If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap...

[upstater1]

I would pay back the fans and insure that BB and Brady went out with a bang by unloading a bank on the following players:

Brady
Wilfork
Moss
Mankins
Welker
Bodden

I would sign each player to big 1st year balloon contracts with either roster bonuses (i.e. money that would all count for that year's non-cap) or easy incentives.

So, let's say Brady is worth $15 million a year (or more) average over the next 4 years. I would balloon the first year's payment so that his cap hit in the succeeding years would only be $10 million. That means $30 million in the first year for Brady.

For Wilfork and Moss (both semi-reliable players but you don't have the certitude with them that you do with Brady) I'd scale the big bonus down a bit. Let's say they are both worth $8 million a year each over the next few seasons (3 year contract for Moss, and 4 year for Wilfork). I would pay Wilfork $14 million in the first year with the subsequent years at $6 million, and Moss would get $12 million with the subsequent 2 years at $6 million.

Welker gets a big raise too and Mankins as well, but I can't project what their numbers should be. I'd like to see Bodden stick around for 2 or 3 more years.

In total, by doing these contracts next year, you'd shear off about $35 millio from future cap hits, which would make other signings more affordable.

So, I'd need to dip into my bank for $35 million to get a leg up on the rest of the league.

Meanwhile, that maniac in Washington will be signing a slew of free agents using this method.

 

[Rossmci90]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

IIRC a rule in a non capped year states that a salary can be no more than 30% higher/lower than the succeeding year.

 

[upstater1]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

IIRC a rule in a non capped year states that a salary can be no more than 30% higher/lower than the succeeding year.

It's only 30% higher, there are no rules for lower.

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

IIRC a rule in a non capped year states that a salary can be no more than 30% higher/lower than the succeeding year.

Party pooper.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

If 2010 is uncapped, most of all the good free agents will be restricted. It's not worth it.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

IIRC a rule in a non capped year states that a salary can be no more than 30% higher/lower than the succeeding year.

I think that applies to the capped years .

 

[khayos]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

I think you'd see some teams noticeably tank their payrolls, like Jacksonville or Buffalo. They're limited by the salary floor now and what the players don't seem to think will happen would be akin to baseball where the big market teams have all the cash to throw at championships and have 6 - 7x higher payroll but only the same number of spots than the small market teams.

 

[upstater1]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

If 2010 is uncapped, most of all the good free agents will be restricted. It's not worth it.

These are our own players.

 

[Jimke]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

Bob Kraft will do what is fiscally responsible for his team. This

is why he is a millionaire and you are not.

 

[upstater1]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

Bob Kraft will do what is fiscally responsible for his team. This

is why he is a millionaire and you are not.

Screw that, I'm the owner.

Who the hell is Bob Kraft?

I never heard of him.

As for my finances, don't worry about me. I shorted all the banks that were selling credit default swaps. I'm doing OK. I can afford $35 million (which, when you think about it, is not all wasted money since some of those Patriots' free agents like Brady and Moss are going to cost me big anyway).

 

[micronin127]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

I would start by getting an offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator with a strong preference for Charlie Weis and **** Jauron. Coaching staff is one area that doesn't count against the cap and the team should simply assemble the best staff possible.

I would sign Wilfork, if possible, and franchise him if he won't come to terms.

I would re-up Brady.

I would let Randy Moss play out his contract year. I would be interested in resigning him if he puts up the numbers next year, but can't see the rush to lock him up right now like I see with Brady.

I would try to sign Stephen Gostkowski long term, but certainly offer him the highest tender possible as a 5th year RFA.

Ditto for Logan Mankins.

I would look to sign physical players on the defensive front 7 and would target Casey Hampton and Julius Peppers. If you get Hampton, you can slide Wilfork out to DE like they did against Miami. Peppers would play 3-4 OLB like McGinest used to play and let him line up on either side. Franchise and trade options might be available with players like Darnell Dockett.

I would upgrade the offensive line as best you can and that might mean letting players go who are only slightly above average like Koppen and Neal.

I would try to resign Leigh Bodden as he is at minimum a #2 CB. Darius Butler is at minimum a #2 CB as well though he is a superior nickel corner. Still seeking a #1 CB with some height who can match up with Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall.

I would trade for Brandon Marshall if he is available for a #1 pick. I would trade for Anquan Boldin if he is available for a #2 pick. Strong preference for Marshall. It would really open things up for everyone, especially Moss.

I would resign Maroney, but would also get him some help by pursuing a fullback. Are there any Sam Gash/Kevin Turner players available as free agents or in the draft. I would also look to draft a RB.

