Matt Light to retire?

[Sciz]

The Pats seem to like Wendell, too. I don't think it'd be crazy to enter the season with the current offensive linemen plus either Koppen or Connolly and minus Light.

OT: Solder, Vollmer, Cannon
OG: Mankins, Waters Wendell
OC: Connolly/Koppen, Wendell, McDonald

 

[JackBauer]

The Pats seem to like Wendell, too. I don't think it'd be crazy to enter the season with the current offensive linemen plus either Koppen or Connolly and minus Light.

OT: Solder, Vollmer, Cannon
OG: Mankins, Waters Wendell
OC: Connolly/Koppen, Wendell, McDonald

That is some crappy depth. Expect a draft pick or two to offset the loss(es).

 

[Ivan]

The Pats seem to like Wendell, too. I don't think it'd be crazy to enter the season with the current offensive linemen plus either Koppen or Connolly and minus Light.

OT: Solder, Vollmer, Cannon
OG: Mankins, Waters Wendell
OC: Connolly/Koppen, Wendell, McDonald

I would definitely want a 4th OT to go with that, 3 isn't enough.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

It could be a negotiating ploy to offset probable Patriots requests for a pay cut. I doubt he'd walk away from his last $3.5 million assuming no health concerns. $3.5 M buys a LOT of ammo for skeet shooting. Then again after taxes it's under $2M take home. A pittance.

 

[Gronkandez]

It could be a negotiating ploy to offset probable Patriots requests for a pay cut. I doubt he'd walk away from his last $3.5 million assuming no health concerns. $3.5 M buys a LOT of ammo for skeet shooting. Then again after taxes it's under $2M take home. A pittance.

I don't see why people think he would need to take a paycut. $3.5M is dirt cheap for a quality LT. Last year he made $7M (including his $1M signing bonus). If anything he may not want to play for $3.5M.

 

[signbabybrady]

One thing the Herald article tells us is that this team isn't set at guard, after all.

I never thought they were set at guard.

When I saw Cannon playing Tackle this year I pretty much figured he would be a tackle going forward which means that all we have at guard of any worth is Mankins and Waters (who could retire as well).

I think we are better off with Light at LT but we are well equipped for his inevitable departure with Solder, Vollmer, and Cannon. I might bring in a vet if Light retires to add depth.

C is a big question mark as both current starters are FA.

Depending on who returns interior line is either a need or one of the biggest needs.

 

[stcjones]

Not "set" but in good shape overall as Waters will most likely be back and Connolly can play OG if Koppen returns, as well as Cannon being available if needed. They have decisions and signings coming but they should be fine on the whole.

Do we really need Koppen? He's getting long in the tooth and connelly replaced him beautifully last year. Doubt he is back...

 

[DaBruinz]

One thing the Herald article tells us is that this team isn't set at guard, after all.

I don't think that is the case at all. On the contrary. All of it is speculation by Rappaport. And, Rappaport has been wrong as much as he's been right.

I think that the Pats won't know for certain what's going to happen until after free agency has started and until Light and Waters have made anything official.

Only then will the Pats know, for certain. Of course, they are going to ask the 2 for as much consideration as they can so the team can prepare.

Everyone knew the Pats were going to be looking at a center in the draft. Adding a guard wouldn't be that big of a jump, though there are several JAGs out there in free agency.

BTW, here is the actual Rotoworld link and the Herald link:
Report: LT Matt Light considering retirement - Rotoworld.com

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Rap Sheet» Blog Archive » Looking toward the future… Marcus Cannon to be considered an offensive tackle

 

[satz]

Sometimes that is how it works, but at the end of the day, Light had a fantastic year and shows little sign of decline.

Even if all the OT's are healthy in camp next year, none can beat out Light for the starting job.

I remember those keep casell and trade brady thread ....bah!

 

[malenurse2010]

Why would the Pats only save 3.5 mil on the cap if he retires. His cap number is 8 million according to jetscap; I don't remember teams receiving dead money on the cap when players retired before, is this something new with the new CBA?

 

[Gronkandez]

Why would the Pats only save 3.5 mil on the cap if he retires. His cap number is 8 million according to jetscap; I don't remember teams receiving dead money on the cap when players retired before, is this something new with the new CBA?

According to an earlier post his salary is $3.5M next year. $8M may have been his cap hit in 2011, though I thought it was $6.5M.

