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

Jordon Dizon Signs and Other Transactions

1:00pm

Since July 23rd, the Lions have had several transactions.

• Signed: Leon Joe (07/24/08), Jordon Dizon (07/25/08), Teddy Lehman (07/26/08), Eric Fowler (07/27/08), Eddie Johnson (07/30/08), Andy McCollum (07/31/08) and Nick Jones (07/31/08).
• Claimed off Waivers: Taye Biddle (07/29/08)
• Released: Jon Dunn (07/23/08), Alfred Fincher (07/26/08), Paul Ernster (07/29/08), Eric Fowler (07/30/08), Matt Butler (07/31/08) and Chris Patrick (07/31/08).
• Place on Injured Reserve: Reggie Ball (07/27/08)
• Extended: Leigh Bodden (07/25/08)

Jordon Dizon signed his contract on July 25th. Based on slotting, Dizon should make slightly less than Matt Forte's reported $3.7M contract and slightly more than the contract that Dewayne Jarrett (last years #45 overall pick) made. Based on the above and factoring in the way that Tom Lewand usually structures his contracts, I'd guesstimate Dizon's contract to be a four year, $3.6M contract that included a $1.4M signing bonus and a $495,000 one-time bonus with base salaries of $295,000 (2008), $385,000 (2009), $470,000 (2010), $555,000 (2011). Based on the above information and guesstimates, Dizon's 2008 Salary Cap Cost would be $645,000.

• $350,000 SB Amortization ($1.4M over 4 years)
• $295,000 Base Salary

Teddy Lehman and Leon Joe both have four accrued seasons in the NFL and both qualify for a minimum salary of $605,000. Neither player likely received a signing bonus and therefore their contracts would qualify for a veteran minimum treatment with the NFLPA subsidizing $160,000 of their contracts. Both Contracts would count $445,000 against the cap and neither contract would be part of the Top 51 player contracts and therefore neither contract would have an immediate effect on the Lions salary cap status.

• $605,000 Base Salary
• $(160,000) Subsidized by the NFLPA

Eric Fowler has zero accrued seasons in the NFL and qualifies for a minimum salary of $295,000. He signed his contract on 07/27/08 and was released on 07/30/08. His signing and subsequent release had no effect on the Lions salary cap status.

Eddie Johnson has one accrued season in the NFL and qualifies for a minimum salary of $370,000. His contract would not figure into the Lions Top 51 calculation.

Andy McCollum is a 13 year veteran and qualifies for a minimum salary of $830,000, assuming that his contract qualifies for vet minimum treatment, the NLFPA will pay $385,000 of his contract. McCollum's salary cap cost will be $445,000 and will currently not count against the Lion's salary cap.

Nick Jones hasn't accrued any seasons in the NFL and qualifies for a minimum contract of $295,000. His contract would not count against the Lions salary cap.

Taye Biddle has one accrued seasons in the NFL and was claimed off waivers. His contract includes base salaries of $370,000 (2008) and $460,000 (2009). His salary also will not effect the Lions current salary cap status.

Jon Dunn, Matt Butler and Chris Patrick were all scheduled to earn a base salary of $295,000. Their release has no effect on the Lions salary cap status.

Alfred Fincher was scheduled to earn a base salary of $520,000 and for Salary Cap purposes, was included in the calculation of the Lions Top 51 Contracts. His release will save the Lions about $65,000 against the salary cap.

Paul Ernster was scheduled to earn a base salary of $445,000 and for salary cap purposes, was not included in the calculation of the Lions Top 51 contracts. His release has no effect on the Lions salary cap status.

Reggie Ball was scheduled to earn $295,000 for the year. His contract likely included a split salary adjustment, which is basically an injury provision that allows for a lower base salary should the player end up on injured reserve. Ball has no accrued seasons in the NFL and his split salary adjustment will likely reduce his base pay for the season from $295,000 to $200,000. His contract is not part of the Lions' top 51 player contracts and at the current time, does not effect the Lions salary cap status.

Leigh Bodden signed an extension on July 25th, however, his salaries for 2010-2013 have not been updated in the NFLPA salary database. I'm not sure why his base salaries haven't been updated, it could be that the Lions organization have dragged their feet on submitting the contract to the NFL Management Council and consequently, it hasn't been forwarded to the NFLPA or the NFL Management Council is still reviewing the contract. If we assume that Bodden received the reported $2M signing bonus and has either an option bonus or a roster bonus (I've seen it reported both ways) due next March in the amount of $8.6M and the contract for 2008 and 2009 remains unchanged, Bodden would count $3,033,333 against the salary cap.

• $1,700,000 Base Salary
• $333,333 Renegotiation Bonus ($2M over six years)
• $500,000 Roster Bonus
• $500,000 LTBE bonus based on Interceptions and Playing Time

Updated Gosder Cherilus signed his contract on July 24th. Based on the information that I had at the time, I reported that he would count $1.4M against the cap. After obtaining additional information, I'd guesstimate his contract to include no signing bonus, a roster bonus of $985,000 payable at the start of training camp in 2008, a $1.85M one-time bonus based on 35% playing time and minimal team performance, an option bonus due in March of 2009 in the amount of $6,025,000 and base salaries of $295,000 (2008), $495,000 (2009), $745,000 (2010), $610,000 (2011) and $810,000 (2012). He's also likely due various workout and roster bonuses starting in 2010. Based on the above information and guesstimates, Cherilus would count $1,280,000 against the current years salary cap.

