mgteich

It has been stated by several posters that the team must not value a certain player enough if he hasn't been extended yet. I don't believe that for a minute.
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Is Hochstein more valuable than Graham, Branch, Koppen and Samuel?
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Each situation is different. Besides, what should Branch ask for now, knowing that he can go to free agency after the season? $7M a year?

JoeSixPat

The only way Hochstein would be a higher priority than those players is if the starting Center were coming off an injury and might or might not be ready to start the season - which also happens to be the final season of his contract.

Oh wait - that's exactly what happend!

Its still unclear how Koppen is responding to his rehab. He might or might not be ready to start. And he might or might not be resigned next year, depending on his rehab... so yes, signing a health Hochstein over an injured Koppen is a higher priority.

It also make a ton of sense for the Pats to hedge their bets and sign Hochstein before Koppen's status potentially "promotes" Hochstein as the 2006 opening day starter, inflating his value for 2006 and beyond.

While I think most would like to see Branch re-signed asap, BB probably knows that having Chad Jackson show what he can do full contact training camp and pre-season could be a helpful tool in negotiaitons with Deion.

As far as Hochstein over Samuel - that's apples to oranges... again because of the Hochstein/Koppen situation - Hochstein could be considered a higher prority again.

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JoeSixPat

Of course you probably went out of your way not to mention Graham!

Plenty said on that topic already I guess, but even if you think you can re-sign him at a reasonable price, there's no sense in doing that right now.

Even if you want him back - and published reports suggest that might not be the case - wait to see what you have in your rookie TEs to determine what level of need you think you'd have at TE in 2007.

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Mike the Brit

If I were a GM in the NFL with some cap room, I'd be thrilled to extend whoever I could -- if there's anything for sure it's that the market rate will jump by 10-25 % next year.

(See the other thread: http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-...573#post115573)

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They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, Pats fans should be invincible by now. [Fitzy, 16 November 2009]

Still here to learn

AllabouttheVinces

Mike, you nailed it with your response. For the Pats, this isn't about priorities at all, it's about getting players and their agents to even open a dialogue. Most players and their agents would prefer to wait until the market prices all rise, which they will.

The primary reason a player should sign an extension now is injury insurance. Ty Law found that out two years ago when he chose to test the market, then found the market dry up because he was coming off an injury. He finally found a taker in the Jets, but he definitely rolled the dice.

rookBoston

Maybe Hochstein is just an experienced and versatile veteran who had salary expectations in line with BB's perception of value.

BB resigned Matt Light, Jarvis Green, Kevin Faulk... lots of players... prior to their final year. It's just a matter of what kind of expectations a player has for salary and what BB feels is fair value. I'm sure BB had a number in mind that he would have re-signed Givens for. Same with Dwight, same with Patten, same with just about anyone who's been good for the team.

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RayClay

They tie up a lot of average players early because these players value security and are affordable.

When other teams spend all their cash in a flash, they end up losin players or needing to pay higher prices for your solid but unspectacular types.

The Pats are just damn smart. If the **** hits the fan, they have affordable experienced depth until they can adjust.

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braveht

The player is going to ask for what he'd get at the end of the year.
The down side of extending early is if the player's performance falls off or he is seriously injured, the SB $$$ are already commited.

jeffd

I think that exactly why Branch should want an extension. Isn't he still on his rookie (2nd rounder) contract. That can't be .1% of what he's worth. I'm quessing the Pats would make him a very high paid player, without the risk of testing the market or getting nothing because of injury or a bad season.

spacecrime

doing the math, Branch is making in 2006 1,045,000 in salary. That is .1% of his worth only if he is worth over a billion dollars this year.

If he is worth 5 mil a year, then he is making 20% of his worth. Definately enough to want to extend, IMO.