The 49ers picked up some veteran free agents this offseason (Brandon Jones, Demetric Evans, Dre' Bly, Moran Norris, Marques Harris, Marvel Smith and Damon Huard).
They signed some of their own players to contract extensions (Joe Staley, Parys Haralson, Brian Jennings, Tony Wragge and Joe Nedney).
And the 49ers still have $15.061 million in salary-cap space.
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Question: ould you mind spending a day of writing going into the structure of the Niners salary cap for this year in terms of numbers, and which guys are locked up long term vs. short term? (Marty M.)
Answer: I don't see salary being a huge issue when it comes to the 49ers' final cuts this year. For the most part, everyone is making about what they should make - considering time of service and projected role on the team.
One player whose salary might be an issue is receiver Arnaz Battle.
There is no doubt
One player already took measures to correct his contract. Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich said he knew he was overpaid at $2.23 million for what he'd be asked to do this season. So Ulbrich agreed this offseason to a pay reduction down to $950,000 to increase his chance of playing a 10th season with the 49ers.
A couple weeks ago, the 49ers signed tackle Joe Staley to a contract extension through 2017. Ordinarily, a contract such as this would not guarantee the player remains with the club through the duration of the deal. But it could happen with Staley because the base salaries never reach outrageous levels.
The 49ers used their surplus in cap space to bump Staley's 2009 cap figure from $1.42 million to $11.6 million. He'll get two roster bonuses, and the money will be deferred to Staley will get his $16 million guaranteed spread out for several years.
Staley's base salaries remain reasonable throughout his contract. In his final two years of the contract, Staley is scheduled to make $4.9 million in 2016 and $5.75 million in 2017.
Likewise, the extension that Parys Haralson signed this offseason appears reasonable. In 2013, his final year, he is scheduled to earn just $2.57 million. That could be a bargain for a player expected to hover around the 10-sack mark.
Receiver Brandon Jones, who is signed through 2013, is scheduled to make $3.375 million in his final season. Again, that is not a big number if he asserts himself as a steady contributor.
In recent years, the 49ers signed Nate Clements and Justin Smith as free agents. As early as 2010, the 49ers will have a decision to make on Clements. His scheduled salary jumps from $3.5 million this year to $6 million in 2010, $7.25 in '11, $9 million in '12, and $10.77 in '13.
Justin Smith, meanwhile, sees his schedule salary jump to $5 million in 2011, $5.875 million in '12, and $7.5 million in '13.
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Here is a quick look at the 49ers' contract situation:
Signed through 2009
G David Baas
CB Dre' Bly
WR Isaac Bruce
WR Arnaz Battle
LB Jeff Ulbrich
LB Ahmad Brooks
QB Damon Huard
RS Allen Rossum
NT Aubrayo Franklin
S Mark Roman
T Barry Sims
DB Marcus Hudson
LB Marques Harris
Signed through 2010
TE
LB Manny Lawson
RB Frank Gore
QB Alex Smith
QB Shaun Hill
CB Tarell Brown
WR Jason Hill
DL Ray McDonald
LB Jay Moore
LB Takeo Spikes
G Tony Wragge
DE Demetric Evans
OT Marvel Smith
Signed through 2011
LB Patrick Willis
G Chilo Rachal
WR Josh Morgan
C Eric Heitmann
DB Regge Smith
C Cody Wallace
FB Moran Norris
K Joe Nedney
OL Adam Snyder
Signed through 2012
DL Kentwan Balmer
S Michael Lewis
CB Shawntae Spencer
DL Isaac Sopoaga
TE Delanie Walker
P Andy Lee
RB Michael Robinson
LB Scott McKillop
TE Bear Pascoe
S Curtis Taylor
DL Ricky Jean-Francois
*QB Nate
*RB Glen Coffee
Signed through 2013
OLB Parys Haralson
CB Nate Clements
DE Justin Smith
WR Brandon Jones
*WR Michael Crabtree
Signed through 2014
LS Brian
Signed through 2017
T Joe Staley
* -- these rookies are unsigned, but Coffee and Davis are likely to get four-year contracts, while Crabtree is expected to get a five-year pact.
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Matt -- There was a lot of discussion about Baas in your previous post (he always seems to generate a lot of opinions). Of those only signed through 2009, he and Franklin are the ones who stand out the most for not being extended. I assume there are lines to read between there, but perhaps not. Your thoughts?