• $295,000 Base Salary
• $985,000 Roster Bonus

Based on the above information I'd estimate that the Lions are about $2.25M under the cap.

Rookies Signed

11:30pm

On Tuesday, July 23rd, the Lions agreed to terms with six of their draft picks, Kevin Smith, Andre Fluellen, Kenneth Moore, Jerome Felton, Landon Cohen and Caleb Campbell. On the 24th, Gosder Cherilus agreed to terms with the Lions. The amounts below used to calculate the salary cap costs are from Adam Caplan's and Nate Caminata's reports on RoarReport.com.

Kevin Smith - Smith signed a three year contract that included a signing bonus of just under $650,000 and base salaries of $295,000 (2008), $385,000 (2009) and $470,000 (2010). Assuming a SB of $649,800, Smith's 2008 Salary Cap cost would be $511,000.

• $216,600 SB Amortization ($649,800 over 3 years)
• $295,000 Base Salary

Andre Fluellen - Fluellen signed a three year contract that included a signing bonus of just over $511,000 and base salaries of $295,000 (2008), $385,000 (2009) and $470,000 (2010). Assuming a SB of $511,200, Fluellen's 2008 Salary Cap cost would be $465,400.

• $170,400 SB Amortization ($511,200 over 3 years)
• $295,000 Base Salary

Jerome Felton - Felton signed a three year contract that included a signing bonus of just over $136,000 and base salaries of $295,000 (2008), $385,000 (2009) and $470,000 (2010). Assuming a SB of $136,200, Felton's 2008 Salary Cap cost would be $340,400.

• $45,400 SB Amortization ($136,200 over 3 years)
• $295,000 Base Salary

Landon Cohen - Cohen signed a three year contract that included a signing bonus of just under $44,000 and base salaries of $295,000 (2008), $385,000 (2009) and $470,000 (2010). Assuming a SB of $43,800, Cohen's 2008 Salary Cap cost would be $309,600.

• $14,600 SB Amortization ($43,800 over 3 years)
• $295,000 Base Salary

Kenneth Moore - Moore signed a three year contract that included base salaries of $295,000 (2008), $385,000 (2009) and $470,000 (2010). Assuming a SB of $381,000, Moore's 2008 Salary Cap cost would be $422,000.

• $127,000 SB Amortization ($381,000 over 3 years)
• $295,000 Base Salary

Caleb Campbell - Unfortunately, the Department of Defense changed their position on allowing Campbell to fulfill his military obligations in an alternative manner. Campbell had agreed to a contract, but since he was ordered to return to West Point to serve as an assistant, he didn't sign the contract. As a result, the Lions will retain his rights until next April's draft. If the Lions don't sign Campbell to a contract before then, he will reenter the draft. My guess is that next March, the Lions will talk to Campbell and see what he wants and/or what he is allowed to do and at that time, they may offer him another contract similar to the one that he had agreed to a few days ago.

Gosder Cherilus - Cherilus signed a five year, $12.5M contract that guarantees him $8.86M with a maximum value of $15M. He'll receive base salaries of $295,000 (2008), $1,600,000 (2009), $1,920,000 (2010), $2,240,000 (2011) and $855,000 (2012). Based on the above information and what the Lions have done in the past, I'm going to guesstimate his contract to include a $500,000 Signing Bonus, $1,005,000 Roster Bonus payable at the start of training camp, $950,000 one-time bonus, that I discussed in a prior blog entry and a $3,000,000 option bonus/salary advance due and payable in early 2009. Based on the above information and guesstimates, Cherilus' 2008 Salary Cap Cost would be $1,400,000.

• $1,005,000 Roster Bonus
• $100,000 SB Amortization ($500,000 over 5 years)
• $295,000 Base Salary

Jordon Dizon - He is the only remaining unsigned draft pick. Earlier this week, Tom Lewand reported to the media, that they were close, but earlier today, Tom Kowalski reported that a deal isn't imminent. The Lions have always been fair with their contract offers and as a result, usually get all of their 2nd round or later draft picks in camp on time. Dizon is the only one that I can recall in recent years that hasn't made it in on time. My guess is that the outstanding drunk driving charge against Dizon is playing a negative role in the negotiations. I believe that the Lions are offering a contract below the slotting that typically takes place with rookie draft picks or are offering a contract in which less money is paid up front. Dizon was drafted 45th overall, Drew Stanton was drafted 43rd overall in last years draft. The contract that Dizon should receive, based on slotting, should be similar to what Stanton received, maybe slightly less because Stanton is a QB and QB's usually receive a higher contract than other draft picks. Stanton received a four year, $3.9M contract with $2.85M guaranteed.

Based on the above information and before adjusting for Leigh Bodden's extension, I show the Lions about $2.6M under the cap.