Chiefs Rank 2nd to Last in Total Salary Since 2003
by kcsno56 on Feb 25, 2009 3:12 PM CST
Email
PrintFrom the FanPosts. Nice work. You may have to view it in the 'wide' version. That option is clickable a little below the top left of the site. -PT
| Total | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | |
| Washington Redskins | $614,609,349 | $111,963,684 | $123,408,019 | $110,340,460 | $66,108,711 | $117,962,286 | $84,826,189 |
| Minnesota Vikings | $614,075,624 | $133,354,045 | $92,161,921 | $125,025,909 | $85,405,909 | $92,407,989 | $85,719,851 |
| New Orleans Saints | $597,424,828 | $131,531,820 | $110,417,011 | $91,021,286 | $96,027,339 | $73,324,022 | $95,103,350 |
| Dallas Cowboys | $596,059,716 | $146,401,600 | $107,376,072 | $113,595,442 | $82,234,816 | $65,409,479 | $81,042,307 |
| Seattle Seahawks | $588,840,960 | $102,985,710 | $99,567,188 | $107,449,932 | $100,604,116 | $94,006,282 | $84,227,732 |
| Houston Texans | $572,084,816 | $108,445,418 | $98,154,775 | $108,675,881 | $81,743,598 | $97,473,626 | $77,591,518 |
| Indianapolis Colts | $571,983,069 | $93,373,915 | $102,786,398 | $131,189,741 | $77,425,584 | $92,209,207 | $74,998,224 |
| Philladelphia Eagles | $570,346,675 | $109,557,398 | $100,807,309 | $104,846,458 | $72,721,279 | $104,977,331 | $77,436,900 |
| New England Patriots | $569,344,286 | $92,734,120 | $117,963,182 | $105,110,495 | $94,409,059 | $76,999,180 | $82,128,250 |
| Carolina Panthers | $565,633,326 | $112,114,711 | $93,944,262 | $106,554,612 | $90,207,818 | $87,807,573 | $75,004,350 |
| Oakland Raiders | $565,555,173 | $152,389,371 | $90,869,865 | $71,822,140 | $98,199,827 | $77,369,122 | $74,904,848 |
| Chicago Bears | $564,943,914 | $120,065,819 | $104,151,969 | $91,648,722 | $78,447,028 | $87,826,859 | $82,803,517 |
| Baltimore Ravens | $564,640,369 | $90,713,965 | $104,997,764 | $111,596,746 | $94,699,413 | $86,478,031 | $76,154,450 |
| Arizona Cardinals | $563,026,292 | $122,110,110 | $98,694,817 | $105,685,931 | $76,539,161 | $78,961,345 | $81,034,928 |
| St. Louis Rams | $557,226,458 | $116,677,660 | $100,340,467 | $104,720,286 | $78,874,540 | $76,389,455 | $80,224,050 |
| Detroit Lions | $556,349,895 | $95,827,117 | $106,731,910 | $100,994,425 | $80,555,718 | $94,578,628 | $77,662,097 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | $554,898,859 | $128,815,061 | $106,293,914 | $94,038,001 | $84,225,127 | $77,955,021 | $63,571,735 |
| Atlanta Falcons | $551,668,641 | $96,391,525 | $83,845,371 | $105,072,221 | $98,787,003 | $82,711,268 | $84,861,253 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | $550,367,564 | $109,727,880 | $98,529,188 | $113,000,016 | $74,841,371 | $68,811,884 | $85,457,225 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | $547,963,324 | $122,109,207 | $94,030,775 | $97,664,503 | $83,310,713 | $72,113,009 | $78,735,117 |
| New York Jets | $545,449,859 | $116,910,097 | $99,971,535 | $86,145,839 | $79,346,324 | $93,866,236 | $69,209,828 |
| San Diego Chargers | $542,269,525 | $111,813,340 | $102,460,685 | $99,782,506 | $78,729,437 | $76,253,021 | $73,230,536 |
| New York Giants | $541,973,593 | $115,816,180 | $75,755,388 | $108,196,454 | $82,422,436 | $81,657,826 | $78,125,309 |
| Cleveland Browns | $538,590,874 | $131,916,300 | $102,394,922 | $89,196,326 | $73,505,292 | $87,728,284 | $53,849,750 |
| Buffalo Bills | $537,572,253 | $113,364,927 | $108,875,882 | $80,924,316 | $80,937,517 | $80,170,229 | $73,299,382 |
| Miami Dolphins | $537,201,747 | $114,649,660 | $92,573,123 | $97,660,204 | $70,942,305 | $93,937,308 | $67,439,147 |
| Tennessee Titans | $528,831,820 | $126,017,443 | $97,081,153 | $89,820,780 | $61,332,658 | $79,003,839 | $75,575,947 |
| San Francisco 49ers | $527,155,856 | $118,766,239 | $106,877,077 | $95,134,927 | $82,824,487 | $63,033,817 | $60,519,309 |
| Tampa Bay Bucs | $525,059,136 | $104,329,311 | $98,105,565 | $78,779,519 | $73,770,494 | $81,989,547 | $88,084,700 |
