John Cryptkeeper Clayton on the Pats pending 3 FA's

[slash83]

Q: Hey John, how long do you think it will take for the Patriots to re-sign Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour and Logan Mankins to extensions? What are other big contract disputes in the NFL right now?

From Jorge in Boston

A: You have to think one of these players will be signed, and I'd put my money on Wilfork getting the first shot. He's too valuable in the 3-4 defense to leave. I don't know if he's going to get a four-year, $32 million deal or if the cost is going to be more, but I think he gets the first nod. Mankins has put himself in position to get a contract worth $6 million to $8 million a year. The Patriots could find other guards, even though they have a difference-making guard in Mankins. I get the feeling the Seymour is third on the list. Something for one of the three needs to be done soon, or the Patriots risk hurting team chemistry.

This was a question he was asked in this weekly mailbag thing he does...

 

[Ian]

Q: Hey John, how long do you think it will take for the Patriots to re-sign Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour and Logan Mankins to extensions? What are other big contract disputes in the NFL right now?

From Jorge in Boston

A: You have to think one of these players will be signed, and I'd put my money on Wilfork getting the first shot. He's too valuable in the 3-4 defense to leave. I don't know if he's going to get a four-year, $32 million deal or if the cost is going to be more, but I think he gets the first nod. Mankins has put himself in position to get a contract worth $6 million to $8 million a year. The Patriots could find other guards, even though they have a difference-making guard in Mankins. I get the feeling the Seymour is third on the list. Something for one of the three needs to be done soon, or the Patriots risk hurting team chemistry.

This was a question he was asked in this weekly mailbag thing he does...

I think Wilfork is probably the priority, although I'd like to see a deal also done with Mankins. As for Seymour, I have my doubts. I just think it's a numbers game and I have a feeling his demands may out price what they feel that position is ultimately worth. Not to mention that and I believe someone is going to throw a lot of money at him after the season. We'll have to let it play it out and see what happens.

 

[jmt57]

Something for one of the three needs to be done soon, or the Patriots risk hurting team chemistry.

Follow-up questions for Mr. Clayton:

• You do realize there is this thing called a salary cap in the NFL, correct?
• Exactly how does extending one player but not extending two others improve team chemistry?
• Many veterans have left the team this past decade; can you remind us which ones hurt the team's chemistry by not being re-signed?

 

[Joker]

Many veterans have left the team this past decade; can you remind us which ones hurt the team's chemistry by not being re-signed?

maybe Sherman can climb in the Wayback Machine with Mr. Peabody and fetch us the answer

 

[Krugman]

That one cracked me up,Joker...hilarious..

 

[WhiZa]

Has anyone honestly seen this guy in studio or out on the field? I mean it's like they keep this guy in the basement and whenever they need to feed everyone some fodder they turn on the cameras and throw him a baby ruth.

 

[Kontradiction]

Has anyone honestly seen this guy in studio or out on the field? I mean it's like they keep this guy in the basement and whenever they need to feed everyone some fodder they turn on the cameras and throw him a baby ruth.

No, I haven't seen him on the field. If I did, I would probably get the strong urge to punch him in the face.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Clayton is professionally wrong. It's his job to be as wrong as possible as often as possible, I think.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Follow-up questions for Mr. Clayton:
can you remind us which ones hurt the team's chemistry by not being re-signed?

ummm, well, there was Monty Beisel. Afterall, when he took his hot wife away from practices it mustve hurt morale

 

[Kontradiction]

Clayton is professionally wrong. It's his job to be as wrong as possible as often as possible, I think.

His parents (two earthworms) were wrong for bringing him into this world.

 

[Deus Irae]

Follow-up questions for Mr. Clayton:

• You do realize there is this thing called a salary cap in the NFL, correct?

John Clayton: Yes, of course I do. Fitting your best players in under the cap is what the good teams find a way to do.

• Exactly how does extending one player but not extending two others improve team chemistry?

John Clayton: Signing even one is a start, and it shoes the team that you're willing to pay the money you need to in order to keep your best players. Plus, it makes another player happy and gives the unsigned players hope that they'll be taken care of next.

• Many veterans have left the team this past decade; can you remind us which ones hurt the team's chemistry by not being re-signed?

Well, the situations with Lawyer Milloy and Deion Branch come immediately to mind, although not directly on point, and the failure to re-sign Daniel Graham might have been a fatal blow to that 2007 team's efforts to go unbeaten. Sometimes you just have to pay your players the money.




Hope that helps

 

[BradyFTW!]

His parents (two earthworms) were wrong for bringing him into this world.

his dad was an earthworm. His mom was a potato.

 

[Clonamery]

John Clayton: Yes, of course I do. Fitting your best players in under the cap is what the good teams find a way to do.




John Clayton: Signing even one is a start, and it shoes the team that you're willing to pay the money you need to in order to keep your best players. Plus, it makes another player happy and gives the unsigned players hope that they'll be taken care of next.



Well, the situations with Lawyer Milloy and Deion Branch come immediately to mind, although not directly on point, and the failure to re-sign Daniel Graham might have been a fatal blow to that 2007 team's efforts to go unbeaten. Sometimes you just have to pay your players the money.




Hope that helps

You should have his job because he couldn't have answered those questions.

 

[Kontradiction]

his dad was an earthworm. His mom was a potato.

Touche' then.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

His parents (two earthworms) were wrong for bringing him into this world.

He looks more like tweety bird to me, but earthworms will do.

 

[TealSox]

How can Clayton answer the question without going into some serious depth? First of all, who is most expensive to put a franchise tag on. Seymour would probably be the most expensive considering how much Tommy Kelly and Will Smith are getting paid. Mankins would probably be around the same when you see how much Travelle Wharton and Chris Snee make. And Wilfork, who I thought would be most expansive, maybe be the cheapest.

Second, which player is most easily replaced by either a player on the roster, draft or free agency. With Brace on the roster and a year to learn the position, Wilfork looks like he could be replaced by mid-season if needed. Then you look at next years draft and it seems like there are about 4-5 would could fit the nosetackle position, unlike the 3-4 in this last draft. Mankins has been a mauler, but I think he is replaceable unlike Seymour, who is one of few that can play his position and play it at an elite level.

Lastly, is there long term value. Seymour is a veteran that has had issues with injuries over the years, but when healthy he is near dominate. Wilfork and Mankins have been healthy and haven't caused the team to delay on their absence.

Extra credit: Any of the three could easily land the Pats a 3rd round comp pick in the following draft.