Make or break year for Chung?

[Joey007]

Here's where I stand on Chung. Chung will be a free agent after the 2012 season. While he has played very well at points he's still yet to play all 16 games in one season. My concern is, if he gets hurt and misses several games again, is he worth being brought back?? I just think that if he wants a contract to stay with the Pats after this year, he's gotta perform well, and keep himself healthy especially since the Patriots will have Gronk/Hernandez's contract situations, and Welkers. It's not that I don't think he's a good player, because I think he is one, but I think it'd be too risky to give him good money if he's too much of a health risk. Thoughts??

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Chung is reported to be asking somewhere between 5-7 million in his next contract.

At that money he is going to not only have to stay healthy for most of this upcoming season but he better show some pro bowl like performances to get that dough.

I think its going to be a long hard decision on the Pats F.O. to re-sign him at that level of cash if Chung has nothing more than an average year.

 

[Joey007]

Chung is reported to be asking somewhere between 5-7 million in his next contract.

At that money he is going to not only have to stay healthy for most of this upcoming season but he better show some pro bowl like performances to get that dough.

I think its going to be a long hard decision on the Pats F.O. to re-sign him at that level of cash if Chung has nothing more than an average year.

The good news for him is he's not in the Bob Sanders category... yet. I'll say this- IF he can stay healthy I think he is a pro bowler. Then again, with Polomalu and Reed still running around (for now, anyways) it's gonna be tough for him to make the pro bowl, so I'll take a pro bowl caliber season.

 

[mayoclinic]

Chung is reported to be asking somewhere between 5-7 million in his next contract.

Do you have a source for that statement?

FWIW, the franchise tag for safeties this year was $6.2M. Dashon Goldson is reportedly seeking something in the range of Eric Weddle's deal - 5 years, $40M with $19M guaranteed. I don't see Chung sniffing that kind of money. But Leigh Bodden money - 4 years @ $22M with $10M guaranteed - would be in the lower end of that ballpark and probably not unreasonable.

Like all other contracts it will come down to the team's assessment of Chung's value and what he is seeking, and whether the two sides can find a middle ground. He's a valuable asset, even given his injury history. But it will eventually come down to a cost/value tradeoff like everything else.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Do you have a source for that statement?

FWIW, the franchise tag for safeties this year was $6.2M. Dashon Goldson is reportedly seeking something in the range of Eric Weddle's deal - 5 years, $40M with $19M guaranteed. I don't see Chung sniffing that kind of money. But Leigh Bodden money - 4 years @ $22M with $10M guaranteed - would be in the lower end of that ballpark and probably not unreasonable.

Like all other contracts it will come down to the team's assessment of Chung's value and what he is seeking, and whether the two sides can find a middle ground. He's a valuable asset, even given his injury history. But it will eventually come down to a cost/value tradeoff like everything else.

I read it somewhere...I believe it was Rotoworld or some other national website...but thats what I read.

 

[everlong]

Contract not a bother for Patrick Chung - BostonHerald.com

One independent industry source projected Chung could be worth $5 million to $7 million per year, though his health will play a major role in that.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Contract not a bother for Patrick Chung - BostonHerald.com

One independent industry source projected Chung could be worth $5 million to $7 million per year, though his health will play a major role in that.

Thanks for the link. There is a big difference in "could be worth" and "will be asking for", as previously posted.

I hope that he has such a great year that he IS worth that.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Thanks for the link. There is a big difference in "could be worth" and "will be asking for", as previously posted.

I hope that he has such a great year that he IS worth that.

He may not have 'asked for that' and 'could be asking for that' but it will likely be somewhere in that neighborhood,I am sure.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Well he needs to start opening his eyes when the ball is in or near a receiver's hand. He likes to close his eyes and goes for the hit first.

 

[Ron Sellers]

Is it really all that different for Chung than the vast majority of players going into the final year of their rookie contract? Couldn't you apply the 'make or break' term to almost every other player in that same situation? It seems to me that is the rule, not the exception.

 

[Guimond3434]

Thanks for the link. There is a big difference in "could be worth" and "will be asking for", as previously posted.

I hope that he has such a great year that he IS worth that.

I agree. Very few safeties are worth that kind of dough. I think 5-7 Million for Chung is steep.

The Patriots are in the drivers seat when it comes to negotiations with him though. He's been injured two straight years, and though solid when he's been in there, he's not played in the "Ed Reed" catagory. Signing him to a long term extension shouldnt be too difficult IMO.

