Cap conundrum

Texans unlikely to help teams looking to unload salaries

When I took a close look at the salaries of the players made available for Monday's expansion draft, one fact stood out: Only the Bears had no million-dollar players on their team's list of unprotected players.

At $563,000, Autry Denson has the largest salary on Chicago's list. That tells me the Bears are in very good cap shape and didn't have to make any decisions based on financial considerations. Chicago was able to protect all of its high-priced players because it had the space to do it. It's hard to believe that the other 30 teams all have placed at least one million-dollar-plus player on the draft board.

In fact, three teams -- Carolina, Indianapolis and Jacksonville -- used each of their five spots to dangle million-dollar-plus players in front of the Texans. These teams need to clear some space, and they'd like nothing more than to have Houston help out by selecting at least one of the big salaried guys.

Don't count on much cooperation from the Texans. Houston is expected to take Tony Boselli off the Jaguars' hands, and while teammate Seth Payne is well thought of by some of the Texans' coaches, Jacksonville will probably pull Payne back once Boselli is picked. That, however, would leave Jaguars DT Gary Walker as a possible selection in another round.

What's important to remember is that Houston will take only a few high-priced players in the draft because the club will get a second shot down the road at many of the players they'll pass on. Most club executives I spoke with feel teams will cut the high-priced expansion-list players soon after this draft for cap reasons. As one GM said, "No one believes Carolina will ever pay Sean Gilbert the $10 million he's scheduled to make or that Rob Johnson will ever see the $11 million his contract calls for. I'm sure Houston general manager Charley Casserly can wait a month and talk to Tim Bowens (whose current 2002 deal is $8.7 million), Doug Evans> ($7.4 million) and Jeff Blake ($6.1 million), among others, if he wants to."

There are some bargains the Texans may grab in this phase of their building process (they do need to fill up their roster, after all). Jets tackle Ryan Young has been in the league three years, has made 39 starts and is scheduled to earn just $563,000. Redskins DT Jerry DeLoach is 24 years old, had four starts last season and has a salary of $298,000. Saints safety Richard Newsome ($300,000) is a good young special teams player New Orleans did not put on its original list but had to surrender after Willie Roaf failed his physical.

Speaking of special teams, Houston could grab Tampa Bay long snapper Sean McDermott for the league minimum $298,000 or for an extra $194,000 they could splurge and select Green Bay's Rob Davis, one of the best long snappers in the league. Do the math: for about $1.5 million Dom Capers would get four players who could make his team and contribute. That's excellent value for the new franchise.

Bottom line: I think the Texans will take eight or 10 quality starters and a few young low-priced players with some experience. It will not be difficult for them to use up the $27 million in contracts they are required to take on from around the league. Boselli alone will count for $8.9 million. As for the rest of the teams in the league, the expansion draft won't hurt clubs if their caps are in good shape. But if they're in a bind, Monday will be a tough day.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNNSI.com.

 

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