The Browns' Phil Savage: A Gambler in Nerd's Clothing
Published March 04, 2008
If each played out the term of his contract, the bonus would hit the salary cap on a prorated basis. In the case of Williams, for example, his bonus is worth $2.66 million of salary cap space each year, based on the length of his current contract. The problem comes if one or more of them don't stick around.
Like most long-term contracts, the salary piece probably ramps up in later years since the guaranteed money is usually paid up front. Thus, when the salary to be paid in later years — coupled with the cap hit for the bonus in that year — begins to exceed the player's value to the team, he'll be cut. Think Orpheus Roye. Heck, think Donte' Stallworth.
When that occurs (not if), the remaining prorated share of the bonuses is then accelerated into the year the player is cut. Thus, the team ends up with less salary cap to work with even though the player is otherwise gone. It's exactly why former Browns head coach Butch Davis essentially purged the Browns only playoff team several years ago.
These may be problems for another day and another season, but they most certainly are on the horizon. Much can happen between now and then, but the Browns can't be successful each and every year playing this kind of shell game with free agents at the expense of draft choices. At some point, the lack of draft choices this year will become more noticeable in much the same way as if the Browns had squandered the choices with poor decisions. It's what put the Browns in the hole Savage is trying to dig them out of now.
The gamble Savage took may be the final jump the Browns need to become a force in the league, but if Savage wants to keep it that way, there is much more juggling he has to do. If he isn't successful, then another rebuilding program isn't too far in the future for this franchise and Savage can go back to doing what he loves best, scouting.
Only it will most certainly be with another team.
- The Browns' Phil Savage: A Gambler in Nerd's Clothing
- Published: March 04, 2008
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Sports
- Filed Under: Sports: Football (American)
- Writer: Gary D. Benz
- Gary D. Benz's BC Writer page
- Gary D. Benz's personal site
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Josh:
The Browns have taken a step forward with these signings just as they did a year ago. The drafting of Joe Thomas helped tremendously as well. They are now much closer to being a legitimate contender than anytime since they returned. That doesn't mean this isn't a gamble. There are too many examples of teams that "went for it all" only to wind up in salary cap hell down the road and without a Super Bowl ring to show for it. That doesn't mean that will happen to the Browns, but Savage has certainly introduced that element with the signings, the length of the contracts (done for cap purposes) and the guaranteed money.
i think crennel has a point. i dont think that, given where cleveland would be drafting, the talent they would acquire in the draft would be significantly better than the talent they acquired FOR those picks. The QB's who are worthy of a later first round pick are probably on par with quinn, the #2 WR's in the draft are probably on par with stallworth.
granted, they WAY overpaid for stallworth, but perhaps they're thinking he can have the same kind of runoff success playing behind braylon edwards that he had playing behind moss. not even a remotely outlandish assumption, but certainly not worth a seven year contract. (i personally would have thrown a take-it-or-leave-it four year 20 million deal at him. that seems about what stallworth is worth)
Gary,
Are you saying that Phil Savage is the NFL-equivalent of a "North Coast Opie" in elf's clothing?
Regardless, I have the utmost faith in Phil Savage - AND his talent evaluation abilities.
That being said, I am also not completely comfortable trading away all of our draft picks either - but I think Savage has done a great job in free agency this year (and beyond), nonetheless.
However, I don't necessarily agree with paying Derek Anderson the kind of "Tom Brady money" that the Browns have given to D.A. in the meantime.
I would have LOVED to trade Anderson to the Dolphins in exchange for a shot at Darren McFadden - but, with Bill Parcells large and in charge, that probably was never going to happen.
Whatever the case, I can at least gasp a sigh of relief knowing that the Browns have TWO good quarterbacks in their offensive arsenal.
Or so it would seem...
Gary, nice piece, you're a good writer.
I'll agree that these moves were indeed gambles, but you failed to point out that this is a very weak draft class. In my opinion, that's what motivated Savage to move the picks. I also think Savage realized that there was no QB coming out this year that had Quinn's ability- so looking at BQ as this year's first rounder is very logical.
Let's just say, I'm not sold on Matt Ryan, and honestly, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Quinn starting for the Browns in '09.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/74456)
Gary -
I can summarize your article in a couple simple statements.
This time of year when a team signs free agents or makes trades for players that people have heard of (at least knowledgeable football fans) it makes a splash and is viewed as daring.
No one knows the future. I'm not sure if I'd feel any better if we had any of those draft picks and needed to find run stoppers and a second WR. Not to mention, do you really think its not an advantage to have guys who have played a few years as opposed to rookie draft picks who have never played at this level?
Whether or not the Browns are really SB contenders yet isn't entirely the issue. In my opinion they've turned the corner from a perenial expansion roster void of first string talent, to a team with legitimate stars to build around.
Do you really think there is such a large gap between the bottom and the top of the NFL? I think with even a mediocre run defense (say ranked 15th) the Browns would not only have won the division but also probably advanced at least a round in the playoffs.
My final assessment is that your article really doesn't say anything. Savage is taking a risk with free agents as opposed to taking a risk with draft picks. And don't forget that the Browns #1 pick in the 2008 draft is now a one year veteran of their team.
Best,
Josh