LT2_3 Can you help to clarify....

[Pixote]

LT2_3, can you help us out, we have had conflicting reports, and some disagreements on the forum, about how much cap space the Bears currently have. One report on the net had us with a little over 9 Million under the cap. another had us at about 1 Million under the cap. What is your expert opinion on this point of discussion?

[GrizzlyBear]

Lt2 is the only poster I trust Pix. thanks for asking him.

[HoofHearted]

Just to let you guys know. We have $2.9MM left after all the cuts.

[HoofHearted]

Lt2 is the only poster I trust Pix. thanks for asking him.

 

but, but, but... He's just another poster on a message board.

[LT2_3]

Just to let you guys know. We have $2.9MM left after all the cuts.

 

Pix - It's really hard to say for certain. I won't have the details I need on all the contracts signed this year until next year when USA today publishes the 2008 salary database.

 

That being said, the source I trust most (adamjt13 from KFFL) had us at $9.45 mil in cap space as of 8/4. That would include Hester's new deal as well.

 

My best guess would be that we are closer to the $9.2 mil number than anything smaller than that. Although, that depends on how the cap numbers were arrived at. If anyone has a roster bonus keyed to making the 53 man roster, then that probably wasn't included in the $9.2 mil number.

 

Hoofhearted: Where did you get the $2.9 mil number from, and can you provide a link? That sounds like someone included guaranteed money that is scheduled for amortization in a future year or failed to properly amortize a signing bonus. If you show me their math I can show you where they went wrong.

 

If anyone is interested, the most recent trick that I see teams utilizing to trick the cap (and it allows them to spend beneath the minimum cap) is that they push cap space into the following year via the LTBE loophole to achieve the 90% minimum cap, but never actually PAY anyone the money. The future year has a higher adjusted cap for the team, but they are only required to spend the 90% league minimum and not 90% of their adjusted cap. That's how teams are able to enter the year with $25 million+ of cap space, but not be below the league minimum.

[HoofHearted]

Hoofhearted: Where did you get the $2.9 mil number from, and can you provide a link? That sounds like someone included guaranteed money that is scheduled for amortization in a future year or failed to properly amortize a signing bonus. If you show me their math I can show you where they went wrong.

 

From your good friend db54. hehe

 

linky

 

linky2

 

The thing about Adam is that he never shows any work and he's putting out all 32 teams numbers. I trust someone whom I know, who concentrates on one team, and whom I know is quite familiar with the rules and does a lot of work to do his math.

[HoofHearted]

Name............... Base salary......Signing bonus(amortized) ......Other bonus(roster etc)........ Total

 

1.Adams, A $800,000 $250,000 - $1,050,000

 

2.Anderson ,M $445,000 $39,000 - $484,000

 

3. Barton K $295,000 $30,0000 - $325,000

 

4. Beekman,J $370,000 $97,500 - $467,500

 

5.Bennett,E $295,000 $205,000 ---- $500,000

 

6. booker, M $950,000 $750,000 50,000 $1,750,000

 

7. Bowman,Z $295,000 73,750 - $368,750

 

8. Bradley,M $520,000 $300,000 - $820,000

 

9. briggs, L $805,000 $667,000 $4,000,000 $5,472,000

 

10. Brown,Alex $605,000 $2,350,000 - $2,9550,000

 

11 .Brown,M $950,000 $833,333 *$1,490,000 $1,783,333

 

12. Clark,D $1,000,000 $1,667,000 $475,000 $2,667,000

 

13. Davis, R $520,000 $366,667 $50,000 $936,667

 

14. Davis K $295,000 $41,088 - $336,000

 

15. Dvoracek,D $455,000 $187,500 - $632,500

 

16.Forte, M $295,000 $382,500 $528,167 $1,205,600

 

17.Garza,R $730,000 $583,000 - $1,313,000

 

18 .Gould, R $520,000 - *$2,104,000 $2,624,000

 

*19. Graham, C $370,000 $37,500 - $407,500

 

20. Grossman,R $1,400,000 $1,500,000 $1,600,000 $4,500,000

 

21. Harris,T $975,000 $4,525,000 1,000,000 - $6,5000,000

 

22. Harrison,M $295,000 $172,500 - $467,500

 

23. Hester,D $445,000 $1,059,750 - $1,504,750

 

24. Hillenmeyer,H $1,450,000 $1,000,000 - $2,450,000

 

