No. They can't. We have to go crazy to get to $17m.
Learn this site and how to use it. It explains a lot of things.
http://overthecap.com/nfl-cap-space.php?Year=2013
ps Schaub will have $10.5M in dead money, not $7.5M.
ps..... If we cut Matt Schaub we'll gain $4M towards the cap. If we make him a June 1st cut, $7.5M will be pushed into 2014. Our 2014 cap would go up an additional $7.5M.... $11.5M to cut Matt Schaub in 2014.
http://overthecap.com/calculator/?Team=Texans
says we're starting at $9M under the 2014 cap. Add the $11.5M from cutting Matt Schaub & we're at $20.5M
Cut Owen Daniels we save another $4.5M....... $25M
Cut Danieal Manning, another $4.5m....... $29.5M
Cut Brice McCain, just because we can; $800K...... $30.3M
Cut Tim Jamison; $730K...... $31M
Cut Derek Newton; $640K..... $31.6M
Cut Shilo Keo; $640K.... $32M
Cut Randy Bullock; $570K...... $32.5M
Cut Brandon Smelley; $570K..... $33M
Cut Alex Kupper; Jonathan Grimes; Case Keenum; Jawanza Starling; Evan Frierson; $2.5M.... $35.5M
& so far, the only thing going into the 2015 cap is Schaub's $7.5M dead money.
We can also renegotiate with Jjo & get another $5M, but we'll be pushing more dead money into 2015. Chris Myers, Duane Brown & (I believe) Andre Johnson could also renegotiate if needed.
& if you'd rather, we can cut Tj & keep Case. But Tj has won 3 regular season games & has play-off experience.
Lastly, this is not to throw away the 2014 season. This is to free up money to go after FA to help us win in 2014.