Contract breakdown

Mike Reiss,

Are you sure Gary Guyton is in his contract year? That would mean he got a two year contract (as he is going into his 2nd year I believe). Doesn`t seem realistic for NFL teams to give undrafted players 2 year deals, as I assumed 3 year deals were standard.

Didn't realize that Guyton was already up. Think that having 20 players all giving a little extra in their contract year is part of the reasoning, CBA aside?

Hey Mike,
Is it normal to have 20 impending free agents in a season or is it normal? Is this list larger than normal due to the CBA expiring? Seems like a large list...

Looks like another season with lots of offseason moves, should make for an interesting offseason and a really interesting season for so many players in their final contract year. Might be Kevin Faulk's last season.

Mike,

2010 looks like a huge year with all the RBs in a contract year. While I doubt the trade was with this in mind, having two 1st round picks in 2011 opens up the chance to start fresh with a new, talented running back. If the Raiders continue to dwell at the bottom of the NFL, and the Patriots gain a top 5 pick in 2011....if Maroney doesn't prove himself this season, they may do with the RBs like they did with the CBs, and flush the team. Your thoughts?

Connolly, Guyton, and Wendell are exclusive rights free agents in
2010. Matthews and Ninkowski are restricted free agents in 2010.
If 2010 is an uncapped year, Alexander, Gostkowski, Mankins, and
Woods are also restricted free agents.

This doesn't take into account the following players are Exclusive Rights FA's:

Dan Connolly, C Gary Guyton, LB Ryan Wendell,C

And the following are Restricted FA's:

Mike Matthews, TE Rob Ninkovich, LB

If it's an Uncapped year, you can add Logan Mankins, Pierre Woods, Eric Alexander, and Gostkowski to the RFA list..

So in reality, it's really 15 cause the Patriots can match some, and put a high tender on the others. Possibly only 11 if it's an Uncapped year. Lastly, there will be at least one Franchise Tag..