Final Roster . . .

5:00pm

Saturday was the final cut down day to the 53 man roster and now the salary cap status is computed a little differently. Up until this point, only the top 51 cap figure for players counted, plus dead cap and bonuses that are allocated to this year. Now everything counts. The salary cap for the year is $116,729,000 and by my guesstimation, the Lions have $114,483,252 of current charges against the cap, leaving them with $2.2M of Salary Cap space.

One thing the Lions did not do, they did not make cuts based on salary cap implications, they kept the best players. I wouldn't be surprised to see Cory Redding or Jeff Backus restructure their contracts (both are committed to the Lions long-term), Jason Hanson to sign an extension (he's in the final year of his contract and the Lions can reduce his current year cap hit through an extension), Dominic Raiola to sign an extension (they can reduce his current year cap hit through an extension) or sign Roy Williams to an extension, provided they are committed to Roy long-term. All the above is dependent on if they need additional cap space to do what they want to do, i.e. sign Rudi Johnson.

• (3) Quarterbacks - $7,600,440
• (3) Running Backs - $2,406,000
• (4) Wide Receivers - $14,364,711
• (5) Full Backs/Tight Ends - $6,603,840
• (9) Offensive Linemen - $16,840,669
• (11) Defensive Linemen - $17,474,117
• (6) Linebackers - $7,437,960
• (9) Defensive Backs - 13,464,063
• (3) Specialists - $4,101,827
• (6) Injured Reserve - $3,060,517
• (8) Practice Squad - $707,200
• Dead Cap - $15,073,843
• Cap Adjustment - $5,348,065

QB - Some teams have carried only two QB's in the past, but we are not set up that way. Stanton is injured and even if he wasn't, he's not better than Orlovsky yet. $7,600,440.

• Jon Kitna - $5,875,000
• Dan Orlovsky - $933,720
• Drew Stanton - $791,720

RB's - Rudi Johnson was in Detroit last night, it'll be interesting to see if there are any changes. We claimed Marcus Thomas off of waivers and he has to remain on the roster for at least three weeks. $2,406,000

• Tatum Bell - $1,600,000
• Kevin Smith - $511,000
• Marcus Thomas - $295,000

WR - There needs to be an option to put a 4th WR on the game day roster if one of our main four are nicked up. $14,364,711

• Roy Williams - $6,292,833
• Calvin Johnson - $3,490,158
• Mike Furrey - $2,900,000
• Shaun McDonald - $1,681,720

FB/TE - With the release of Sean McHugh, we only have one FB. Casey Fitzsimmons can fill the void if Felton gets injured during the game, but there is no viable solution if Felton were to miss an extended period of time. Owens appears to be on the roster in case Campbell continues to struggle with nagging injuries. If Owens is on the opening day roster, his salary would be guaranteed for the year (he has four credited seasons in the NFL). I wouldn't be surprised to see him released before the start of week 1 and signed immediately after the game. $6,603,840

• Dan Campbell - $2,315,000
• Michael Gaines - $2,006,720
• Casey Fitzsimmons - $1,450,000
• John Owens - $491,720
• Jerome Felton - $340,400

OL - This unit seems to be set, you have viable backups at all the positions. Cherilus can play either tackle position, Ramirez can play either guard spot. Andy McCollum can play center or guard and Cook has the versatility to play guard or tackle. $16,840,670

• Jeff Backus - $5,523,176
• Dominic Raiola - $4,370,000
• Edwin Mulitalo - $2,250,000
• Gosder Cherilus - $1,280,000
• George Foster - $1,106,720
• Stephen Peterman - $933,720
• Manny Ramirez - $487,054
• Andy McCollum - $445,000
• Damion Cook - $445,000

DL - 11 defensive linemen made the final roster, wow. Well, we won't end the season with 11 DL guys on the roster. Maybe a trade is in the works for Shaun Cody or Langston Moore? $17,474,117