 

[Snake Eyes]

I like Senio Kelemete as a mid round pick to beef up the Interior O-line. I also wonder if there are any TE conversion candidates that can be groomed, we need outstanding blockers but horrible pass catchers)

 

[Sciz]

Why would the Pats only save 3.5 mil on the cap if he retires. His cap number is 8 million according to jetscap; I don't remember teams receiving dead money on the cap when players retired before, is this something new with the new CBA?

They've got a random $1.5M "other bonus" that shouldn't be there from what we know right now. And dead money does count when a player retires. Otherwise there'd be a big loophole where you can pay a player more without it counting against the cap as long as they retire.

 

[Kicking_Game]

I think we should all question this report. It seems nothing but more lame reporting/speculation on Rappaport's part, and I think Light is back next year at his bargain level contract.

 

[jmt57]

Why would the Pats only save 3.5 mil on the cap if he retires. His cap number is 8 million according to jetscap; I don't remember teams receiving dead money on the cap when players retired before, is this something new with the new CBA?

Think of it this way; there are three different cap numbers in a given year: (a) a player's total cap figure; (b) the cap hit if that player is cut; and (c) the cap savings if that player is cut. The total cap figure equals the cap hit if cut, plus the cap savings if cut, or a=b+c if you will.

I'm finding two sets of numbers out there. The first is from Miguel's cap page, which is based on information that Mike Reiss reported in espn. It was written that Light received a $6m signing bonus, $1m base salary in 2011, $3.4m base salary in 2012, and a $100k workout bonus in 2012.

That works out to a 2012 cap number of $6.5 million: ($3m pro-rated signing bonus, + $3.4m salary, + $.1m workout bonus). If he is cut there would still be the pro-rated signing bonus to account for, so there would be a cap hit of $3 million. If he is cut there is a cap savings of $3.5 million ($3.4m salary + $.1m workout bonus). Total cap figure of (a) $6.5m = cap hit of (b) $3m + cap savings of (c) $3.5m.

Ian Rapoport's numbers in today's Herald are a bit higher, saying he was paid $8 million in 2011, not $7 million. But when you click on the link in today's article, the Aug 1 2011 article also says $7 million. Perhaps there was also a $1 million bonus if the Pats won the AFC? Unfortunately the source of information that Rapoport and Guregian based there information on (an AP story at Sport Illustrated) is no longer available. Regardless, it shouldn't affect the three 2012 cap figures outlined above.

 

[Urgent]

I'm finding two sets of numbers out there. The first is from Miguel's cap page, which is based on information that Mike Reiss reported in espn. It was written that Light received a $6m signing bonus, $1m base salary in 2011, $3.4m base salary in 2012, and a $100k workout bonus in 2012.

The entire Reiss quote is relevant:

August 11, 2011 update ESPN.Com's Mike Reiss blogged that "Matt Light -- As previously reported by the Associated Press, the veteran left tackle has a two-year, $12 million pact. It includes a $6 million signing bonus, $1 million base salary in 2011; $3.4 million base salary in 2012 and a $100,000 workout bonus in 2012."

That's like saying: I have five appendages, including two arms and two legs. Something is left unsaid.

Reiss says $12mm, including $6mm + $1mm + $3.4mm + $0.1mm. That's $10.5mm. There's another $1.5mm unsaid. Roster bonus, something.

 

[jmt57]

I think we should all question this report. It seems nothing but more lame reporting/speculation on Rappaport's part, and I think Light is back next year at his bargain level contract.

I have to agree. Re-reading the three reasons Rapoport listed it is strictly speculation and mind-reading. To his credit he did say "no one has said it, and nothing is certain", yet on the other hand he also says that he would be surprised if Light is back next year.

Rapoport's theory is based on (a) the Pats not wanting to impede the progress of Solder, and (b) Cannon will be the backup tackle of the future - even if Waters does not return.

He also speculates that Belichick told Light he would be back for only one year because Light declined to specifically answer questions about what Belichick has told him his role might be in 2012, and because Light didn't want to talk after losing the Super Bowl. Sorry, but to me that's an awfully big assumption that could very easily (if not most likely) be incorrect.