25. Idonije,I $1,500,000 $400,000 - $1,900,000

 

26. Jones, K $605,000 ( vet exception) - - $445,000

 

27. Kreutz,Olin $2,333,000 $3,000,000 - $5,333,000

 

28.Llyod, B $485,000 $485,000

 

29. Mannelly,P $770,000 $93,000 - $863,000

 

30. Manning, D $445,000 $400,000 - $845,000

 

31. Maynard,B $925,000 $360,000 - $1,285,000

 

32. Mcbride,T $370,000 $13,750 - $383,750

 

33. McGlover, D $520,000 -- - $520,000

 

34. McGowan,B. $1,412,000 $1,412,000

 

35. Mckie, J $605,000 $250,000 - $855,000

 

36. Metcalf, T $900,000 $583,000 - $1,482,000

 

37 Ogunleye,A $4,700,000 $2,500,000 - $7,200,000

 

38. Olsen,G $370,000 $50,000 $4,025,000 $4,445,000

 

39. Orton,K $1,300,000 $814,500 $100,000 $2,214,500

 

40. Payne. K $370,000 $37,500 - $407,500

 

41. Peterson,A $605,000 $333,333 - $938,333

 

42. Polite,L $520,000 - - $520,000

 

43 .St. Clair,J $750,000 $250,000 - $1,000,000

 

44. Stelz, C $295,000 $111,250 - $406,500

 

45. Tait, J $4,600,000 $2,333,333 - $6,933,333

 

46. Tillman,C $750,000 $2,570,000 - $3,321,000

 

*47. Toeaina,M $370,000 ?? - $370,000

 

48. Urlacher, B $4,950,000 $3,667,000 - $8,616,667

 

49. Vasher, N $750,000 $1,900,000 $2,500,000 $5,150,000

 

50. Williams,J $445,000 $103,000 - $548,000

 

51. Willima , C $295,000 $100,000 $1,126,000 $1,521,000

 

52. Wilson, R $520,000 ? - $520,000

 

53. Wolfe,G $370,000 $155,000 - $525,000

 

----------

 

TOTAL $101,599,499

 

 

 

LBTE's not earned $1,700,000

 

* Unamortized cap hits $13,850,000

 

salary cap $116,729,000

 

Room left $2.98 mill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* mike brown- $1.49 mill unlikely to be earned incentives( reworked deal)

 

* robbie gould-$2 mill roster bonus, 100K workout, 4K reporting

 

ROOKIE POOL- $5.791 mil ($5.78 mill used up)

 

1. Kellen Davis- 4 years $1.8 mill, $167,954 SB $295,000 salary- $336K cap #

 

2. Erwin baldwin- TBA $295,000 salary

 

3. Chester Adams- TBA, $295,000 salary

 

4. Joey Laroque- TBA $295,000 salary

 

5. Kirk Barton- TBA $295,000 salary

 

6.Marcus Monk- TBA $295,000 salary

 

7. Craig steltz- 4 yrs $445,907 Sb- $295,000 Salary - $406,500 cap #

 

8. Marcus harrison- 4 years $2.3 mill, 690,000 SB 295 K sal=$467,500 cap

 

9.Zach Bowman- 4 years $1.95 mill, 295K SB, 295 Sal=$368.750 cap

 

10. Earl bennett- 4 years $3 mill, $820 K SB $295 Sal= $500,00 cap

 

11. Matt forte- 4 years 3.7 mill, 2 mill guarnatees $295,000 salary 2008 1.533,333 Signing bonus, $528,167 UTBE incentive cap # $678,250 with $528,167 UTBE

 

12. Chris williams- $16 mill , 9.2 mill Guaranteed, $295,000 sal

 

cap #= $295,000+ $100K Sb + $1.126 mill Rb= $1,521,000 cap #

[OmahaBear]

Name............... Base salary......Signing bonus(amortized) ......Other bonus(roster etc)........ Total

 

1.Adams, A $800,000 $250,000 - $1,050,000

 

2.Anderson ,M $445,000 $39,000 - $484,000

 

3. Barton K $295,000 $30,0000 - $325,000

 

4. Beekman,J $370,000 $97,500 - $467,500

 

5.Bennett,E $295,000 $205,000 ---- $500,000

 

6. booker, M $950,000 $750,000 50,000 $1,750,000

 

7. Bowman,Z $295,000 73,750 - $368,750

 

8. Bradley,M $520,000 $300,000 - $820,000

 

