Kaspers Korner

     accounting can be confusing even to a person who has taken accounting themselves.  One thing that people need to realize is that all numbers out there are estimates, and not actual numbers.  This I found out straight from the community relations department within the Buffalo Bills.

    The one mistake that I made in particular when looking at cap figures was that I needed to take off old signing bonuses that were given in the past.  Yes, they are following their cash to cap system, which still could cost them after this year.

    There are some key players contract that are coming up and with contracts rising significantly this year it will be hard to keep them.  Arron Schobel, Lee Evans, and J.P. Losman contracts should be expiring within the next year or two, and that could spell trouble.  That depends on how Jim Overdorff structured the contracts of Derrick Dockery, Langston Walker, and Chris Kelsay. 

     Even though the they will get back twenty-one million dollars to spend next year it still will only be enough to restructure Evans or Losmans contract.  Most Likely they will let Schobel walk after giving Kelsay the kind of money they did and with Ryan Denny still under contract.  However, they would still need to come up with another 20 probably to keep the other. 

     They will get some help in the cap going up, but that is like seven million.  Spikes contract is done after this year which would be five million.  Also, letting Schobel walk after his contract is done will bring it close.   However, if Losman was to have a stellar year ti could cost over twenty million for a signing bonus easily.  Also, you need to save room for base salaries which is at least another ten million for two people.

     The contracts could cost either one Losman or Evans and that is a shame.  They are both good character guys and they have grown on the people of Buffalo.  If one of them is gone you can look back at these signings as the reason. 

    There are alternatives to the line problem.  Moving Terance Pennington to right guard, and starting Duke Preston.  Then taking a tackle in the draft.  which would of saved you significant money down the line.  There are quality line out there for cheap.  Why do you think the Patriots are succesful.  They went out found quality character guys, with good coaching, and with a hall of fame quarterback have made the line better.  Along with a good running game. 

    That is the problem folks to much hand raising giving up and taking the easy way out, and not enough rolling up the sleeves and getting down to business.