What are the Cap implications with retirements?

[InDakWeTrust]

If Dat retires from his neck injury do we get to keep his remaining SB? Same with Rivera?
Although I hate to look ahead, tomorrow's game is our season. We need to pull one out but it will be difficult, yet we will keep things close.
Free Agency will have some gems in it, like TO, and we will need to fix the Oline somehow. Just asking to see what would happen to these guys and their injuries...

 

[sago1]

I'm sure Adam can provide full details re cap hit if Dat (as expected) retires next year but don't think it more than $1M.
Riveria (33) signed 5 year contract & received $9M SB. SB probably expected to be prorated over at least 3 years; if Riveria head/back injury force retirement in 06 we probably take cap hit after 1 June 06 up to $4.5M which we simply cannot afford to do. Same applies we to stupid enough to cut him. Larry Allen injury/cut would also cost a lot of cap space which is why neither will be cut in 06.

I believe rumor about Glover (31) being cut next year is true; Cowboys simply cannot justify the cap hit $4.5M it would cost to keep him. I like Glover who has been a team leader & the pro bowl player we hoped he would be & wish we could keep him. But we gave Ferguson big SB to start for us & he has done his job (mostly) of stopping runs up the middle; NT rarely get sacks.

We need develop a young player behind Ferguson who replaces him in maybe 2 years. Real interest that Parcells elected activate undrafted rookie DT Thomas "Pepper" Johnson for first time against Skins & actually gave him some playing time in the game. A few of you mentioned he played pretty good & actually held at the point of attack. Johnson (6-2, 294#) was the kid Parcells so high on in TC that he kept him on team rather then risk getting him to PS. Participation in offseason weight conditioning program will help Johnson get bigger (300#+) & stronger for next season. Of course if he doesn't show enough to become viable backup to Ferguson then Parcells probably forced make alternative arrangements.

BTW: Ellis cost about $2.5M against the cap but I would like to see him cause he a real team leader and pass rusher but (unless I missed something) he didn't show much against the Skins & he is a vet not young kid. DL in 06 could easily be Spears/Ratliff, Ferguson/Johnson, Canty/?.