stinkypete
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2004
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Alot of fans, I think of all teams, are looking at the 2010 offseason with a lot of uncertainty because under the current CBA the league will go uncapped for the year. I've seen on this board some posters already looking at next offseason like a potential disaster with so many free agents.
One detail I don't think anyone has noticed, and it was mentioned in PFT today, is that during the uncapped year, only players with 5 years service will be granted unrestricted free agency. Look at the Patriots major free agents after next year:
Faulk (vet)
Gostkowski (4 years service)
Green (vet/possible cut)
Hobbs (5 years service)
Kaczur (5 years service)
Mankins (5 years service)
Neal (vet)
Seymour (vet)
Vrabel (vet)
Watson (6 years service)
Wilfork (6 years service)
Most of the young names on that list won't be eligible for unrestricted free agency. Does this mean restricted free agency for them instead? Either way, under the current CBA, it looks like the young core of the team will be able to be kept intact for another offseason.
If this is true, then I think that the assertion that this offseason will be dedicated to locking up younger players long term is incorrect. Wilfork being the one exception, but I can see even his contract being allowed to run out. That extra couple of million in cap space could go a long way in 2009, and he will be franchised next year if an extension isn't worked out.
One detail I don't think anyone has noticed, and it was mentioned in PFT today, is that during the uncapped year, only players with 5 years service will be granted unrestricted free agency. Look at the Patriots major free agents after next year:
Faulk (vet)
Gostkowski (4 years service)
Green (vet/possible cut)
Hobbs (5 years service)
Kaczur (5 years service)
Mankins (5 years service)
Neal (vet)
Seymour (vet)
Vrabel (vet)
Watson (6 years service)
Wilfork (6 years service)
Most of the young names on that list won't be eligible for unrestricted free agency. Does this mean restricted free agency for them instead? Either way, under the current CBA, it looks like the young core of the team will be able to be kept intact for another offseason.
If this is true, then I think that the assertion that this offseason will be dedicated to locking up younger players long term is incorrect. Wilfork being the one exception, but I can see even his contract being allowed to run out. That extra couple of million in cap space could go a long way in 2009, and he will be franchised next year if an extension isn't worked out.