• Cory Redding - $4,983,334
• Dewayne White - $3,960,470
• Chuck Darby - $2,195,000
• Jared DeVries - $1,656,720
• Shaun Cody - $1,120,000
• Langston Moore - $933,720
• Corey Smith - $806,720
• Ikaika Alama Francis - $586,720
• Andre Fluellen - $465,400
• Cliff Avril - $456,333
• Landon Cohen - $309,700

LB - With six guys, we have the depth, but once again this is a position that will need to be addressed if a player gets nicked up. $7,437,960

• Ernie Sims - $2,605,000
• Paris Lenon - $1,800,000
• Alex Lewis - $1,456,720
• Jordon Dizon - $645,000
• Gilbert Gardner - $486,240
• Ryan Nece - $445,000

DB's - We kept 9 guys and while we could probably get by when a player gets nicked up, it'll be a little tougher if a couple of guys get banged up. The CB's tend to be some of the smaller players on the football field and are always susceptible to injury. $13,464,063

• Travis Fisher - $2,756,720
• Brian Kelly - $2,340,053
• Keith Smith - $2,006,720
• Dwight Smith - $2,006,720
• Kalvin Pearson - $1,422,387
• Leigh Bodden - $1,040,053
• Daniel Bullocks - $942,970
• Gerald Alexander - $571,720
• Ramzee Robinson - $376,720

ST's - There weren't any players to be cut and the players that we have are some of the best specialists in the league. $4,101,827

• Jason Hanson - $2,086,720
• Nick Harris - $1,298,387
• Don Mulbach - $716,720

Injured Reserve - $3,060,517

• Stanley Wilson - $933,720
• Jon Bradley - $713,387
• Brian Calhoun - $639,970
• Aveion Cason - $366,720
• Reggie Ball - $206,720
• Shemiah Legrande - $200,000

Dead Cap - $15,073,843

• Shaun Rogers - $4,271,393
• Damien Woody - $3,000,000
• Fernando Bryant - $2,333,333
• Kenoy Kennedy - $1,360,000
• Eddie Drummond - $1,000,000
• Kalimba Edwards - $1,000,000
• Kevin Jones - $741,250
• Shawn Bryson - $500,000
• Misc Others - $867,867

The Lions signed their 8 practice squad players. Each player will earn a weekly paycheck of $5200 and if on the roster for the entire season, will earn $88,400. With 11 defensive linemen on the roster, it's not a surprise that the Lions didn't sign a defensive lineman to the practice squad.

• Darnell Bing (LB)
• Matt Butler (OL)
• Allen Ervin (RB)
• Eric Fowler (WR)
• Drew Henson (QB)
• LaMarcus Hicks (CB)
• Kenneth Moore (WR)
• Jake Nordin (TE)

Practice Squad

6:05am

As the Lions near their final cuts, they are going to be looking to sign 8 guys to the practice squad.

What is the Practice Squad? - It's a group of guys that are allowed to practice with the team during the week. They typically are part of the scout team that runs the upcoming opponents schemes during the week.

How much do they earn? - For 2008, they are entitled to a paycheck of $5,200 per week, but they don't earn accrued seasons (determines free agency status) or credited seasons (determines minimum pay status and other benefits) in the NFL.

Which players are eligible for the practice squad?

1. Players that have two or less prior seasons on a teams practice squad (3 weeks on the practice squad in one season counts as a season on the practice squad).
2. If a player has accrued seasons in the NFL, they are still eligible for the practice squad if they have been active for less than nine games, provided they meet rule 1 above.

Which current Lions players are eligible?

