What do you think happens to Dillion?

[Fantasic4x50x54x59x55]

Voice your opinion!

Do we take the cap hit? let him go? If he goes, do we stick with our guns or draft, sign his replacement..

I'd hate to see him go, Really, but I just dont see them breaking from their trend..

I hope i am wrong.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I say he retires or gets cut. Although he had 12-13 td's, he is slow as hell. There is not much left in the tank. It's Maroney's time now and the Pats should sign his replacement or draft him.

 

[notex]

restructure...take less of a cap hit - we have too many other needs i dont think we should cut him this year

 

[SoonerPatriot]

It wouldn't bother me to see Dillon back at a greatly reduced cap hit. Taking his agent at his word, it doesn't sound as though that's going to happen at least as of now. Things do have a way of changing, however. This we do know, he's not worth 4.4 million.

I'd like to see BB go after a RB iat some point in the draft regardless. That is more appealing than bringing a FA in to replace Dillon IMO.

 

[Seymour93]

It wouldn't bother me to see Dillon back at a greatly reduced cap hit. Taking his agent at his word, it doesn't sound as though that's going to happen at least as of now. Things do have a way of changing, however. This we do know, he's not worth 4.4 million.

I'd like to see BB go after a RB iat some point in the draft regardless. That is more appealing than bringing a FA in to replace Dillon IMO.

I think he'll renegotiate because nobody else in this league, at this point in his career, will pay him $4.4 mil. Dillon wants to come back according to a paysite (via BelichickFan).

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showpost.php?p=323205&postcount=6

Draft-niks: Does anyone think Brian Leonard could be groomed as a Dillon replacement? I know Kolby Smith from Louisville has a body and running style similar to Dillon's but Smith didn't produce the numbers in college.

 

[unoriginal]

I don't think he'll renegotiate. There's no reason to, not with how our cap is right now. The Pats will pay him the money, bring him to camp along with some other backs, and there will be competition.

I say the locks are Evans, Maroney, and Faulk. Pass and Mills are in there, not to be forgotten. There will be some rookie free agents, perhaps a Patrick Cobbs type. And one or two shot-in-the-dark free agent running backs, maybe a day two draft choice if he's BPA. If Evans, Maroney, Faulk, Pass and Mills made it over Dillon I woundn't kill myself.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

I don't think he'll renegotiate. There's no reason to, not with how our cap is right now. The Pats will pay him the money, bring him to camp along with some other backs, and there will be competition.

I say the locks are Evans, Maroney, and Faulk. Pass and Mills are in there, not to be forgotten. There will be some rookie free agents, perhaps a Patrick Cobbs type. And one or two shot-in-the-dark free agent running backs, maybe a day two draft choice if he's BPA. If Evans, Maroney, Faulk, Pass and Mills made it over Dillon I woundn't kill myself.

Mills is not a RB. Never has been. He went to my high school and played TE all through HS and all through college. He's more of an H-back type like Dallas Clark who doesn't run the ball either.

Pass could be back, but I think probably not.

I suspect BB will try to get a feel for what Dillon is thinking about as far as money as we get into March and FA begins. This would allow them to look at someone in FA and later on, in the draft depending on Dillon's stance.

Seymour is right though. The chips are mostly in the Patriots hands. No other team will pay him anything approaching 4.4 million. Also consider that according to Reiss, he was in on about 25 percent of the offensive snaps the last half of the season. No way BB pays a guy $4.4 million to play 25 percent of the offensive snaps.

 

[unoriginal]

I appreciate that's you're paying attention Sooner, but Mills has to go SOMEWHERE if he makes the roster. I don't think BB puts him at tight end - he likes classic tight ends too much - so he gets put in with the fullback group, which is the other half of the hybrid back geneology.

In the preseason they had Mills primarily coming out of the backfield, usually as a c.ocked fullback, but more often as an I-form fullback than as either a c.ocked wingback or an weak-side tight end. That tells me he's running with the running back pack when camp comes around again.