In my opinion Belichick will let the offseason and training camp work itself out to determine who plays. Since when does BB decide in February who will play in September? Belichick has said things like 'pedigree doesn't matter' and 'nobody's on scholarship here'; given that we know that is his mind set why would we believe that he has not only handed Solder the starting job, but he has also handed Cannon the primary backup roster slot as well?

As for Cannon, if you have a player that is as talented as we are led to believe he is, why would he be groomed to be a career backup? Solder is only 23 and Vollmer is 27, which means if they are your starters you are planning on them being your starters for a long time. I think it may be premature to assume Cannon will be a tackle and not a guard.

There's no such thing as too much depth on either the offensive or defensive line. Injuries are a reality and have a way of making what appears to be an excess one day look like a woefully thin area the next day. Bring them all into camp and make a decision at the end of training camp based on what gives the team the best chance to win.

– When Light signed in 2011, it was a two-year deal. But considering it included $8 million paid last year and just $3.6 million non-guaranted in 2012, it was more like a one-year deal. Doubtful that Light is the starting left tackle for just $3.4 million after playing for more than that every year since 2006.

– The Patriots haven’t said anything about Light’s future, but I have been told that, internally, they are planning for rookie Nate Solder to be their left tackle. That’s no surprise. It would be a surprise if that was not the case. Solder was their first-rounder in 2011 and had a really solid rookie year. With Sebastian Vollmer back, and Light having no history as a right tackle, that leaves him as the odd man out… unless they decide to go three tight ends all year.

– Light has not answered questions about his future. The 11-year veteran will be 34 next season, but he did not talk with reporters after Super Bowl XVLI. He left all this unanswered. Last year after the Jets game, he said he would return. This time? Nothing.

– Coach Bill Belichick said after Light signed that, “We worked it out.” Asked what agreement the two reached, Light said “Bill has always been straightforward. He kind of says it like it is and doesn’t hold anything back. I know what his expectations are of me and vice versa, so we’re all good.” When asked specifically whether that meant just for one year, Light wouldn’t say. Instead, he talked about transcendental meditation.

– Light played well this year. Very well. Surprisingly well. Would that mean he could be back for another season? Maybe. But it may hurt the development of Solder. The Patriots always invest in the future, but they couldn’t start 2011 with a rookie who hasn’t gone through the offseason. That’s why they paid $8 million for Light. What about this time? Light played well, but he may just go out on top.

 

[jmt57]

The entire Reiss quote is relevant:

August 11, 2011 update ESPN.Com's Mike Reiss blogged that "Matt Light -- As previously reported by the Associated Press, the veteran left tackle has a two-year, $12 million pact. It includes a $6 million signing bonus, $1 million base salary in 2011; $3.4 million base salary in 2012 and a $100,000 workout bonus in 2012."​

That's like saying: I have five appendages, including two arms and two legs. Something is left unsaid.

Reiss says $12mm, including $6mm + $1mm + $3.4mm + $0.1mm. That's $10.5mm. There's another $1.5mm unsaid. Roster bonus, something.

Good catch, I completely missed that. The Herald/SI/AP number jumps from his being paid $7 million to $8 million in 2011; so I'll guess $1 million of that missing $1.5 million was already paid this past year, and $500k can be tacked on to Light's 2012 numbers. If that is the case then his 2012 figures should be:

• $7 million cap figure
• $3 million cap hit if cut
• $4 million cap savings if cut

 

[Gronkandez]

In my opinion Belichick will let the offseason and training camp work itself out to determine who plays. Since when does BB decide in February who will play in September? Belichick has said things like 'pedigree doesn't matter' and 'nobody's on scholarship here'; given that we know that is his mind set why would we believe that he has not only handed Solder the starting job, but he has also handed Cannon the primary backup roster slot as well?

As for Cannon, if you have a player that is as talented as we are led to believe he is, why would he be groomed to be a career backup? Solder is only 23 and Vollmer is 27, which means if they are your starters you are planning on them being your starters for a long time. I think it may be premature to assume Cannon will be a tackle and not a guard.

I agree with your theories, but on the other hand it doesn't make sense to me that you would draft a guy #17 overall so he can be a backup (plus spot ST and TE duties) for two years. If he doesn't show the talent or effort to be good, then yes, replace him with an UDFA but I don't think that's the case.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

My impression was he's a Road Grader (ie big and strong but not that nimble) and that he has relatively short arms. I could be wrong though.

Doesn't he have 34inch arms?