You be the GM

[mgteich]

I would only add that you have drafted a corner.

So we have 'spend' 4 mill of the 15.5 getting to a full roster.
BTW, I neglected TE, but we are all set there, with the exception of a 4th TE that should be a net of next to zero, and special teams is all under contract.

To get here, we are left with these issues

QB- none
RB- none
TE- none
WR- We have Lloyd a draft pick and JAGs
OL- We have Cannon starting and little depth

DL- Pass rush is lacking
LB- cover guy?
CB- Need a #1
S- If McCourty stays, we drafted a S to add to the mix of Wilson and Gregory for the #2 and #3.

We have 11.5 mill to spend.

 

[Ring 6]

I would only add that you have drafted a corner.

Corner, safety and WR. But since I don't know which comes first, and we should have no goal less than winning the SB, I'm planning on none of them needing to be key this season, even though they could represent upgrades.

 

[mgteich]

A) I do not neglect TE. I expect to tender Hooman and cut either Hooman or Fells in camp. Net cost = zero.

B) You basic position is that our secondary will be awful without adding another ten million through extensions of Brady and/or Wilfork. Of course, this is the preferred solution.

C) I agree that we need game day backups for both the interior of the OL and at OT. It might cost a million more than what you have, but that's close enough.

D) So with another ten million of cap money (in addition to the Mankins restructure), we can have a free agent DE, CB, S and Welker. Without the Brady restructure, you choose the DE and Welker (and make the presumption that he would sign for that amount) and move McCourty to corner. As a review, you draft a safety, a corner and a wide receiver.

E) OK, I accept that with ten million of additional funds, we would not need to make ANY of the tough choices. After all, even if Welker doesn't sign, the alternative is to sign someone at the same cap level.

F) FOR ME, if I had to choose 2 of the 4, I would sign a corner and a wide receiver. What you have shown (or close) is that we can afford Talib AND Welker or their substitutes. I would then draft a DL instead of a corner.

CB: Talib (or sub), Dennard, Arrington (or sub), Cole (or sub), Dowling
S: McCourty, Wilson, Gregory, draftee
WR: Welker (or sub), Lloyd, Edelman (or sub), draftee, JAG
DL: draftee instead of free agent

S
This makes it clear to me that we need to redo Bradys deal and possibly Wilforks. I've seen reports that we could free up as much as 10mill that way, so it will be plenty to handle the secondary, and leave cushion for any cap hits I may have underestimated.

WITHOUT redoing Brady and maybe Wilfork:
We must move McCourty to corner and have a lineup of:
CB- McCourty, Dennard, rookie, Dowling
S- Gregory, Wilson, rookie

If we do the restucture(s) we can afford to sign the best corner on the market, to go:
CB1, Dennard, Rookie, Dowling
McCourty, Gregory, Wilson, rookie

or the best S on the market flipping CB1 and Mccourty.

If its actually 10 mill, we may be able to afford BOTH giving us
FA CB, McCourty, Dennard, Rookie
FA S, Gregory, Wilson, Rookie

That is the preferred solution.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Just off the top, I would spend the first 2 picks on WRs (Tavon Austin to play the slot at 29 and Robert Woods in round 2 on the perimeter to play with Lloyd).

Then trade down in round 3 and pick up some additional depth picks that were lost in rounds 4 and 5. Use those picks for a coverage LB and a developmental OG OT.

Let Welker walk and use those saved funds to bring back Talib at slightly above market rate and then Vollmer at market rate, whatever that market projects.

Then in FA, focus all allocated FA funds on the defensive side of the ball. Goldsen or Reed and/or Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie.

I think after you sign Talib to an above market deal and Vollmer at market rate you're going to have little or no allocated FA funds left... let alone enough to cover your and/ors.

 

[Ring 6]

A) I do not neglect TE. I expect to tender Hooman and cut either Hooman or Fells in camp. Net cost = zero.

Same as me

B) You basic position is that our secondary will be awful without adding another ten million through extensions of Brady and/or Wilfork. Of course, this is the preferred solution.

No. My basic position is that I am using 1st-3rd round picks on BOTH CB and S, and adding a nickle corner (Arrington to you)
That gives us McCourty, Dennard, a high pick, Arrington and Dowling at corner.
Gregory, Wilson, and a high pick at S, and the 1 mill or so net I had left over would go to S depth.
I don't think that stinks, but since it can be made much better, why wouldnt we extend Brady?