9. briggs, L $805,000 $667,000 $4,000,000 $5,472,000

 

10. Brown,Alex $605,000 $2,350,000 - $2,9550,000

 

11 .Brown,M $950,000 $833,333 *$1,490,000 $1,783,333

 

12. Clark,D $1,000,000 $1,667,000 $475,000 $2,667,000

 

13. Davis, R $520,000 $366,667 $50,000 $936,667

 

14. Davis K $295,000 $41,088 - $336,000

 

15. Dvoracek,D $455,000 $187,500 - $632,500

 

16.Forte, M $295,000 $382,500 $528,167 $1,205,600

 

17.Garza,R $730,000 $583,000 - $1,313,000

 

18 .Gould, R $520,000 - *$2,104,000 $2,624,000

 

*19. Graham, C $370,000 $37,500 - $407,500

 

20. Grossman,R $1,400,000 $1,500,000 $1,600,000 $4,500,000

 

21. Harris,T $975,000 $4,525,000 1,000,000 - $6,5000,000

 

22. Harrison,M $295,000 $172,500 - $467,500

 

23. Hester,D $445,000 $1,059,750 - $1,504,750

 

24. Hillenmeyer,H $1,450,000 $1,000,000 - $2,450,000

 

25. Idonije,I $1,500,000 $400,000 - $1,900,000

 

26. Jones, K $605,000 ( vet exception) - - $445,000

 

27. Kreutz,Olin $2,333,000 $3,000,000 - $5,333,000

 

28.Llyod, B $485,000 $485,000

 

29. Mannelly,P $770,000 $93,000 - $863,000

 

30. Manning, D $445,000 $400,000 - $845,000

 

31. Maynard,B $925,000 $360,000 - $1,285,000

 

32. Mcbride,T $370,000 $13,750 - $383,750

 

33. McGlover, D $520,000 -- - $520,000

 

34. McGowan,B. $1,412,000 $1,412,000

 

35. Mckie, J $605,000 $250,000 - $855,000

 

36. Metcalf, T $900,000 $583,000 - $1,482,000

 

37 Ogunleye,A $4,700,000 $2,500,000 - $7,200,000

 

38. Olsen,G $370,000 $50,000 $4,025,000 $4,445,000

 

39. Orton,K $1,300,000 $814,500 $100,000 $2,214,500

 

40. Payne. K $370,000 $37,500 - $407,500

 

41. Peterson,A $605,000 $333,333 - $938,333

 

42. Polite,L $520,000 - - $520,000

 

43 .St. Clair,J $750,000 $250,000 - $1,000,000

 

44. Stelz, C $295,000 $111,250 - $406,500

 

45. Tait, J $4,600,000 $2,333,333 - $6,933,333

 

46. Tillman,C $750,000 $2,570,000 - $3,321,000

 

*47. Toeaina,M $370,000 ?? - $370,000

 

48. Urlacher, B $4,950,000 $3,667,000 - $8,616,667

 

49. Vasher, N $750,000 $1,900,000 $2,500,000 $5,150,000

 

50. Williams,J $445,000 $103,000 - $548,000

 

51. Willima , C $295,000 $100,000 $1,126,000 $1,521,000

 

52. Wilson, R $520,000 ? - $520,000

 

53. Wolfe,G $370,000 $155,000 - $525,000

 

----------

 

TOTAL $101,599,499

 

 

 

LBTE's not earned $1,700,000

 

* Unamortized cap hits $13,850,000

 

salary cap $116,729,000

 

Room left $2.98 mill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* mike brown- $1.49 mill unlikely to be earned incentives( reworked deal)

 

* robbie gould-$2 mill roster bonus, 100K workout, 4K reporting

 

ROOKIE POOL- $5.791 mil ($5.78 mill used up)

 

1. Kellen Davis- 4 years $1.8 mill, $167,954 SB $295,000 salary- $336K cap #

 

2. Erwin baldwin- TBA $295,000 salary

 

3. Chester Adams- TBA, $295,000 salary

 

4. Joey Laroque- TBA $295,000 salary

 

5. Kirk Barton- TBA $295,000 salary

 

6.Marcus Monk- TBA $295,000 salary

 

7. Craig steltz- 4 yrs $445,907 Sb- $295,000 Salary - $406,500 cap #

 

8. Marcus harrison- 4 years $2.3 mill, 690,000 SB 295 K sal=$467,500 cap

 

