Charles Woodson surprises Raiders!

[BigJohn&TheLions]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2000025

Cornerback forcing team's financial hand
by John Clayton

The Oakland Raiders didn't surprise anyone by placing the franchise tag on cornerback Charles Woodson, but what happened Friday caught them completely off guard.

Woodson signed his one-year, $10.5 million franchise tender, which creates major cap problems for the Raiders. The Raiders are $15.7 million over the $85.5 million salary cap, not counting the Jerry Porter contract and the future acquisition of wide receiver Randy Moss, who has a $7.25 million salary.

Woodson's agent, Carl Poston, likely made the move because of the Raiders' cap issues and decided to not risk the chance of having the franchise tag pulled before he had a chance to sign it. Poston was in Indianapolis for the scouting combine and walked over to the Raiders hotel with a signed tender offer.

By signing it, the $10.5 million is guaranteed. He submitted copies to the league and the NFL Management Council.

Poston said the Raiders were surprised when they saw the signed contract. There was talk of having the franchise tag revoked or the possibility of having a trade.

The signing of Porter freed the club to designate the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback as its franchise player again.

Raiders coach Norv Turner sounded like a man expecting to see Woodson on his roster in a statement about the cornerback earlier in the week.

"We're pleased to retain the services of Charles Woodson," Turner said.

[ISiddiqui]

Um, they franchised Woodson and then were surprised when he signed it? LOL! Man that's too funny.

[Axxon]

I heart Woodson. Always have but even more so now.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

I love it too. "You wanna tag me? OK, I accept!" It's kinda like they delt him four aces and a joker and thought they's bluff him while holding a pair of deuces...

[vtbub]

*applause*

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Plus, it was very smart of him. It's not like if Oakland removed the tag he'd automatically be the #1 CB available. Rolle & Law are out there...

[stevew]

How much bonus money would he be likely to get anyways? 10 million this year is an awful lot.

[Axxon]

I love it too. "You wanna tag me? OK, I accept!" It's kinda like they delt him four aces and a joker and thought they's bluff him while holding a pair of deuces...

To quote my favorite movie and put your thoughts into different words.

"Surrender? To me? Very well, I accept." :D

[Eaglesfan27]

I had a very similar reaction to hearing this news. I think this was a brilliant move by Woodson. Particularly since his injury history makes it unlikely he would have gotten this kind of money in free agency IMO. Good for Woodson.

[MikeVic]

This is funny. Now what?

[Swaggs]

How the hell are they going to afford this with Moss and Porter's new salary?

[Fonzie]

How the hell are they going to afford this with Moss and Porter's new salary?

The only way they can fix this is to reload from a previously saved game.

[TLK]

could this end the Moss deal?

[Fonzie]

could this end the Moss deal?

That's what I'm wondering. And a question for the more NFL cap/contract-savvy folks out there: the Raiders still renegotiate a long-term deal with Woodson, correct? If so, what happens to that $10.5 million that is currently guaranteed? Does that go away, like in FOF?

[cthomer5000]

Plus, it was very smart of him. It's not like if Oakland removed the tag he'd automatically be the #1 CB available. Rolle & Law are out there... Well, it's not like FOF. They can't just cut him. Once he signed the franchise offer, his 2005 salary (10.5 million) was guaranteed. The Raiders now have the following options:

1. Cut him and pay him 10.5 million anyway (obviously not going to happen)
2. Keep him this year at 10.5 million
3. Work out a new deal for this year (which replaces the 10.5 number)
4. Trade him

[cthomer5000]

and now my personal reaction...

"sign the franchise offer sheet they offered?"

"brilliant!"

[stevew]

Wouldnt they have had to be 10 million under the cap anyways to keep him? I thought the franchise number was his actual cap number anyways? Is there some rule that the Raiders couldnt withdraw his franchise amount number until next week?

[cthomer5000]

Wouldnt they have had to be 10 million under the cap anyways to keep him? I thought the franchise number was his actual cap number anyways? Is there some rule that the Raiders couldnt withdraw his franchise amount number until next week?
They could have pulled it off the table at any time (before he signed it). Generally players don't sign it early because now there is a dead period where they can not renegotiate. So the Raiders will have to carry that 10.5 number until late July or early August (I forget the date when they can cut a new deal).

