The Ultimate NFL Salary Cap Team

Cnnsi.com recently established a feature where Bucky Brooks and Mike Lombardi assembled two teams where they could select any player in the NFL.  The lone caveat was that they had to stay under the salary cap and couldn't duplicate players.

I found this to be a really cool idea and immediately started brainstorming a team of my own.  The salary cap for this upcoming season is estimated at near $115 million.  The result: a team that not even a rigged Madden draft could duplicate. 

My head coach would be Tony Dungy because with all the potential egos and personalities coming in, the even-keeled Dungy would be the perfect equilibrium.  Hot-shot Jason Garrett will man the offense as Frank Spaziani implements his hard rushing schemes into my defense.

* Denotes Starter

Player	Position	Team	Salary
Tom Brady*	Quarterback	Patriots	$  14,626,720.00
Trent Edwards	Quarterback	Bills	$       734,470.00
Matt Ryan	Quarterback	Falcons	$    2,000,000.00
Adrian Peterson*	Running Back	Vikings	$    2,431,360.00
Joseph Addai	Running Back	Colts	$    1,561,750.00
Ahmad Bradshaw	Running Back	Giants	$       383,501.00
Michael Robinson	Running Back	49ers	$       808,812.00
Tony Richardson*	Fullback	Jets	$       491,720.00
Randy Moss*	Wide Receiver	Patriots	$    6,006,720.00
Marques Colston*	Wide Receiver	Saints	$       458,960.00
Wes Welker	Wide Receiver	Patriots	$    3,731,720.00
Brandon Marshall	Wide Receiver	Broncos	$       556,480.00
Steve Smith	Wide Receiver	Giants	$       649,320.00
Devin Hester	Wide Receiver	Bears	$       795,000.00
Jason Witten*	Tight End	Cowboys	$    4,105,000.00
Heath Miller	Tight End	Steelers	$    1,726,720.00
Kevin Boss	Tight End	Giants	$       417,660.00
Flozell Adams*	Offensive Line	Cowboys	$    3,097,943.00
Jason Peters*	Offensive Line	Bills	$    4,450,000.00
Logan Mankins*	Offensive Line	Patriots	$    1,406,720.00
Ryan Lilja*	Offensive Line	Colts	$    1,625,000.00
Dan Koppen*	Offensive Line	Patriots	$    3,006,720.00
Jamaal Brown	Offensive Line	Saints	$    2,148,260.00
Matt Light	Offensive Line	Patriots	$    5,208,387.00
Nick Mangold	Offensive Line	Jets	$    1,450,500.00
Chris Snee	Offensive Line	Giants	$    2,779,166.00
Keydrick Vincent	Offensive Line	Panthers	$       955,000.00
Osi Umenyiora*	Defensive End	Giants	$    4,987,500.00
Patrick Kerney*	Defensive End	Seahawks	$    3,249,999.00
Justin Tuck	Defensive End	Giants	$    2,454,250.00
Elvis Dumervil	Defensive End	Chiefs	$       551,230.00
Haloti Ngata*	Defensive Tackle	Ravens	$    1,984,990.00
Vince Wilfork*	Defensive Tackle	Patriots	$    2,040,054.00
Tommie Harris	Defensive Tackle	Bears	$    1,645,470.00
Patrick Willis*	Middle Linebacker	49ers	$    4,081,000.00
Jon Beason	Middle Linebacker	Panthers	$    1,718,740.00
Ernie Sims*	Outside Linebacker	Lions	$    2,605,000.00
DeMarcus Ware*	Outside Linebacker	Cowboys	$    2,157,000.00
James Harrison	Outside Linebacker	Steelers	$    1,550,470.00
Demeco Ryans	Outside Linebacker	Texans	$    1,276,250.00
Shawne Merriman	Outside Linebacker	Chargers	$    2,643,620.00
Antonio Cromartie*	Cornerback	Chargers	$    1,731,120.00
Terrence Newman*	Cornerback	Cowboys	$    2,422,440.00
Cortland Finnegan	Cornerback	Titans	$       466,013.00
Cedrick Griffin	Cornerback	Vikings	$       776,360.00
Richard Marshall	Cornerback	Panthers	$       756,240.00
Reggie Nelson*	Free Safety	Jaguars	$    1,362,500.00
Antoine Bethea	Free Safety	Colts	$       462,250.00
Sean Jones*	Strong Safety	Browns	$    2,421,720.00
Atari Bigby	Strong Safety	Packers	$       445,000.00
Nick Folk	Kicker	Cowboys	$       397,000.00
Andy Lee	Punter	49ers	$       997,666.00
Zak DeOssie	Long Snapper	Giants	$       484,945.00
		Total Salary	$113,282,436.00

