Gasper: Pats won't pick up Washington's option, but want him back [merged] - New England Patriots Forums

BradyManny · 02-13-2008, 08:32 AM

Per Reiss:

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal.../reiss_pieces/

Cap repercussions? Based on Miguels page, looks like he was about a 1.8 mill hit for next year. I believe his deal was structured in such a way that we could decline his option and not have to pay the remaining signing bonus, correct?

JDSal45 · 02-13-2008, 08:47 AM

I believe his cap number will be zero. The option was not picked up, so his deal is essentially zero after 2007. In fact, I believe the Pats will receive a CREDIT of $800,000 because they were charged a pro-rated portion of the bonus in 2007 they are now not picking up.

J D Sal

BradyManny · 02-13-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDSal45

I believe his cap number will be zero. The option was not picked up, so his deal is essentially zero after 2007. In fact, I believe the Pats will receive a CREDIT of $800,000 because they were charged a pro-rated portion of the bonus in 2007 they are now not picking up.

J D Sal

Alright, thanks for the input.

On that same line of thinking - I'm guessing Stallworth's deal has similar repercussions if and when he is cut?

DefenseRules · 02-13-2008, 09:00 AM

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal.../reiss_pieces/

Quote:

K. Washington update
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff
February 13, 2008 09:00 AM

The Patriots have informed WR Kelley Washington that they don't plan to pick up his $4 million option bonus but are interested in him returning with a reworked deal, an NFL source told the Boston Globe's Christopher L. Gasper.

If the sides don't reach a reworked deal, Washington, a top special teams performer, will become an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29.

When Washington signed with the Patriots on March 13, 2007, the key part of the contract was a $4 million option bonus that the team had to decide on paying before the 2008 league year started (Feb. 29).

If the Patriots picked up the bonus, Washington's contract would extend through 2011. If the Patriots did not pick up the bonus, Washington would become a free agent.

While he did not catch a pass and played in only 37 offensive snaps this season due to the depth and health of others at the position, Washington seemed to enjoy playing for the Patriots after spending the first four years of his career with the Bengals. That would seemingly give the team an edge in re-signing him to a new deal.

I just heard this reported on WEEI also.

KevinFaulk-33 · 02-13-2008, 09:02 AM

Do Stallworth have the same contract? I remember that the option is in Stallowrth's contract also.

dhamz · 02-13-2008, 09:16 AM

No suprise there.

I'd expect Washington to test the free agent market with an eye on a team where he can actually play WR.

Depending on how our extremely uncertain WR position plays out, that may even be back here.

***BelichickFan*** · 02-13-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFaulk-33

Do Stallworth have the same contract? I remember that the option is in Stallowrth's contract also.

Yeah, Stallworth has a (bigger) option also. There's basically no way it'll be picked up IMO as Gaffney was playing more than him at the end of last season.

***Rob0729*** · 02-13-2008, 09:24 AM

According to Miguel's cap page, he has $860k left of prorated signing bonus and his cap # is scheduled for $1.77 million (assuming after bonus). So, we should get about $900k back in cap space.

Washington is worth getting a Larry Izzo type of deal or a little bit higher because of his age, but he didn't see the field as a WR this year and cannot be paid much more than the minimum.

SeanBruschi54 · 02-13-2008, 09:25 AM

Maybe this coming season they can offer him playing time too. I think if they want him strictly as a ST's player then he will leave. JMO.

***BelichickFan*** · 02-13-2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob0729

According to Miguel's cap page, he has $860k left of prorated signing bonus and his cap # is scheduled for $1.77 million (assuming after bonus). So, we should get about $900k back in cap space.

His entire signing bonus was $300K :

http://www.patscap.com/capfootnotes.html#washington

The proration is complicated by the team option - the cap repercussions I don't understand - but I'm confident he doesn't actually have $860K of proration left when the option is officially not picked up.