9.Zach Bowman- 4 years $1.95 mill, 295K SB, 295 Sal=$368.750 cap

 

10. Earl bennett- 4 years $3 mill, $820 K SB $295 Sal= $500,00 cap

 

11. Matt forte- 4 years 3.7 mill, 2 mill guarnatees $295,000 salary 2008 1.533,333 Signing bonus, $528,167 UTBE incentive cap # $678,250 with $528,167 UTBE

 

12. Chris williams- $16 mill , 9.2 mill Guaranteed, $295,000 sal

 

cap #= $295,000+ $100K Sb + $1.126 mill Rb= $1,521,000 cap #

 

 

That's were you went wrong...

[HoofHearted]

That's were you went wrong...

 

Thanks for adding nothing. However, feel free to criticize something with little else but a snappy one liner. I've seen person after person try to point out some kind of flaw with his calculation, and have yet to see one person do so successfully. But, ya know, it's a lot easier to believe a guy who just gives you one number rather than someone who actually goes through step-by-step to explain how he got where he did.

[azbearsfan]

Thanks for adding nothing. However, feel free to criticize something with little else but a snappy one liner. I've seen person after person try to point out some kind of flaw with his calculation, and have yet to see one person do so successfully. But, ya know, it's a lot easier to believe a guy who just gives you one number rather than someone who actually goes through step-by-step to explain how he got where he did.

 

 

You didn't come up with this yourself, so how the hell do you know?

 

Unless your good buddy offers something more than a list of numbers (like league cap rules and step by step written instructions on how they pertain to every single one of the Bears players contracts) then you are just wasting time and talking big for nothing.

 

The NFL cap is like tax law. There are so many loopholes and clauses that you can't just list everything and add. There is a reason every team has their "cap expert".

[HoofHearted]

You didn't come up with this yourself, so how the hell do you know?

 

Unless your good buddy offers something more than a list of numbers (like league cap rules and step by step written instructions on how they pertain to every single one of the Bears players contracts) then you are just wasting time and talking big for nothing.

 

The NFL cap is like tax law. There are so many loopholes and clauses that you can't just list everything and add. There is a reason every team has their "cap expert".

 

 

Because, not only have I gone through the CBA and read the cap guidelines, but the guy goes through step by step with every single number he puts up there. He gives you links to back his contract numbers, and if you're not lazy you can double check them yourself. All the numbers are there for the looking, so please, go ahead and actually point out something tangible in the links I gave you to show where he went wrong, or just avoid the conversation when all you to add is the usual "I disagree, but don't have any contradicting proof to back up my statements."

 

The difference of numbers comes down to the 100MM in solid factual cap hits, and the dead space. Just looks at the contracts we terminated this year, look at the unamortized bonuses owed, and do the math yourself. The rules are quite clear in stating where all of the "dead moneys" owed should be appropriated, so as far as "loopholes", it's not quite as complicated as you may think.

[OmahaBear]

Thanks for adding nothing. However, feel free to criticize something with little else but a snappy one liner. I've seen person after person try to point out some kind of flaw with his calculation, and have yet to see one person do so successfully. But, ya know, it's a lot easier to believe a guy who just gives you one number rather than someone who actually goes through step-by-step to explain how he got where he did.

 

 

That's where you went wrong again..

[HoofHearted]

That's where you went wrong again..

 

 

Nice. How old are you?

[azbearsfan]

Because, not only have I gone through the CBA and read the cap guidelines, but the guy goes through step by step with every single number he puts up there. He gives you links to back his contract numbers, and if you're not lazy you can double check them yourself. All the numbers are there for the looking, so please, go ahead and actually point out something tangible in the links I gave you to show where he went wrong, or just avoid the conversation when all you to add is the usual "I disagree, but don't have any contradicting proof to back up my statements."

 

The difference of numbers comes down to the 100MM in solid factual cap hits, and the dead space. Just looks at the contracts we terminated this year, look at the unamortized bonuses owed, and do the math yourself. The rules are quite clear in stating where all of the "dead moneys" owed should be appropriated, so as far as "loopholes", it's not quite as complicated as you may think.

 

 

Oh, well if "the guy" does it then it must be fact.

 

So we wont be looking forward to any more signings of cuts, is that what you are saying?

[HoofHearted]

Oh, well if "the guy" does it then it must be fact.

 

So we wont be looking forward to any more signings of cuts, is that what you are saying?

