REAR ENTRIES: Follow The Fake Money

December 01, 2009 at 10:06am by Scott   •  2 Comments »

BUCS AREN’T CHEAP: Finally, a local paper takes the time to explain why the perception of the Glazers being cheap isn’t totally accurate and goes into significant detail to do it. Naturally, it’s Stephen Holder‘s article.

It might be hard to believe, but the Bucs, who are tied for the league’s worst record at 1-9, not only aren’t being cheap — they’re also spending more money this year than most teams. National Football League Players Association data obtained through players’ agents show the Bucs have spent approximately $131.7 million this year. That’s higher than this year’s league salary cap of $127.9 million.

He sources a Wall Street Journal article that I covered here in October regarding how the contracts of Noah Herron and Patrick Chukwurah last season worked to give the Bucs a bunch of cap space this season. Apparently, you can just add a bunch of Not Likely to Be Earned incentives and then roll those over into the next season when they aren’t earned, which isn’t how I thought it worked.

Basically, if an incentive or escalator is LTBE, it counts against the cap, and conversely, if an incentive or escalator is NLTBE it does not count against the cap.

So if it never counts against the cap, why would you get credit for it the next year?

But whatever. The point is that the Bucs aren’t being as cheap as everyone thinks they are. I think the number of coaches and front office people they’ve just thrown away with time on their contracts should be proof enough of that.

PUNTER AUDITIONS: Three punters you don’t know will work out for the Bucs today. And I use the term “work out” loosely. They’ll kick balls.

Sam Paulescu, Ricky Schmitt and Durant Brooks will compete for the job on Tuesday.

Not sure why they don’t want to bring back A.J. Trapasso, who is currently sitting at home. He did that cool fake punt run in the preseason for the Titans. If Raheem Morris is going to start screwing around with fake punts, maybe a guy who can run without going on injured reserve the next day would be an asset. Of course, maybe the guy isn’t a very good punter. I guess that should figure into it somewhere.

MATT BRYANT FOR HIRE: Speaking of kicker auditions, Matt Bryant will try out for the Falcons today. Apparently, Jason Elam needs a kick in the ass. It’s not so easy when you’re at sea level, is it?

DELHOMME HAS BROKEN FINGER: Jake Delhomme may not play on Sunday because of a broken finger. That’s too bad. With Delhomme tied for the second-most interceptions this season, I was kind of looking forward to him being there. Of course, that didn’t matter last time. Earlier this year, he tossed two picks, only had 65 passing yards and a 42.2 passer rating and the Bucs still lost.