The days of the NFL's second wave of free agency in June are all but over.
June was once a time when NFL fans wondered which veteran players would be released, thus beginning another signing free-for-all.
June was especially relevant for the old 49ers. They were generally squeezed up against the salary cap, so they could dump a veteran or two or three after June 1 to create some much-needed cap room.
Now, the June cuts are virtually non-existent around the league. So don't expect the 49ers to gain much help this week from an onslaught of talented veterans set free.
The 49ers might sign another veteran or two in the coming months. (They are still interested in linebacker Takeo Spikes.) But it is reasonable to think the 49ers might not add a starting player to their roster between now and next offseason.
The reason June no longer holds as much significance for NFL teams is because there are not as many teams that are in poor salary-cap shape. In 2005, the salary cap was $85.5 million. Now, each team's cap is a hefty $116.7 million.
Many teams have a surplus in salary-cap money. The 49ers are one of the teams to sock away some of their money for future seasons.
Earlier this offseason, the 49ers inserted a $7 million incentive into Donald Strickland's contract that has no chance of being earned. Thus, the credit will carry over to next year's cap. The 49ers will probably do something similar with another player to create an additional $5 million in 2009 cap room.
In the old NFL, June was significant because any player released before June 1 would have his entire pro-rated bonus money accelerate to the current cap year. By waiting after June 1, the salary-cap impact of a cut would be spread out over two years.
But in the latest CBA extension, teams were allowed to designate up to two players as post-June 1 cut even if they were released at any point earlier in the offseason.
So when June rolls around, don't be expecting much help for the 49ers' roster.
* * *
There will be some cuts that should help the 49ers, but those won't be coming for a while. The 49ers are woefully thin at offensive tackle. When the final cuts come on Aug. 30, there are bound to be a few players who could help them.
Joe Staley and Jonas Jennings are currently penciled in as the 49ers' starting tackles. The club plans to take a long look at rookie Chilo Rachal at right tackle during the upcoming organized team activities.
But after Staley and Jennings (and, possibly, Rachal) are Damane Duckett and Qasim Mitchell. Duckett is a converted defensive lineman who has never played an NFL game on offense. Mitchell has failed to make NFL rosters the past two seasons after playing three games with the Bears in 2005.
The 49ers have inquired about some possible veteran free-agent pickups. They asked about Shane Olivea recently, but were told that Olivea has already agreed to terms with another club. Olivea, who lost his starting job and fell out of favor with the Chargers, is expected to sign with that team in June.
Among the other top free agents who have not latched onto a team, according to Scout.com's Adam Caplan, are Fred Miller, Barry Sims, Oliver Ross, Stockar McDougle, Wayne Gandy, Barry Stokes and Mike Rosenthal.
A couple years ago, the 49ers signed tackle Anthony Clement in mid-September, and he went on to play in 14 games with six starts. Unless some backups really establish themselves in training camp, I'd expect them to add a veteran tackle in September who might see some action this season.
* * *
Thanks for all the good suggestions that people wanted to read about on this blog. Most of the ideas would have required some interviews. Look for some those other issues to be addressed beginning June 2 when the OTAs get going.
* * *
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: Bill Bird (27/05/2008 5:13:08 PM)
Comment: This team has 4-12 stenciled all over it.
Posted By: dave (27/05/2008 4:03:11 PM)
Comment: i understand that the 9ers are about $22 million under the cap. while some of this cap will go to signing the draft choices, the team will still be way under the cap. is this an indication that the team and management will not commit to fielding the best team financially feasible? if the super bowl was truly the goal, shouldn't all cap money be spent?
Posted By: Montana1 (27/05/2008 2:43:24 PM)
Comment: MATT, please ask them about this ASAP if you get the chance. This IS absolutely TERRIFYING whey you put it this way. 1. Maybe Larry Allen has already made it clear that he is coming back. I really don't think he was the problem last year. 2. I guess we can possibly expect Mr. Versatile, Adam Snyder to be playing all over the place again if there are injuries. 3. I think they're set on using Rachel.
Posted By: Ryan (27/05/2008 6:19:20 AM)
Comment: Way to go, 49ers! Way to wait until the last minute to ask about Olivea. The guy's been out of a job for months, we've long known we need depth at tackle...we should've "inquired" about him on draft day.
Posted By: mike (27/05/2008 6:03:18 AM)
Comment: "We need to bring back J.J. Stokes."
hahahaha, you mean J.J. jokes?
Posted By: Merton Hanks (27/05/2008 12:35:37 AM)
Comment: Hey Matt, I know I already suggested something, but to echo another commenter, some stadium insight would be greatly appreciated. I am really worried that if we don't have a definite deal in place in the next 2 years or so, things could get VERY ugly.
Posted By: larry coffield (26/05/2008 10:56:42 PM)
Comment: iforget the ted;at this point;our entire season depends onthe reliability of jonas jennings.neither rachel nor wallace will be ready to start this year.our o-liine is worse than last year';so why get martz if he is deprived of the key to his system working
Posted By: BettinFool (26/05/2008 10:10:55 PM)
Comment: We need to bring back J.J. Stokes.
Posted By: Marco from Stockton (26/05/2008 9:46:25 PM)
Comment: Three years and they still haven't built a strong O-Line. It will be Nolan's downfall unless a miracle happens.
Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (26/05/2008 8:56:51 PM)
Comment: The simple answer for this season is offensive production. Anything that resembles a passing attack could, (and should), make a huge turn around possible. If Bryant Johnson and Isaac Bruce can force some attention from the secondary, Vernon had better be featured underneath, along with Gore. I can see a scenario where Vernon becomes a downfield terror on both receiving and blocking assignments. If Martz can get him to gel in this scheme quickly, he can be the weapon we all expected him to be when we drafted him. Martz has not had anyone like him in terms of speed and strength, so I'm hoping for big returns from both he and Delanie, not to mention Frank as Marshall Faulk II. Rice and Taylor blocked well for each other and the same should hold true with this group if Alex and/or Shaun,(JTO) can provide the opportunities. Rhythm and timing is the order of the day, I'm anxious to see the new system take form.
Posted By: Razoreater (26/05/2008 6:48:56 PM)
Comment: I'd like to see the OL gel ASAP. That is the only way to success offensively. Personally I'd like to see Wallace win the center with heitman as RG ,Rachel backing up RT, Snyder at LG, and ofcourse Staley at LT. Dr. Martz has way more talent to work with than Detroit. I know what I'd do with VD. Move him all over in motion to get the ball in his hands. Use Gore and Foster in the backfield like the '84 offense.
Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (26/05/2008 2:59:51 PM)
Comment: Matt, what do your Yoda-like senses tell you is the reason for the delay in signing Spikes? Is it him waiting to see if there is a better offer, or is the delay on the 49er end? I agree with the earlier post about this being the best fricken blog on the planet.
Posted By: petefromtx (26/05/2008 2:45:16 PM)
Comment: As long as they sign spikes for ted pos. Im happy. Also great news were saving cap space for next yr. Gotta save money for either r.williams or t.suggs or ray ray or wilfork or mayb taylor. If we get williams n suggs dat will address immediate needs...
Posted By: ninerindallas (26/05/2008 2:26:34 PM)
Comment: Matt....is there any new newz on the staduim front?
Posted By: Hitmang (26/05/2008 1:26:25 PM)
Comment: Best futha muckin' blog on the planet!
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