[mckerney]

That's what I'm wondering. And a question for the more NFL cap/contract-savvy folks out there: the Raiders still renegotiate a long-term deal with Woodson, correct? If so, what happens to that $10.5 million that is currently guaranteed? Does that go away, like in FOF?

"The actions of agent Carl Poston and Charles Woodson tell us that they must have reached a longterm deal with a team and we expect a trade very soon," the Raiders said in a statement.

Could he be part of the Moss deal? I've also read that Smith could be headed to Oakland as well.

[Danny]

Yep, based on what I have read on the Raiders board, this does indeed appear like Woodson will be traded soon.

[Danny]

My personal guess based on that statement is that Woodson agreed to a long term deal with another team. That other team then called the Raiders about a trade, so that they could give up less than two first round picks. Woodson signing the one year forced Oakland's hand to make the trade to the team he wants.

[mckerney]

My personal guess based on that statement is that Woodson agreed to a long term deal with another team. That other team then called the Raiders about a trade, so that they could give up less than two first round picks. Woodson signing the one year forced Oakland's hand to make the trade to the team he wants.

I'd think Dallas could be likely for this having 2 first round picks.

[yabanci]

How the hell are they going to afford this with Moss and Porter's new salary?

From the SF Chron:

"Woodson's entire salary is guaranteed. But the Raiders already had accounted for his tender amount in their bookkeeping by quietly restructuring the contracts of several veterans and have cleared enough space to accommodate both next week's acquisition of wide receiver Randy Moss ($7.25 million salary) as well as another probable free-agent signing, sources close to the team said Friday night.

"Woodson wouldn't have been tagged if the money and the cap space wasn't there,'' a source with knowledge of the team's cap situation said. "All this does is speed things along.''

***

The Raiders have restructured the contract of injured quarterback Rich Gannon, taking him down to the veteran minimum of $755,000, only $455,000 of which counts against the cap. In doing so, the team will postpone any decision about Gannon's playing future until after June 1, when the cap hit from his bonus acceleration (about $5.4 million) moves to 2006.

Left tackle Barry Sims also has agreed to have his 2005 salary reduced from $3.1 million. The Raiders also are expected to waive several high-priced players before Tuesday's league-wide deadline for compliance with the $85.5 million salary cap, among them guards Ron Stone ($2.6 million), Frank Middleton ($3 million) and defensive tackle John Parrella ($3 million)."

The other "probable free agent signing" is said to be Lamont Jordon.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/02/26/RAIDERS.TMP

[Ben E Lou]

I don't see no fruit basket, and I seriously doubt Woodson and Poston are leaving before dat bitch give up a happy ending.

[JAG]

I'd think Dallas could be likely for this having 2 first round picks.

I truly hope this doesn't happen. Dallas needs another corner, but not enough to spend a first round pick and the ridiculous money it will take to sign a Potson client.

[stevew]

I don't see no fruit basket, and I seriously doubt Woodson and Poston are leaving before dat bitch give up a happy ending.

Im wondering if Woodson is a fuckin' soldier too.

[JeeberD]

I'd think Dallas could be likely for this having 2 first round picks.

Oh god no...

[Maple Leafs]

could this end the Moss deal?Keep in mind Moss only makes about $2M more than Harris does.

[duckman]

I'd think Dallas could be likely for this having 2 first round picks.
If this comes true, I'm hunting you down. :p

[Mo.Raider]

That is very funny! Charles Woodson has been such a pain in the neck for the last few years, and now another trick of his blows up in his face. Randy Moss gets all of the negative attention (deserved), but all Woodson does is become arrested for public intoxication, refuse to follow team rules and show up for games late, undermine coaches, and refer to himself in the third person. See ya Chuck!

[tanglewood]

The Raiders have restructured the contract of injured quarterback Rich Gannon, taking him down to the veteran minimum of $755,000, only $455,000 of which counts against the cap. In doing so, the team will postpone any decision about Gannon's playing future until after June 1, when the cap hit from his bonus acceleration (about $5.4 million) moves to 2006.

Left tackle Barry Sims also has agreed to have his 2005 salary reduced from $3.1 million.

I think this is called "Hitting the cap out button"....

[Glengoyne]

The only way they can fix this is to reload from a previously saved game.
Priceless.

[sovereignstar]

"The actions of agent Carl Poston and Charles Woodson tell us that they must have reached a longterm deal with a team and we expect a trade very soon," the Raiders said in a statement.