• QB - Drew Henson (two accrued seasons, but only seven games on active roster, never on PS)
• QB - Drew Stanton (no accrued seasons, never on PS)
• RB - Kevin Smith (Rookie)
• RB - Jerome Felton (Rookie)
• WR - Kenneth Moore (Rookie)
• WR - Brandon Middleton (one accrued season, but only two seasons on PS 2005-STL, 2007-DET, 2006-DNP)
• TE - Clark Harris (No accrued seasons and one season on PS - 2007)
• Oline - Gosder Cherrilus (rookie)
• Oline - Manny Ramirez (no accrued seasons)
• Oline - Carroll Madison (Rookie)
• Dline - Five0 - (One accrued season, but less than nine games on active roster)
• Dline - Andre Fluellen - (Rookie)
• Dline - Cliff Avril - (Rookie)
• Dline - Landon Cohen (Rookie)
• Dline - Victor DeGrate (no accrued seasons and one year on PS 2007-DET)
• Dline - Ruldolph Hardie - (Rookie)
• LB - Jordon Dizon (Rookie)
• LB - Buster Davis (No accrued seasons and one year on PS 2007-DET)
• LB - Tyrone Pruitt - (Rookie)
• LB - Darnell Bing (No accrued seasons and one year on PS 2007-SF)
• CB - Ramzee Robinson (One accrued season and one year on PS 2007-DET)
• CB - LaMarcus Hicks (One accrued season and one year on PS 2007-DET)

Who is not eligible? - Basically everyone else, but here's a list of players that may at first appear eligible, but fail for the reason listed

• WR - Ronald Belamy (one accrued season with less than nine games on active roster, but has already spent 3 seasons on PS 2003 & 2004-MIA and 2007-DET)
• WR - John Standeford (Only one accrued season with less than nine games on active roster, but has spent 3 seasons on PS 2004, 2005 & 2006 with Indy)
• WR - DeVale Ellis (One season on PS, only one accrued season but has nine games exactly on active roster)
• Oline - Frank Davis - (Only one accrued season, but has nine games exactly on the active roster)
• Dline - Claude Harriot - (no accrued seasons, but three seasons on PS 2004-NYG, 2006-DET & 2007-DET & KC)

What's the procedure for signing players to the practice squad?

1. They have to be officially waived from their current team. During the final cuts over the next week.
2. Then they must clear waivers. If a team claims a player placed on waivers, they are immediately added to the teams active roster. We claimed Eric Frampton off waivers last year at this time.
3. After the players clear waivers, they are free to negotiate a practice sqaud contract with whatever team they choose. Typically, players sign with the club that they were just waived from, because they have familiarity with that club, but they are not required to. Fred Matua signed with Cleveland a couple years ago, even though he was offered a contract on Detroit's PS. Buster Davis was offered a contract with Arizona after being waived, but elected to sign with Detroit's PS.

Does signing a Practice Squad contract with a team, limit their ability to sign with another team? - No, they can sign a contract with any NFL team at any time, provided that it's for a spot on the active roster. They are not allowed to switch practice squad teams unless they are waived from the Practice Squad.

Current Lions, Mike Furrey, Stephen Peterman and Paris Lenon have all spent time on the practice squad in the past. So, just because you don't initially make the roster, doesn't mean your NFL career is over.

Takeo Spikes and Recent Transactions

12:05am

Takeo Spikes - According to Rotoworld, Spikes signed a one year contract for $1.48M that includes a $300,000 Signing Bonus, contains a $140,000 Roster Bonus and a $1,040,000 Base Salary. An additional $200,000 can be earned through incentives.

It's not a lot and the Lions reportedly offered him $1.5M, it looks like it was a matter of Spikes choosing San Francisco over Detroit. Contrary to what the local media may report, it looks like the salary cap didn't have anything to do with salary cap limitations and had to do more with Spikes choosing San Francisco over Detroit.

Nick Jones and Eddie Johnson were both released on August 9th. There release will have no effect on the Lions current cap status.

Dave Rayner signed for the league minimum for players with 3 years of service, $520,000 and his current year player cost is $520,000. His player cost will figure into the Top 51 Calculation and reduce the Lions Cap Status by about $60,000.


Damion Cook signed for $605,000, the league minimum for players with 4 years of service. The NFLPA will subsidize $160,000 of his salary and Cook's current year player cost will be $445,000.

