mgteich

Once Wright's contract is accounted for, we'll be down to about $6.4M of cap space, enough to sign veteran jags if needed. A veteran safety, if needed, can wait until after the draft (Harrison or Tank Williams).

Restructures of Brady, Faulk, Light, and/or Green would bring a little bit if needed to sign a mid-level WR or FB. However, any major signing would take cuts or extensions of at least a couple of those contracts. As we all know we've unloaded Cassel, cut Vrabel and restructured Moss to get where we are. So, belichick is willing to make moves if he views it as needed.

BOTTOM LINE
Nothing now NEEDS to be done before the draft, although minor contracts for a WR and/or FB would be welcome by me.

jmt57

Yeah, I agree. A WR in the $1-1.5 million range to replace Gaffney, and a FB at around the vet minimum is all that's really left to be done in free agency, and there's no rush based on the number of players available. The other positions (OLB, S, etc.) will come from the draft. I don't know if there are too many other teams that are as comfortable with their roster as it is right now as the Pats.

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AndyJohnson

Well, we can use 6.4mill of cap space today and do extensions or cuts later to sign draftees and have the necessary cushion for ps and in season moves.
I dont think any signings need to be contingent on extensions or cuts, we can do them well after the fact.

By the way, does Wright's signing signal the cutting of Jarvis Green?
Wright, IMO moved ahead of Green or at least equal to him on the depth chart. Do we need a 4th DE that costs 3mill of new money? Especially when our 5th DE (smith) looks like he can play too?

signbabybrady

you said we were done before Bodden, after Bodden, and now again....I still think there could be more to come WR maybe...OLB maybe....Just some resigning of those we all want resigned...I doubt they are done.

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mgteich

I do understand that the extensions can be done later. However, that would put all the cards in the player's hands. The patriots would be forced to do something. I think that since the Milloy debacle, Belichick has avoided such risks.

With regard to Green, I agree that Wright is Green's possible replacement. Green's salary is $2.5M. I don't see him cut this year unless Seymour is extended.

Lloyd_Christmas

With the possibility of losing Seymour next year, it might be a good idea to keep Green around unless Sey is extended. I don't think we need the money that bad and having another good DE in the rotation will help us this year too.

I don't think we should waste any money on another WR. Lewis replaced Gaffney with the possibility of picking up a WR in the draft.

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"My name is William Stephen Belichick, Coach of the New England Patriots, Three Time Super Bowl Champion, Defensive Guru, Pride of Karlovac, The Greatest Coach in the History of the NFL Since Vince Lombardi. Target of the spygate lynching, Defender of our Dynasty's legacy. And I will have my vengeance, in this game and the rest."

mgteich

I don't think money is the issue. If we don't sign a WR for $1M or so, we'll draft one for $500K or so, probably in the second. The question is whether there is anyone out there that we want. I like Lewis, but it seems extreme to AGAIN have no Plan B if one of the top 3 is injured. Personally, I don't like the idea of Watson as a wide receiver, a role that he held last year. He was our #3 WR.

I would note that if Belichick likes the wide receivers likely to be there in the early second, then the free agent need isn't there.

spacecrime

I would like to see both. That gives two quality backups on the line. Otherwise one injury and the depth is gone. Wright (or Green) would have to start every game and the rotation would consist of Lekevin Smith.

maverick4

Jarvis at 5M needs to be addressed. I'm thinking we should trade him away.

Deus Irae

How many times do people have to explain that it's not a $5 million dollar issue?

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