Tyvon Branch contract details revealed

Yesterday I put out an article that laid out the different figures that were out there regarding the amount of cap space the Raiders had following Branch's new deal. My attempt at being thorough resulted in some confusion. Well, this will hopefully clear up any confusion while adding some new specific details.

The details of Tyvon Branch's new contract have been revealed. And it bears good news. According to NFL.com, the earlier report by CSN Bay Area of Branch's cap savings of $3.8 million is true. The only uncertainty now is how much cap room the Raiders had prior to the deal. But the range is between $900k and $1.3 million (only about $400k difference).

The result is the Raiders have between $4.7 and $5.1 million in available salary as of right now.

Here are the details of Branches contract per the release

4-years, $26.6 million. $17.6 million guaranteed. $5.6 million signing bonus. Escalators top out at $28 million.

2012- $1 million base plus $1.4 pro rated signing bonus. $2.4 million cap hit

2013- $6 million base plus $3.5 roster bonus plus $1.4 million prorated signing bonus. $10.9 million cap hit.

2014- $3 million base plus $1 million roster bonus plus $1.4 million prorated signing bonus. $5.4 million cap hit.

2015- $5.5 million base plus $1 million roster bonus plus $1.4 million prorated signing bonus. $7.9 million cap hit.

The initial word on the contract had Branch earning $16.1 million in the first two years. My early calculations which had his cap relief in 2012 at $2.4 million was with the idea that Reggie McKenzie would not have Branch's cap number be too high in 2013. I split the $16.1 evenly over those two seasons. But apparently McKenzie went against that ideal and in the interest of clearing more cap space in 2012, he piled it onto the 2013 figure, making it a whopping $10.9 million cap hit.

To summarize, the Raiders now have at least $4.7 million in cap space and as much at $5.1 million.

To reiterate, fifth round pick Juron Criner's deal, once signed, will not affect this. Third round pick Tony Bergstrom might, but not by much.

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