News » Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin

There was a time in the NFL when plenty of teams had plenty of problems when it came to complying with the salary cap. Since the 2011 labor deal was done Walter Payton Jersey , the number of teams in cap purgatory has diminished dramatically.

This year, the Bills find themselves in a somewhat unique position. According to the Buffalo News, the Bills have $53.9 million in cap space devoted to players no longer on the team. That translates to 30.4 percent of the $177.2 million available per team.

The bulk of that comes from former Bills defensive tackle Marcel Dareus, who still counts for $13.56 million in 2018.

But there’s no sense that this will be a season in salary-cap hell for the Bills, for various reasons. Perhaps the biggest is the rookie wage scale, which allowed the Bills to acquire a potential franchise quarterback without the kind of cap-squeezing contract that top-10 picks used to carry with them.

Beyond the first round, the draft and the inexpensive players it brings allows teams to build a nucleus of young, cheap talent, making it easy to field a competitive team even if nearly a third of the available cap dollars apply to former players. Which is why few teams now have to tiptoe through a salary-cap minefield. And which is why plenty of them are spending under the cap in plain sight Roger Staubach Jersey , transferring labor costs into raw profit by squirreling away up to 11 cents per dollar.

Based on a $177.2 million cap, $19.42 million that otherwise would go to players can be retained as raw earnings. Thanks to the wage scale and the franchise tag and players reluctant to hold out because fans instantly align with the billionaires in their periodic fights with millionaires, teams like the Bills can carry $50 million or more in dead cap space — and plenty of other teams can quietly field a competitive team while adding millions to the bottom line by not spending every penny that they can.

A look ahead to top enterprise and feature stories planned globally by AP Sports. New digests will go out each Thursday and Monday and will be repeated on other weekdays. Please note that story plans may change depending on news and other issues.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport(at)ap.org or 877-836-9477. For reruns, call the Service Desk 800-838-4616 or your local AP bureau.

As with all our operations, we welcome and want your feedback. If you have thoughts or questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia, assistant sports editor for the U.S. east region, at 215-446-6632 or at ogarcia(at)ap.org.

All times are Eastern.

—

—

SATURDAY Eddie Yarbrough Jersey , March 31

GLF–MASTERS-CHINESE FIR

It is the only hole at Augusta National that doesn’t have a bunker. No other hole on the back nine is shorter. Rory McIlroy watched the Masters every year when he was younger and didn’t see what was so difficult about the 440-yard 14th hole until he had to try it himself. ”There’s a 3-yard square you have to hit it,” he said. Sitting between the dynamic par 5s on the back nine, the hole called ”Chinese Fir” has played a key role over the years. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 3 a.m.

With:

GLF–MASTERS-ANNIVERSARIES. By Doug Ferguson. A capsule look at key moments over the years at the Masters. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 3 a.m.

GLF–MASTERS-GOOD BEHAVIOR

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Golf is getting younger, and the PGA Tour is going after its slice of the new generation to build a fan base. That has brought more energy, more volume and raucous behavior that has led to some high-profile players asking that fans be removed. Rory McIlroy suggested limiting alcohol sales. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan says it’s a good problem to have. But it won’t be a problem at the Masters, where fans know they best mind their manners. By Mark Long. UPCOMING: 800 words Ryan Kelly Jersey , photos by 3 p.m.

—

MONDAY, April 2

HKN–ONE FOR 1,000

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin are the latest of only about 60 NHL players to reach 1,000 games with a single franchise. But that number will grow significantly in the coming years as stars and core players choose to re-sign with their current teams long term because of the collective bargaining agreement and hockey’s lean toward security over movement. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 5 a.m.

—

FRIDAY, April 6

HKN–DEEP PREDATORS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Predators are having their best season yet through a combination of savvy drafting, surprising trades and a handful of salary cap-friendly contract extensions. General manager David Poile’s crafty moves have the defending Western Conference champs on the verge of what could be a dominant run in the NHL. By Teresa M. Walker. UPCOMING: 725 words, photos. Video.

Again Nick Perry Jersey , if you have questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia, assistant sports editor for the U.S. east region, at 215-446-6632 or at ogarcia(at)ap.org.

Thanks,

AP Sports

New York Jets Customized Jerseys