Cap casualty season: Here are some likely big-name victims

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Quarterbacks

Michael Vick, Eagles ($15.5 million): He won't be making that kind of money, but something around $10 million isn't out of the question. The Eagles want to keep him at the right price, and I'd expect the Jaguars, Cardinals and Browns to also have interest if he hits the market or is trade bait.

Carson Palmer, Raiders ($13 million base salary): There is no way Oakland is going to pay him that kind of money to stay, sources said, and Palmer will have to decide how much cash he's willing to walk away from to stay.

Kevin Kolb, Cardinals ($9 million salary, plus $2 million roster bonus): He won't make that kind of money to stay, and I can't imagine Kolb getting the roster bonus, though if he's willing to settle for more like $5 million there could still be an opportunity for him in Arizona.

Alex Smith, 49ers ($7.5 million base salary plus $1 million roster bonus): The 49ers are talking tough about keeping him, but no one is buying that. He deserves a chance to start somewhere and will get that whether via trade -- most likely -- or by being cut before his roster bonus is due next month. Kansas City could be a landing spot.

Matt Cassel, Chiefs ($7.5 million): League sources said there is almost no chance he remains in Kansas City. The fans have turned on him, and it's time for a change.

Matt Hasselbeck, Titans ($5.5 million): He has been a great mentor to Jake Locker, but now it's time for the kid to sink or swim, and the Titans need to invest in weapons around him. With so many teams needy at quarterback, Hasselbeck could get a starting opportunity elsewhere if he is released.

Matt Flynn, Seahawks ($5.25 million): The Seahawks want to deal him, and the Jets are one possibility.

Offensive line

Doug Free, Cowboys ($7 million): Given the offensive line issues there and some of Free's struggles, and the fact the Cowboys are going to be missing $18 million in cap space from the sanctions against them put in place a year ago, this looks like the end.

Willie Colon, Steelers ($5.5 million): Played like a stud when moved inside to guard, but continues to suffer season-ending injuries and Pittsburgh is transitioning to a younger line.

Jared Gaither, Chargers ($4.5 million): Teams and teammates have questioned his desire to play in the past. His back is a constant issue and he has become a source of hostility in San Diego as a free-agent bust. I'd be shocked if he stays.

Steve Hutchinson, Vikings ($4.75 million base plus $500,000 roster bonus): Age catches up to everyone and the Vikings have some young free-agent linemen they need to retain. They know Percy Harvin needs a new deal, especially until they get Allen's contract resolved, cap space will be at a premium.

Wide receiver/Tight end

Darius Heyward-Bey, Raiders ($7.7 million): He flashed progress in 2011 but had another lost year in 2012. The Raiders are again in a roster/cap crunch and are still trying to get out from under bad contracts. I can't fathom him making this to stay.

Anquan Boldin, Ravens ($6 million): With Joe Flacco about to get paid, Baltimore's cap issues are only going to escalate. Boldin was so good in the playoffs, I have to figure they rework his deal to keep him.

Jermichael Finley, Packers ($4.4 million base plus $3 million roster bonus): At some point Aaron Rodgers is going to get a contract in line with how exceptional he is. Finley has proven to be a controversial figure and this team finds pass catchers in all regions of the draft. League sources expect Finley to be elsewhere.

Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars ($4.35 million): He has been woefully unproductive since the Jags extended him a few years back. Certainly the poor quarterback play has something to do with it, but with new ownership and a new management team in place, Lewis' future is in doubt.

Jacoby Jones, Ravens ($3 million): He was a special-teams star all season and a star on offense in the postseason. Again, the Ravens are in a cap bind and have a slew of free agents, but I have to think they find a way to keep him around. He was a major factor in a series of vital victories last season.

Running Back

Michael Turner, Falcons ($5.5 million): He is slowing down and this team will be looking for new ways to get deeper into the postseason. Could be a financial recalibration in order with teams wary to pay big bucks to older running backs these days.

De'Angelo Williams, Panthers ($4.75 million): Carolina is paying too many running backs and Williams has slipped in recent years. The cap hit would be significant, although it could be spread out over multiple years. Exploring a trade would make the most sense.

Kicker

David Akers, 49ers ($3 million): It would be shocking if he is back after such a shaky season and with expectations so high for the 49ers. Nearly lost his job in the postseason.

Defensive Line

Tyson Jackson, Chiefs ($14.72 million): He has been another recent defensive line draft bust for this team and his deal was restructured to force a conclusion in 2013. That conclusion will be his departure.

Will Smith, Saints ($9 million plus $1 million roster bonus): The Saints still badly need pass rushing help, but not at this price. After all he has been through in New Orleans -- StarCaps and BountyGate -- he may want to finish his career with the Saints, but it won't be at this price.

Chris Canty, Giants ($6.25 million): He makes another $250,000 in workout bonuses and he has durability issues in the past. The Giants' defensive line is coming off a poor season and there will be changes coming.

Ryan Pickett, Packers ($5.4 million): He has been one of the most underrated tackles in the league but now has over 11 years in the league. With B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews among those who need to get paid by the Packers, and with this such a small-market team, exploring a restructuring here makes sense.

Jay Ratliff, owboys ($5 million): His offseason DUI -- a particular problem in Dallas recently -- and a scheme shift on defense could lead to a change here. Ratliff has not been as productive in the past few years.

Linebacker

Bart Scott, Jets ($6.9 million base/$8.7 million cap hit): The Jets have a cap mess and there aren't too many deals they can drop to create space. This is one, and sources said Scott won't be back at this price.

James Harrison, Steelers ($6.6 million): It wasn't that long ago that he was a defensive MVP, but age and injury have slowed him. The Steelers are paying other, younger linebackers big bucks and sources said the Steelers do not expect to bring him back at this salary. Many doubt Harrison would take a cut to stay without at least exploring outside options. Calvin Pace, Jets ($5.8 million base/$11.6 cap): He too will be released, sources said, although the Jets will make a strong effort to re-sign him at a lower rate.