C) I agree that we need game day backups for both the interior of the OL and at OT. It might cost a million more than what you have, but that's close enough.

Remember I spent a mill in the JAG phase.

D) So with another ten million of cap money (in addition to the Mankins restructure), we can have a free agent DE, CB, S and Welker. Without the Brady restructure, you choose the DE and Welker (and make the presumption that he would sign for that amount) and move McCourty to corner. As a review, you draft a safety, a corner and a wide receiver.

You think Welker wouldn't stay for 4/38 with 14 in a signing bonus?

E) OK, I accept that with ten million of additional funds, we would not need to make ANY of the tough choices. After all, even if Welker doesn't sign, the alternative is to sign someone at the same cap level.

F) FOR ME, if I had to choose 2 of the 4, I would sign a corner and a wide receiver. What you have shown (or close) is that we can afford Talib AND Welker or their substitutes. I would then draft a DL instead of a corner.

CB: Talib (or sub), Dennard, Arrington (or sub), Cole (or sub), Dowling
S: McCourty, Wilson, Gregory, draftee
WR: Welker (or sub), Lloyd, Edelman (or sub), draftee, JAG
DL: draftee instead of free agent

The lack of a consistent pass rush is the biggest problem this team has. Its a huge priority to me.
I disagree with putting the most valuable assets in the position that is empty instead of the one that has mediocrity. If you CAN address all, then the fact that we don't have a #1 of something doesn't make it more vital than another spot where we have mediocrity.

Look at it this way. The Jets have a ton of needs, but just because they can pencil in a sucky Sanchez at QB doesn't mean any of those other needs are more important.

 

[mgteich]

We're pretty close.

Obviously we could get additional monies from minor restructures of Brady and Wilfork, moving some of this year's salary into bonus. We could also restructure Lloyd to gain a couple of million.

Why wouldn't we extend Brady is a good idea. It may happen this year, likely not in time to have a major effect on free agency. To do so, it would have to happen within a month. So, yes if the presumption is that we are the GM, sure I'd extend Brady.

Same as me


No. My basic position is that I am using 1st-3rd round picks on BOTH CB and S, and adding a nickle corner (Arrington to you)
That gives us McCourty, Dennard, a high pick, Arrington and Dowling at corner.
Gregory, Wilson, and a high pick at S, and the 1 mill or so net I had left over would go to S depth.
I don't think that stinks, but since it can be made much better, why wouldnt we extend Brady?




Remember I spent a mill in the JAG phase.


You think Welker wouldn't stay for 4/38 with 14 in a signing bonus?



The lack of a consistent pass rush is the biggest problem this team has. Its a huge priority to me.
I disagree with putting the most valuable assets in the position that is empty instead of the one that has mediocrity. If you CAN address all, then the fact that we don't have a #1 of something doesn't make it more vital than another spot where we have mediocrity.

Look at it this way. The Jets have a ton of needs, but just because they can pencil in a sucky Sanchez at QB doesn't mean any of those other needs are more important.

 

[Joey007]

You might want to hold off on signing Bryant until you find out what he did that just got him arrested.

He got arrested?? Yep, he's a Raida for life.

 

[Joey007]

Well, I'm not the best with cap numbers so I won't go into that, I'll just use my realistic senses on players. Also I'll put in the length of the contracts I would give them.

RESIGN- Welker (4 yrs), Talib (2 yrs), Edelman (3 yrs) Arrington (2 yrs)

WALK/CUT- Vollmer, Woodhead, Thomas, Chung, cut Fells, Gregory.

SIGN IN FA- Leodis McKelvin (2 yrs) Kenny Phillips (3 yrs) Alan Branch/Chris Canty (2 yrs) WR Donald Jones (1 yr) Barry Richardson (as RT depth, 2 yrs) Jonathan Casillas LB (2 yrs)

Draft-
1.Keenan Allen WR
2. Datone Jones DE
3.Brennan Williams OT
7a. Jake Knott (coverage LB)
7b. Shamarko Thomas S

 

[manxman2601]

Well, I'm not the best with cap numbers so I won't go into that, I'll just use my realistic senses on players. Also I'll put in the length of the contracts I would give them.

RESIGN- Welker (4 yrs), Talib (2 yrs), Edelman (3 yrs) Arrington (2 yrs)

WALK/CUT- Vollmer, Woodhead, Thomas, Chung, cut Fells, Gregory.