Kiwaukee Thomas, an 8 year veteran signed for the league minimum $730,000 and the NFLPA will subsidize $285,000 of his salary. Thomas' 2008 player cost will be $445,000.


Stanley Wilson was placed on Injured Reserve on August 11th. The move doesn't effect the Lions current cap status. His contract likely doesn't include a split salary and unless an injury settlement is reached, he'll count $933,720 against the cap.

Based on the above, the Lions are currently about $4.1M under the cap.

Training Camp Battles (ST) - Cap Perspective

11:55am

Nate's projected Roster, has no surprises on Special Teams. The ST Unit will count $4,101,827.

ST's Current Year Cap Charge:

• Jason Hanson - $2,086,720
• Nick Harris - $1,298,387
• Don Mulbach - $716,720
• Eddie Johnson - $370,000

ST's 2008 Dead Cap if Traded or Released:

• Jason Hanson - $436,720
• Nick Harris - $348,387
• Don Mulbach - $51,053
• Eddie Johnson - $0

Based on Nate's Projected Roster, the Lions would have $90,761,300 in 53 active players and 2 Injured Reserves, broken down as follows:

• (3) Quarterbacks - $7,600,440
• (5) Wide Receivers - $14,816,431
• (3) Running Backs - $2,750,970
• (4) Full Backs/Tight Ends - $4,818,787
• (9) Offensive Linemen - $16,915,056
• (5) Defensive Ends - $7,666,493
• (5) Defensive Tackles - $9,897,453 (1 IR)
• (5) Corner Backs - $9,528,933 (1 IR)
• (5) Safeties - $5,395,517
• (6) Linebackers - $7,269,393
• (3) ST Players - $4,101,827

The Lions would have $17,320,947 of 2008 Dead Cap broken down as follows:

• April 9th blog entry - $15,192,000
• Additional accumulated through the Summer - $657,500
• Projected LB Final Cuts - $43,240
• Projected CB Final Cuts - $12,000
• Projected DE Final Cuts - $15,440
• Projected DT Final Cuts - $14,700
• Projected RB Final Cuts - $50,080
• Projected FB/TE Final Cuts - $1,213,440
• Projected WR Final Cuts - $113,827
• Projected OL Final Cuts - $8,720

The Total Salary Cap for the year is $116,729,000 and based on Nate's Projected Roster, I'd guesstimate that the Lions would have spent $114,137,512 of Cap space and thus have $2,591,488 available entering the season.

• Active Player Costs - $90,761,300 (from above)
• Dead Cap - $17,320,947 (from above)
• Cap Adjustments - $5,348,065 (March 1st Blog Entry)
• Practice Squad - $707,200 (8 players @5200 per week over 17 weeks)

Training Camp Battles (LB) - Cap Perspective

6:45am

Based on Nate's Projected Defensive Roster, the Lions would have $7,269,393 in the six LB's with an additional $43,240 of Dead Cap from the release of other LB's.

LB's Current Year Cap Cost:

• Ernie Sims - $2,605,000
• Paris Lenon - $1,800,000
• Alex Lewis - $1,456,720
• Jordon Dizon - $645,000
• Gilbert Gardner - $486,240
• Anthony Cannon - $460,953
• Leon Joe - $445,000
• Buster Davis - $301,720
• Tyrone Pruitt - $297,000
• Darnell Bing - $295,000

LB's 2008 Dead Cap if Traded or Released:

• Ernie Sims - $1,890,000
• Paris Lenon - $750,000
• Alex Lewis - $456,720
• Jordon Dizon - $350,000
• Gilbert Gardner - $41,240
• Anthony Cannon - $15,953
• Buster Davis - $6,720
• Tyrone Pruitt - $2,000
• Leon Joe - $0
• Darnell Bing $0

The projected defensive roster would include 26 players totalling $39,757,789 with an additional $85,380 of Dead Cap from final cuts.

