AgentDib":37a99u1u said:
nutluck":37a99u1u said:
give you a edge in those years to push for a SB title, just like the Rams did this past year.
Also, the Rams borrowing money last year isn't why they were good. They had good coaching and a bunch of players playing below market value due to rookie contracts. Kupp was the best receiver in the NFL and played for $5.3m. They had 20+ impact players on cheap $800k-$2m rookie deals including FOUR starting OL, two more WR, their top two RBs, three DL, three starting LBs, and both safeties. OBJ signed for 850k and Von Miller for 700k because they both wanted to play there cheap for a ring.
The above is wrong in several places
WR Kupp, WR Woods, I forget his name the starting RT(was not on a rookie deal), AD, Ramsey, all had restructured deals to free up a lot of cap space last year that was used elsewhere partially on Stafford but other places too. OLB Floyd signed a back loaded contract to give them cap space last year and just restructured his deal again this year to free up another 12mil, this year and again they used void years on his contract.
But this is exactly what I was getting at they had a lot of players like Kupp playing for way below market value, but they did that with converting base to bonus and adding in void years. Exactly what i was talking about above.
Only one of the DL that was a starter was on a rookie.
They did have 3 OL on rookie deals and resigned 2 of their OL to pretty cheap deals and their new LT resigned he was the backup to a so so deal this year, to become the new starting LT.
Yes part of why the Rams have done well is they have drafted very well, they have had a high number of starters without a first round pick in. But they also restructure deals a lot and used void years a lot, to free up cap space.
Eventually that will come back to bite them but typically it just means having one or 2 average to bad years then you can try again. If the team is coached well and plans well, when doing this stuff.
My only point is the Hawks can do the same thing. Personally I would rather have a 4-5 year window with a decent shot at winning the SB, then have a down year or two and use those high draft picks to reload while you burn off cap debt, then try again for another 4-5 years. Over just being good enough but not good enough to make a serious push year after year.
You guys can disagree if you want, I am not trying to convince anyone I am right. I was only pointing out how the cap can be worked and teams that do that have a edge IMHO.