SIGN IN FA- Leodis McKelvin (2 yrs) Kenny Phillips (3 yrs) Alan Branch/Chris Canty (2 yrs) WR Donald Jones (1 yr) Barry Richardson (as RT depth, 2 yrs) Jonathan Casillas LB (2 yrs)

Draft-
1.Keenan Allen WR
2. Datone Jones DE
3.Brennan Williams OT
7a. Jake Knott (coverage LB)
7b. Shamarko Thomas S

I just wanted to say that Jake Knott in the 7th is a great pick. Really like him.

 

[Joey007]

I just wanted to say that Jake Knott in the 7th is a great pick. Really like him.

Thanks. I live close to Iowa State, which is where he came from. The guy's a flat out beast. His stock could very well fall this far because he got hurt at the end of the year. But if we draft him, Pats fans will not be disappointed.

 

[supafly]

So assuming that we haven't got Welker, Vollmer, or Talib in the fold, here's one way to approach it.

Premise #1: The Patriots' offense is historically great with Wes Welker. Without him, they would drop from historically great down to merely being tremendous (top 2-3 in the NFL). I estimate that they would score about 28-30 points a game without Welker, as opposed to the 34 they score with him. His overall contributions are worth 4-6 points a game, IMO. But can a team with a 28-30 ppg offense win the Super Bowl? Absolutely positively yes.

Premise #2: The biggest area of need the Patriots have is on defense (pass rush and DBs, specifically) and wide receiver. Obviously if you let Welker go you create an even bigger need at the WR position.

Premise #3: The defense, full of young players, will probably improve *some* just due to increased experience. But not enough for my liking.

Premise #4: I have to assume that Dennard will miss some time due to his conviction. I have to plan on him not being around in 2013. If he is here, bonus. If I plan on him being here and he's not, it cripples my defense.

So here's the deal.

(1) Here () lists the highest paid corners in the NFL in 2012. Based on this information, I think the Pats re-sign Talib to a 4-year, $26 million contract. He can't expect to be a top 5 guy, but I think making more of it guaranteed entices him (say, $18 million of it). If you have to go an extra year at that rate to make him bite, so be it. So there's $6.5 million of the $15.5 million available, meaning I've got $9 million left.

(2) Sign either Reed or Woodson to a 3-year, $13.5 million deal to play safety. This is for two reasons. First, if Dennard is out, you can move McCourty to corner and have Reed/Woodson play with Gregory. And if he's there, you have Dennard/Talib at CB, and McCourty/Reed(Woodson) at S. That's a very, very strong defensive backfield. All four guys can cover and hit. And second, they draft a S and having Reed/Woodson serves as a great mentor and placeholder until that new guy is ready. That leaves me with $4.5 million left.

BTW, you can structure the contracts for Talib and Reed/Woodson in such a way that instead of $4.5 million left, you actually have about $7 million left, so I'm working with that number.

(3) Sign Freeney or Umenyiora (preferably Freeney) to be a situational pass rusher. I hope you can get one of them for $5 million a year over 3 years. This gives the Pats added help getting after the quarterback.

So I'm down to $2 million. With that, I'd re-sign Edelman and add a couple of depth moves to fill out the roster, especially on the OL where Dante can coach up a couple of JAGs into useful players.

So my pass defense looks like this:

DE Jones
DT Wilfork
DT Armstead
DE Freeney/Umenyiora
LB Ninkovich (in for Spikes in passing situations; he can cover better and rush the QB better)
LB Mayo
LB Hightower or Fletcher (Fletcher is better in coverage)
CB Talib
CB Dennard
S McCourty
S Reed/Woodson

That is, on paper, a MUCH improved defense against the pass. And it takes care of their biggest need on the entire team.

Now, that's it for free agency. And it brings me to the draft. They have a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th round picks. I would use the 1st and 2nd round picks, and trade the 3rd rounder for a 4th and 5th rounders, just to add depth, unless there was a guy I wanted that's available in the 3rd round.

Round 1 - Tavon Austin, WR. The more I think about this guy the more I like him. He is unbelievable. Blazing speed (4.39). Can play RB or WR. Very good hands. Incredible playmaker. He not only helps you right now but he becomes the best WR target on the team for years to come.