 

[satz]

I agree. Very few safeties are worth that kind of dough. I think 5-7 Million for Chung is steep.

Hate to say this , with the new cap number and 2014 cap floor coming into play . Do you think some team with alot of money will not pay?.

satz

 

[blackglass3]

I hope he does well, obviously. But he's been a disappointment...I thought he'd make a jump last year but I don't recall him being all that special when he did play. Did I miss something?

That's what still chaps my ass about Meriweather. The guy would have flashes of brilliance but then regress, sometimes even during games. One half we'd get a focused missile and one half we'd get a bumbling nitwit. (and then it just all fell apart in his 4th year and he had no business wearing a Pats uniform)

 

[captain stone]

Contract not a bother for Patrick Chung - BostonHerald.com

One independent industry source projected Chung could be worth $5 million to $7 million per year, though his health will play a major role in that.

Does Independent Industry Source = Chung's agent? Because there is no way that he has performed thus far like a $5-7M/yr player in the games where he has actually played. His 4th qtr v. the NYG in Foxborough last year was particularly putrid.
Just because Chung is the best Safety of a bad lot here doesn't mean that he should be paid as one of the best Safeties in the league. To me, it appears that he's become a 3rd Safety talent who can be used in passing situations w/ a superior FS, and in running situatios w/ a superior SS. Kinda like an upper-middle-class man's James Sanders. He therefore should be paid commensurate w/ that talent...unless, of course, he does have the breakout year for which we have been hoping .

 

[supafly]

I was always under the impression that Pat Chung was overrated by many on this board, but his return at the end of last yr did indeed spark a change in the defense much better than I had hoped.

I still think he's overrated a bit, and that he lacks skill in pass coverage, but he is certainly decent in run support, shows quickness, and brings a spark to the defense.

I certainly can understand why some think it's a make or break yr for him, and I agree myself.

His contractual status will probably not be addressed until the late season or end of the year, and they certainly are not going to break the bank for him. He does need to prove his durability and step up his game this year, as he really has not lived up to the hype in my opinion.

I'd like him to stay, but nothing more than about 5 million per.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I don't think Chung will ever play a full season in his career..if he doesn't have one this year...let him walk

 

[MrNathanDrake]

The good news for him is he's not in the Bob Sanders category... yet. I'll say this- IF he can stay healthy I think he is a pro bowler. Then again, with Polomalu and Reed still running around (for now, anyways) it's gonna be tough for him to make the pro bowl, so I'll take a pro bowl caliber season.

If Meriweather can make the Pro Bowl in the AFC, so can Chung.

 

[mb6592]

though solid when he's been in there, he's not played in the "Ed Reed" catagory.

I know you got to be careful around here, less someone hammer you with a stat followed by an admonishment that vintage Reed and Chung, do indeed, live on the same planet. 5-7 million? Better never see this again:

Ballard Catch - YouTube

 

[mgteich]

1. Obviously, this is a make or break year for Chung. He is in the last year of his contract and will be a UFA after the season. Chung's play this year will determine what teams will bid for his services after the 2012 season is complete.

2. Chung has produced reasonably well for us.

3. Chung has been injured a lot.

4. There is no particular reason to believe that the patriots would outbid other teams for Chung, although we obviously need a safety. It is NOT a matter of the patriots to decide to keep him or let him go. It is for Chung to decide which offer to accept.

 

[mayoclinic]

I was always under the impression that Pat Chung was overrated by many on this board, but his return at the end of last yr did indeed spark a change in the defense much better than I had hoped. I still think he's overrated a bit, and that he lacks skill in pass coverage, but he is certainly decent in run support, shows quickness, and brings a spark to the defense.

When Matt Light was interviewed a few weeks ago and discussed the Pats' defense, he singled out Chung along with Mayo and Wilfork as being the "heart and soul of the defense":

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: The Blitz» Blog Archive » Matt Light discusses how Patriots can improve on defense

It's not clear whether that is just Light's personal view, or whether it is reflective of how the organization views Chung. But it does suggest that the Pats may have a different appreciation of what Chung brings than many of the people on this board - just as the organization clearly values Jerod Mayo to a greater extent than most fans. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but if the team shares Matt Light's view that Chung is part of the "heart and soul" of the defense then they may value him more highly than we necessarily would predict.

I was a bit surprised when Devin McCourty was elected a team captain over Chung last year. In retrospect, it may have been too much responsibility too soon for McCourty. I'll be curious to see whether McCourty remains a team captain this year or whether Chung takes over that role. That could be an indicator of how the team views him going into his contract year.