Thomas Dimitroff isn’t worried about salary cap as ‘difficult decisions’ loom with Falcons roste

[Goober Pyle]

https://theathletic.com/1498199/2019/12/30/thomas-dimitroff-isnt-worried-about-salary-cap-as-difficult-decisions-loom-for-falcons-roster/

The Falcons front office maintains it’s not worried about the 2020 salary cap. The belief at team headquarters is that the Falcons will continue to be — in their words — “creative” in efforts to create some salary-cap space to sign some quality free agents. But obviously, each free-agent acquisition in 2019 came on a budget. The Falcons were in no position to sign a high-profile name on either side of the ball.

As it stands, it seems unlikely that the Falcons will be able to make the kind of big splash in free agency that this fan base would love to see.

The final 2020 salary-cap figure for each team hasn’t been revealed yet, although it’s estimated to be between $196.8 million and $201.2 million. This season operated at a cap figure of $188.2 million.

Still, the 2020 season figures to be tight. An ESPN report during the weekend stated the Falcons adjusted Matt Ryan and Grady Jarrett’s 2020 salaries and previously scheduled bonuses into bonuses prorated during the duration of their deals. This move freed up $12 million. Before the moves, Over The Cap projected the Falcons to be $6.9 million above the salary cap, which means they would now only be $5.1 million below it with the Ryan and Jarrett adjustments.

“I am not concerned about it being a situation where we are going to be in what has been perceived out there as ‘cap ****,’” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Friday. “It’s not the case at all. We will accomplish what we need to accomplish to continue to be able to bring the right players in here to be a contender. That’s my feeling about it.”

Dimitroff was then asked for specifics Monday as to why Atlanta isn’t in “cap ****” for the 2020 season.

“Any time you’re looking to be creative, you have to look at where we are with the salary cap, and you have to make some difficult decisions,” Dimitroff said. “In my mind, when we do decide on the decisions we’re going to make, I don’t think it’s going to leave our organization in a spot where we are devoid of talent. I feel like we have a really good setup in how we will put it all together. Dan (Quinn) and I communicate very closely on how we want our team to come together and the money we’re going to put into the team. I think on the other side of this you’ll realize what I’m talking about.”

The “difficult decisions” Dimitroff is referring to are the need to release players under contract who have been key contributors for the franchise in recent seasons.

With the team up against the cap, the Falcons may be forced to move on from upcoming free agents Austin Hooper and De’Vondre Campbell. After a season that saw him catch 75 passes for 787 yards and six touchdowns — all career bests — Hooper should be in line for a sizable payday if he hits the open market. It wouldn’t be out of the question to see Hooper net a contract worth more than $10 million in average annual value.

“It’s a business. I obviously would like to be here, I’m open to coming back here,” Hooper said. “But I don’t know — I haven’t received an offer yet. If I do, I’d like to be here. At the same time, it’s a business. I’ll let my representation and the Falcons handle that.”

Dimitroff, however, didn’t rule out the option of placing the franchise tag on Hooper to keep him from leaving the team. While the 2020 franchise tag numbers haven’t been revealed, the figure for tight ends in 2019 was $10.387 million.

Hooper remains a priority this offseason for the Falcons, who hope to keep him in the fold.

“We’re in the process of doing that right now, talking about it and how we put things together,” Dimitroff said. “We haven’t made any solid decisions at this point. I’d also mentioned he was our focus in the offseason. The way the season goes, but not only the season from a record standpoint but how our players play, that’s a big part of putting it all together. Once we get to the other side of this week, we’ll continue to look at this and make some good decisions.”

Campbell, who led the Falcons for the second consecutive season with 129 tackles, said it has been quiet on the contract front. Campbell would prefer to return to Atlanta if given the choice.

“They gave me an opportunity that 31 other teams didn’t,” Campbell said. “It would be special to come back. But I understand the way this business works.”

Dimitroff was also asked about where Campbell and Vic Beasley, an upcoming free agent who just played out his fifth-year option, are in the early 2020 roster construction process.

“They factor into the consideration of what we’re doing to the roster, no question about it,” Dimitroff said. “We have not extended anything at this point.”

Then there are the cap casualties — which also fall into the aforementioned “difficult decisions” category — the Falcons must contemplate. The easiest savings would come from releasing Alex Mack, which would save $8 million. But are the Falcons prepared to let go of one of the NFL’s best centers without a definite replacement? Probably not.

If Atlanta felt like it had to do something with Mack’s contract, it would be better served in restructuring his 2020 salary and even adding a year to his contract to bring next season’s number down.

There are a number of candidates whose release could bring the cap number down:

• Keanu Neal, which would save $6.466 million
• Desmond Trufant, which would save $4.95 million
• Allen Bailey, which would save $4.5 million
• Ty Sambrailo, which would save $3.75 million
• Devonta Freeman, which would save $3.5 million
• Ricardo Allen, which would save $3.125 million
• Luke Stocker, which would save $2.6 million
• Matt Schaub, which would save $2 million
• Takk McKinley, which would save $1.2 million

Of this group, there are a number of players who don’t make much sense to release. Neal is too valuable to Quinn’s defense when healthy. Due to Bailey’s ability to defend the run, letting him loose would be a risk. Allen is one of the most influential voices in the locker room. While Schaub will be 39 next year, he proved he can step up when needed against the Seattle Seahawks.