Round 2 - DJ Swearinger, S. Per my comments on Reed/Woodson, the Pats will need a new young safety. I think Tavon Wilson has potential, but a guy like Swearinger has more, IMO. I think other possibilities could include Datone Jones (DE, UCLA), Jamar Taylor (CB, Boise St), Eric Reid (S, LSU), etc. Go with the best available safety here.

Round 4, 5, 7 - the best available D-linemen and DBs. I might even trade my 4th for a 5th and a 6th, meaning instead of 3 picks in this group, I'd have 4, thus increasing my chances of landing someone good.

So my offense, would then have a good player in Edelman plus a dynamic stud in Austin replacing Welker. Austin, Lloyd, Hernandez, Gronk, Ballard, Edelman, Vereen, Woodhead, Ridley, Bolden, Demps....that's a LOT of firepower to give Brady. Hope your OL holds up - that's the one big question mark, but again, I'm counting on Scarnecchia to do his work.

There's not enough money to get everyone you want, but this fills in the biggest holes and sets the team up not just now, but longer-term as well. I *think* they can do it with the budget you've allotted. (obviously nobody knows for sure)

I really enjoy your posts and ideas for what it's worth. I have a couple of thoughts myself though:

I'd be very tempted to offer Welker the deal that you give Talib. Understanding that it's probably too low aav-wise, it also has guarantees of approx. 18 million dollars (something I personally doubt they'd do with Talib). The almost 7 million aav over a 4 yr period along with close to 20 million in guarantees may be a lot closer to what he's being offered right now. You may be able to make up a lot of ground with that offer.

If you're going to resign Talib, then you'd have to bring the guaranteed figures down at least several million. 18 million isn't going to work, especially on a 26 million dollar deal. I don't mind the aav of 4/26 at all, but I think you'd want to guarantee about 1/2 of that at the most.

I also think that someone will overpay for both Reed/Woodson (although I don't think Reed makes it to the open market either) on a 1-2 yr deal. I don't see 3/13.5 being very realistic personally. I also don't think that either one will last another 3 yrs, so you'd better make that last yr an easy out and structure year 2 accordingly also.

I would also like to resign more of our own such as Woodhead, Arrington, and Thomas. That needs to be done, although you do include Edelman.

I think your general idea is awesome. It's aggressive and fills needs, as do your draft picks. I just don't think some of these deals are as reasonable as you seem to.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Ok so $15.5 million to start..

I let Welker go to FA to test the market, basically expecting to not be able to match what he receives elsewhere. I would only pay Welker around $8 million a year over 3-4 years at most. Assuming Welker is not retained, I sign Edelman to a 3 year deal worth at most $2 million a year based on playing incentives and count on Edelman + Hernandez + Draft Pick to replace Welker's production.

Im at 13.5 now.

I let Woodhead walk because Vereen + Demps can fill his role, even if its not as good the drop in production will be made up for by the drop in salary. I think a few teams are going to throw some alright money at Woodhead because they need that luxury scat back type guy.

I sign Kyle Arrington to a $2-3 million a year deal to be my nickle corner, special teamer and emergency outside CB.

Im at $11 million now.

I tender Ballard with a 2nd round tender offer around $1.2 million, as I think he is a restricted free agent so the team would have to tender him? I may be incorrect about that.

Im at $10 million now.

I make Talib a 3-4 year deal that offers him around $7-8 million a year, but that could pay him up to $10 million a year based on playing time and performance incentives. It would also have a clause in there that protects the team in case he has another substance violation and misses an entire year of football. I would have it worded in a way that says he has to pay back a big chunk of his signing bonus, based on how far along into the deal he is, if he does fail a test and miss an entire season.

Im at $3millionish or so now, although im sure that could come down depending on how the deal was worked.

I'd make an attempt to bring in Freeney or Osi for a 1-2 year deal, assuming they arent asking for stupid money at their age, as rotational/situational pass rusher.
I spend the rest of the money to bring in minimal salary guys to come in and compete in training camp.

I take a bunch of shots of vodka to numb the pain and I watch Vollmer walk with Welker. I kick Marcus Cannon to the outside to replace him and draft another OG.

My draft would target:

WR - A big, physical receiver that can get down the field and fight for the ball.

OL - I draft a Guard and a Tackle.. The guard would be competing for the starting RG spot, the tackle would be a depth move and would have to have versatility to jump inside to guard as well.

