Fencer

Per Reiss and Miguel, the Pats pushed $750,000 of Moss's cap charge from 2009 to 2010. But there are around $2 million more of cap charges they could have pushed and didn't.

It's hard to see how they could afford Peppers without nearly maxing out everything that can be pushed from 2009 to 2010 (mainly Brady, Moss, and Light).

I don't know the CBA rules as to whether they can take two bites at the Moss apple the same off-season. But if they can't, I think their intentions are fairly clear.

DaBruinz

If I remember correctly, and Miguel is more of the authority on this, a team can only "restructure" the contract of a player once in any 365 day period. And I point to Richard Seymour signed his contract extension a couple years ago. The Pats and he had to wait until August to sign it because of a restructuring that they had done on Seymour's contract the year before.

Synovia

I'm pretty sure thats correct.


They restructured Moss while Cassel was still here, so they'd have room to work on some things. This was done before Peppers was even being talked about.

Pats726

All good points...and Holley is backing AS on this...no way...ChrisP as well with a nice interview...

solman

You are absolutely right. IF the Patriots wanted to sign Peppers at the beginning of free agency, they wouldn't have done Moss's restructure this way.

But if the Patriots were getting ready to sign Peppers at the beginning of free agency, he would probably already being signed.

So I do not agree that this is a valid litmus test.

Pats726

If this is going to happen...and I really doubt it..there is ANOTHER move to be made to free cap space...(can they do it with smaller moves??)

Synovia

Yeah, I don't think its happening, but I don't think Moss's restructuring had anything to do with it. Moss was restructured to try to make space for Bodden, who was visiting in the next couple of days.

Spiral

It appears that the only deal for Peppers that could work cap-wise would be a straight-up trade: Seymour for Peppers.

solman

Seymour really doesn't free up much cap in a trade. Miguel has him freeing up $3.4M.

robertweathers

I believe this will happen. Its clean and the move clears cap room for Peppers at the same time. They want Wilfork to stay. They have Ty Warren already making big $$. They have Green locked up for good $$s. They have Wright locked up for reasonable $$. They can fortify the D-line via the draft or pick up a solid vet (ala Bobby Hamilton) on the street.

It just makes too much sense.

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