It takes a true genius, something that I've never claimed, to understand the NFL's salary cap so I'll leave that up to the experts. Something that doesn't take an expert to figure out is that the Arizona Cardinals have quite a bit of cap room this off season. It's not the extragent amount that some make it out to be, as Mike Sando explains, but they should still have enough to make some significant moves if they feel the need to do so. In order to qet a quick, simple look at where the Cardinals stand in 2009, we turn to joeshmo, of Arizona Sports Fan Network, he's a great resource for all things salary cap related. Here's his projected look at the players under contract for 2009 and their salary cap hits and their final year under contract (in parenthesis).
Quarterbacks:
Matt Leinart - (2011): $3,695,833
Tyler Palko - (2009): $385,000
Running Backs:
Edgerrin James - (2009): $6,750,000
Tim Hightower - (2010): $455,000
Justin Green - (2009): $535,000
Wide Receivers:
Larry Fitz - (2012): $8,600,000
Anquan Boldin - (2010): $3,750,000
Steve Breaston - (2009): $530,000
Jerheme Urban - (2009): $645,000
Early Doucet - (2010): $585,000
Sean Morey - (2009): $845,000
Offensive Lineman:
Levi Brown - (2012): $3,689,167
Mike Gandy - (2009): $5,800,000
Reggie Wells - (2010) $2,300,000
Deuce Lutui - (2009): $1,090,000
Nathan Hodel - (2011): $900,000
Brandon Keith - (2010): $410,000
Ben Claxton - (2009): $385,000
Defense and a preview of what's the come after the jump.....
Defensive Lineman:
Darnell Dockett - (2011): $4,200,000
Alan Branch - (2010): $1,785,000
Bryan Robinson - (2009): $1,150,000
Calais Campbell - (2011): $1,885,000
Kenny Iwebema - (2010): $585,000
Linebackers:
Chike Okeafer - (2009): $5,400,000
Travis Laboy - (2012): $3,500,000
Gerald Hayes - (2011): $3,400,000
Ali Highsmith - (2009): $397,500
Victor Hobson - (2009): $620,000
Cornerbacks:
Roderick Hood - (2011): $3,500,000
DRC - (2013): $1,885,000
Safeties:
Matt Ware - (2009): $650,000
Aaron Fransisco - (2010): $1,450,000
Adrian Wilson - (2009): $5,660,000
Antrel Rolle - (2010): $3,926,667
Specialists:
Neil Rackers - (2009): $1,537,500
Waylon Prather - (2009): $310,000
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That's alot to digest but it gives you a starting point, if you're wondering what positions will need the most help during the offseason. We'll post the complete list of Cardinal free agents later today, discuss Fitz's memorable day at the Pro Bowl and of course the search for coordinators after Haley's departure and Clancy Pendergast's firing. Any surprising salaries from this list? Any possilbe cap casulties (other than the obvious, Edge)?