Month: February 2014

The NFL salary cap limit is $133 million for the 2014 fiscal year, a $10 million increase from last year.

According to the NFL Players Association, teams averaged a carry-over of $6.1 million per team from 2013 to 2014.

So, most teams have an average of $139.1 million to allocate for 2014 player salaries in 2014.

The salary cap is calculated by taking a percentage of all projected NFL revenues and subtracting projected benefits for the upcoming season, and dividing by 32 teams.

Under the current collective bargaining agreemnent, teams have minimum cash spending requirements. For the years 2013- through 2016, teams are required to spend an average of 89 percent of the salary cap over the four-year period. NFL teams must spend an average of 9 of the Salary Cap over the four-year period.

“This creates a cash-spend floor, forcing historically low-spending clubs to offer overall competitive compensation for packages,” the union said.

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Are player benefits taken out of this $133 million?
The $133 million Salary Cap is the cap on active player salaries. In addition, each Club will spend in excess of $33 million in benefits. This includes pension, severance, workers? compensation, insurance premiums, disability benefits, etc.

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Louis Delmas shouldn't have too hard of a problem finding an NFL team this offseason.

In fact, the former Lions safety that was recently released just concluded a visit with the Dolphins, according to the Miami Herald. This came a day after Delmas visited the New Orleans Saints' organization.

The Dolphins could be in need of a safety if Chris Clemons leaves in free agency, so it's likely Delmas is a second option if they're unable to retain him.

The Lions have also expressed an interest in bringing Delmas back but at a reduced rate.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

The Oakland Raiders have re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes, the team announce.

“I’m so excited to be back,” Barnes said. I’m going on my sixth year here, and we’ve had some ups and downs but there are some unfinished things we have to do here. I want to be a part of the process that turns this thing around. I believe in [coach] Dennis [Allen] and I believe in [general manager] Reggie [McKenzie]. I am just excited I get the chance to come back and help this team win.”

Barnes is entering his 10th NFl season.

He started every game last seaosn 11 at left tackle and five at left guard.

Barnes started nine games at right tackle in 2012 and all 16 games at the same spot in 2011. He originally signed with the Raiders as an unrestricted free agent in 2009.

The 6-foot-6, 321-pounder has played in 123 career games with 103 starts in nine seasons with the Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars.

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The Arizona Cardinals released linebacker Jasper Brinkley on Friday, the organization announced.

The move will save the Cardinals $2 million in cap space, with only $200,000 left in dead money, according to the team's website.

In 2013, Brinkley had 30 tackles on defense and five on special teams.

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At least Jimmy Graham had some humor about it.

With the deadline approaching on Monday, the Saints were previously reported to be giving the tight end the franchise tag. Graham confirmed this on his personal twitter account.

“Confirming it's officially Franchisefriday… TAG … I guess I'm it..,” he wrote.

Graham has publicly stated he didn't want the franchise tag. Then again, nobody in the NFL wants it. Long-term security is more important than one year with a high salary to these guys.

That's not to say the Saints can't get a deal done with Graham. They'll have until July 15 to work something out. Otherwise, Graham will play the season with the designation — whether it's at tight end or wide receiver.

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The Dallas Cowboys are cutting veteran center Phil Costa today, according to a league source.

Costa was cut rather than accept a cut in pay.

Costa is a 6-foot-3, 302-pounder from Maryland.

He has started 20 of 26 career game, but started no games last season after the Cowboys drafted center Travis Frederick in the first round.

Costa started every game during the 2011 season.

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The Carolina Panthers will designate defensive end Greg Hardy with the franchise tag, the organization announced on Friday.

The deadline to apply the franchise tag is Monday. For defensive ends, the tag for defensive ends is estimated to be in the $12.5 million range.

“We are very pleased that Greg will be back with the Panthers next season,” Carolina coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. “He was a big reason we were able to lead the league in sacks last year and keeps our defensive line intact.”

Hardy finished his 2013 campaign with 15 sacks, which helped him land his first appearance in the NFL Pro Bowl.

The Panthers drafted Hardy in the sixth round out of Ole Miss in 2010.

“The franchise mechanism gives us time to secure the services of a very good player while we continue to look at the future of Greg with the Carolina Panthers,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. “We have had great dialogue with both Greg and his agent. It was important to keep our defensive front together.”

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The Dallas Cowboys have released defensive end Everette Brown, who played in seven games last season.

They also cut defensive tackle Corvey Irvin, offensive guard Ray Dominguez and offensive guard Jeff Olson.

Brown finished the season with seven tackles, two for losses and four pressures.

He had a sack and forced fumble against the Minneosta Vikings.

The Cowboys have salary-cap issues and may have to consider whether they can afford defensive end DeMarcus Ware and wide receiver Miles Austin.

Their top free agent is defensive tackle Jason Hatcher.

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The Arizona Cardinals cut ties with vetearn strength and conditioning coordinator John Lott today.

Lott was at the NFL scouting combine in his usual role, encouraging draft prospects in the bench press.

The Cardinals retained assistant strength and conditioning coach Pete Alosi.

“Coach (Bruce) Arians let John know this morning that he’s making a change and going in a different direction in that role,” the Cardinals said in a statement. “Everyone at the team is certainly grateful to John for his contributions and wish him nothing but the best moving forward. The search for a replacement is underway.”

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The Seattle Seahawks have cut veteran defensive end Red Bryant and wide receiver Sidney Rice.

Both roster moves were expected. Bryant was due a $3 million roster bonus in March. Rice is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Bryant could be of interest to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a league source.

The Seahawks created over $12 million in salary-cap room for the 2014 fiscal year.

“We want to thank both Red and Sidney for their effort, commitment and contribution to the Seattle Seahawks over the last few years,” general manager John Schneider said in a statement. “These are extremely tough decisions, but we wanted to give them a head start on free agency. We wish them well in the future.”

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun