1.  ROOKIE SALARY CAP:

The Ravens have a rookie Salary Cap number of $3.372M.  This means that the 2009 Salary Cap numbers of the 6 Ravens draft picks must fit under that number.  However, that does not mean that the team needs that amount in overall Cap space to fit their rookies under the Cap.  Why? Because at this time of year only the top 51 Salary Cap numbers and all prorata shares of bonus money, count against the Cap. 

Presently, the 51st Cap number belongs to Haruki Nakamura at $402,666.  As can be seen with Davon Drew’s Cap number below, his is lower than Nakamura, so only the $46,416 ($139,250/3) share of bonus money counts against the overall Cap.

Generally, only picks in the 1st through early 4th round fully count against the overall Cap, while lower round picks only have the prorata share of their bonus count.

For a more detailed explanation, read more here [Link to Rookie Cap article]. 

A)  5th ROUND PICK, TE DAVON DREW, SIGNS ROOKIE DEAL:

Earlier this month, rookie 5th round pick, Davon Drew signed a 3-year deal worth a total of $1.324M.  Drew received a bonus of $139,250 and will receive base salaries of $310,000 (2009), $395,000 (2010) and $480,000 (2011).

Drew’s yearly Salary Cap charges will be as follows:

B)  6th ROUND PICK, RB, CEDRIC PEERMAN, SIGNS ROOKIE DEAL:

Last week, rookie 6th round pick, RB Cedric Peerman signed a 3-year deal worth a total of $1.263M.  Drew received a bonus of $139,250 and will receive base salaries of $310,000 (2009), $395,000 (2010) and $480,000 (2011).

Peerman’s yearly Salary Cap charges will be as follows:

C)  4th ROUND PICK, LB, JASON PHILLIPS, SIGNS ROOKIE DEAL:

Also, last week, rookie 4th round pick, LB Jason Phillips signed a 3-year deal worth a total of $1,341,050.  Drew received a bonus of $156,050 and will receive base salaries of $310,000 (2009), $395,000 (2010) and $480,000 (2011).

Phillips’ yearly Salary Cap charges will be as follows:

2.  BRANDON MARSHALL?

As was the case with Anquan Boldin back in April, if they are inclined, the Ravens do have the ability to acquire and sign WR Brandon Marshall.  However, if they were to do so, the team would have to do some maneuvering with their Cap, via the release of a player (or two) or the restructure of a contract or two, in order to create the necessary Cap space.

Two things have happened to make it a bit easier at this juncture: (1) the retirement of Willie Anderson created $2.9M in additional Salary Cap space and (2) the league announced that the Salary Cap would increase by $947K. 

One other method of creating additional Cap space is……..

3.  SUGGS DEADLINE LOOMING:

If the Ravens hope to finally negotiate a long term contract with DE/OLB Terrell Suggs, they have a little less than a month to do so.  If they fail to get him signed to a long term deal by July 15th, the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement prohibits the signing of a new deal until after the 2009 season.

If Suggs is not signed by the deadline or signed to a long term deal next offseason, the team still has the option to use the Franchise Tag for a 3rd (and final) time in 2010.  If they choose to do so, they would have to offer him a Franchise Tender equal to the top five 2010 Salary Cap numbers in the game, regardless of position.  That number likely could be to be in the $15-20M range.  If there is a Salary Cap in 2010, that will be very difficult to fit under the Cap and could once again hinder their ability to address other needs.  If there is no Salary Cap, it’s more of a possibility, but it remains to be seen whether the Front Office is willing to pay Suggs that much.

Getting Suggs signed to a new deal would reduce his 2009 Cap number, presently $10.17M, substantially and would allow the team to create some much needed Salary Cap flexibility.

4.  PRESENT SALARY CAP SPACE: