Monday, February 13, 2012

Chiefs: Draft, Chiefs Cap Space, Bowe and Carr thoughts

In 2010 Scott Pioli said about the draft, "One of the things we set about to accomplish when we took this team over," Scott Pioli said, "was to improve our team speed. We became a faster football team today."  Pioli's first year in 2009 with the Chiefs he used 3 out of his 4 first picks along both sides of the line.  Last year it appeared with Baldwin, Houston, and Bailey that Pioli targeted the freaks of the draft and channelled his inner Al Davis.  When I look at these drafts, my impression is Pioli drafts to improve in areas.  Not based on need or BPA, rather areas of a team.


When I look at the Chiefs the weakest area is the power run game.  This line is as strong as the weakest link, and the Chiefs had 3.  Chiefs have some good pieces with Albert, Asomaoh, and potential in Hudson.    Something has to be done with Lilja and Richardson (assuming Casey retires).  For me this line won't get a dimension it needs unless upgrades are made here.


In the draft Chiefs must draft a LT first.  Not because the Chiefs need to replace Albert but the Chiefs need ability.  In the draft we look at the positions without really looking at the ability.  Teams with the ability to run off the Right Tackles block are teams with Right Tackles that can make that block.  Teams that can 7 step, and effectively play action are teams with players that have the ability to execute those plays.  We attach labels like LT, but it's really that simple, Chiefs need players that offer this offense more versatility.


Pioli showed that he drafts this way.  That he values the skill and what a guy brings to his larger agenda. Similar to 2010 when Chiefs drafted speed, 2011 when the Chiefs drafted freaks (endearingly, and for lack of better term), in 2011 I think that the Chiefs draft power.  Wether that is a Nose, or Offensive Lineman, similar to past draft, I think 3 out 4, or 4 out of 6 picks will be used in these areas.


Chiefs Salary Cap


Chiefs have a great asset with the cap.  The Salary Cap is partly an indicator of a football team in terms of talent.  The other part is an indicator of what the football team is as a business.  What is missing in the salary cap discussion is the business aspect of a football team.  The Chiefs cap is traditional, on the business side of the Chiefs, the management of the cap should be commended.  It can't be ignored and should be looked at individually. 


At times the cap is looked at one way.  It indicates that a team is under the illusion of spending money.  The cap is simply a reflection of the contracts of the players on your team, not a complete reflection of your team. 


A contract is just a contract.  For instance 60 million dollar contract to a Quarterback is the standard for a Free Agent Quarterback.  Sometimes we use these number to categorize the ability.  Matt Cassel similar to Matt Shuab a couple years prior signed a 48 million dollar contract after a 3 year career in Atlanta in which he started only 2 games.


The value can be debated, but that is the rate for backup Quarterbacks that enough bidders think they can be a starter.  That's the business side, Pioli may think Cassel is worth 6 years 10 million.  The market given the circumstance of a QB in Matt Cassel's position the market values that near 60 million dollars for 6 years.


Pioli made that choice.  He could have done it with a draft pick.  He could have pursued a veteran as many teams did with Favre, McNabb, Carson Palmer, Mike Vick, Drew Brees, and potentially will with Peyton Manning.  Pioli's choice was Matt Cassel and the results are there.  Chiefs acquired a 60 million dollar asset, where you essentially pay 1/3 of that 60 million up front.


The way the Chiefs paid for that asset was different than what most teams do.  Business wise the Chiefs made the same investment that most teams do in the NFL, a 2nd rounder and 63 million.  It's not cheap, the illusion of being cheap is there because of the way the Chiefs accounted for the contract.  


With a roster bonus Chiefs can absorb a hit early in the contract.  With Matt Cassel, The Chiefs only signed him to a little north of 1 million on the signing bonus.  The moment he signed the Chiefs were accountable within the cap to count for it.  Over 6 years they decided to divide that money evenly.  If that Cassel doesn't make it 6 years then Chiefs are accountable to the rest of that 1 million dollars immediately  (see June 1st cuts).  


Matt Cassel's base salary the first 3 years was near 28 million dollars.  That base salary was guaranteed.  For instance Brandon Carr has a injury, skill, and cap clause.  This clause basically means a player cannot be cut because of injury, player cannot be cut because of diminished skills, player cannot be cut for cap reasons.  In Brandon Carr's case he has all 3 for the first two years of a contract.  This is considered guaranteed, because it is unlikely that he would be cut in the first 2 years of the contract.


With Matt Cassel it was similar.  His base was guaranteed because there was language in his contract that made him likely to be there for the first 3 years like Brandon Flowers.  In reality the Chiefs paid Cassel with a 10 million dollar roster bonus, 1.2 million dollar signing bonus, and a 5 million dollar base.  That amount hit the cap in 09' to a tune of 15 million.  Over the course of 3 years Chiefs paid the addition base salaries over 24 million and the guarantees are over business wise.  


Not many teams can account for 40 million dollars in 3 years on their cap without nearly 12 million dollars worth of cap space.  Most teams cannot structure deals that way.  Instead mostly what we see with cap space around the league is large amounts for some organizations is dead money.  Any team that gives a player a signing bonus is carrying dead money on the cap for however long that player is on the roster.  In the Chiefs case they have little dead money.


When looking at the cap, one must understand not only what it is, but the actual contracts that are represented within it.


Bowe and Carr


My belief with Bowe and Carr is that they will be in Kansas City.  Teams lose assets because of the business most of the times.  Teams near the cap do not want to give up talents like Carl Nicks.  Carl Nicks being a realistic possibility isn't a reflection of anything other than New Orleans cap.  New Orleans has the ability to pay him, but they don't have the ability at this time to account for him at the rate a player of his caliber would cost.  


The Chiefs do not have that problem.  We have to think of it in terms of accountability.  Chiefs can account for more money than any team in the NFL.   Chiefs can give a 10 million dollar roster bonus to Carr, a 5 million dollar base, and guarantee the base salaries against injury the first two years.  That guarantees the contract for a little over 20 million the first 2 years.  Non guarantee the final 4 years of the contract and that's a 6 year 50 million dollar contract.  If that isn't enough then add a 5 million dollar signing bonus.  The Chiefs have the same years, length, and money invested, but the accounting would be different than most teams.










  
    












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