Expect uncapped year to lead to conservative free agency period

[Steely Dan]

The hard truth may not be what Bills fans want to hear.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true

 

In this uncapped year, don't expect a wild spending spree by owners, and also don't expect big signing bonuses to be awarded after the first handful of players are signed.

 

Here are 10 things to watch in the 2010 free agency period: (Read the article for explanations of his 10 points)

 

1. Expect less player movement than usual

2. Don't expect teams to go after restricted free agents

3. Some teams will not work free agency until after the draft

4. Expect a lot of short-term deals

5. The Final Eight Rule

 

The Saints, Colts, Vikings and Jets were the final four teams standing in 2009. They really can't sign any big free agents unless they lose a player and he signs for big money. For example, if Taylor signed with a team other than Minnesota for $6 million a year, the Vikings could then sign an unrestricted free agent for up to $6 million a year. Players like L.T. and Westbrook, who were released, do not factor into this rule and could be aggressively pursued by the final four. The next four teams left standing -- San Diego, Baltimore, Arizona and Dallas -- can each sign one big free agent for $5.8 million, but have restrictions after that. Don't expect much action from the final eight teams standing in last year's postseason.

 

6. Don't expect big signing bonuses

7. More players to enter free agency because of bonus clauses

8. Teams encouraging players to test down market

9. The draft class will affect free agency

10. Restricted players will be no-shows

 

These are all very interesting points. The one that helps the Bills the most, I think, is the final 8 rule.

[bills_fan]

I also found this interesting...

 

As of this week, 17 of the NFL’s 32 teams had allocated less than $100 million toward contracts for next season, according to NFLPA records. The Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each had less than $90 million allocated.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtNQ...o&type=lgns

 

If Ralph wants to win, he needs to start spending some cash. Put your money where your mouth is.