Could he be part of the Moss deal? I've also read that Smith could be headed to Oakland as well.

I'm pretty interested as to what your source is that mentions that Smith may be going somewhere.

[MikeVic]

That is very funny! Charles Woodson has been such a pain in the neck for the last few years, and now another trick of his blows up in his face.

Did I miss something? How did this trick blow up in his face?

[HomerJSimpson]

Did I miss something? How did this trick blow up in his face?


His goal wasn't to make bunches of money and get exactly want he wanted.

[cthomer5000]

I think this is called "Hitting the cap out button"....
Not at all though, it's a straight pay-cut. It's there just to pave the way for Gannon's retirment.

[Danny]

There's no question it looks like Woodson is going to make out well in this situation. It's still quite possible the Raiders do as well, but we will have to see regarding that.

[jbmagic]

i hope Raiders can get under the salary cap by March 2 deadline

[Danny]

i hope Raiders can get under the salary cap by March 2 deadline

They will. They are always well over the cap at this time. If nothing else can be said for the Raiders management, they are excellent at managing the cap.

[jbmagic]

hi Danny

i am a big Lakers and Raiders fan too :)

[cthomer5000]

I truly hope this doesn't happen. Dallas needs another corner, but not enough to spend a first round pick and the ridiculous money it will take to sign a Potson client.
I don't know if these means anything, but Parcells and Al Davis are sitting right next to one another at the scouting combine (just saw them on NFL Network).

[Arles]

According to what I've read, Oakland can be under the cap with both Woodson and Moss on the team by doing the following:

1. Restructure with Collins to save around $2 mill (did that).
2. Restructure Gannon to save about $5 mil (did that).
3. Convert Moss' salary to SB, reducing his cap hit from $7 mil to about $2.5 mil.
4. Save 0.5 million by dealing Harris (plus the lower rookie pool needed)
5. Cut Parella, Stone and Middleton - saves about $6 million
6. Restructure Sims - saves about $2.5 mil.

So, according to the article I read, there is a way they can get at the cap limit by doing the above and a few more cuts with even keeping Woodson and Moss.

[cthomer5000]

According to what I've read, Oakland can be under the cap with both Woodson and Moss on the team by doing the following:

1. Restructure with Collins to save around $2 mill (did that).
2. Restructure Gannon to save about $5 mil (did that).
3. Convert Moss' salary to SB, reducing his cap hit from $7 mil to about $2.5 mil.
4. Save 0.5 million by dealing Harris (plus the lower rookie pool needed)
5. Cut Parella, Stone and Middleton - saves about $6 million
6. Restructure Sims - saves about $2.5 mil.

So, according to the article I read, there is a way they can get at the cap limit by doing the above and a few more cuts with even keeping Woodson and Moss.
ok, but step 3... won't they go over the cap when acquiring him before they can change the salary to bonus?

[Arles]

ok, but step 3... won't they go over the cap when acquiring him before they can change the salary to bonus?
My guess is step 3 would happen after the rest ;)

[Arles]

Dola, it appears my math was off (I thought more was in a future bonus) and the restructuring of Gannon has saved Oakland over $7 million:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2000397

Now, they are currently $10.9 mil over (counting the Porter extension). Here's a quote:

"The Raiders can save $8 million by releasing veterans such as Frank Middleton, defensive tackle John Parrella, Ron Stone and tight end Roland Williams. They can also restructure some contracts to get under the salary cap."

So, if they do those cuts they are at about $3 mil over. Figure the restructuring of guys like Collins, Sims and the loss of Harris' salary would put them at about $2-$3 million under the cap. This means that if they convert Moss' salary to SB, his hit would drop from $7 mil to about $2.5 million.

So, they just might make it.

[cthomer5000]

but aren't i right in saying they need to get 7 million under just to acquire Moss?

[Danny]

That will be easy to do when they trade Woodson. Make no mistake about it, Woodson is gone.

[sabotai]

To quote my favorite movie and put your thoughts into different words.

"Surrender? To me? Very well, I accept." :D
*ahem*

"You mean you wish to surrender to me? Very well, I accept."

:D

[Arles]

but aren't i right in saying they need to get 7 million under just to acquire Moss?
Not if they restructure when the deal occurs. I think the CBA allows a team 24 hours to restructure with a player they've obtained before taking the initial cap hit. I'm not 100% on that though.