Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

[sw45]

Can anyone give me some help on how to get good players and stay under the cap? Also, how far under the cap should I be entering the offseason so I can sign good players and my draft picks, and does trading away a player still give you a cap penelty?

I apologise if my English isnt that good, it wasnt my first language.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

Can anyone give me some help on how to get good players and stay under the cap? Also, how far under the cap should I be entering the offseason so I can sign good players and my draft picks, and does trading away a player still give you a cap penelty?

I apologise if my English isnt that good, it wasnt my first language.

It's not easy. One good way to is give players the lowest signing bonus possible. That way you can cut or trade them at low cost.

Each players cap penalty is different, and once again it's tied to signing bonus. Some players can be traded with a small penalty, but some big contract guys will cost you big time if you trade them.

It's very tricky, and you can't expect to field a team of all stars right away.

My idea is that heading into the Draft, it's always good to have 15 million or more to sign your picks.

[sw45]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

OK, I have another question, lets say I sign a first round rookie to a 5 year, 25 million doller deal with a 1 million signing bonus. Lets say this player turns out to be a huge bust, and is just wasting space on my roster. Why do people say it's better to keep him and cut him late in his contract insted of just cutting him early on?

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

OK, I have another question, lets say I sign a first round rookie to a 5 year, 25 million doller deal with a 1 million signing bonus. Lets say this player turns out to be a huge bust, and is just wasting space on my roster. Why do people say it's better to keep him and cut him late in his contract insted of just cutting him early on?

Because it will kill your cap if they have a very high signing bonus.

Always check what the penalty will be. If the player costs 5 million on the cap, and the penalty is 3 million, you would save only 2 million by cutting him, and would still have to pay the 3 for that season.

Let's say you have a bust, $25 million (5 mil a year), 5 years, $10 million signing bonus. The signing bonus is spread out evenly throughout the 5 years.

If you cut him in year 2, you'd have a 8 million penalty despite only having $5 mil against the salary. Cutting the player would cost you an extra $3 million. It would be cheaper to keep him on the roster, even if he is a bust until you can at least split even on him.

[cutter73]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

The best way I've found to work within the cap is not to go crazy signing free agents. If you scout properly, you can pick up valuable players throughout the darft rounds. If you can get, for example, a guard in the third or fourth round who's going to max out at 95 overall potential, he's a lot better option than signing someone like Alan Faneca in Free Agency. You'll get the player you drafted locked into a three-four year deal for a whole lot less than you will have to pay for a highly rated Free Agent.

In the same way, a lot of times it pays to trade down during the draft. Sometimes you can find a QB for example whos rated as high if not higher in potential than the guy you may have slated to pick in the first round. If you trade down in that instance, you pick up more picks, and save millions on the first contract.

Also, players personalities play a role as well. Some players are simply going to make you break the bank to sign them, others are more flexible. If I have an option to sign a Superstar or a Team Player that are about the same in talent, I'll always go for the Team Player since they will generally agree to less money than the Superstar in renegotiations.

Also keep in mind you will not be able to afford a 90+ potential -player at every position. They want too much money. Figure out what kind of team you want, and build it from there. If you plan on being a run oriented team, you need a stud RB a lot more than you need high caliber WR's Make sure you'r biggest contracts are in positions you have your focus on. If you throw most of the time, it makes no sense to have a 95 overall RB who isn't getting a lot of carries. Also, your OL won't need run blocking skills as much as pass blocking, so you can get OL to match your style of play as well.

Always look at what playbook you are running and pick players based on that. A CB who is 95 overall won't do you a bit of good if you're running a cover two and his zone coverage stat sucks. You just wind up paying them a ton of money to watch them get burnt repeatedly. Get players that fit your system.

[jeetaa6]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

The best way I've found to work within the cap is not to go crazy signing free agents. If you scout properly, you can pick up valuable players throughout the darft rounds. If you can get, for example, a guard in the third or fourth round who's going to max out at 95 overall potential, he's a lot better option than signing someone like Alan Faneca in Free Agency. You'll get the player you drafted locked into a three-four year deal for a whole lot less than you will have to pay for a highly rated Free Agent.

In the same way, a lot of times it pays to trade down during the draft. Sometimes you can find a QB for example whos rated as high if not higher in potential than the guy you may have slated to pick in the first round. If you trade down in that instance, you pick up more picks, and save millions on the first contract.

Also, players personalities play a role as well. Some players are simply going to make you break the bank to sign them, others are more flexible. If I have an option to sign a Superstar or a Team Player that are about the same in talent, I'll always go for the Team Player since they will generally agree to less money than the Superstar in renegotiations.

Also keep in mind you will not be able to afford a 90+ potential -player at every position. They want too much money. Figure out what kind of team you want, and build it from there. If you plan on being a run oriented team, you need a stud RB a lot more than you need high caliber WR's Make sure you'r biggest contracts are in positions you have your focus on. If you throw most of the time, it makes no sense to have a 95 overall RB who isn't getting a lot of carries. Also, your OL won't need run blocking skills as much as pass blocking, so you can get OL to match your style of play as well.