I would not be shocked! if they renegotiated Dillon, you are right, he's not worth 4.4 million. But there's a good chance they just leave him alone. Its likely his last year and we're not up against the cap, and unless we're planning on throwing silly money around in FA or sliding many other players some sizable bonuses, there's no reason for the front office to perpetuate the "Pats are cheap" mantra that circulates out there in the Land of the Uninformed, such as player agent offices.

 

[FilPats]

I sincerely hope that Corey and the FO come to a restructuring agreement that is cap-friendly and that Corey assumes the Bettis role with the Pats. There is still mileage in his tank. Go Pats:rocker:

 

[SoonerPatriot]

I appreciate that's you're paying attention Sooner, but Mills has to go SOMEWHERE if he makes the roster. I don't think BB puts him at tight end - he likes classic tight ends too much - so he gets put in with the fullback group, which is the other half of the hybrid back geneology.

In the preseason they had Mills primarily coming out of the backfield, usually as a c.ocked fullback, but more often as an I-form fullback than as either a c.ocked wingback or an weak-side tight end. That tells me he's running with the running back pack when camp comes around again.

I would not be shocked! if they renegotiated Dillon, you are right, he's not worth 4.4 million. But there's a good chance they just leave him alone. Its likely his last year and we're not up against the cap, and unless we're planning on throwing silly money around in FA or sliding many other players some sizable bonuses, there's no reason for the front office to perpetuate the "Pats are cheap" mantra that circulates out there in the Land of the Uninformed, such as player agent offices.

I think you have a point with the personnel groupings as far as Mills goes.

I disagree that BB will simply "leave Dillon alone". Nothing about BBs history here suggests he willfully wastes money. Sure, he misses on some guys like Donald Hayes, but this is different than knowingly paying a player more than his value.

In this case, I would say Dillon is worth no more than $2 or 2.5 million. Some might consider even that figure too generous. Leaving Dillon alone essentially wastes about 2 or 2.5 million of cap space. This is especially true when you look at the percentage of snaps in the 2nd half of the season. That's enough money to sign another player who could possibly have more value than Dillon moving forward. This is especially true considering there are cheaper FA alternatives, and even better, draft picks with youth and upside.

I don't think BB cares what espn and their band of talking heads thinks about him in regard to spending. I don't think he spends a lot of time wondering if he's going to win any man of the year awards with agents. He's already been tagged with that rep. Anything short of trading for someone like Chad Johnson and then signing him to a $100 million dollar deal won't change that (incorrect) perception.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think he'll renegotiate because nobody else in this league, at this point in his career, will pay him $4.4 mil. Dillon wants to come back according to a paysite (via BelichickFan).

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showpost.php?p=323205&postcount=6

Draft-niks: Does anyone think Brian Leonard could be groomed as a Dillon replacement? I know Kolby Smith from Louisville has a body and running style similar to Dillon's but Smith didn't produce the numbers in college.

$4.4M is his projected cap hit, not what we will pay him. He is due $2.5M in salary and then there is the matter of his $3M option bonus that was due in 2006 but he agreed to postpone until MARCH 2007. If they can make the option bonus go away again, or redo it as 3 roster bonuses, he is still affordable when you consider that's what we pay Faulk as a third down back and that Maroney is inexpensive for 3-4 more years. I could see paying him $2.5-3.5M in 2007, but not $5.5M irrespective of cap room.

Problem is it appears if we cut him or he retires, we only save $900K (and take another dead cap hit in 2008) and we don't have a legitimate short yardage pile driver (whom I assume would cost more than $900K to secure because you generally can't bank on a rookie to be legit for 19 weeks). And absent the option bonus money he may decide that while he isn't necessarily worth it, it also isn't worth it for him to go through what it entails at his age and in obviously deteriorating condition to try to gear up for one more (of what for him are becoming increasingly difficult) season.

Something wasn't right with him again this season, and it wasn't just saving him for later by design by splitting carries with the rookie. Don't know if it was a specific injury or simply inability to maintain condition/stamina as a result of aging. There were long stretches in games where he was simply MIA, only to return much later and be briefly effective before heading to the bench again. It was truly bizarre.