| Denver Broncos | $524,946,400 | $95,599,778 | $102,152,344 | $94,392,713 | $95,409,738 | $72,564,908 | $64,826,919 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | $519,256,128 | $83,623,776 | $108,482,459 | $81,748,009 | $83,390,185 | $84,617,626 | $77,394,073 |
| Green Bay Packers | $512,587,418 | $94,018,300 | $97,653,823 | $98,561,315 | $64,740,177 | $80,383,682 | $77,230,121 |
This information comes via the USA Today Salary Database it's been referrenced in previous posts, but I've never seen anyone pull the #'s into excel and get some totals.
In the last 3 or 4 years, I've noticed that things have changed since the mid-90's and early 00's. There was a time when each year Chiefs fans knew we'd be spending at or near the cap. This hasn't been the case in some while.
The numbers above represent total salaries and not salary cap figures. You often heard Carl reference 'Cash on hand vs. Cap dollars.' He did this because he knew that the Chiefs had lots of cap room the last few years, but we still weren't really being competitive in free agency.
The one that still bugs me is Jared Allen. I read many in the media and blogosphere say that you can't spend that kind of money on JA. What almost no one realizes: we could have signed JA to the same contract as the Vikes did, and because we were so ridiculously under the cap, we could have made his entire bonus a roster bonus (All $35 mil) and put all the guaranteed money on the '08 cap. What that would have done, is made Jared a 5 or 6 million dollar cap figure from 09-13! That's a steal, gents for a player of his quality. Its not just him. In the last few years, Carl and Co. went out of their way to sign players to Cap-un-friendly deals. The TG and LJ extensions both could have been signed with more money going immediately on the cap. As I'm sure you guys know, once a year is over, the $ left unused on the cap are gone forever. Teams like NE, Philly and Pitt regularly resign guys mid-season to use up cap dollars for that year.
I say this, not to be a downer on the Chiefs and their future. I say this because I want Chiefs fans (and especially us Season Ticket holders) to hold Clark accountable. I'm posting this today because today is the Clark conference call.
Everything, I've seen out of Clark this offseason, has led me to believe that this cheapness is going to be a thing of the past. He went out and paid top dollar for a GM, there was one report that Pioli is the highest paid GM in the league. He then went out and signed Haley to a competitive contract comparable to some of the other guys inked this offseason (Spags, McDaniels). So to be clear, I'm very hopeful that our cheapness, and yeah, that's what I'm calling it, is going to end starting in 2009.
But to take it a step further, there is no excuse for the cheapness to continue. The Jackson Co. taxpayers have funded a large majority of the renovations to The Head, and with that, our revenues likely never have been higher than this season.
So, whats your point kcsno56?? Am I saying we have to go out and sign Haynesworth? No. Am I saying they have to eat up all their cap room this offseason and spend upwards of 110 mil? No. What I am saying is that over the next two seasons, Clark needs to open the purse-strings and let Scott know that finances aren't an issue, only the cap is. I'm of the belief that Pioli wouldn't have taken this job if he thought otherwise. Lets hope that's the case.
What we do have to see this offseason, is to pick at least one of the elite FAs, preferably one 28 or under heading into this season, and get him signed to a contract that will keep him here at least 3-4 years and through what hopefully will be a Championship run.
Who fits that profile? Bart Scott, Jason Brown, Igor Olshansky or Chris Canty if we're going 3-4, Jonathan Vilma and Channing Crowder. There are no excuses for not signing at least a couple of these guys. Then, hopefully after another solid draft, and an improved season, we can dive in hard next offseason and sign a couple hole fillers that can get us over the hump.
