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NFL rules require them to spend like they're on a bender at a Vegas bachelor party


joewilly12

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INDIANAPOLIS — One of the consequences of the Jets' lack of player spending under former general manager John Idzik is that they have a lot of catching up to do.

To be blunt: In order to comply with the NFL's cash spending rules, the Jets in the next two years have to spend like they're on a bender at a Vegas bachelor party.

"They've got to make up a lot of ground this offseason," an NFL Players Association official said. That person spoke to NJ Advance Media on condition of anonymity.

The league's collective bargaining agreement requires that all teams spend 89 percent of the combined salary cap totals from 2013 to 2016. (The salary cap is in place to restrict what players can earn and owners have to spend; the 89-percent cap floor exists to keep cheapskate owners from purposely not spending at all. Jets owner Woody Johnson has said he never instructed Idzik not to spend.)

The Jets' average cash spending for 2013 and '14—salaries, non-prorated signing bonuses, additional bonuses, grievance awards, injury settlements, basically anything not benefit-related—was only at 80 percent of their obligation, according to a presentation made Friday morning during an NFLPA meeting at the Scouting Combine. Details of that presentation were provided to NJ Advance Media by a person who attended the meeting.

The NFLPA estimates that the 2015 salary cap, which the league is expected to announce sometime in the next two weeks, will be $143 million. The cap is expected to climb even higher in 2016, and assuming that number keeps going up at the same rate, the NFLPA estimates the Jets are required to get caught up the next two years by spending an average of $140 million.

MORE NFL COMBINE: Complete coverage from Indianapolis

Now consider: The Jets' average cash spending number for '13 and '14 , according to an NFLPA projection provided to NJ Advance Media, was just $106,230,662. Only the Panthers and Raiders spent less.

Per the CBA, if the Jets don't reach the league's spending floor by 2016, they are required to allocate that shortfall to any players on the roster between 2013 and 2016.

All of this is good news for a talented player with an expiring contract like defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson. Idzik's replacement, Mike Maccagnan, is meeting with Wilkerson's agent this week in Indy to discuss a contract extension. A new Wilkerson deal is long overdue, but expect him to collect a windfall.

The Jets are also expected to have $45 to $50 million in salary cap space this offseason. And that cash can't just be stuffed into Johnson's pillow.

Earlier this week, Maccagnan said the Jets "will be active in free agency. Whether that's with the high-dollar guys, the first wave of free agency, I would think we'd be potentially in that market, but we'll be in the middle and lower-tier market, too."

Maccagnan was referring to the spending he intends to do to improve the Jets. But according to NFL rules, he also doesn't have much of a choice.

Dom Cosentino may be reached at dcosentino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @domcosentino. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.

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This is why I thought it was funny to hear the media and fans react to Maccagnan saying that he planned to spend.  Everyone was saying "it's about time", but in all reality even if Woody had retained Idzik he was going to spend big too whether he liked it or not.

 

Spending isn't the important part, that's mandatory.  It's just nice to know it's going to be done by somebody with Maccagnan's background.  It doesn't guarantee success, but I'd say our odds are a hell of a lot better than they were with the last guy.

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This is GREAT news. So many great free agents this year. Make the right moves and this team can get so much better! Spend that money and win baby!

I've NEVER seen this much young talent available in free agency...ever!

It's good to be the Jets right now. Of course guys will be franchised but just the idea that we could sign 4-5 starters that are 26 & under is crazy.

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This is why I thought it was funny to hear the media and fans react to Maccagnan saying that he planned to spend.  Everyone was saying "it's about time", but in all reality even if Woody had retained Idzik he was going to spend big too whether he liked it or not.

 

Spending isn't the important part, that's mandatory.  It's just nice to know it's going to be done by somebody with Maccagnan's background.  It doesn't guarantee success, but I'd say our odds are a hell of a lot better than they were with the last guy.

 

 

Everyone forgets how we all hated Mr. T for spending too much and were happy to get a more physically responsible guy in Idzik. Of course, Idzik screwed himself by having a horrible draft this past year (and for putting too much stock in Geno). But in reality, Idzik got screwed because he was saving this money for this year and now he isn't here to use that money. I can't say I feel bad for Idzik (passing on every top end WR was a fireable offense), but lets not act as if Idzik was saving this money for himself, he was saving it to spend this year and next. 

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Everyone forgets how we all hated Mr. T for spending too much and were happy to get a more physically responsible guy in Idzik. Of course, Idzik screwed himself by having a horrible draft this past year (and for putting too much stock in Geno). But in reality, Idzik got screwed because he was saving this money for this year and now he isn't here to use that money. I can't say I feel bad for Idzik (passing on every top end WR was a fireable offense), but lets not act as if Idzik was saving this money for himself, he was saving it to spend this year and next.

Physically responsible? I see what you did there....I think?

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