DL - After several misses in the last bunch of drafts, I take another shot at a big interior defensive lineman that can rotate in with Wilfork and Love.

SS - Need a big, physical SS that can intimidate and control the middle of the field.


In summary, these moves would weaken the offense a little bit, but they outscored the 2nd best offense by over 100 points, so they would be able to survive a hit or two, even if it dropped them to 5th or so total offense. In turn, the defense would get better. The young guys that have been working in it have yet another year in the system, you have Talib on the outside and Dennard on the other as your press corners, with McCourty and a draft pick (Elam?) as your safeties, with Arrington as the nickle and Ras-IR Dowling providing depth.

With Armstead and another young DL to add to that rotation is another thing that the D has desperately needed after so many misses on defensive lineman in the draft the last bunch of years.

target a solid OG prospect and have Dante get them ready to potentially start at RG to fill in the gap of moving Cannon outside to RT.

And a young gun WR that hopefully has enough brain power to contribute a little in his rookie year.




Common Kraft, wheres my contract!?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

We only have 1,2,3 and 2 7ths. If the last 2 even make the practice squad...

 

[ivanvamp]

I really enjoy your posts and ideas for what it's worth. I have a couple of thoughts myself though:

I'd be very tempted to offer Welker the deal that you give Talib. Understanding that it's probably too low aav-wise, it also has guarantees of approx. 18 million dollars (something I personally doubt they'd do with Talib). The almost 7 million aav over a 4 yr period along with close to 20 million in guarantees may be a lot closer to what he's being offered right now. You may be able to make up a lot of ground with that offer.

If you're going to resign Talib, then you'd have to bring the guaranteed figures down at least several million. 18 million isn't going to work, especially on a 26 million dollar deal. I don't mind the aav of 4/26 at all, but I think you'd want to guarantee about 1/2 of that at the most.

I also think that someone will overpay for both Reed/Woodson (although I don't think Reed makes it to the open market either) on a 1-2 yr deal. I don't see 3/13.5 being very realistic personally. I also don't think that either one will last another 3 yrs, so you'd better make that last yr an easy out and structure year 2 accordingly also.

I would also like to resign more of our own such as Woodhead, Arrington, and Thomas. That needs to be done, although you do include Edelman.

I think your general idea is awesome. It's aggressive and fills needs, as do your draft picks. I just don't think some of these deals are as reasonable as you seem to.

Thanks, supafly, I appreciate the kind words.

The reality is that we all truly do not have much of a clue what any individual player will cost to sign here. All it takes is one other interested team to send the price skyrocketing. It's possible that every single significant player the Patriots might want to sign - Welker, Talib, Vollmer, Freeney, Umenyiora, Avril, Byrd, Goldsen, Reed, Woodson, Wallace, Jennings, you name it - end up going for more $$ than the Patriots would want to spend on that particular player. We just don't know.

And maybe a guy will take less to play here. Maybe Ed Reed *does* decide, ah, hell, I've always wanted to play for BB, I've got my ring with Baltimore, it would be fun to play a year or two for Belichick.....why not? Who knows??

One thing I really don't know much about at all is how the salary cap works and how you structure contracts to work the cap as efficiently as possible. I don't understand all the cap rules so whenever I have an idea to sign a guy or whatever, it must be taken with a HUGE grain of salt.

 

[supafly]

Thanks, supafly, I appreciate the kind words.

The reality is that we all truly do not have much of a clue what any individual player will cost to sign here. All it takes is one other interested team to send the price skyrocketing. It's possible that every single significant player the Patriots might want to sign - Welker, Talib, Vollmer, Freeney, Umenyiora, Avril, Byrd, Goldsen, Reed, Woodson, Wallace, Jennings, you name it - end up going for more $$ than the Patriots would want to spend on that particular player. We just don't know.

And maybe a guy will take less to play here. Maybe Ed Reed *does* decide, ah, hell, I've always wanted to play for BB, I've got my ring with Baltimore, it would be fun to play a year or two for Belichick.....why not? Who knows??

One thing I really don't know much about at all is how the salary cap works and how you structure contracts to work the cap as efficiently as possible. I don't understand all the cap rules so whenever I have an idea to sign a guy or whatever, it must be taken with a HUGE grain of salt.

And you have a good point that none of us really know, and that it's all speculation. Believe me, there are some great capologists on here, and I am on the opposite end of the spectrum myself.

