClaytonESPN) Tuesday at 4 p.m. is a big day for cap economics. It's the last day a team can borrow $1.5M of cap room from future years.







...that is in...oh, half an hour from this post.

[Bluefin]

Adam - What would the dead money be for 2013 if the Cowboys cut Ratliff this off-season? What would it be in 2014 if they parted with him then?

I'm concerned about his durability and wonder what the new contract's affect on our cap would be if he can't play anymore.

We'll have to wait on Adam for exact numbers, but I'll hazard a guess going by what I've read.

Rat's second extension last September was reportedly for another 5 years with $18 million guaranteed, with $10 million of it coming as an up front signing bonus (prorates at 2.0M each yr).

The question is the remaining $8 million in guaranteed money.

I'm guessing it was Rat's base salaries in '11 ($1.625M), '12 ($1.5M) and most of '13 ($5.0M). Those reported base salaries add up to $8.125 million.

So cutting Ratliff in 2013 would mean close to $7 million in dead money even if using the June 2nd designation.

That's almost equal to his reported cap number that year, so there wouldn't be any point in such a move.

2014 looks doable (if necessary).

Dallas could take the remaining bonus money hit all at once ($4M), which would be $1.5 million less than Rat's base salary that year ($5.5M), or spread it out over two years and save $3.5M in '14 and $5.0M in '15 (also remember that another contract would replace Rat's, so the total savings wouldn't be quite as much as I'm showing).

[Bluestang]

Can we get an update on the current cap and the dead money on the books?

Pretty please?

please?