2012 Season Update

[Goodell]

The script I was using to put in the compensatory picks initially left off situations where teams were given two compensatory picks in the same round (just gave them one and then updated the second one over the first), so that was adjusted over the weekend. Also in one of the leagues (DFFL) the tie-breakers were a little off on the initial order posted for 7-10. With so many teams and leagues, really rely upon GMs letting me know when something is off so we can make corrections quickly. That's also why teams on the clock not able to make selections quite yet as we comb over everything this week and make sure it's all good before turning the draft on officially. So if you notice something, send me a PM. The more eyes on things the better. Thanks

[Goodell]

Quick update as we begin to gear up for the season.

DRAFT PICK SIGNINGS: I'll be going over any potential changes from the rookie contract figures we used last year that incrementally increased per slot and per round based roughly on real contract figures for each round. I'll give teams a little time to get under their caps further, but will start signing picks later this week. You won't sign a player if not enough cap space, and unsigned draftees will be holdouts until you have cap room to sign them (and they'll re-enter the draft next year giving you no compensation for them if you don't sign all year).

I will sign rounds 2-7 automatically via script to the teams with cap space to sign their guys. Then round 1 players will be able to be signed by teams by clicking next to their name on the roster at that time (next week). If you don't want to sign a draft pick afterall, cut them before I sign them as all draft picks come with at least some guaranteed signing bonus (7th rounders small bonus and 1st rounders large signing bonus).

BORROW AGAINST THE CAP: We've allowed teams to borrow up to 3M against the cap (as real teams can borrow against the cap in a limited manner) since last year, but now it's more automated and not something I have to do manually. Just click "borrow" near the top of your team roster. I'd advise not to borrow unless you find yourself over the cap and needing to get back under, as it can't be reversed and will come off available funds next year. It will also limit the amount of cap carry-over you're allowed as borrowed money cannot be carried over.

53-MAN CUT DOWN: Teams have to be at 53 men or less by the first NFL game. We won't allow you to cut guys to the practice squad (if they pass waivers) until we get closer to that, but look for that to be coming in the not too distant future.

We'll also do a quick review of some of the discussed changes in the various rule discussion threads this off-season and also take a look at any easy to integrate tweaks to the simulator before we start generating real regular season games over the next few weeks.

[Nathan S.]

Any idea when the supplemental picks will be added?

[tino38]

Any clear idea when we will be able to put guys on practice squad?

[Goodell]

I'll look at adding the supplemental players but easier to add them after we figure the draft round contracts, as they'll get the same contract as a player in the corresponding draft round and easier to add them once with everything than add them with no contract and then go back later and add in their contract.

NFL teams in reality won't have practice squad until after they do their 53 man roster deadline. We'll give our teams a little more time, but don't want to move far from the reality of its purpose which only comes up after training camps over and regular season set to begin as teams get down to 53.

We'd do draftee contracts first which will go through this week. I'd have to look at the exact NFL dates but could see practice squad activation later that following week.

[tino38]

Sounds good, thanks!

[Goodell]

The other reason to wait on p-squad is to maintain the reality of drafted rookies signing their contracts before participating in training camp with some kind of signing bonus. Those who don't make the final 53 and are cut, and then later added to practice squad if unclaimed by others, would still have gotten their signing bonus. We wouldn't want drafted players without contracts being cut right to practice squad without ever having a contract or getting any of their signing bonus draftees get. Teams can cut ties with draftpicks and not sign them at all if they wish (before I automatically sign those to teams with cap space to do so this week) but they'd become UFAs on the market. We wouldn't want to give teams the ability to never sign a drafted player and retain matching rights for them also. So do the rookie contracts first, and those under contract later can be cut to practice squad toward end of preseason. Those without contracts (for cap reasons) would become holdouts or could be cut outright but just to unrestricted free agency.

[Goodell]

I've started the draft pick signings as notified earlier this week. Did round 7 last night across all leagues. About 13 players overall unsigned due to cap space.

I'll probably do two more rounds tomorrow and then a round after until all signed. Each time starting new round I'll also attempt to sign the unsigned players from later rounds again.

Draft contracts:
http://www.spotrac.com/draft-tracker/nfl/round-7/

As seen in the signed contracts and noted in searches on the new rookie contracts in various places, the base salary line is: $390,000, $480,000, $570,000, $660,000 for every player drafted in Round 3 through Round 7.

Signing bonuses just tiny adjusted from last year from 45,896 - 69,000 with an averaged difference between each slot.

[soonertf]

So we aren't letting teams sign their own picks this year through the "Sign Pick" link?

[Onyxgem]

So we aren't letting teams sign their own picks this year through the "Sign Pick" link?

We only did that when we got to 1st round picks didn't we?