BRSaintsFan

Deuce's contract was through 2012 and the details are as follows: (The figures are from rotoworld.com).

2007: $2.6 mill salary ($1 mill roster bonus + $100,000 workout bonus)
2008: $3.6 mill salary ($1 mill roster bonus + $100,000 workout bonus)
2009: $5.3 mill salary ($100,000 workout bonus)
2010: $6.2 mill salary ($100,000 workout bonus)
2011: $7.1 mill salary ($100,000 workout bonus)
2012: $8.1 mill salary ($100,000 workout bonus)

The signing bonus on the deal was $12.5 million. Signing bonuses implications to the salary cap are prorated and divided out by the length of the contract upon signing (7 years was the original length. $12.5/7= about $1.8 mill)

So the salary cap hits are as follows:

2007: $2.6 +$1.8+$1 = $5.4
2008: $3.6 +$1.8+$1 = $6.4
2009: $5.3 +$1.8 = $7.1
2010: $6.2 +$1.8 = $8.0
2011: $7.1 +$1.8 = $8.9
2012: $8.1 +$1.8 = $9.9

Cap Hits if cut before salary is due (before 6/1): (The remaining amount of a signing bonus is summed and counted against the cap upon termination of a contract.)

2007: $1.8 X 6 = $10.8
2008: $1.8 X 5 = $9.0
2009: $1.8 X 4 = $7.2
2010: $1.8 X 3 = $5.4
2011: $1.8 X 2 = $3.6
2012: = $1.8

So financially against the cap, it makes almost no sense to cut him loose before 2009.