Saturday, March 04, 2006
No Labor of Love
Time is ticking on the NFL's claim to salary cap sanity. The chasm of cash that separates the league's owners and the players union is threatening Paul Tagliabue's gridiron Shangri-La.
After five hours of meeting in New York on Saturday, nobody but the suits gathered around that antique oak negotiating table knew what kind of progress was made. Even then, I'd argue their knowledge was debatable.
In an effort to buy these stubborn sides more negotiating time, the NFL Commissioner extended the free agency deadline until midnight on Sunday. Barring another stay of execution, the guillotine will then drop on some high priced players.
The league would operate with a salary cap of $94.5 million in the 2006 season, meaning several teams would need to slash rosters to comply with that cap number. Pro Bowlers with the paychecks to prove it might soon flood the free agent market. Bloody Sunday, indeed.
The Browns stand to haul in quite the catch, with nearly $20 million in spending money to bait their hooks. But they have to be smart spenders. (That might go without saying, had Butch Davis not previously been in charge of the books).
On Saturday, general manager Phil Savage outlined the Browns offseason strategy, first acknowledging that, unlike some teams, his cannot address every need (and there are a roster's full) with free agency and the draft. "There's a position or two where we might try and fake it for another year and do a combination of players at one spot," Savage said. "That could easily happen."
At least he's honest. His draft board is in good shape. Same goes for his free agency plan, which is in a holding pattern while the league and union settle their differences.
But come 12:01 AM on Monday, when the chopping block drops, Savage and the Browns will be waiting to pick up the juicy pieces.
As for the NFL and its labor issues, without common ground they would also be without a salary cap for the 2007 season (see: recipie for finalcial disaster; also major league baseball).
Yes, the league that once set the standard for fiscal responsibility now faces a fuzzy future.
And with a strike looming in 2008, well, let's just say there could soon be a vacancy at the Shangri-La. Seems Tagliabue's NFL is checking out.
Browns fans, who do you think the Browns must have? E-mail me your Browns top 5 Free Agents, and top 5 Draft picks (#12 overall, in case you forgot) and we'll tally up the numbers at chandler@newsnet5.com
After five hours of meeting in New York on Saturday, nobody but the suits gathered around that antique oak negotiating table knew what kind of progress was made. Even then, I'd argue their knowledge was debatable.
In an effort to buy these stubborn sides more negotiating time, the NFL Commissioner extended the free agency deadline until midnight on Sunday. Barring another stay of execution, the guillotine will then drop on some high priced players.
The league would operate with a salary cap of $94.5 million in the 2006 season, meaning several teams would need to slash rosters to comply with that cap number. Pro Bowlers with the paychecks to prove it might soon flood the free agent market. Bloody Sunday, indeed.
The Browns stand to haul in quite the catch, with nearly $20 million in spending money to bait their hooks. But they have to be smart spenders. (That might go without saying, had Butch Davis not previously been in charge of the books).
On Saturday, general manager Phil Savage outlined the Browns offseason strategy, first acknowledging that, unlike some teams, his cannot address every need (and there are a roster's full) with free agency and the draft. "There's a position or two where we might try and fake it for another year and do a combination of players at one spot," Savage said. "That could easily happen."
At least he's honest. His draft board is in good shape. Same goes for his free agency plan, which is in a holding pattern while the league and union settle their differences.
But come 12:01 AM on Monday, when the chopping block drops, Savage and the Browns will be waiting to pick up the juicy pieces.
As for the NFL and its labor issues, without common ground they would also be without a salary cap for the 2007 season (see: recipie for finalcial disaster; also major league baseball).
Yes, the league that once set the standard for fiscal responsibility now faces a fuzzy future.
And with a strike looming in 2008, well, let's just say there could soon be a vacancy at the Shangri-La. Seems Tagliabue's NFL is checking out.
Browns fans, who do you think the Browns must have? E-mail me your Browns top 5 Free Agents, and top 5 Draft picks (#12 overall, in case you forgot) and we'll tally up the numbers at chandler@newsnet5.com
Posted at 5:36 PM
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