Always look at what playbook you are running and pick players based on that. A CB who is 95 overall won't do you a bit of good if you're running a cover two and his zone coverage stat sucks. You just wind up paying them a ton of money to watch them get burnt repeatedly. Get players that fit your system.

I just started playing HC last week and love it.
Your information above is VERY helpful/insightful.
Thanks.

[JBH3]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

Because it will kill your cap if they have a very high signing bonus.

Always check what the penalty will be. If the player costs 5 million on the cap, and the penalty is 3 million, you would save only 2 million by cutting him, and would still have to pay the 3 for that season.

Let's say you have a bust, $25 million (5 mil a year), 5 years, $10 million signing bonus. The signing bonus is spread out evenly throughout the 5 years.

If you cut him in year 2, you'd have a 8 million penalty despite only having $5 mil against the salary. Cutting the player would cost you an extra $3 million. It would be cheaper to keep him on the roster, even if he is a bust until you can at least split even on him.

Say hello to Alex Smith...

Running w/ the Niners, and Smith's contract is a headache.

[Von Dozier]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

I generally sign my certified starters to long term contracts, with all depth at 1 year 700k or so commitments. If I like a young backup player who has a decent rating, I may throw him a contract, but it's rare.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

Say hello to Alex Smith...

Running w/ the Niners, and Smith's contract is a headache.

Starting with the 49ers and getting stuck with the contracts of Smith, Jonas "Human Blob" Jennings and Michael Lewis is absolutely brutal.

[JBH3]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

Starting with the 49ers and getting stuck with the contracts of Smith, Jonas "Human Blob" Jennings and Michael Lewis is absolutely brutal.

Lewis has been producing, and I was starting and getting decent production from Jennings too - now he's injured.

Smith is a COMPLETE waste though.

JT O'Sullivan has been killing. I had 504 passing yards and 5 TDs w/ him in my first win, wk2 against SEA.

Since... JT has continued to produce, and I'm 2-3 w/ a win vs NO too. Problem is though he wants a huge extension...5 yrs/$32mil and like a $6mil signing bonus w/ incentives up to about another $3mil.

I most likely won't resign him and my starting QB will likely be filled via FA on the cheap w/ a short-term deal. His overall is up to an 81 currently - I think his potential is an 85. I want my QB to be the "Field General" - that's my philosophy.

I'm looking to build up the D w/ the D-Line being my first overhaul. A 'prototype' DE is what I want out of my #1 pick.

Then another CB who I can put on an island in man coverage.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

Lewis has been producing, and I was starting and getting decent production from Jennings too - now he's injured.

Smith is a COMPLETE waste though.

JT O'Sullivan has been killing. I had 504 passing yards and 5 TDs w/ him in my first win, wk2 against SEA.

Since... JT has continued to produce, and I'm 2-3 w/ a win vs NO too. Problem is though he wants a huge extension...5 yrs/$32mil and like a $6mil signing bonus w/ incentives up to about another $3mil.

I most likely won't resign him and my starting QB will likely be filled via FA on the cheap w/ a short-term deal. His overall is up to an 81 currently - I think his potential is an 85. I want my QB to be the "Field General" - that's my philosophy.

I'm looking to build up the D w/ the D-Line being my first overhaul. A 'prototype' DE is what I want out of my #1 pick.

Then another CB who I can put on an island in man coverage.

Lewis actually was ok when I used him, but I found better very easily. Jennings was often hurt for me as well.

I never signed J.T. O'Turnover on my game, Smith actually had a Pro Bowl year with me my first season. But he was horrible in year two, I replaced him midseason with an undrafted free agent, and traded him in the offseason.

[JBH3]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

Lewis actually was ok when I used him, but I found better very easily. Jennings was often hurt for me as well.

I never signed J.T. O'Turnover on my game, Smith actually had a Pro Bowl year with me my first season. But he was horrible in year two, I replaced him midseason with an undrafted free agent, and traded him in the offseason.

Just beat the Eagles last night to improve to 3-3.

O'Sullivan threw 3 pics, one for a score to account for Philly's only TD of the 1st half.

Went into half time winning 21-10.

Another two TOs by O'Sullivan, Philly playing stout D and only holding me to a FG for a qtr and a half, and they're able to take the lead 29-24 w/ 1:06 left and w/ only 1 TO.

BUT...JT led the Niners downfield to a score on two big plays. One a pass to Arnaz Battle where he broke free for a 54 yard gain, and another on a TD pass to Josh Morgan to take the lead 30-24 w/ 12 seconds left.

Needless to say I won, and in the days leading up to the NYG gm JT approached me for an extension. 5yrs/$32mil, $6mil bonus, w/ incentives worth up to $3mil.

There wasn't an offer out of the 34 packages which was remotely doable.

I've put him on ignore.

[Hoovie]

Re: Just got this game, can someone help me with the cap?

Here's what I do to take care of the cap:

I only offer the #1 (lowest) contract
No incentives
Low signing bonus

And I get 99% of the players, even FA's.

Very rarely a FA will walk away, but it's only happened once or twice. Ray Lewis and someone else.

Rookies will sometimes balk, but will end up signing eventually, before the end of training camp.