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The NFL requires every team to spend 89% of the salary cap in cash over a four-year period from 2013-2016. The Raiders spend just $63.4 million in cash last season, leaving a $46.1 million deficit to makeup over the next three years. This can be made up by giving large signing bonuses or roster bonuses to free agents in any of the next three seasons. However, signing bonuses are prorated and would create dead money if that player is released in the future. The better way to do things is use the available funds to give large roster bonuses, which is exactly what the Raiders are doing. Instead of trying to make up the cash deficit in one year by giving out large signing bonuses, it makes more sense to chip away at it a little bit every year.  General manager Reggie McKenzie has been described as a slow and methodical man, so this is likely the route he will go. Below is a chart that included the current cash the Raiders have devoted to the roster through 2016 according to overthecap.com ...

To me, one of the most important yet least talked about changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement that was signed in 2011, is the ability for teams to rollover any unused salary cap from one year to the next. What this means is that if your favorite team is $5 million under the salary cap, they can notify the NFL that they want to take that amount and add it to the following year’s salary cap. Your most hated team only has $1 million in cap space and chooses to roll it over to the next year. Therefore, your team has $4 million more available to spend next year than your opponent. So you can see the benefits of being frugal already, right? But let’s talk about why this even happened in the first place. In negotiating the current CBA, both owners and players were looking for compromises that would benefit them the most. This was a compromise that both parties agreed to willingly because it serves a benefit for each. The players loved the idea because previously any unused cap space ...

After crunching a few numbers, making a few educated estimations, and updating some old salary cap data one thing is clear: The Raiders can't afford Nnamdi Asomugha. The Raiders may only be able to afford Zach Miller or Michael Huff, and not both. If the Salary Cap were in place in 2010, the Raiders total salary cap figure would have been $132 million. As of  January 13, the Raiders cap figure for 2011 was $85.8 million. This was prior to new deals for Stanford Routt, Richard Seymour as well as the franchise tender given to Kamerion Wimbley. Based upon my calculations, the Raiders figure is between $118 million and $130 million for 2011. The two methods deployed to come up with this range were using the $85.8 and adding the money committed in contracts after January 13. The second was utilizing the contracts page on Rotoworld.com and compensating for any guarantees the player may have. Obviously both methods are flawed which is why the range is so large. $12 million could be the...

Breaking Down Fargas contract to find the hidden Raiders agenda and what it means for our cap situation going forward. 2008: According to Jason Jones, Fargas is due $6 million in 2008 . According to Jerry McDonald and the NFLPA, his base is $605,000 This means he is going to be paid $5.395 million in bonus money in 2008. Talk about a nice payoff. 2009: This is where it gets interesting. His base in 2009 will be just $2.5 million. 2010: $1.5 in base. I've confirmed Fargas base salaries with the NFLPA. Rotoworld reports all $6 million of the guarantees will be in the first year. I can't confirm this anywhere else. This is a clear cut sign that Fargas contract is a three year deal that could be reduced to one or two if need be. $6 million guaranteed in the first year ($605K of it being base) +$2.5 + 1.5 = $10.605. Where are we getting $12 from? How can he make all his guarantees in the first year and have those base salaries? Likely to be earned incentives could bridge the gap to...

I know defensive line might be our greatest need. From the poll results so far just about everyone is in agreement. However, the Giants may have ultimately screwed us. Here is how. The Super Bowl brought to light what a good defensive line can do for a team. The entire league is now thinking they need a better defensive line, even if they have a solid line to begin with. Now the market is inflated and I wouldn't be surprised to see Ellis go much earlier than previously anticipated. Also the price may skyrocket on players like Corey Williams and even our very own Tommy Kelly. Are we completely screwed? No, because with the 3rd or 4th pick we can pick one of the top three. However, teams will be looking for any help they can get on the line and should we cut Warren, would be there to pick him up. Here is something few people have mentioned as another hurdle in the race for a DT. We have Sands and Warren at the position. Look unspectacular? On the field it does. In Al Davis' wall...