Rolando McClain, Raiders ($4 million): He has been nothing but trouble off field, was basically sent home for the final quarter of last season and I would expect the Raiders to look to recoup some signing bonus as well when they officially part with him.

Defensive Back

Champ Bailey, Broncos ($9 million plus $1 million roster bonus): Bailey had a brutal time of it in the postseason, the Broncos have emerging young corners and owner Pat Bowlen has had them operating on a tight budget. Charles Woodson, Packers ($8.5 million plus $2.5 million roster bonus) : Another one of the great corners of his generation, but injuries have limited him, he is getting older, and the Packers often have to take a hard-line stance given their financial limitations.

Dunta Robinson, Falcons ($8 million): Was signed to be an elite corner a few years back in free agency but has been outshined by others. The Falcons have needs to fill and their cap situation will only get tighter when Matt Ryan gets paid.

Eric Wright, Buccaneers ($7.7 million): After a breakthrough 2011 in Detroit, Wright struggled on and off the field in 2012. Tampa Bay badly needs help at corner, but given his recent struggles I have a hard time seeing him back at this steep a price.



http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/2...igname-victims

[notorious]

Notorious walks into the room, shakes his head, and walks right back out.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by SNR

We were never in position to take one of the QBs from last year who started and did well.

**cough**Russel Wilson**cough**

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

**cough**Russel Wilson**cough**

WHY DID WE PASS ON TOM BRADY GUYZ?

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by SNR

WHY DID WE PASS ON TOM BRADY GUYZ?

hehe....

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You're assuming that Alex Smith WANTS to do that.

He already lost his job basically without warrant (he was playing lights out at the time actually) and mentored his replacement all the way to the Super Bowl.

His first choice won't be to come here and do the exact same thing. If it ends up that nobody wants him as a starter and thus he has no choice, you're likely looking at one bitter guy.

No matter how you slice it, the ONLY way he fits here is if he's the starter.

Um, no I'm not. I'm talking about Hasselbeck, not Alex Smith. Smith isn't a former SB qb unless you count sitting on the bench.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Since '09 he's been a pretty consistent QB, and turned into a fantastic QB when Harbaugh arrived, who happens to be a pretty good QB coach, not unlike Andy Reid.

At the end of the day, he's going to get traded or released. He won't get a bunch of starting job offers across the league, we're talking a handful at best. It isn't for lack of skill, simply because people don't know whether it was him or harbaugh that started producing that managed to cultivate the increase in performance, most people will credit harbaugh.

Development and stability are more important at the QB position than any other position out there, guys are going to stop developing physically after their second or third year, the rest will be mental. Given the fact that the kid had 75 different coaches in that short span, most people are going to back off big money and the opportunity to see him play and take that risk.

What this means for us is that there's always going to be the possibility that he could end up taking the job here, knowing he's going to get benched for our QBOTF either in this season, or next, and that he'll have a job here as long as he performs well and acts like a model teammate, but not at the big dollar pricetag he has been searching for.

How in the **** has he been fantastic since Harbaugh arrived? He averages less than 200 yards a game and less than 20 TDs a season. Hes the very epitome of a game manager. He averaged 173 ****ing yards a season last year before he got hurt. That's worse than Cassels WORST season as a starter.

**** Alex Smith and everything he stands for.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by notorious

Notorious walks into the room, shakes his head, and walks right back out.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You're assuming that Alex Smith WANTS to do that.

He already lost his job basically without warrant (he was playing lights out at the time actually) and mentored his replacement all the way to the Super Bowl.

His first choice won't be to come here and do the exact same thing. If it ends up that nobody wants him as a starter and thus he has no choice, you're likely looking at one bitter guy.

No matter how you slice it, the ONLY way he fits here is if he's the starter.

Exactly, he isnt going to go to some team thats up front with him that "this is a true competition, nothing is promised"... he'll likely only go where they promise him the job.

Which thankfully precludes him from coming here, i just cant imagine Reid looking at his skillset and saying "yep, theres my big play long ball machine".

[Beef Supreme]

Alex Smith is Matt Cassel with a better coach. Do not want.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by RustShack

Yes it makes more sense than what you want. Not sure why you'd want Palko caliber backups. You keep throwing out lame examples that are in no way similar and just further proving you don't know what you're talking about.

You can't point out a single WCO that didn't sign AND dttraft a QB. Lets look at the QB oriented HC's. point out an example from those where that coach didn't also sign a veteran.

Seattle Seahawks and Russel Wilson.

And don't come spouting some "read option" bullshit.
Pete Carroll is a West Coast guy.
The read option is just wrinkle.

[silver5liter]

Chiefs should look at Ahmad Bradshaw. He would be a nice complement to Jamaal.

[RyFo18]

Originally Posted by silver5liter

Chiefs should look at Ahmad Bradshaw. He would be a nice complement to Jamaal.

I honestly would prefer to pass on old RBs with long injury histories and will command a fairly large contract (not anything ridiculous, but large). Not to mention, I don't want anyone stealing carries from Jamaal. I've been impressed with Draughn (who's cheap) and we still have Cyrus Gray.

No thanks to Ahmad.

[Mother****erJones]

Would love Bradshaw with Charles if he checks out medically. Can all these cut guys sign before FA march 13?

[RyFo18]

Seriously, veteran RBs? Does anyone not remember Thomas Jones & Peyton Hillis? All they did was keep Jamaal off the field, and suck. RB is such an easy position to fill, especially when you already got a good one.

[PaulAllen]

Who were the people defending the Tyson Jackson pick? GTFO