There will be players available, like Ogunleye, from Chicago. But these guys might have seen their best days already.

I just don't want to feel like we are a soft team anymore. They will need some physical players especially on the defensive front, but also on the offensive line, to really control the line of scrimmage.

 

[Jimke]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

Screw that, I'm the owner.

Who the hell is Bob Kraft?

I never heard of him.

As for my finances, don't worry about me. I shorted all the banks that were selling credit default swaps. I'm doing OK. I can afford $35 million (which, when you think about it, is not all wasted money since some of those Patriots' free agents like Brady and Moss are going to cost me big anyway).

Incidentally, I do think you are correct.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

I would try to sign Stephen Gostkowski long term, but certainly offer him the highest tender possible as a 5th year RFA.

Ditto for Logan Mankins.

Agreed. Even a second-rounder might not sway McDaniels and/or Jones from trying to get their paws on the Ghost.

I would look to sign physical players on the defensive front 7 and would target Casey Hampton and Julius Peppers. If you get Hampton, you can slide Wilfork out to DE like they did against Miami. Peppers would play 3-4 OLB like McGinest used to play and let him line up on either side. Franchise and trade options might be available with players like Darnell Dockett.

I would upgrade the offensive line as best you can and that might mean letting players go who are only slightly above average like Koppen and Neal.

I'm sure we'll see some action on the line, but no massive overhauls.

I would trade for Brandon Marshall if he is available for a #1 pick. I would trade for Anquan Boldin if he is available for a #2 pick. Strong preference for Marshall. It would really open things up for everyone, especially Moss.

The Pats probably have a better chance of landing TO than making either of those trades.

I would resign Maroney, but would also get him some help by pursuing a fullback. Are there any Sam Gash/Kevin Turner players available as free agents or in the draft. I would also look to draft a RB.

Maroney's still under contract in 2010.

 

[upstater1]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

I would start by getting an offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator with a strong preference for Charlie Weis and **** Jauron. Coaching staff is one area that doesn't count against the cap and the team should simply assemble the best staff possible.

I would sign Wilfork, if possible, and franchise him if he won't come to terms.

I would re-up Brady.

I would let Randy Moss play out his contract year. I would be interested in resigning him if he puts up the numbers next year, but can't see the rush to lock him up right now like I see with Brady.

I would try to sign Stephen Gostkowski long term, but certainly offer him the highest tender possible as a 5th year RFA.

Ditto for Logan Mankins.

I would look to sign physical players on the defensive front 7 and would target Casey Hampton and Julius Peppers. If you get Hampton, you can slide Wilfork out to DE like they did against Miami. Peppers would play 3-4 OLB like McGinest used to play and let him line up on either side. Franchise and trade options might be available with players like Darnell Dockett.

I would upgrade the offensive line as best you can and that might mean letting players go who are only slightly above average like Koppen and Neal.

I would try to resign Leigh Bodden as he is at minimum a #2 CB. Darius Butler is at minimum a #2 CB as well though he is a superior nickel corner. Still seeking a #1 CB with some height who can match up with Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall.

I would trade for Brandon Marshall if he is available for a #1 pick. I would trade for Anquan Boldin if he is available for a #2 pick. Strong preference for Marshall. It would really open things up for everyone, especially Moss.

I would resign Maroney, but would also get him some help by pursuing a fullback. Are there any Sam Gash/Kevin Turner players available as free agents or in the draft. I would also look to draft a RB.

There will be players available, like Ogunleye, from Chicago. But these guys might have seen their best days already.

I just don't want to feel like we are a soft team anymore. They will need some physical players especially on the defensive front, but also on the offensive line, to really control the line of scrimmage.

If we finish in the top 8, a lot of those free agent dreams go up in smoke.

 

[12to81]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

Bob Kraft will do what is fiscally responsible for his team. This

is why he is a millionaire and you are not.

Don't be such a douche and have some fun, man. Remember football is a game.

 

[micronin127]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

I thought that the FA restrictions in an uncapped year only applied to the top 4....

Uncapped years would actually limit free agency

Excerpt from Pat Kirwan's article linked above.

They are: 1) free agency will require six years of service (instead of four years in 2010 and five years in 2011); 2) teams will have three tags to use to restrict free agents instead of one tag, as they do now; and 3) teams that go deep in the playoffs could have some spending restrictions.

Top 4 has more restrictions than top 8, so I see your point as to limiting the signing of several free agents, but they might be able to bring in 1 or 2. I also think that if a team will trade with us that we have the ammunition to do that too with a 1st and 3 2nds. We gave up our 3rd for Burgess.

