SoCal Pmen

I was just reading a posting by Adam Shefter stating that in the upcoming uncapped year, teams that reach the final 8 cannot sign free agents unless they lose one. Pats could join this group tomorrow.

mgteich

It is indeed true, but this only applies to UFA's signed from other teams that have not been waived. I believe none of our 2009 additions would ahve been subject to this limitation.

mayoclinic

This has already been discussed:

How are the Top 8 teams determined?

Please note in particular posts 3 and 4, which reference language from the current CBA regarding transitional rules for an uncapped year.

1. The "final 8" is actual 2 separate groups of 4 - the "final 4" teams that make the AFC and NFC championship games, and the 4 teams which make it past the wild card round.

2. The "final 4" teams are prohibited from signing external FAs except to replace FAs that they lose. I don't believe this includes players who were waived.

3. The "second 4" teams are allowed to sign external FAs in limited quantities defined by the CBA in terms of contract value.

If we lose to Baltimore tomorrow then we are not restricted at all. If we win, then we are in the "final 8" and are restricted to some extent. If we win against both Baltimore and San Diego then we are in the "final 4" and are restricted to the extent which you described in the OP, though again, I think that it only applies to players who are not waived.

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SoCal Pmen

Got it. Thanks!

pats1

Right, this has been discussed on here before.

mgteich

A) I believe that almost everyone we signed last year were players who were waived and therfore not included in the restrictions.

B) The restictions for the final 8 are not very restrictive at all. We could sign one $5M free agents and as a many as we wanted under about $3.2M or so.

C) So, the bottom line is that we don't have to worry about these restrictions until we are are in the AFC Championshiop Game. We can discuss this isse at length then. FOr more info now, click mayo's reference and especially read miguel's posts included therein.

ctpatsfan77

There is one other important issue: the final eight teams (and, therefore, especially the final four) cannot trade for a player they could not sign if he were a free agent.

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mayoclinic

Good clarification.

Again, to clarify: if we lose tomorrow there are no restrictions. If we lose to SD we can sign (or trade for) one FA > $5M (such as Julius Peppers or Karlos Dansby) and any number under $3.2M. If we beat Baltimore and SD then we will be more restricted as to whom we could sign.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

mgteich

Unless we get to the championship game, the restrictions are almost meaningless to the pats.

HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

These "final eight rules" are flawed and there are loopholes for players to sign with any team they want. The Pats have Green and Burgess that are ready to become FA's. They can tell Green to take a hike and sign Peppers to a low contract. Then in a month or two or whenever, sign him to a long term deal. The NFL cannot tell a player how much they should make. There are so many loopholes it's not even funny. Good teams with lots of cash will find ways to get anybody they want. For years, the Broncos made a mockery out of the salary cap in the late 90's as did many other teams. I wouldn't even take these rules seriously.