sebman2112

Article Sample:
"Veteran cornerback Randall Gay, who started for the New England Patriots in their Super Bowl XXXIX victory but has been plagued by leg injuries in each of the past two seasons, signed his one-year restricted free agent qualifying offer with the team Thursday.

The deal, based on the tender the Patriots made Gay three months ago, is worth $1.3 million."

There is more to the full article.

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sieglo

What was he waiting for?

broadwayjoe

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2881585

This is good news if this has already been posted I apologize

Box_O_Rocks

I'm assuming he was trying to arrange a longer term deal similar to what was done for Billy Yates. I recall Billy got a decent signing bonus which might have been something Blue wanted as an injury hedge. With the mandatory Mini-Camp coming up weekend after next, he probably just bit the bullet to lock in a deal should he be injured again in camp. I'm not certain if he's guaranteed the tender if he's cut before the season or not, I'll have to check Miguel's FAQs. Either way, I'm happy to have him locked in for a year and competing in camp with James and the rest, he's a good kid and someone I want to see succeed for the Pats after his misfortunes the past two years.

Blue!

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zippo59

Since Gay is an RFA doesn't that mean he is not a veteran?

I think of a veteran as some who has four accrued seasons and will hit unrestricted free agency immediately.

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Unofficial Kevin Faulk supporter.

Box_O_Rocks

He's a veteran, just not vested by Union standards as I understand the difference.

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Pats726

WHy would he wiat so long..what's teh up side for him??? Just waitiung for a longer deal?? Now that he is signed..can't a long term deal be done?? OR ??

Box_O_Rocks

I'm sure a long term deal could still be done, but where is the incentive for the Pats? Blue needs to work hard, play well, and stay healthy to market himself. Despite his rookie efforts, his value to the club right now isn't much better then Andrews or Spann, either of whom could match Blue's on-field performance the past couple years, and certainly exceeded it last season on Special Teams alone. I'm hopeful for him, but from a team depth perspective, signing his tender is just a start.

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MoLewisrocks

I checked the CBA quickly and couldn't find any language about guarantees to RFA's. In fact they characterize the contract as the same in all other respects as his previous contract. Franchise tags and since the new CBA transition tags are guaranteed once signed. RFA's can have their tender withdrawn prior to June 15th yet remain the property of the team if it is replaced immediately with a tender offer of 110% of the prior years salary, so once the RFA signing period ends - unless you are a superstar who believes he'd make millions if he can shoot his way out of town - that would be the incentive to sign your tender absent a long term deal.

So I believe if he doesn't make the team, he gets bupkiss, but if he does having signed his tender he gets $1.3M instead of potentially $467K

sieglo

When he's healthy, Gay is a considerable upgrade over Andrews or Spann.