Daily Madden: The New NFL Money Rules
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - The new NFL agreement has changed the rules for how teams spend their money on players, and is a major factor in the free-agent merry-go-round.
"It not only has a cap, which is the most you can spend," John Madden told the KCBS morning crew, "but it also has a (spending) floor."
Madden said even team managers are still trying to understand the new rules. "They put them in effect, and then two or three days later, you had to use them... The people that are doing (the deals) are kind of learning on the run to understand them."
Meanwhile, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has been signed by the Patriots. Will he be a big contributor for New England? "If he's not, he'll be out of there quickly," Madden said. "Bill Belichick has a program there and his thing is all about team, and you either fit in or you get out. (But) if you're a guy like Chad Ochocinco and you're a receiver and you want to catch the ball, going to the Patriots with Tom Brady is not a bad place to go."
Madden said he likes the 49ers' acquisition of placekicker David Akers to replace the retiring Joe Nedney. "Both of those guys were real pros, real team guys… That was a good move. David Akers is a heck of a kicker." (8:20)
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.
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