All in all it's a good way to pass the time and I haven't come up with anything better myself, so keep that in mind too. I actually may try to give it a shot.

 

[supafly]

Okay, so keeping in mind that we'd have approx. 15 1/2 million or so, I'll try and keep it as simple as possible with the 2013 salary cap hit being the most obvious and important aspect. I would raise that 15 1/2 million by an additional 2 million by cutting Daniel Fells and Steve Gregory. That would raise our total to approx. 17 1/2 million.



#1. Re-sign Wes Welker....2013 CAP HIT (5.5 million) down to 12 million remaining

#2. Re-sign a handful of smaller guys who are still important such as Arrington, Edelman, and Thomas. Woodhead will have to be the odd man out in this scenario. The combined cap hit for the 2013 season for these 3 would be roughly (3.5 million), down to 8.5 million remaining

#3. Sign a top level FA at safety like William Moore and pass on one-two year band aids such as Woodson/Reed etc. This will be our biggest move in FA arguably, along with retaining Welker.

2013 cap hit of 4.5 million dollars with a total deal of about 5/35 (7 million aav) That leaves the remaing money at 4 million dollars.

#4. Add a veteran OT with a minimal cap hit of 1 million dollars. That would leave us with 3 million remaining.

#5. Sign any one of a handful of lower level FA cornerbacks, not necessarily to be a certain number or ranking, but simply to add some credible competition to our CB corps. The CB1/CB2/CB3 problems will sort themselves out after the draft, into training camp and the first 1/4 of the season. In the meantime adding strength, depth, and competition to the CB spots will be the way to go...not trying to replace a CB1 in Talib etc. The truth is that we have no idea who will potentially be the "CB1," but adding some guys to compete with Dennard, Arrington, Dowling, McCourty like DRC/Gamble etc will go a LONG way, especially when you add in a top level draft pick. This CB corps could be absolutely 100% different with the addition of a guy like Gamble/DRC and a top flight CB in the draft.

Considering that we only have approx 3 million left in cap to deal with, I would think that could be any one of a number of players who will have aav's of 6 1/2 million or so (approximately) per season. In other words, guys who would come on a 3/20 or 4/26 kind of deal. This could be guys like DRC, Gamble, and maybe even Asomugah.

RECAP

Resigned Welker

Resigned Arrington, Edelman, and D.Thomas

Solidified the S position for the immediate AND future with William Moore

Added a low cost veteran OT

Added depth and competition to the CB spot by bringing in a 3-3.5 million dollar cap hit player (year one) like Gamble, DRC, or Asomugah


DRAFT

1st round top flight WR to stretch the field

2nd round S to take over the spot left by Gregory, which also adds improvement and could even allow one of Wilson/2nd rd pick to pair alongside with Moore. This would be only ONE option to moving McCourty back to CB if the depth and competition at CB were not sufficient enough, but my preference would be to allow McCourty to stay at S next season

3rd round tradedown to accumulate an additional pick in the 4th round, but the 3rd round pick would ultimately be taken with a CB

4th round (accumulated pick from 3rd rd tradedown) WR to double up at the position

The later round picks of 2-3 depending on any comp picks or tradedowns would be used on DT, OL (guard), and even a coverage LB flier pick or TE to replace Fells or Hooman


FOR THE FUTURE

Extend Tom Brady during the summer to free up money (approx. 7 million) to add any vet signings (2 million cap room) and carry over 5 million for the 2014 season.....

 

[Brady6]

Ok, it's dead time around here, with the combine happening and pretty much nothing else. So, I thought of an idea to pass the time.


Jason has the Patriots sitting at about $11 million once all rookies are signed and bonuses are paid. According to some rumors about the cap out there, he could easily be 1-2 million on the low side. Now, here's the game....

We'll call the above 12.5 million, and add 3 million from a Mankins restructure. Looking at who's currently on schedule to be a FA (Walterfooball has a list, for example) and those who are rumored to be getting cut, build the team with that $15.5 million and give your money spent (i.e. Sign Jennings to his $14 million per year demands :singing: ). Be reasonable with your numbers, as no veteran minimum contract for Aqib Talib is going to happen, if you get my drift. Draft picks are allowed and encouraged, as long as the current "general consensus" has them available when you're making the pick.


Anyone interested, fire away:

I think you need to first restructure Brady, Mankins, Wilfork and clear up some cap space. Attempt to cut each of their cap hits by 50%.

