VOODOOZF

If I understand the Patriots situation correctly they are $22 million under the cap at the moment. This is before they either sign Wes Welker to a long term deal or tag him which would be roughly $9 million on the cap. They could also decide to let him go, but I think it is far more likely that they bring him back in some fashion.

Assuming they tag or sign Welker that would leave them roughly $13-$15 million under the cap before and draft choices are signed. The Patriots also have several other players they would like to re-sign and a couple of high priced vet's like Ochocinco who they will most likely part ways with.

With the money that is left over will the Patriots realistically have the financial ammunition to go after the 2 or 3 impact players they need?

As great as it would be to see the Pat's pick up a defensive stud or two like Mario Williams, Brandon Carr or Cliff Avril to go along side with a wr to stretch the field like Brandon Lloyd I don't think (unless they shift money around) they can be major players in the f/a market.

So my question to someone who undestands the cap far better than I do is can the Patriots make a splash in the f/a market?

In my humble opinion the Pat's are right there. If I were them I would make every attempt to sign the impact players we need while Tom Brady's window is still open.

Smokeeye123

Yes, if they really wanted to they could go all out this year. I don't think they are going to resign a lot of people that were on the books this year..Ocho, gone, Shaun Ellis, gone, BJGE, (imo) Gone. That's like 10 Million right there. Also, teams can spend the amount they were under the cap last year towards this years cap, so they could use an addition 6 Million if they wanted.

Realistically, I see the Pats franchising Welker, and signing Lloyd. They could also make a run at Reggie Wayne or even Marques Colston but I don't see that happening. Our recieving core will probably be Welker, Lloyd, Branch, and someone from this years draft class, probably in the 2nd round.

I'd much rather them sign a big free agent at he DE/DL/SF position. People talk about spending huge money on CB, but I think with Ras-i-Dowling coming back healthy and Arrington playing decently, we could be solid enough there already.

PATRIOTSFANINPA

They can but they probably won't - The usual Belichick way is to take care of the players currently ON THE TEAM and make sure they remain here if they accept the offer,then you have rookies to sign and the rest of the cap goes to 30+ year old players released from other teams who are on decline but come at a reasonable price.

Unless you count 2007 ... its pretty much been that way,This team is not a normally spending crazy team,more of mid pack.

Every year here we talk about this player and that player who are tops among FAs but NE doesn't think they are worth it.

Despite us fans getting pissed about not grabbing (insert BIG FA here) - we continue to make the playoffs and win 10 or more games so if the team hasn't been downtrodden what makes some think things will go opposite directions?.

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Deus Irae

Don't forget that they could also restructure some current deals to free up extra space.

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Smokeeye123

If BB really wanted to he could.

However I still think they will be buyers in the offseason...Maybe not Mario Williams level buyers, but they should pick up a solid free agent or two. I think the Pats will get a FA receiver and a FA safety.

VOODOOZF

I generally agree with coach Belichick that big name free agents aren't the best way to go, but being that the Patriots are so close and Tom Brady at best has three years left of elite performance I think I would change strategy and go for at least on big time f/a on defense.

Don_the_patfan

Don't be shocked if they are thinking extension for our TE's .One of our TE will get early extension probably Gronk

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VrabelJr

The only way we can make a splash in FA is if Welker takes a team favorable deal, we cut Ocho, and trade one of our 1sts.

Palm Beach Pats Fan

It's going to be all about value.

If you expect them to score big by being the highest bidder on a big name free agent attracting attention from a lot of teams, like perhaps Mario Williams, I think you will be disappointed.

I'd expect we will look at good but not great players available at a fair price, or even players perhaps open to taking slightly less or an incentives-based deal to enter a winning situation from a losing situation.

Guys that might get a kneejerk reaction of "who?" on this forum when they sign.

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Keyser Söze

We need an impact player like Mario Williams on this defense. Go get him BB.

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