Now what?

[slash83]

Now that we got the extra pick and have an extra 15 million to spend what's the pats next move?

Use the aquired picks and make a move for peppers?

Up the offer for Leigh bodden, and even bring in springs?

Extend big vince?

I'm excited to see the pats next move I no there's more to come.

 

[mayoclinic]

Things I would like to see (in no particular order):

- Plug holes in the secondary: sign one CB (preferably Lee Bodden) and at least on S (preferably Sean Jones).
- Go after Peppers with one or more of our picks - #23, or #34 and 89, for example.
- Extend Wilfork.
- Add WR depth (least priority) behind Moss and Welker.

Otherwise we're in phenomenal shape. I've posted a mock offseason/draft with some of these thoughts under the draft page.

 

[VOODOOZF]

- With Vrabel gone the Patriots must add another impact lb as well as quality depth at the position. The more I think about letting Vrabel go the more I am left scratching my head.

- They need another cb who can step in and make an immediate difference.

- They need a safety. What is Rodney's status? Even if he comes back they need an upgrade for the long run.

- They need to pick up a 3rd wr. This seems to be the easiest to acquire.

* Maybe most importantly they need to start looking at guys like Wilfolk, Seymour and Mankins whose contracts are up at the end of next season.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

Now that we got the extra pick and have an extra 15 million to spend what's the pats next move?

Use the aquired picks and make a move for peppers?

Up the offer for Leigh bodden, and even bring in springs?

Extend big vince?

I'm excited to see the pats next move I no there's more to come.

Regardless-the Pats will be in the thick of things this year. FA is overrated to begin with.

BTW-who predicted the Steelers to win last year's Super Bowl with a supposedly poopie OL? And not to mention too they lost more players than they gained.

 

[jmt57]

Things I would like to see (in no particular order):

- Plug holes in the secondary: sign one CB (preferably Lee Bodden) and at least on S (preferably Sean Jones).
- Go after Peppers with one or more of our picks - #23, or #34 and 89, for example.
- Extend Wilfork.
- Add WR depth (least priority) behind Moss and Welker.

Otherwise we're in phenomenal shape. I've posted a mock offseason/draft with some of these thoughts under the draft page.

I like all those, but I have a feeling peppers will cost more than he's worth. I'd say signing a CB and extending Wilfork are probably top priorities now.

 

[satz]

Pepper will want a contract close to haynesworth and i think once you do that wilfork will want something similar.

i do not see how you can offer 2 100 million contract no matter the cap.

 

[mgteich]

NOW WHAT?
-----------
1) Re-sign a few of our own free agents. We have already lost two. My initial list consists of Evans, Lew Sanders, Hochstein and Hanson.

2) Re-sign James Sanders. I really think that this is doable and would help the team.

3) See if we can re-sign Wright.

4) Sign a mid-level corner.

5) Sign a mid-level wide receiver.

6) Continue discussions of potential trades, presumably for a LB and a WR.

7) Take a breath and move on to Week Two of free agency.
=============================

 

[JSn]

Pepper will want a contract close to haynesworth and i think once you do that wilfork will want something similar.

i do not see how you can offer 2 100 million contract no matter the cap.

We have to extend Vince first. If he wants too much money, he's gone. We all know that.

As for Peppers, he's dictated his own market by limiting his trade options to four teams and wanting to switch positions. He can't even get close to Haynesworth money. That deal is like the D. Hall deal. Most GM's will ignore any agents who cite those deals. They happened, yes, but they won't become common, especially after Haynesworth busts (compared to the level of the deal).

 

[Free_Pacman]

I like all those, but I have a feeling peppers will cost more than he's worth. I'd say signing a CB and extending Wilfork are probably top priorities now.

I don't know about that. Peppers says he only wants to got to four teams- one in the AFC. Carolina probably won't want to send him intra-conference so there seems to be one other major trading partner-us.

Also, I think its pretty clear after today that with the looming threat of an uncapped year, no teams are going to give up much for a franchised player.

 

[upstater1]

We have to extend Vince first. If he wants too much money, he's gone. We all know that.

As for Peppers, he's dictated his own market by limiting his trade options to four teams and wanting to switch positions. He can't even get close to Haynesworth money. That deal is like the D. Hall deal. Most GM's will ignore any agents who cite those deals. They happened, yes, but they won't become common, especially after Haynesworth busts (compared to the level of the deal).

I don't see the point at all in extending Vince.

If next year is an uncapped year, you will have handcuffed yourself by extending your own guys prematurely.

Think of this, you can set yourself up for a 5 year Super Bowl run if you sign people in their FA years NEXT year. The teams that make the playoffs WILL NOT be able to go after FAs from other teams. They will sign their own.

Let's just assume that Wilfork is worthy of a $10 million average a year contract (that number is arbitrary, I picked it because it's a round number). Furthermore, let's assume he's looking for say 4 years at $10 million per, and a $20 million signing bonus.

Now, in an uncapped year, you can structure it like so: $15 million in salary for 1st year. $5 million in signing bonus. Then, in future years (assuming they are capped) a $ 5 million roster bonus at the start of year 2. Effectively, that's $25 million before he begins year 2. You only have to pay him $15 million for the last 3 years of the contract. In those capped years, he will only count for $5.5 million the first year, $6.5 million the second, $7.5 million the last year. That's cheap i the average is $10 million a year. Why? Because you took a $20 million hit in the first year when there was no cap. If the Patriots do this with Seymour, Gostkowski and Mankins, loading up the boat for these players, shelling out $75 million for their FAs in that first year, they can set themselves up for an incredible Super Bowl run.

Here's the best part. The fact that so many of our best players' contracts are expiring next year tells me that the Patriots have already been planning for this day for a good while.

