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Source: Julius Peppers deal re-worked
By Michael C. Wright
ESPNChicago.com
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears quietly restructured the contract last month of defensive end Julius Peppers to save themselves approximately $8 million in salary cap space for 2011, according to a league source.
With Peppers due a $10.5 million roster bonus for 2011, the Bears restructured the defensive end's contract on Feb. 23 to reduce his salary cap number from $12 million to $4.3 million in anticipation of the cap returning once a new collective bargaining is reached between the NFL and the players union.
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The Bears did it by changing Peppers' $10.5 million roster bonus into a signing bonus so they could prorate that $10.5 million over the life of the contract, which runs through 2015. The restructuring should give the team options once free agency finally begins, while allowing the team to re-sign some of its own free agents.
The club originally signed Peppers last March, giving the Bears arguably the NFL's most significant acquisition of 2010 free agency.
"Last year, obviously, we were able to hit it big time with him," Bears coach Lovie Smith said.
A nine-year veteran, Peppers tied with Israel Idonije for the team lead in sacks (eight), while finishing eighth on the team in tackles (50). Peppers also intercepted two passes, broke up two more and forced three fumbles.
Peppers has posted 89 career sacks, which ranks as the third-most in the NFL since he was drafted in 2002. In a Bears win over the Dolphins on Nov. 18, Peppers became the franchise's first player to post three sacks in a game since 2007 (Adewale Ogunleye). That game marked the first of four consecutive outings in which Peppers posted at least one sack.
Peppers was also responsible for five turnovers in 2010, including two INTs, two sacks in which he stripped the quarterback, and a batted pass that led to an interception. In 38 games, Peppers has forced 32 fumbles, which ranks as third-most by a defensive lineman since 2002.
Michael C. Wright covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.
I guess the Bears are looking to make a splash in two consecutive years. Bear Down!
Yeah Booch sounds to be like good news!
:drinking61:
Gives them a bit more maneuvering room doesn't it! Good news.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boochee Man
Windy thanks for the alert and Benji for posting the article. :drinking61:
I do not know if my numbers are correct but if the hypothetical cap came back at 130 million this puts us 38 million under?
Did it at 128 mill( conserv. estimate) and with the restruture its now at 52 mill in space, we can make 2 moves now( keep in mind onny have 35 plyers under contract, so 18 players will eat up alot of that).. hopefully have the updated numbers for cap soon in thread.if its 130 mll be $54 mill underQuote:
Originally Posted by WindyCity
http://www.dabears.com/showthread.ph...ARS-SALARY-CAP
Cliff Stein... booyah.
yep, he really is if not the top , top 3 of capologists in the NFL, thought really smart last year to front load the peppers deal and give a huge roster bonus in 2011, that depending the how the CBA went gave the team the flexibility to keep all in one year if no free agents like, or if want to grab 1-2 top one's, change it to s signing bonus and have 8+ mill more in cap space, which is what they did, good cap control.Quote:
Originally Posted by Butka
I agree with you about Cliff Stein. For the last few years he's kept us in a very good position to fill needs in FA. Despite having to re-sign some of our own this gives us a huge leg up. We've got some serious bait now to fish in the FA pond with. I could see us with the ability to land two big time FA's and still have the $$$ to either sign our own or bring in some 2nd tier talent to replace them.Quote:
Originally Posted by dabears54