124 Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Cornerback's decision might lead to trade ESPN.com news services The Oakland Raiders didn't surprise anyone by placing the franchise tag on cornerback Charles Woodson, but what happened Friday caught them completely off guard. Woodson signed his one-year, $10.5 million franchise tender, which creates major cap problems for the Raiders. The Raiders are $15.7 million over the $85.5 million salary cap, not counting the Jerry Porter contract and the future acquisition of wide receiver Randy Moss, who has a $7.25 million salary. Woodson's agent, Carl Poston, likely made the move because of the Raiders' cap issues and decided to not risk the chance of having the franchise tag pulled before he had a chance to sign it. Poston was in Indianapolis for the scouting combine and walked over to the Raiders' hotel with a signed tender offer. By signing it, Woodson's $10.5 million is guaranteed. He submitted copies to the league and the NFL Management Council. Poston said the Raiders were surprised when they saw the signed contract. There was talk of having the franchise tag revoked or the possibility of making a trade. But in a statement released late Friday night, in which the Raiders reacted to the Woodson move, the team hinted that a trade remains a strong possibility. "The actions of agent Carl Poston and Charles Woodson tell us that they have have reached a long-term deal with a team and we expect a trade very soon," the statement read. Translation: The Raiders apparently feel that Woodson will sign an offer sheet with another team which, as a franchise player, he has a right to do. Oakland could match the offer sheet and retain Woodson at the terms specified, or decline to match and receive a pair of first-round draft choices as compensation. Or the two teams could reach agreement on a trade for a package of draft picks and/or players. The only potential flaw in the Raiders' logic is that, for Woodson to have reached even a tacit agreement with another team, that team would be in violation of NFL anti-tampering rules. Even as a franchise player, Woodson and his agent are not permitted to discuss deals with other teams until the free agency signing period begins Wednesday. The signing of Porter freed the club to designate the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback as its franchise player again. Raiders coach Norv Turner, in a statement about the cornerback earlier this week, sounded like a man expecting to see Woodson on his roster. "We're pleased to retain the services of Charles Woodson," Turner said. Woodson has said he wants to be the highest paid at his position, a distinction currently held by Denver's Champ Bailey. Among the Raiders' most talented and popular players, Woodson has battled injuries and clashed with management and coaches in recent years. In addition, he was arrested in downtown Oakland in December for investigation of public intoxication. Woodson and teammate Marques Anderson were arrested early Dec. 21 after refusing to leave the back seat of a woman's car, and both were jailed briefly. Police said Woodson and Anderson were uncooperative, had problems maintaining their balance, had bloodshot watery eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. They were acting in a belligerent manner, police said. Woodson, who signed a one-year tender for $8.782 million last Aug. 31 after missing 33 days of training camp, was sidelined for the final three games last season with an injured knee. He finished with 74 tackles, 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFSIKH Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 A reason to never sign a Potson client. Still remember Bang's cartoon on the Winslow negoptiations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Correct me if I am wrong but as a Franchise player there is no BONUS. So if they are now over 20 million over the cap, they may have to cut him (with no cap implication). Seems like he may have just made himself an unrestricted free agent. At any rate, the agents will always find a way to get their money. That much will always be true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardSeymour Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Correct me if I am wrong but as a Franchise player there is no BONUS. So if they are now over 20 million over the cap, they may have to cut him (with no cap implication). Seems like he may have just made himself an unrestricted free agent. At any rate, the agents will always find a way to get their money. That much will always be true. I believe that a franchise player's salary is guaranteed. The Raiders are now 15.7 million over the salary cap BEFORE the Porter and Moss contracts. Ain't cap hell a b****? I love this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardSeymour Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Yes, that is guaranteed: it's mentioned in the original article, and here's the pertinent clause from the CBA (iii) Beginning in the 1999 League Year, if a player subject to a Franchise Player designation accepts the Required Tender, the resulting Player Contract shall be fully guaranteed if the player Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFSIKH Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 I believe that a franchise player's salary is guaranteed. The Raiders are now 15.7 million over the salary cap BEFORE the Porter and Moss contracts. Ain't cap hell a b****? I love this. Blow it up and start again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardSeymour Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Blow it up and start again. That's what you do. That's what I do. But that's not what Al Davis does. Just bleed to death slowly, baby. The ironic thing is the Raiders could have cleaned house last year, drafted Roethlisberger, gone into this year with most of their deadwood removed, still done the Moss trade and now they'd have Roethlisberger, Moss, Porter, and the cap room to sign LaMont Jordan. Roethlisberger Moss Porter Jordan Yikes. But no, Al wasn't ready to clear the books so he signed two DTs with a combined age pushing 70 to sizable contracts, committed to Kerry Collins without cutting Gannon, and didn't clear a lot of the deadwood from the cap. Thank you Mr. Davis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 I believe that a franchise player's salary is guaranteed. The Raiders are now 15.7 million over the salary cap BEFORE the Porter and Moss contracts. Ain't cap hell a b****? I love this. It is guaranteed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillerPaul Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 I believe that a franchise player's salary is guaranteed. The Raiders are now 15.7 million over the salary cap BEFORE the Porter and Moss contracts. Ain't cap hell a b****? I love this. On the surface the Raiders look bad for these deals. Why would a team willingly screw themselves over with the cap in such a manner? What the heck are they thinking in reguards to Kerry Collins? Is he another Ken Stabler or Jim Plunkett? I don't think Al Davis realizes this isn't the 70's anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardSeymour Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 Kerry Collins doesn't scare me, he doesn't scare you, he doesn't scare anyone, even WITH Moss and Porter. Unless Oak's defense transmogrifies into a top 5 in one year, I'm not scared yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 Kerry Collins doesn't scare me, he doesn't scare you, he doesn't scare anyone, even WITH Moss and Porter. Unless Oak's defense transmogrifies into a top 5 in one year, I'm not scared yet. He's awful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillerPaul Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 Exactly, RS. Defense still wins championships. As long as Warren Sapp is a DE or NT in the 3-4 he doesn't scare me a bit either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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