 

[mgteich]

????????????????
Wilfork can be franchised for at least two years. He would be well worth the money. I agree that we should extend him if we can. The team is already in talks with him, but the deal is far from essential.

If you want to consider extensions, consider: Mankins, Hobbs, Seymour and Green. And while you're at it add Light, Faulk and Kaczur. I think that Hobbs and Seymour are likely to be the most difficult, but we would stabilize the future by extending any of the players named.

We have to extend Vince first. If he wants too much money, he's gone. We all know that.

 

[JSn]

Wilfork can be franchised for at least two years.

I hadn't considered that. I stand corrected.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Think of this, you can set yourself up for a 5 year Super Bowl run if you sign people in their FA years NEXT year. The teams that make the playoffs WILL NOT be able to go after FAs from other teams. They will sign their own.

That's not quite correct. The limitations on FA signings apply only to the final eight teams (i.e., the four teams with byes and the four winners from the Wild Card round). Further, the four teams that lose in the Divisional round will have limitations, but not as severe as those that reach the CCs, and even they will be able to sign one FA for each FA they lose.

 

[matt1073]

Bodden and Springs would make me really happy. Actually just Bodden would be great too.

 

[mcsully]

Things I would like to see (in no particular order):

- Plug holes in the secondary: sign one CB (preferably Lee Bodden) and at least on S (preferably Sean Jones).
- Go after Peppers with one or more of our picks - #23, or #34 and 89, for example.
- Extend Wilfork.
- Add WR depth (least priority) behind Moss and Welker.

Otherwise we're in phenomenal shape. I've posted a mock offseason/draft with some of these thoughts under the draft page.

1. trading for a player that is 30 years old and has never played the system is crazy.. no matter how talented he is, its not worth the risk..

2. I agree sign Wilfork and Bodden and Sean Jones.. At this point we need to address the defense bad.. We just lost a key part of it!

 

[Wevegotmossyouaintgotoss]

I don't see the point at all in extending Vince.

If next year is an uncapped year, you will have handcuffed yourself by extending your own guys prematurely.

Think of this, you can set yourself up for a 5 year Super Bowl run if you sign people in their FA years NEXT year. The teams that make the playoffs WILL NOT be able to go after FAs from other teams. They will sign their own.

Let's just assume that Wilfork is worthy of a $10 million average a year contract (that number is arbitrary, I picked it because it's a round number). Furthermore, let's assume he's looking for say 4 years at $10 million per, and a $20 million signing bonus.

Now, in an uncapped year, you can structure it like so: $15 million in salary for 1st year. $5 million in signing bonus. Then, in future years (assuming they are capped) a $ 5 million roster bonus at the start of year 2. Effectively, that's $25 million before he begins year 2. You only have to pay him $15 million for the last 3 years of the contract. In those capped years, he will only count for $5.5 million the first year, $6.5 million the second, $7.5 million the last year. That's cheap i the average is $10 million a year. Why? Because you took a $20 million hit in the first year when there was no cap. If the Patriots do this with Seymour, Gostkowski and Mankins, loading up the boat for these players, shelling out $75 million for their FAs in that first year, they can set themselves up for an incredible Super Bowl run.

Here's the best part. The fact that so many of our best players' contracts are expiring next year tells me that the Patriots have already been planning for this day for a good while.

Hmmmm surely the uncapped year is occuring as a one off, because if it became uncapped for good youd see yankee(scum) esque buying power.

Ben

 

[Ochmed Jones]

????????????????
Wilfork can be franchised for at least two years. He would be well worth the money. I agree that we should extend him if we can. The team is already in talks with him, but the deal is far from essential.

If you want to consider extensions, consider: Mankins, Hobbs, Seymour and Green. And while you're at it add Light, Faulk and Kaczur. I think that Hobbs and Seymour are likely to be the most difficult, but we would stabilize the future by extending any of the players named.

We have to extend Vince first. If he wants too much money, he's gone. We all know that.

Really just how many of our 2009 FA does BB want to retain? I would hope Mankins, Light and Kazcur are resigned. On defense I am hopeful about Hobbs and Green, but now we are talking about a ton of money if we add Seymour and Wilfork.

 

[upstater1]

Hmmmm surely the uncapped year is occuring as a one off, because if it became uncapped for good youd see yankee(scum) esque buying power.

Ben

Yes, that's what I'm saying. We take a huge salary hit in the first year and then give puny salaries the other years. Only bonuses get spread on the life of the contract. Salaries get counted in the year they are paid. Just give a guy a high salary in an uncapped year, and you have effectively circumvented the salary cap--legally.

 

[mgteich]

OFFENSE (not so hard)
MANKINS We agree that we should try to extend.
LIGHT We agree that we should try to extend.
KACZUR We agree that we should try to extend.
Even with all three extensions, we would still probably need a guard to replace Neal.
FAULK You didn't mention Faulk. I would think that an extension is in order.
WATSON No!
THOMAS No!
NEAL No!

DEFENSE (much harder)
WILFORK We can try (we are committed to paying him in any case: we'd franchise him)
SEYMOUR We can try, but I think it unlikely.
GREEN I would, but his value depends on whether we re-sign Wright or draft a top DE)
HOBBS I would think that he would want to wait for possible free agency.

===========================================================
Really just how many of our 2009 FA does BB want to retain? I would hope Mankins, Light and Kazcur are resigned. On defense I am hopeful about Hobbs and Green, but now we are talking about a ton of money if we add Seymour and Wilfork.[/QUOTE]

 

[JSn]

When did people suddenly think we should extend Kaczur? I thought I was the only guy on here that thinks he's a good couple of notches better than serviceable at his position.

Back foul band-wagoners!