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It seems like a lot of people think a year w/o a cap would benefit the players in 2010. Here are excerpts from a recent Sporting News article featuring Giants DL Barry Cofield for your consideration.
Barry Cofield rolled his eyes as his fellow Giants went on about how rich he'll be after next season. He will be a FA in his prime plus 2010 will be an uncapped year.
Cofield corrected them by saying "Not having a cap makes things worse. The guys who know the facts want a deal done between the league and the union" (for a new CBA).
As it stands now FA in 2010 will be governed by the Final League Year (FLYD) Deal-rules mutually agreed upon in 2006 that govern if no CBA is in place. May of those rules conspire to keep $ out of players pockets.
Example: in order to enter unrestricted FA a player must have 6 seasons accrued instead of 4. That would prevent around 270 players-including B. Marshall, Greg Jennings and Cofeild from entering UFA.
The FLYD places numerous restricitions on the number of UFAs divisional playoff teams can sign and how much they can pay them. Example: if the Bears make the NFC title game then sign Plax for $5m first year they can't sign any other UFA for more than $3.275m first year.
The FLY clears the cap but it also clears the foor. Teams will no longer be required to spend at least 87.6% of the cap on players. In the current economy owners will be motivated to be cash conscious especially after seeing Pittsburgh prove that money doesn't buy championships.
Says one NFL exec, "once you have one uncappe dyear there is no going back".
Many league insiders think there will be a CBA in place before 2010. Players who understand the math hope so too.
"Guys are scared," Cofrield says. "They're praying a deal gets done".
Sporting News May 4, 2009
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