But the biggest thing I want this post to get across is, please, boys, stop using the cap as an excuse for past moves. And until we even get within 10 million of the cap, which almost can't happen until 2010 stop using the cap as a line of argument for moves this offseason.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.
37 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Not entirely surprising, but at least we didn't pay through the nose for the lack of playoff wins last 6 years. :)
"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.
BTW- Great post.
"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.
by DThomasReigns on Feb 25, 2009 3:34 PM CST up reply actions
But see, we DID pay through the nose
At least you did if you went to games…I hear you, but this has bugged me for awhile.
And thanks.
Minnesota Vikings
Were the biggest surprise on this list. I know a lot of people up in Minneapolis, and there is a general opinion that thier owner Wilf is cheap and trying to scam the community into ponying up for a new Stadium…if I’m him I’m pointing at this list saying, hey, I’ve spent my money, its time you do the same.
New Orleans, too…I was really surprised they were so high on the list, a lot of the others you’d expect.
You know the worst thing about those statistics?
I didn’t receive any of that money.
We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.
"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
Great Post.
From what I can figure out, and this info may be wrong, the salary cap was set at the following levels for those years:
2003: 75 million
2004: 80.5 million
2005: 85.5 million
2006: 102 million
2007: 109 million
2008: 116 million
I couldn’t find a decent website that listed these so I compiled them from some random sites (some I don’t trust too much) so take this for what it is worth—feel free to correct the numbers if they are off.
I figured I would throw this out there to give an idea of how much the Chiefs were spending per the cap as well as per the other teams. Great post though—much appreciated.
Beat the Donkeys!!
Sure.
You question my floor numbers for 2009 yesterday, then post them, then cite the Commish.
It’s okay, (sob), I’m not hurt, (wipes tear).
j/k :)
"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.
by DThomasReigns on Feb 25, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions
Ahh
That’s right.
For some reason I thought the floor number was 60% but haven’t found anything to back that up. The Commish is pretty reliable though.
by Joel Thorman on Feb 25, 2009 4:41 PM CST up reply actions
I actually wasn't aware of that site until your post. It seems like a great site.
"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.
by DThomasReigns on Feb 25, 2009 4:42 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah
You can spend a lot of time sifting through it all. It’s pretty neat.
by Joel Thorman on Feb 25, 2009 4:45 PM CST up reply actions
I was just looking at the same thing
What is the consequences if you over spend? Plus we were supposed to have spent 92.8 million last year (80% of maximum) I think.
We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.
"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
Can't overspend
The league will just reject the contract that pushes it over.
by Joel Thorman on Feb 25, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions
Well
In USA Today’s list above, the #’s reflect total money paid out that year, so the Vikes 133 mil last year includes $35 mil paid to JA in signing bonus. And that gets prorated over the life of the contract on the cap…so that 35 mil is like 7 per on the cap.
Good call
But its important to remember that teams could be well over these numbers any given year, due to Bonus money given out. In fact, as you can see, the Redskins were over that # 5 of 6 years.
What would be interesting, would be to compare something like playoff appearances with total salary, and see the correlation. I can tell you just glancing at the list, that there definitely is a relationship, although imperfect.
Point Of Information
I don’t think you can really blame Clark Hunt for being cheap that time, since his dad was running the team through 2006. And yes, I think Lamar Hunt was a pretty crappy owner for the Chiefs…he gave us two Super Bowl appearances in the 60s, then 30 years of bad teams (with only the Marty years where the Chiefs were consistently good). Yeah, the last two years sucked, but Clark Hunt inherited two guys (Herm, Carl) with multiple years left on their contracts, he got rid of them once they’d pretty clearly demonstrated they didn’t have what it took to make a winner, and now that it’s actually his team he appears to be interested in having the Chiefs be a player. So I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on the cheapness factor.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
By The Way
I don’t like Olshansky or Canty as anything more than reserves. Neither is a good pass rusher. Olshansky appears to be a good reserve DE/DT and that’s about it. Canty’s definitely a reserve-caliber player at this point in his career. So hopefully the Chiefs won’t give them big bucks to come here.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
If we go to a 3-4
We’ll need DE’s that can play in a 3-4, right now, I’m not sure we have one. Often those aren’t pass rush positions. Olshansky in particular would be a great fit at 3-4 DE.