 

He's a guy who gives solid numbers, links, shows his work, and doesn't make you take his word for it. As in, you know, he actually shows you links, work, research. Note how I used "the guy", not as, "oh he's the man blah blah blah."

 

"[T]he guy goes through step by step with every single number he puts up there"...

 

As in, he shows you how he has come to every number in his posts and gives links and sources for his info. That alone right there makes "the guy" more reliable to me than a guy who just tosses out one figure for each team as the golden number.

 

 

 

When did I say that? Again inferring points that I never made, or failing to read what I did write. I said we can look forward to spending 2.9mm on whatever we can, and not having the luxury of 9mm that some site tosses out there without any backing whatsoever.

 

I seriously don't see how anyone could believe we have 9mm left after spending the money we did this offseason and cutting the players we did. We created a ton of dead cap space by cutting Moose, Griese, RMJ, Benson, Miller, AA, along with the smaller numbers contributed by Bazuin Okwo and the like.

[LT2_3]

He's a guy who gives solid numbers, links, shows his work, and doesn't make you take his word for it. As in, you know, he actually shows you links, work, research. Note how I used "the guy", not as, "oh he's the man blah blah blah."

 

"[T]he guy goes through step by step with every single number he puts up there"...

 

As in, he shows you how he has come to every number in his posts and gives links and sources for his info. That alone right there makes "the guy" more reliable to me than a guy who just tosses out one figure for each team as the golden number.

 

When did I say that? Again inferring points that I never made, or failing to read what I did write. I said we can look forward to spending 2.9mm on whatever we can, and not having the luxury of 9mm that some site tosses out there without any backing whatsoever.

 

I seriously don't see how anyone could believe we have 9mm left after spending the money we did this offseason and cutting the players we did. We created a ton of dead cap space by cutting Moose, Griese, RMJ, Benson, Miller, AA, along with the smaller numbers contributed by Bazuin Okwo and the like.

 

Without really looking at things in serious depth, one thing the guy screwed up was the rookie contracts. Whomever was estimating those numbers, didn't realize that the Bears utilize REALLY small bonuses (both roster and signing) a drafted players rookie year and then rewards them with significantly larger option bonuses in their second year.

 

I've also noticed that this guy has the team carrying large signing bonus prorations for players like RMJ, Ogun, and Tait that were given roster bonuses that were mostly amortized in their first 2 years. For instance, By his numbers, Tait had a proratable signing bonus of over $12 million. If that were the case, KC would've been able to match his transition tag easily. As it was, the Bears included a $4 million roster bonus to put most of the cap hit in year one forcing them to decline to match.

 

The guy has a good start, but he really needs to do it for a few more years so he can learn more effective rules of thumb for dealing with ambiguous data reported by the media.

[OmahaBear]

Nice. How old are you?

 

Third strike is a charm..

[BearsFan]

DB54 tries hard, and I appreciate the work he does. Other than LT, he's the only guy I've found who does the Chicago cap.

 

However, several others and I have pointed out errors and provided proof, and 54 will stick stubbornly to his mistaken numbers. That's why you don't see many folks even bother arguing with him anymore - it's an exercise in futility. He's totally incapable of admitting he's wrong, or else he's just too damn old to comprehend what he reads sometimes.

 

Either way, I don't trust his numbers this year. He had us under $1M on the cap for awhile when I know damn well Angelo wouldn't have cut himself that short on the "mad money" that's needed to be held in reserve for emergencies, etc.

 

.

[CrackerDog]

The guy has a good start,

 

Nah... Everyone knows you're "the guy" anyway LT2_3! So, it seems we're in the range of $9 million and have something left for a FA LT if we can locate one. Thanks!

[balta1701-A]

Folks, let's also try to keep the personal attacks out of here. It doesn't help anyone to just start insulting everyone else, you never get anywhere with that.

[azbearsfan]

He's a guy who gives solid numbers, links, shows his work, and doesn't make you take his word for it. As in, you know, he actually shows you links, work, research. Note how I used "the guy", not as, "oh he's the man blah blah blah."

 

"[T]he guy goes through step by step with every single number he puts up there"...

 

As in, he shows you how he has come to every number in his posts and gives links and sources for his info. That alone right there makes "the guy" more reliable to me than a guy who just tosses out one figure for each team as the golden number.