Question: There was a lot of discussion about Baas in your previous post (he always seems to generate a lot of opinions). Of those only signed through 2009, he and Franklin are the ones who stand out the most for not being extended. I assume there are lines to read between there, but perhaps not. Your thoughts?
My response: My feeling about Franklin is that the 49ers would love for Sopoaga to become the nose and Balmer to take over at LDE. They'll probably wait to see how that plays out this season before deciding what to do with Franklin.
As for Baas, I would not be suprised if the sides are far apart at this point. The 49ers know what they would pay for him, based on what he's done so far. But Baas' side probably sees him taking a huge step forward as a full-time starter. Therefore, they don't want a contract that they believe would be under-valuing him.
As some have pointed out, there is a contradiction here. I agree with the 49ers' mindset that you don't have to pay big money for guards. But, by the same token, you should not be taking guards in the second round. I can see it with Rachal, because there is still a chance he moves to right tackle in the future. --Matt M.
Looks like a LOT of key players with contracts expiring after 2010. The Front Office is probably going to be looking to extend several of these players after the 2009 season, so the team's performance this year is pivotal. If they take a step backwards, some of these guys might not be willing to take the "home town discount" that a few players have been accepting lately.
FWIW, I think big $ for OGs is a fairly new thing in the NFL. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the famous 2006 signing of Steve Hutchinson pushed guard pay up to the OT range.
Matt,
To preface, I have little knowledge about OL skills, technique, or quality. My question regarding guards, early drafting, and retention is this: is it possible that the guards drafted early have not performed up to their early round expectations? Maybe you wouldn't call them "bust," but perhaps there is a sense the team could do better with a new draft pick? I ask because Rachal seems to have Singletary's favor (whether he switches to RT or not) and seems like a candidate to stick around. Thoughts?
Thanks!
The only 49er guard we've lost to the new pay scale was Justin Smiley, who got 25m/5 years in 2008 (9m guaranteed). I think we paid Larry Allen 4m/year. BTW, Hutch got 49m/7 years.
Edgy6,
It would be very advantageous for the 49ers to sign players who's contract expires in 2010 based on the "Economical Times" we're in. On the other side of the ledger I think players need to understand the Economy as well & take what they can on their next contract not to mention not having a CBA inked. Hopefully it will work for both the 49ers & the players.
the niners cap problems are OVER ? no waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I odn't think LA counts, as he was signed as a FA and retired. It's not that we lose lots of OG's to FA. As a stated philosophy of the team, Scot has said that he doesn't want to spend money.
Matt;
Great work as always, lots of discussion about V. Davis, can he catch or not. Last year the club was very high on Delanie Walker, soft hands, runs like a WR. , knows his routs. What is your take on the TE position, is Delanie still the well kept secret weapon, is he in the mix ?
Hey Matt, thanks for article, this was perfect!
I see that Shantae Spencer is signed to 2012, which I found very surprising. I don't remember him contributing much the last coupkle years due to being quite injury prone. How/when did this happen, and are his salary numbers too large to consider cutting him if needed?
Matt, are there still attractive free agents out there unsigned - players that would add to our pass rush and/or offensive line? Or have Suggs and Pepper been locked in?
So, the Niners should sign Crabtree, Coffee and Davis and trade Battle, who won't be in the top four after they rank Bruce higher out of deference.
After all that, sign Patrick Willis through 2017. They can use the room they have under the cap this year to front load the contract and save space for better free agent years to come.
Matt, Along with P. in Hawaii, I wonder about Delanie Walker. We are all familiar with the unique and frustrating Vernon Davis and we know the beginning of the Bear Pascoe story. But what are your thoughts on Delanie?
Im sorry but it's time for Battle to go. He was a nice player for us but if we keep him we will have to cut a young player like Ziegler. Theres probably no way Battle comes back next year anyway he will just take away playing time from Jason Hill.
The 9ers need him to stay healthy now, but isn't Shawntae Spencer overpaid if he stalls at #4 CB?
Jon,
Thanks for your response, but perhaps you misunderstood my intent. I was trying to illustrate how much the most highly paid OGs are now getting, and what we are willing to pay. Larry Allen does count, even though we knew he was a fill-in, not a long-term solution. I think it shows that we would go 4M for the right player. We wouldn't pay Smiley 5, though, and Hutch is not the last OG to get 7M.