Kelly's Departure Creates Nearly $5 million In Cap Room |
![]() Tampa Bay cornerback Brian Kelly will become a free agent on Feb. 29 after buying himself out of his contract (Getty) |
Tampa Bay created $4.7 million in salary cap room when cornerback Brian Kelly decided to buy out the final year of his contract with the Buccaneers several weeks ago. The Buccaneers will be approximately $35 million under the league-mandated salary cap when free agency begins on Feb. 29.
While Kelly's departure left a void at Tampa Bay's cornerback position, it created $4.7 million in salary cap room for the Buccaneers, PewterReport.com is reporting.
Kelly, 32, was scheduled to earn a $3.2 million base salary and receive a $1 million roster bonus this year, bringing his total cap value to $4.65 million.
But by buying himself out of his contract, Kellly was required to repay the Buccaneers $500,000 in signing bonus money, and he will not receive the $1 million roster bonus as originally scheduled.
Although he's struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, Kelly could still pique the interest of several teams around the league. He has notched 429 career tackles, 22 interceptions and 118 passes defensed since entering the league in 1998 as a second-round draft pick out of Southern California.
Last season, Kelly played in just 11 regular season games (four starts) due to a nagging groin injury. He notched 25 tackles and two interceptions while playing mostly in nickel situations behind Ronde Barber and Phillip Buchanon.
Tampa Bay will be approximately $35 million under the league-mandated salary cap when free agency begins on Feb. 29.
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Comments
Horse
10:16am, February 24, 2008
gkenney
Bruce must have ran to the bank to cash that check before he stopped payment.
10:52am, February 24, 2008
aricvann
Horse: I think Kelly did this for the money. He thinks he will get a more lucrative contract, not because he saw the bucs trying to get young.
Gkenney: He will get paid more than he lost. Even though he's getting up there in age and is oft injured he's still a really good corner when healthy. He will make that up.
Will be sad to see him go if not resigned. We had good cornerback depth this year.... I hope we do again.
11:24am, February 24, 2008
bucfan47
When healthy, Kelly can be a shut-down corner and guys that play the game know his talent. I personally hate to see him go, mainly b/c I think he's a class act on and off the field (something you don't find everyday) and I would have liked to see Tampa not be forced to address the CB position just yet. I felt with Barber, Kelly, Buchanan (and a healthy Torrie Cox), we could have signed another CB (like Dwight Smith) and been ok for another year. Maybe just draft one player. Now the Bucs (I feel) will be forced to draft a CB in the draft and quite possibly put themselves in a position to look at adding another CB through Free Agency or a trade.
I would like to personally thank BK for all he's done for Tampa Bay. He's a great talent. He came along way! Get luck Bro!
12:02pm, February 24, 2008
bucfan47
If he cannot, I'd look for Kelly to re-sign with the Bucs for less money.
To me, there is a good chance it could happen.
That would explain why he would want to buy himself out, he does this to put himself into position to inform teams about his availability to be signed much earlier, instead of waiting until Free Agency begins.
Just my opinion.
12:07pm, February 24, 2008
donny77
12:48pm, February 24, 2008
quezilla
2:35pm, February 24, 2008
billbyrne
Good luck Brian and thanks for the memories.
4:34pm, February 24, 2008
drt1066
5:11pm, February 24, 2008
tjbucs
11:28am, February 27, 2008
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