 

 

 

When did I say that? Again inferring points that I never made, or failing to read what I did write. I said we can look forward to spending 2.9mm on whatever we can, and not having the luxury of 9mm that some site tosses out there without any backing whatsoever.

 

I seriously don't see how anyone could believe we have 9mm left after spending the money we did this offseason and cutting the players we did. We created a ton of dead cap space by cutting Moose, Griese, RMJ, Benson, Miller, AA, along with the smaller numbers contributed by Bazuin Okwo and the like.

 

 

Hoof are you telling us you are really "the guy"?

 

Ahh I see where I was wrong. He posts "links". Because everything on the internet is the truth. Gotcha.

[GrizzlyBear]

Well this debate started with Hoof and I, He pointed out he did the math totally. Well it goes to show he takes a posters word for it. I read db54 stuff on the bears board, and became totaly Disillusioned when things were pointed out to him that he dismissed. LT2 has been spot on since I have known him off the old board. So like I said, Ill take word of PFT or another source of news provider then that of a poster. (except LT2)

[HoofHearted]

I've also noticed that this guy has the team carrying large signing bonus prorations for players like RMJ, Ogun, and Tait that were given roster bonuses that were mostly amortized in their first 2 years. For instance, By his numbers, Tait had a proratable signing bonus of over $12 million. If that were the case, KC would've been able to match his transition tag easily. As it was, the Bears included a $4 million roster bonus to put most of the cap hit in year one forcing them to decline to match.

 

All signing bonus are prorated, and BTW it was a 14 mm SB (hence 2.33). 14/6=2.33. Roster bonuses ARE NOT part of the signing bonus, thus that 4mm roster bonus added to the first year has nothing to do with the signing bonus, and has zero affect on the signing bonus. 5.2mm base + 2.3 SB + 4mm signing bonus that year made it 11.5 that year which the Chiefs declined to match. They could have matched it, but thought better of it since they would have had nearly zero cap room left. I don't see what's so hard to understand there.

 

linky

 

The Oguns and RMJ deals also had prorated bonuses. They got low base numbers and huge roster bonuses in their first years. RMJ for example had a 5mm roster bonus in his first season. Oguns had a $455,000 base salary to go along with his prorated SB. The next year he got a 5mm roster bonus to go along with his base and prorated SB.

 

 

I'd love to see some worked out numbers from you, but I guess we can continue to try and rip apart someone else while providing none of our own numbers.

[HoofHearted]

Hoof are you telling us you are really "the guy"?

 

Ahh I see where I was wrong. He posts "links". Because everything on the internet is the truth. Gotcha.

 

Hey, they are all from reputable media sources that can be corroborated all over other media reports using a simple google search. If PFT can be called an NFL news outlet with all in-the-loop sources and be considered dependable, then the Sun Times and Tribune Bears beat reporters (majority of his source info in posts) should be something around infallible.

[LT2_3]

All signing bonus are prorated, and BTW it was a 14 mm SB (hence 2.33). 14/6=2.33. Roster bonuses ARE NOT part of the signing bonus, thus that 4mm roster bonus added to the first year has nothing to do with the signing bonus, and has zero affect on the signing bonus. 5.2mm base + 2.3 SB + 4mm signing bonus that year made it 11.5 that year which the Chiefs declined to match. They could have matched it, but thought better of it since they would have had nearly zero cap room left. I don't see what's so hard to understand there.

 

linky

 

The Oguns and RMJ deals also had prorated bonuses. They got low base numbers and huge roster bonuses in their first years. RMJ for example had a 5mm roster bonus in his first season. Oguns had a $455,000 base salary to go along with his prorated SB. The next year he got a 5mm roster bonus to go along with his base and prorated SB.

 

 

I'd love to see some worked out numbers from you, but I guess we can continue to try and rip apart someone else while providing none of our own numbers.

 

Well, here's a link to Tait's page on USA Today's salary database:

 

http://content.usatoday.com/sports/footbal...amp;player=2240

 

He didn't have a large signing bonus and his cap totals reflect that.

 

Here's a link to RMJs numbers and he didn't have a signing bonus at all:

 

http://content.usatoday.com/sports/footbal...amp;player=2900

 

I think that you are operating under one main misconception. Not all money given to a player at the time of signing a contract is classified as a signing bonus. Angelo has been giving roster bonuses (meaning nonproratable) instead of signing bonuses (prorated) for awhile. That's the trickiest thing about the cap: getting the info right in spite of how stupidly the media screws up the reporting of the deal.