Trufant, who had one of his best seasons individually before it was cut short due to injury, is proof you can never have too many cornerbacks on an NFL roster. But Kendall Sheffield’s emergence and Isaiah Oliver’s second-half improvement could give the Falcons a reason to at least ponder parting ways with Trufant for financial reasons.

Freeman will also be one to monitor this offseason. Quinn was asked specifically about Freeman’s future with the team during a Monday news conference, and he declined to elaborate. Quinn’s reasoning was that it’s too early in the offseason to talk about any player’s future with the team.

Freeman, who signed a five-year, $41.25 million contract in 2017, appeared cognizant of the possibility he could wind up a cap casualty. Earlier in the day, Freeman was asked if he knew where his standing with the team was heading into the offseason.

“I’m here,” he said. “Hey, I know I can play football real well, and I’ll continue to work hard and find ways to get better. Whatever happens, happens. I’ll just control what I can control.”

 

 

 

[Realsurfin]

Freeman should move on.

[FormerFan-RobertAP]

• Keanu Neal, which would save $6.466 million
• Desmond Trufant, which would save $4.95 million
• Allen Bailey, which would save $4.5 million
• Ty Sambrailo, which would save $3.75 million
• Devonta Freeman, which would save $3.5 million
• Luke Stocker, which would save $2.6 million
• Matt Schaub, which would save $2 million

These guys should be cut.  That will give us about 20 million to sign 27 people with.  (assuming we sign Hoop)

Ideally, we let Hoop walk and make some moves to get more talented at multiple positions.  Don't get me wrong, I love Hoop, but if we pay him, then we'll have 30% of our cap tied up in 3 players on offense.  That's freaking insane, and not a recipe for success.

[Snafu]

As much as I like Hoop and would love for him to stay. Anything over 6 Mil per year is money that could be better utilized. Lets see what Graham can do.

[Ergo Proxy]

I think you extend Mack 1-2 years to make his 2020 manageable and future years negligible dead money; this assumes he doesn't retire.

[Snafu]

That Jamon Brown cap hit for next year is making me angry.

What a craptastic signing.

[quotemokc]

There is more to it than just cap space.

• Keanu Neal, which would save $6.466 million
• Desmond Trufant, which would save $4.95 million $10 mil dead cap
• Allen Bailey, which would save $4.5 million $1.5 mil dead cap
• Ty Sambrailo, which would save $3.75 million $2 mil dead cap
• Devonta Freeman, which would save $3.5 million $6 mil dead cap
• Luke Stocker, which would save $2.6 million $750,000 dead cap
• Matt Schaub, which would save $2 million $375,000 dead cap

[Sun Tzu 7]

17 minutes ago, quotemokc said:

There is more to it than just cap space.

• Keanu Neal, which would save $6.466 million
• Desmond Trufant, which would save $4.95 million $10 mil dead cap
• Allen Bailey, which would save $4.5 million $1.5 mil dead cap
• Ty Sambrailo, which would save $3.75 million $2 mil dead cap
• Devonta Freeman, which would save $3.5 million $6 mil dead cap
• Luke Stocker, which would save $2.6 million $750,000 dead cap
• Matt Schaub, which would save $2 million $375,000 dead cap

Just pointing out something very quickly to clarify

Trufant: $15.15 cap hit - $10.2 dead money = approx $4.95  million in cap space

[poutlipper]

The only one I hate to see go is Neal.  It's emotion and not rational though.  

[Malachore]

What exactly is dead cap?

[PokerSteve]

1 hour ago, RubberDucky said:

That Jamon Brown cap hit for next year is making me angry.

What a craptastic signing.

troffed... all the way to the bone marrow.

[Snafu]

23 minutes ago, Malachore said:

What exactly is dead cap?

Money being paid to a player that is no longer on your roster.

I believe its remaining guranteed money and bonus money that the player is owed being prorated to that year.

Edited December 31, 2019 by RubberDucky

[BUBBASBEANS]

58 minutes ago, Sun Tzu 7 said:

Just pointing out something very quickly to clarify

Trufant: $15.15 cap hit - $10.2 dead money = approx $4.95  million in cap space

Yeah that dead $ is what kills.  I have no problem moving on from any of our dead weight.  We have quite a few in this category but it also brings to forefront the need for clear vision “who are we on each side of ball, what type players fit our mold, where do we find these guys to enable us to retool quickly”.  I know we’re on outside trying to figure things out but it just has not appeared we knew these answers and took proactive steps to sign or draft accordingly rather we just made knee jerk, too ltl, too late, overpriced moves.  Maybe I’m showing my ignorance but that’s exactly how it’s seemed last few years.  

[Atl Falcon]

Folks can say what they want to...but we’re in cap he//. Yea I realize they’re ways to manipulate to make things work but if you can’t resign really good players and or acquire a top end FA need that’s cap he// anyway you cut it.

