HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

You completely missed the point, but that's okay.

MoLewisrocks

No reason to. Smith was already entering year 5 of his 6 year deal and had little or no more guaranteed money due him, just salary which would disappear if he were cut, and he wanted to have another shot at proving in SF he is a starting QB. So he essentially restructured for peanuts in salary on the backend of his deal. I get the sense Gholston is somewhat like JaMarcus in that he doesn't get it but you can't goad or embarass him into getting it either. And both are still owed substantial portions of their guaranteed money, which someone has to pay them even if in salary, so the only way for their teams to get off the hook would be a trade...if anyone wanted to assume the balance of what they're guaranteed...which isn't likely.

If you can't get rid of these guy on the cap, no reason to get rid of them at all unless they cause locker room problems. At worst they become very expensive backups or third stringers you had to pay anyway...at best they show some small spark at a time when someone else has a need and you get to unload their contract even conditionally.

Rob0729

First of all, what is this mystique crap? The Pats haven't turned any Vrabels or Bobby Hamiltons in receont years, but they did do a good job with Wes Welker (well, he actually may be the best case of the Pats taking a Joe Smoe and turning him into a superstar), TBC (10 sacks this year), Leigh Bodden, Brandon McGowen (at least for most of the season), Mike Wright, Sebastian Vollmer (everyone had the guy pegged as a sixth round pick), Julian Edelman, and several others. Let's not make it sound like the Pats can't make unremarkable players play above at least their perceived talent level.

Second of all, although I have never been high on Gholston, he does have a lot of raw talent to work with. A change of scenery could do wonders for the guy. Personally, I think the guy is a bust and will always be a bust, but I wouldn't be shocked if after he is cut that he hooks up with another team and becomes a productive player.

I know guys like you like to make Belichick and his staff look like the Keystone Cops, but the fact of the matter is that they still coach up a lot of players. Their problem is more the devoid of savvy veterans who can set the tone for the team like a Bruschi or Harrison, not guy who failed elsewhere and play above their abilities with the Pats.

ausbacker

No I haven't missed any point. Whilst Belichick is coaching and whilst Brady is here, no matter what anyone says there is still the mystique that this team can turn OK players into good players.

The Patriots are smack bang in the middle of a team transition. Perhaps you have missed the point.