I think he can be Bettis, and I think the money is not an overwhelming concern given the cap space we likely won't be able to spend again this season. But Bettis was running for a ring, and Corey already has his. He is on the fringes of a HOF career though and maybe passing another HOF'er or two and adding a ring will make it all more enticing to him once he decompresses. He told reporters off the record after the game "I'm done", but that could have been emotion talking. I know the guys from PFW seem to think he is done one way or the other, but for all their access their insight isn't any more reliable than my magic 8 ball. The media doesn't like him, but BB and his teamates seem to. He wore the black practice jersey a couple of times this season, which is the other thing that doesn't jive with his inconsistent availability and performance over the course of the season.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

$4.4M is his projected cap hit, not what we will pay him. He is due $2.5M in salary and then there is the matter of his $3M option bonus that was due in 2006 but he agreed to postpone until MARCH 2007. If they can make the option bonus go away again, or redo it as 3 roster bonuses, he is still affordable when you consider that's what we pay Faulk as a third down back and that Maroney is inexpensive for 3-4 more years. I could see paying him $2.5-3.5M in 2007, but not $5.5M irrespective of cap room.

Problem is it appears if we cut him or he retires, we only save $900K (and take another dead cap hit in 2008) and we don't have a legitimate short yardage pile driver (whom I assume would cost more than $900K to secure because you generally can't bank on a rookie to be legit for 19 weeks). And absent the option bonus money he may decide that while he isn't necessarily worth it, it also isn't worth it for him to go through what it entails at his age and in obviously deteriorating condition to try to gear up for one more (of what for him are becoming increasingly difficult) season.

Something wasn't right with him again this season, and it wasn't just saving him for later by design by splitting carries with the rookie. Don't know if it was a specific injury or simply inability to maintain condition/stamina as a result of aging. There were long stretches in games where he was simply MIA, only to return much later and be briefly effective before heading to the bench again. It was truly bizarre.

I think he can be Bettis, and I think the money is not an overwhelming concern given the cap space we likely won't be able to spend again this season. But Bettis was running for a ring, and Corey already has his. He is on the fringes of a HOF career though and maybe passing another HOF'er or two and adding a ring will make it all more enticing to him once he decompresses. He told reporters off the record after the game "I'm done", but that could have been emotion talking. I know the guys from PFW seem to think he is done one way or the other, but for all their access their insight isn't any more reliable than my magic 8 ball. The media doesn't like him, but BB and his teamates seem to. He wore the black practice jersey a couple of times this season, which is the other thing that doesn't jive with his inconsistent availability and performance over the course of the season.

This sort of changes my perception a little bit as far as his salary goes. I don't pretend to know much about the inner workings of the cap. Math makes me dizzy.

I saw the same things you saw in Dillon this year. IMO, he's breaking down physically. He's lost a step. There's no consistent burst like he had in 2004. He was never a burner, but the burst is intermittent at best.

He'd be good in a Bettis/Zack Crocket kind of role. I don't want to see a continuation of the splitting carries thing next year. I think it's time to see if Maroney can handle a 20-25 carry load himself over a 16 game season.

 

[DarrylS]

What we do know is that the Pats, according to Jonathan Kraft, spent over the salary cap.. so there was a lot of tweaking of salaries in the past couple of months. Could Dillon have been one of the players who'se salary was prorated and thus has less of a hit in '07. The Pats do not advertise everything they do in the news.

 

[pats1]

I appreciate that's you're paying attention Sooner, but Mills has to go SOMEWHERE if he makes the roster. I don't think BB puts him at tight end - he likes classic tight ends too much - so he gets put in with the fullback group, which is the other half of the hybrid back geneology.

In the preseason they had Mills primarily coming out of the backfield, usually as a c.ocked fullback, but more often as an I-form fullback than as either a c.ocked wingback or an weak-side tight end. That tells me he's running with the running back pack when camp comes around again.

I would not be shocked! if they renegotiated Dillon, you are right, he's not worth 4.4 million. But there's a good chance they just leave him alone. Its likely his last year and we're not up against the cap, and unless we're planning on throwing silly money around in FA or sliding many other players some sizable bonuses, there's no reason for the front office to perpetuate the "Pats are cheap" mantra that circulates out there in the Land of the Uninformed, such as player agent offices.

He was used as a slot WR and blocking FB in the Atlanta game this year.