But no, he wouldn’t fit in a 4-3.
Its a little gray
When exactly he was making the decisions, but I agree in general with your point.
What scares me is that one could view his talk of draft over FA as a way to be cheap. I’m not saying thats the case, but you could read it that way. Of course every team wants to have good drafts, thats pretty obvious.
And I just ran the numbers since '06
And we are dead last…just sayin’
This offseason has renewed my confidence, but I want them to back it up!
Good post.
I think that was what kept Herm in good graces with ownership…he wanted young guys through the draft and young guys=cheap. Obviously Clark would stick with a guy who promised he would make the Chiefs young, cheap, and good….thats impossible.
The draft is very important in building a team for years to come…but…you have to buy some free agents or your team will never make it very far. All the good teams have great free agent guys on them. Herm just set our franchise back like 5yrs for being cheap…thanks Herm!
I would rather have the oldest team in the NFL for a chance at the Super Bowl then the youngest only to be decent for 10yrs.
Except
We had the oldest team in the league, or atleast towards that bar, and we never made it past the first round. I’m not saying that swinging 180 degrees the other way is the answer either, ala last year. But we did need to become younger and we needed to do it in a hurry. That being done, now we need to improve the team with some quality FA pickups and add some veteran leadership. This may not happen this year, but a piece here, a piece there, and continued positive building through the draft. I agree one can argue that just b/c a team is young does not by any means make them good. See again, last year. But w/ a successful balance…. The sky is the limit. A successful balance, and quality leadership.
by Eastcoastransplant on Feb 25, 2009 5:21 PM CST up reply actions
This is mostly true
But I have a hard time accepting as a season ticket holder that the Minnesota F8cking Vikings spend 100 Million more dollars than us over the last 6 years. I’ve had my season tickets for 6 years, which was my original motivation for looking this up…and it burns me that over that stretch, only one team has spent less on player contracts.
Yeah, we needed to rebuild, but teams rebuild all the time without completely gutting what they had, or I should say, gutting without picking up replacements. There are only a couple teams that completely gutted thier team and went as cheap as we have the last couple years, the Titans and 49ers, and they both did that for cap purposes…we did it just because we were getting older and it looks like, to save money.
Last year is the offseason that bugs me the most, HOW could we not sign any legit FA’s with the talent we had returning? The roster was simply embarressing. Herm called it 85% complete…are you kidding me?? In 3 years, half that roster will be out of the league. You CAN get younger while signing FA’s. You do it by signing guys on thier first FA contract. There are guys every year that are 25-28, you sign them with the realization that you may not win the division this year, but they’ll be here through the rough season and hopefully help lead you to the playoffs as the team starts to mature.
Big Spending Can Equal Big Winning
But you have to spend your money on talent that enhances the scheme the team is running (e.g. Patriots), not talent as an end in itself (e.g. Redskins). Dan Snyder doesn’t appear to understand that a player with the most talent isn’t necessarily the player that will best improve his squad.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
+1 again
I don’t think Dan Snyder understands the team concept. He just always swings for the fences in FA and hopes to hit a home run.
I Think He Just Falls In Love With The Names
I get the idea he’s a big fan who doesn’t really understand football all that well and that he tends to take the fantasy football approach to building teams at times…to the real-life team’s detriment.
Not that it’s a bad thing to have an owner willing to spend to win (and I do think he cares about winning), but it’s not good if the owner is constantly spending unwisely.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
Great Post.
I truly was unaware that we were so far down the list of overall spending.. Looking back though i guess it is pretty obvious about how little we did spend. the only people getting a decent amount of money being lj, tg, and bowe, albert, dorsey, and maybe dj.
I agree.
He’s the George Steinbrenner of the NFL. He overpays for players that are way past their prime.
He's worse than Steinbrenner
Stein at least won titles. And at least some of his signings are solid.
I will say that I’d rather have an owner who I knew was doing everything to win than one I had to question. I hope those questions are eliminated this offseason.
Am I the only one surprised more guys aren't waiting for FA to start
To re-sign with thier current team? Whatever elite players that wait for FA to start are going to make a killing. Teams are loaded with money to spend, and there are so few high quality guys hitting the market.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