• (5) Defensive Ends - $7,666,493
• (5) Defensive Tackles - $9,897,453
• (5) Corner Backs - $9,528,933
• (5) Safeties - $5,395,517
• (6) Linebackers - $7,269,393

Training Camp Battles (DB) - Cap Perspective

6:05am

Based on Nate's Projected Defensive Roster, the Lions would have five CB's and five S's. The five CB's plus Wilson (IR) would count $9,528,933 with an additional $12,000 of Dead Cap. The Safeties would cost $5,395,517 with no dead cap implications.

CB's Current Year Cap Charge:

• Travis Fisher - $2,756,720
• Brian Kelly - $2,340,000
• Keith Smith - $2,006,720
• Leigh Bodden - $1,040,053
• Stanley Wilson - $933,720 **
• DeVonte Edwards - $451,720
• Ramzee Robinson - $376,720
• LaMarcus Hicks - $375,280

CB's 2008 Dead Cap if Traded or Released:

• Brian Kelly - $1,090,053
• Travis Fisher - $1,006,720
• Keith Smith - $1,006,720
• Leigh Bodden - $340,053
• Stanley Wilson - $933,720 **
• DeVonte Edwards - $6,720
• Ramzee Robinson - $6,720
• LaMarcus Hicks - $5,280

S's Current Year Cap Charge:

• Dwight Smith - $2,006,720
• Kalvin Pearson - $1,422,387
• Daniel Bullocks - $942,970
• Gerald Alexander - $571,720
• Greg Blue - $451,720
• Stephen Howell - $295,000

S's 2008 Dead Cap if Traded or Released:

• Kalvin Pearson - $1,046,720
• Dwight Smith - $656,720
• Daniel Bullocks - $497,970
• Gerald Alexander - $201,720
• Greg Blue - $6,720
• Stephen Howell - $0

** Stanley Wilson was placed on IR after being injured during the first preseason game. When a football injury occurs while on the roster, the base salary is guaranteed to be paid for the year. At some point, the Lions may reach a settlement with Wilson for a lesser amount, but they are currently on the hook for his current year base salary.

Training Camp Battles (DL) - Cap Perspective

8:25pm

Based on Nate's Projected Defensive Roster, the Lions will have $7,666,493 of cap charges invested in five total DE's and will incur an additional $15,440 of Dead Cap associated with the release of three DE's. At DT, the Lions will have five players accounting for $9,897,453 of cap space and will have an additional $14,700 of dead cap from the release of one DT.

DE's Current Year Cap Charges:

• Dewayne White - $3,960,000
• Jared DeVries - $1,656,720
• Corey Smith - $806,720
• Ikaika Alama-Francis - $586,720
• Cliff Avril - $456,333
• Victor DeGrate - $301,720
• Claude Harriot - $301,720
• Ruldolph Hardie - $297,000

DE's 2008 Dead Cap if Traded or Released:

• Dewayne White - $3,355,470
• Jared DeVries - $356,720
• Corey Smith - $106,720
• Ikaika Alama-Francis - $216,720
• Cliff Avril - $161,333
• Victor DeGrate - 6,720
• Claude Harriot - $6,720
• Ruldolph Hardie - $2,000

DT's Current Year Cap Charges:

• Cory Redding - $4,983,333
• Chuck Darby - $2,195,000
• Shaun Cody - $1,120,000
• Langston Moore - $933,720
• Andre Fluellen -$465,400
• Landon Cohen - $309,700
• Shemiah Legrande - $200,000 **

DT's 2008 Dead Cap if Traded or Released:

• Cory Redding - $2,083,333
• Chuck Darby - $1,465,000
• Shaun Cody - $600,000
• Shemiah Legrande - $200,000 **
• Andre Fluellen - $170,400
• Landon Cohen - $14,700
• Langston Moore - $6,720

**Shemiah Legrande was placed on IR at the end of June. When a football injury occurs while on the roster, a portion of the salary is guaranteed to be paid for the year. At some point, the Lions may reach a settlement with Legrande for a lesser amount, but they are currently on the hook for his split salary figure.