Managing the Cap

Ottawa REDBLACKS
1

CRFadmin...awhile back you mentioned how Desjardins manages the cap by designating salary ceilings based on positions. At least I think you were suggesting this-I can't find that comment now.

Can you expand on that? Has that been acknowledged by the team? I find it is an interesting idea.

Thanks.

2

Yeah, it was based on something a couple of players said. Jovon Johnson was (apparently) told that the team values his position at $65,000 so that was what was budgeted for him. Capicciotti said something similar.

Let me look around a bit.

Edit: Here's the quote:

"It hasn't been a thing where they've expressed that they aren't interested. They value the position I played last year at a much lower pricetag. I don't think they're interested in bringing me back at the salary I was making (in the $100,000 range). It was more than they value the position at."
3

Turned out to be easier than I thought.

[url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/02/02/redblacks-gm-desjardins-faces-several-free-agent-decisions]http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/02/02/red ... -decisions[/url]
The collective agreement that prevented a labour dispute on the eve of that (2014) season hiked the cap to $5.0 million from $4.4 million, providing a significant boost to salaries, but subsequent increases have been modest.

What has developed over time is a process in which teams assign perceived values for each position on the field, leaving it up to the individual player to decide whether he'll sign for that amount. The budget for a "field" or wide-side cornerback could be $90,000, with a pass-rushing defensive end pegged at $170,000 and a starting quarterback at $300,000.


Truthfully, I can't imagine it's quite THAT strict. It may be a way to deliver the news to a guy like Jovon Johnson that you no longer have any use for his services. I find it hard to imagine that a starting corner is valued a shade above the rookie salary. But if you're spending far less at the defensive tackle position (just to make an example) maybe you can treat yourself elsewhere.

I think it's really just a tool to stay organized.

4

Thanks. That is interesting. I wonder if Ottawa is alone in this transparency.

Certainly the NFL does this to a great extent. For instance the TE position is viewed as far less expensive than a WR. And agents fight it all the time.

It certainly could be a good tool to keep the cap and negotiations under some semblance of control. Might cause a lot of player movement though. Although that movement is affected first and foremost by the low cap.

anyway thanks again.

5

No problem. The article makes it sound like this is more than just the Redblacks do it, but what might vary is how much they stick to it. "Yeah, normally, position-Y is considered an $80,000 position, but for player-X, we can go up to $100,000".

Which means you have to cut elsewhere, of course.

6

There's Burris being a me-first diva again:

Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris has restructured his contract which now features less base salary and more play time incentives, according to CFL sources.

That helps the team in the nation’s capital save money against the cap and create insulation should Burris suffer an injury.

[url=http://3downnation.com/2016/03/24/burris-restructures-contract-redblacks-means/]http://3downnation.com/2016/03/24/burri ... cks-means/[/url]

Curious as to whether this means a signing is imminent. Sheets?