by Paul Wanecski and Mario Granata
The Buffalo Bills have plenty of money under the salary cap to handle needs in the free agent market this season, with nearly $29 million under an estimated $143 million cap. There are a lot of questions about what will transpire at One Bills Drive in 2015 but the ultimate questions have a few answers.
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by Paul Wanecski
It should come as no surprise that the Kansas City Chiefs started the New Year by releasing two wide receivers after having 0 touchdown completions to that position all season. The Chiefs are also looking at less than $4 million in salary cap space for 2015, so they have plenty of work to do freeing up enough money to sign a draft class, address free agency and build a competitive roster at the same time. by Paul Wanecski
For the first time in recent memory, the San Diego Chargers actually have some salary cap space. Estimating $22 million against what projects to be $143 million cap, the time has finally come in San Diego to move on from the stop-gap players they have been forced to sign or retain the past 4 years. by Paul Wanecski
Any time a team can go from having the first overall selection and improve their record as quickly as the Houston Texans, one would think they were on the verge of a breakthrough. Alas, they are much further from the playoffs than their record indicates. They also on have a projected $8.9 million in salary cap space to work with. by Mario Granata
Coming off an 8-8 season, the 49ers cleaned house when it comes to the coaching staff, and the fact that they are a mere 1.3 million under the current cap, expect the dismantling of the 49ers to continue with the players as well. New Head Coach Jim Tomsula, OC Geep Chryst and DC Eric Mangini are going to have a tall task, and some difficult decisions to make as the Niners go into the 2015 season. Signing some big name free agents is a virtual impossibility at this point, as the team has some notable current ones that could be playing elsewhere. Jim Harbaugh took off for the Big House and left the 49ers in the outhouse. by Paul Wanecski
As we roll through the 2nd of AFC East teams (see NY Jets Article), this year poses a very interesting wrinkle for the future of the Miami Dolphins. 2015 will mark the start of an exceptionally pivotal year in the history of the franchise. They are working with limited resources, having only $1.68 million in projected salary cap space. While they have several players to extend or restructure, the free agency class has to bring consistent starters. by Paul Wanecski
The New Orleans Saints salary cap issues have long been chronicled here at Hashtag Sports (see last season’s articles ‘Tis the Season and The Jimmy Graham Saga). Currently projected $25.1 million over salary cap, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has given the impression that the cap number is a little inflated and will be easy to bring down. We beg to differ. Head coach Sean Payton will have to reinvent the wheel with his offense this season along with paying attention to the team’s glaring defensive needs. by Mario Granata
The Cleveland Browns of 2014 seemed to fall apart near the end of the season dropping their last 5 games of the season after starting an impressive 7-4. First year Head Coach Mike Pettine brought his tough, attacking defense to northeast Ohio and for the most part, proved to be very successful. The defense went from being ranked 23rd in 2013 to 9th this season in points surrendered per game. Much of that could be the offseason moves that were made, but the ultimate question in Cleveland is what are the Browns going to do with their offense? by Mario Granata
After going 7-9 in his inaugural season in Minnesota, Mike Zimmer had to deal with some unfortunate media in the form of Adrian Peterson. The news that followed Peterson and the Vikings overshadowed what Zimmer accomplished. With a rookie quarterback, playing home games at TCF Bank Stadium (where they will again in 2015), and circling controversy with his All-Pro running back, Zimmer took a defense that was ranked 32nd in 2013 in points allowed, and brought them all the way to 11th in 2014. What other holes will he have to fill in 2015? By Paul "the Closer" Wanecski
Holding the 10th overall selection in the NFL draft will always put you in a special light with Hashtag Nation. With the structure of the Rookie Wage Scale, picking 10th is known as the "fat chick pick", because this is the last of the large 5th year option contracts remaining in the first round. This is perhaps the least coveted draft slot. Congratulations St.Louis. |