In no way does Mills affect Dillon's status for 2007.

 

[The_Dragon]

Voice your opinion!

Do we take the cap hit? let him go? If he goes, do we stick with our guns or draft, sign his replacement..

I'd hate to see him go, Really, but I just dont see them breaking from their trend..

I hope i am wrong.

I'm not sure on the cap hit but I think Dillon showed enough this year to stay around for another season. Plus no-one else has shown a consistent ability to punch the ball in on the goal-line yet. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats drafted another RB somewhere either.

 

[Michigan Dave]

I agree with the consensus here. Restructure for a lower cap hit, keep him around. While he's significantly slower, he still broke some big runs which is more than Maroney did at the end of the season. I see next year, Maroney as the man, being able to weather the 16 game season, and breaking out as a top back. Corey can provide the goalline punch, as well as be an able guy to spell Maroney.

 

[Alk]

I don't really see the need to draft another RB if Dillon is sent packing. We spent a first round pick on Maroney, at some point he needs to become an every down back and I think with his size he is more than capable of that. We still have Faulk so really all we should need to do is sign some journeyman RB to spell Maroney every now and then. Another thing to look out for if you are hell bent on bringing in a power back is Greg Jones from Jacksonville. I don't know what his contract status is but with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, that is a very crowded house.

 

[satz]

I think he will stay.He took a contract where they paid him low amout for 3 yrs and then a spike for the next 3.So i believe they will pay him for yeat atleast before talking to him.
he had a little above 800 yards and carried the full load when maroney went down.why send him packing for 900k and then getting a rookie or some FA for 3M to do his job?.

 

[spacecrime]

there's no reason for the front office to perpetuate the "Pats are cheap" mantra that circulates out there in the Land of the Uninformed, such as player agent offices.

The only ones who care about the 'Pats are cheap mantra' are fans. The front office doesn't care what the media/fans say. Don't look for the Pats to spend money to avoid perpetuating a fan/media misconception.

I'm not sure what the big deal with the 25% of snaps is. half the time, we go without any back at all, and Dillion is splitting time with Maroney. Doesn't that work out to 25% of the snaps? I for one do not want to go back to having only one feature back who gets all the snaps. I'd rather pay for two feature backs and have tehem split time unless one gets hurt. Maybe Dillon isn't worth $4.4 mil to play 25% of the snaps, but he is worth that to be the 25-carry back if Maroney gets hurt.

If BB thinks he should have a quality backup RB, he will have to pay quality RB money (~$4-5 mil) rather than RB JAG (~1-2 mil) money. If Maroney gets hurt, the money will be well spent. If Maroney doesn't get hurt, it means we will have had both Maroney AND Dillon the whole year and then who cares if we spent $3 mil? If he does get hurt, and we have a JAG being our feature back for a couple weeks or more, that $3 mil would be looking like we should have spent it.

 

[iguide]

I don't think he'll renegotiate. There's no reason to, not with how our cap is right now. The Pats will pay him the money, bring him to camp along with some other backs, and there will be competition.

I say the locks are Evans, Maroney, and Faulk. Pass and Mills are in there, not to be forgotten. There will be some rookie free agents, perhaps a Patrick Cobbs type. And one or two shot-in-the-dark free agent running backs, maybe a day two draft choice if he's BPA. If Evans, Maroney, Faulk, Pass and Mills made it over Dillon I woundn't kill myself.

I respectfully disagree. For only 25% of the snaps and the cap hit the cost efficient thing to do is renegotiate his contract to one this is in line with his production for next year maybe &the year after.

Once again I disagree. While Maroney & Faulk are "locks" I think Evans will be signed for the value placed on him. He stated that he is not greedy and likes it here. Pass on the other hand while being an adequate special teams player is not someone I would have on my team. Any one who drops the ball while grabbing for his ham string and being injury prone is not worth the money he is paid here. I think BB does not bring him back or if he does cuts him in training camp. In addition up to the time Patrick Cobbs was signed by Miami I saw him as a possible replacement for Faulk down the line. He has that kind of diverseness about his play. Depending on what happens with him he may just show up back here some day. Ofcourse this all opinion and can be completly wrong.