[2_legit_2_legit_2_quit]

Why should he be worried? He obviously can’t be fired.

[FormerFan-RobertAP]

1 hour ago, quotemokc said:

There is more to it than just cap space.

• Keanu Neal, which would save $6.466 million
• Desmond Trufant, which would save $4.95 million $10 mil dead cap
• Allen Bailey, which would save $4.5 million $1.5 mil dead cap
• Ty Sambrailo, which would save $3.75 million $2 mil dead cap
• Devonta Freeman, which would save $3.5 million $6 mil dead cap
• Luke Stocker, which would save $2.6 million $750,000 dead cap
• Matt Schaub, which would save $2 million $375,000 dead cap

You're absolutely correct, but if we don't clear cap space, we won't be able to field a 53 man roster next year.

[opensource001]

17 minutes ago, 2_legit_2_legit_2_quit said:

Why should he be worried? He obviously can’t be fired.

Exactly!  No reason to worry if you don't face any consequences.

[FormerFan-RobertAP]

To follow up on my previous comment...  As of now, we have 27 players signed for the 2020 season.  Those players account for all but 5 million in cap space.  We have 26 unfilled positions and 5 million to work with.  The league minimum salary is 550,000.  Thus, we can sign about 8 people at the league minimum with our remaining cap space.  

27 + 8 = 35.  Leaving 18 unfilled spaces on the roster and no way to sign anyone.

As stated in the OP, we can clear some space by cutting some folks.  We're going to have to.

[The Daywalker]

2 hours ago, quotemokc said:

There is more to it than just cap space.

• Keanu Neal, which would save $6.466 million
• Desmond Trufant, which would save $4.95 million $10 mil dead cap
• Allen Bailey, which would save $4.5 million $1.5 mil dead cap
• Ty Sambrailo, which would save $3.75 million $2 mil dead cap
• Devonta Freeman, which would save $3.5 million $6 mil dead cap
• Luke Stocker, which would save $2.6 million $750,000 dead cap
• Matt Schaub, which would save $2 million $375,000 dead cap

Just move sambrailo to tight end and let hooper walk! 

[Hashbrown3]

5 minutes ago, The Daywalker said:

Just move sambrailo to tight end and let hooper walk! 

[pzummo]

1 hour ago, robertap said:

You're absolutely correct, but if we don't clear cap space, we won't be able to field a 53 man roster next year.

We were about $2m over before Ryan and Grady restructured, freeing up $12m. We are $10m under the projected 2020 cap. We are projected to be about $5.9m under the cap after signing our draft picks. We are not in nearly as bad of shape as people act.

[FalconFanSince1969]

1 hour ago, robertap said:

To follow up on my previous comment...  As of now, we have 27 players signed for the 2020 season.  Those players account for all but 5 million in cap space.  We have 26 unfilled positions and 5 million to work with.  The league minimum salary is 550,000.  Thus, we can sign about 8 people at the league minimum with our remaining cap space.  

27 + 8 = 35.  Leaving 18 unfilled spaces on the roster and no way to sign anyone.

As stated in the OP, we can clear some space by cutting some folks.  We're going to have to.

We dont even know for sure how much space the Grady and Ryan restructures created. It simply said 'north' of 12 mil. That plus 5 mil in rollover cash and it's not the Doom and gloom scenario you make it to be. All this time stressing over something that can be manipulated a million ways....so dumb.

[pzummo]

1 hour ago, robertap said:

To follow up on my previous comment...  As of now, we have 27 players signed for the 2020 season.  Those players account for all but 5 million in cap space.  We have 26 unfilled positions and 5 million to work with.  The league minimum salary is 550,000.  Thus, we can sign about 8 people at the league minimum with our remaining cap space.  

27 + 8 = 35.  Leaving 18 unfilled spaces on the roster and no way to sign anyone.

As stated in the OP, we can clear some space by cutting some folks.  We're going to have to.

Where are you getting your numbers? Spotrac and OTP have us at 43 players and $2m over the projected cap. With the $12m savings from Ryan and Jarrett, that puts us around $10m under the cap with 10 spots to fill the rister. Only the top 51 contracts count, so that leaves 8 spots to fill with that $10m in cap space. Our 8 draft picks are projected to be about half of that space, giving us about $5+ million buffer to work with.

[FalconFanSince1969]

22 minutes ago, pzummo said:

Where are you getting your numbers? Spotrac and OTP have us at 43 players and $2m over the projected cap. With the $12m savings from Ryan and Jarrett, that puts us around $10m under the cap with 10 spots to fill the rister. Only the top 51 contracts count, so that leaves 8 spots to fill with that $10m in cap space. Our 8 draft picks are projected to be about half of that space, giving us about $5+ million buffer to work with.

That doesn't include the 4.5 mil rollover from this year either

[FalconsIn2012]

33 minutes ago, pzummo said:

We were about $2m over before Ryan and Grady restructured, freeing up $12m. We are $10m under the projected 2020 cap. We are projected to be about $5.9m under the cap after signing our draft picks. We are not in nearly as bad of shape as people act.

The NFL average available space per team is 49 million.  We have around 2 million in CAP.  Definitely not in good position