If BB pays big for a top FA, who do you prefer?

[goheels22002]

These options suck..Cortland Finnegan?

Finnegan is an odd choice for this list, but the notion of getting a FA defensive back is not. Finnegan is being cut loose by Tennessee and has a Pro Bowl appearance. The guy seems like a hot head, although at age 28 maybe he's matured. There's a downside to pretty much every DB on the FA list - it gives perspective to how hard it is to acquire good DBs in the draft or through free agency.

 

[Gronkandez]

What would it take to sign Super Mario, 6 yrs/ $110M? Don't bash me I'm just guessing and am too lazy to look it up in other threads. It may be on the high side but he's on the open market, everyone is overpaid when they're in a bidding war. If they five him $36M in bonus that would be spread on the cap as $6M/year. Give him salaries of $3M, $5M, $14M, $15M, $17M, $20M.

They could take the $9M cap this year then the big cap hits would hit after the new TV deal.
Is that doable? I don't think anyone would argue his talent, his versatily or that he would fill a huge need.

 

[PATSNUTme]

to get Wallace you would have to give up a #1 and then pay the guy a ton of $. There many Z WR's in this years draft. Will any be almost as good as Wallace, I don't know and no one else does.

so I'd put the money on Williams.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Already 66 votes and no one has picked Finnegan. There must be a troll convention going on somewhere.

 

[Whorod]

to get Wallace you would have to give up a #1 and then pay the guy a ton of $. There many Z WR's in this years draft. Will any be almost as good as Wallace, I don't know and no one else does.

so I'd put the money on Williams.

WR has been a crapshoot for this team in the draft. Wallace is a top, known, commodity on your primary competition in the AFC. You essentially use a low first, pay much more than low first money, but get an elite speed WR that has proven he is a game changer in the NFL.

 

[Christopher Patriot]

First and foremost is the elephant sign Mario Williams, draft Nick Perry at with a slight move up to about 17, trade the 31st pick for Wallace, Sign Lloyd to a reasonable 3 year contract, trade Wes Welker for a second in next years draft and third this year, somehow draft Brian Quick in the second, i'd be a very happy man.

 

[sevengables_2207]

Mario and it is not even close. He is a top player in his prime playing a premium position. These are the types of players you pay for... especially considering the way the game of football is played in today's NFL.

 

[Deus Irae]

Wallace
Finnegan
Jackson
Williams

 

[jmt57]

What would it take to sign Super Mario, 6 yrs/ $110M? Don't bash me I'm just guessing and am too lazy to look it up in other threads. It may be on the high side but he's on the open market, everyone is overpaid when they're in a bidding war. If they five him $36M in bonus that would be spread on the cap as $6M/year. Give him salaries of $3M, $5M, $14M, $15M, $17M, $20M.

They could take the $9M cap this year then the big cap hits would hit after the new TV deal.
Is that doable? I don't think anyone would argue his talent, his versatily or that he would fill a huge need.

There was a rule in the old CBA that salaries could not increase more than 30% from one year to the next; if I am not mistaken that is still in effect - though you might be able to get around that by writing it as a roster bonus or something similar.

The other thing to consider is whether or not he and his agent would go for such a back-loaded contract; it makes a player such as him a target to be cut if an injury should occur.

 

[Buchanty]

Mario Williams by a country mile. This would bring better balance to the top salaries across Offense and Defense but more importantly it would force opposing offenses to double team Williams freeing up cover on Spikes, Anderson and Ninkovitch in particular. Of course we have to re-sign Anderson, who seems best in situational plays. But Williams would be an major difference maker and his signing would also take some pressure off our secondary. I am concerned that the lack of good safeties in the draft and the fact that the best FA's are already tagged getting any upgrade to the secondary other than Dowling's return is not going to be significant (and like others I am not high on Finnegan). It almost makes getting Williams critical, though I have to be realistic and realize that economics will be the determining factor and that the price may be too high.

On the offensive side the WR the O needs most must:
1) be value for money (12/83/70 take most of the pot)
2) be someone to stretch the field (speed/deep threat/height)
3) is a reliable route runner (including reading D and running option routes)
4) have great hands
5) be able to adopt the Patriot Way (ie good locker room material - team oriented)

I have stated my preferences in a previous post

a) Wayne - fits 3, 4 and 5; probable 2; questionable 1
b) Meachem - fits 1,2 and probable 3, 4, 5
c) Jackson - fits 2, 3, 4; questionable 5; and out on 1
d) Wallace - fits 2, 3; probable 4; questionable 5; and out on 1

Though once I apply my admittedly subjective analysis Meachem seems the best choice.

 

[DarrylS]

This seems to be a moot point, and is not the Patriot way.. but with that being said never know.

 

[Gronkandez]

There was a rule in the old CBA that salaries could not increase more than 30% from one year to the next; if I am not mistaken that is still in effect - though you might be able to get around that by writing it as a roster bonus or something similar.

The other thing to consider is whether or not he and his agent would go for such a back-loaded contract; it makes a player such as him a target to be cut if an injury should occur.

It's not really backloaded since he would get $36M the day he signs the contract. That should satisfy him for the first two years.

FWIW someone asked Bedard if 6ys/$95M was a good offer and he indicated that it wasn't enough, so in his opinion my projection was pretty close.

Chat with Greg Bedard at noon - Extra Points - Boston.com


I thought 30% increase thing only related to the uncapped year.