 

[Boots Electric]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

(All of this is assuming next year is uncapped)

Hard to see what we can do. Peppers will be pricey. I'll say that right now. There are a couple of interesting linebackers in the Draft. Brandon Spikes and Rolando McClain (if he decides to enter). Also, Shawne Merriman and Derrick Johnson are interesting choices at the linebacker position in this coming free agency. Aaron Kampman as well is very interesting.

As far as getting free agent WRs in 2010, the most the Patriots can aspire to is Kevin Walter of the Texans. Maybe Malcolm Floyd (doubtful though seeing as they cut Chambers to use Floyd). The Broncos will not let Marshall go, the Chargers will not let Jackson go, and the Cowboys will not let Austin go. Jordan Shipley and Golden Tate are also interesting choices to add to a young WR core with Tate, Edelman, and the developing Stanback and veteran guys like Moss and Welker. Julio Jones in 2011!

Maroney is here to stay but what happens to Morris and Taylor? I think Morris will be gone. Taylor is still a question mark. Chester Taylor is a free agent. A good RB who can catch out of the backfield. Problem is that who knows if A.) Minnesota will want to keep him or B.) Because of his past success, he will want to go somewhere where he is the main attraction.

Now, as far as a CB goes. Well, there are some options. One is Marlin Jackson. Him and Bethea are FAs and I doubt they will chose Jackson over Bethea. Dunta Robinson and Carlos Rogers are other FA corners but there is a possibility of getting Al Harris. If next year is uncapped, he might be released given the better play of their other DBs and they have a youth movement going on there. Or the Patriots could trade a 2nd round draft pick (acquired from Jacksonville or Tennessee) for Harris. His injury this year is worrisome, but he is a veteran player and a great CB.

 

[mb6592]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

I would pay back the fans and insure that BB and Brady went out with a bang by unloading a bank on the following players:

Brady
Wilfork
Moss
Mankins
Welker
Bodden

I would sign each player to big 1st year balloon contracts with either roster bonuses (i.e. money that would all count for that year's non-cap) or easy incentives.

So, let's say Brady is worth $15 million a year (or more) average over the next 4 years. I would balloon the first year's payment so that his cap hit in the succeeding years would only be $10 million. That means $30 million in the first year for Brady.

For Wilfork and Moss (both semi-reliable players but you don't have the certitude with them that you do with Brady) I'd scale the big bonus down a bit. Let's say they are both worth $8 million a year each over the next few seasons (3 year contract for Moss, and 4 year for Wilfork). I would pay Wilfork $14 million in the first year with the subsequent years at $6 million, and Moss would get $12 million with the subsequent 2 years at $6 million.

Welker gets a big raise too and Mankins as well, but I can't project what their numbers should be. I'd like to see Bodden stick around for 2 or 3 more years.

In total, by doing these contracts next year, you'd shear off about $35 millio from future cap hits, which would make other signings more affordable.

So, I'd need to dip into my bank for $35 million to get a leg up on the rest of the league.

Meanwhile, that maniac in Washington will be signing a slew of free agents using this method.

This team is the anywhere from the 4th-8th best team in the league with all those players right now. How exactly are you ensuring that BB and Brady go out with a bang by signing them?

 

[upstater1]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

This team is the anywhere from the 4th-8th best team in the league with all those players right now. How exactly are you ensuring that BB and Brady go out with a bang by signing them?

Because of the salary cap relief.

In other words, this gives you a ton of flexibility each year, if you compare the avg. cost of the contract to the actual cost, it allows you to pay for two extra Pro Bowl-level players that you would not be able to afford otherwise.

 

[Brarrell]

Re: If I were the Patriots' owner (ha, ha) and we went into next season with no cap..

This team is the anywhere from the 4th-8th best team in the league with all those players right now. How exactly are you ensuring that BB and Brady go out with a bang by signing them?

you're waisting your breath the Krafts will not spend any bonus money "their money", as far as I'm concerned not signing Asante and trading Seymour for a pick two years from now because there will be a new CBA confirmed everything I suspected about the Krafts. Make no mistake they give BB a budget every year including bonus money to be spent the reason they love BB is because he has brought them 3 titles and the system is predicated on being able to let go players who have played themselves into big contracts and replace with draft picks. This worked early in the dynasty like the trade of Tbucky Jones but now it's evening out the drafts haven't been that good lately and once again they have been exposed trading 1st round picks for 2nd round picks why so they don't have to pay bonus money. How else can you explain trading Cassel for a 2nd round pick when you could have gotten a 1st and 3rd from Tampa or Denver and to boot threw in Vraibel. I drank the kool-aid for a long time but I have taken a step back and started looking at this since the Branch debacle.