Quarterback

Quarterback is the most important position in the NFL and I shelled out big bucks in order to have the best in Tom Brady lead my huddle.  Trent Edwards will be a ready backup for a very reasonable price while Brady helps groom Matt Ryan into his potential replacement. 

Running Back

My team is no different than any other as I plan on using the running back by committee.  I would spell superstar Adrian Peterson with Joseph Addai in order to keep both of them healthy.  They are also both great pass-catchers that will live off check-downs from Brady. 

Bradshaw provides depth as Michael Robinson is our special teams go-to-guy.  Tony Richardson will lead the way at fullback as he's done for so many great running backs. 

Wide Receiver

I couldn't break up the Brady to Moss connection especially when Moss comes at only about $6 million a year.  I paired him along side Marques Colston whose salary was just as enticing as his size. 

Wes Welker provided Brady with his ultimate slot option and rising star Brandan Marshall provides depth.  Devin Hester is the game-breaking return man that every fantasy team needs.

Tight End

Jason Witten knows how to control his body and create space.  He would easily become Brady's favorite red zone target with his ability to catch in traffic.  Heath Miller makes a very economical second tight end choice that could cause a handful of match-up problems.  Kevin Boss is here merely just for depth. 

Offensive Line

The big hogs are anchored by one of the biggest of the hogs, Flozell Adams, at tackle.  The fast developing Jason Peters provides the other bookend.  Logan Mankins brings his tough demeanor to play guard along with Ryan Lilja who is powerful as well as cheap.  Dan Koppen will represent Boston College at center and hopefully bring a full beard to the table as well.

Jamaal Brown and Matt Light will help keep Adams and Peters fresh on the line as Chris Snee, Mangold, and Vincent offer versatility as backups. 

Defensive End

The Giants showed in the Super Bowl that a bevy of pass rushing defensive ends can help contain even the most potent of offenses.  Osi Umenyiora and Patrick Kerney provide prototypical pass-rushing skills that will help dominate the line.  Justin Tuck and Elvis Dumervil are two very cost-friendly rotation guys.

Defensive Tackle

Haloti Ngata and Vince Wilfork are perfect run stuffers whose work at the buffet line will pay dividends in slowing down the run.  If they can clog the middle it will allow the ends to run wild on the outside.  Tommie Harris can also pressure the quarterback from the tackle position.

Linebacker

Patrick Willis is just a tackling machine and may develop into best linebacker since Joe Montanya.  Ernie Sims may be able to write a check for 100 tackles over the next eight seasons and plays hard on every down.  DeMarcus Ware is the edge rusher of the core who should be aloud to roam with the rest of the talent on defense.

Beason, Harrison, Ryans, and Merriman could all easily start but will be great additions for various situations.  Merriman could help spell Ware and keep the two fresh while Harrison should come in on long yardage to help provide coverage.

Cornerback

Antonio Cromartie and Terrence Newman could change the game instantly with one single interception.  Cortland Finnegan has great potential and a bargain basement salary.  Cedrick Griffin and Richard Marshall are strictly situational players.

Safeties

Reggie Nelson is a special talent who can cover a lot of ground on the field.  Sean Jones can come up and make hits or ball-hawk from his safety position.  Bethea and Atari Bigby offer great compliments at ridiculously low prices. 

Kicker and Punter

Nick Folk has incredible power behind his kicks and comes for a kicker worthy salary.  Andy Lee had a 40-yard net punting average last season but hopefully won't be used much with our offense.