Resign
Welker 3yr/$27m
Vollmer 4yr/$24m
Talib 3yr/$18m (incentive based)
Edelman 3yr/$4.5m
Arrington 2yr/$3m
Hoomanawanui 1yr/$1m

Cuts
Gregory
Gostkowski
Fells
Larsen
Pryor
Larsen

Look option (cut, restructure, pay reduction, cheaper alternatives)
Slater
Connolly

UFA
WR - David Nelson 2yr/$1.8m
DL - Matt Shaughnessy 2yr/$3.5m
LB - Geno Hayes 1yr/$900k

Draft
1st rd - Star Lotulelei (slips due to heart issue) if not Sylvester Williams
2nd rd - Mark Elam
3rd rd - Da'Rick Rogers
7th rd - Marcus Lattimore

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I spent the morning restructuring and extending and squeezing a few salary reductions out of my roster... That freed up another $17.5M in cap space.

Brady signed a 4 year $78M extension. : $19.5M new money AAV slots him in between Brees and Manning. But he gets the first $45M fully guaranteed and $2.5M more in the first 3 than that greedy bastid Brees. His cap hits will be $15.8M (-6M), $18.2M (-3.6M), $20M ($1.8M less than 2014 pre extension hit), $21M (still $800K less than 2014 pre extension hit), $23M, $23M with $5M in dead cap and $18M in cap saving in 2018 if he or they walk away. Rolling full guarantees on the 2016 and and half of the 2017 salaries if he is on the active roster on the last day of the preceding season.

Wilfork signed a 3 year $24M extension with a $12M signing bonus and $18M guaranteed. His cap hits will now be $6.5M (-$4.2M), $7.5M (-$4.1M), $8.4M, $10.2M and $12.4M in 2017 with a dead cap of $2.4M (or $4.8 if he doesn't last until 2016).

Me and the cowboy did a simple restructure converting $5M in salary into signing bonus that lowers his cap by $3.75M this season while increasing it $1.25M per on the last three (the last of which only has that $1.25M and $7M in salary scheduled).

Did one with Gostkowski too. Next season he's either extended or sayonara. Saved $1M.

Ditto Connolly who will either be extended next season or they'll have found a better backup C/RG. Saved $800K.

Just flat out squeezed another $2M out of Fells ($400K take it or leave it pay cut) and Lloyd (who got $1M of his salary guaranteed in exchange for putting his $3M option bonus into realistic incentives, one of which will be LTBE. The others trigger at 75+ and 85+ receptions and 1000+ and 1200+ yards. Maybe he will be less inclined to hit the deck.

So with $30M or thereabouts in cap space after accounting for the rookies, I gave Welker a 4 year $32M deal with $16M guaranteed, $12M of it in the form of signing bonus. Cap hits $6M, $8M, $8M, $10M (dead cap $3M in 2016).

Then I offered Seabass 5 year option deal at $27.5M with another $4.8M in roster bonuses ($100K per game in years 2-4) and a $250K pro bowl/$500K all pro bonus structure (up to $3M) throughout. $8M signing bonus, $4M option bonus. Cap hits if he never misses a game $3.6M, $6.2M, $6.9M, $7.2M, $6.6M. Dead cap in 2017 $2.6M. I think he's going to shop it. I told him not to dawdle or I'd draft someone for Dante to replace his ass with.

While I was at it I extended Wendell on pretty much the same deal Connolly got when we thought he was the center of the future. 3 years $9M with $3M in signing bonus. Cap hits $2M, $3M, $4M. Dead cap in year 3 $1M. Then I inked Edelman to a 2 year $1.62M deal with a $250K signing bonus and $50K in per game active incentives that trigger an automatic salary increase in 2014 if met. Cap hits assuming he makes it through 8 games...$1.25M, $1.25M. And with Woodhead - 3 years $4.5M, $1M signing bonus, $200K per year in playing time incentives for more than 35% of snaps (he's averaged 33-34% the last two seasons). Cap hits $1.68M, $1.75M, $2.07M.

Arrington has an offer on the table for 3 years $10M with a $3M signing bonus and $6M guaranteed. Cap hits $3M, 3M and $4M. Likewise Talib has an offer of essentially a one year prove it deal with option. $3M signing bonus, $3M salary. Cap hit $6M (up to $7.6M if he plays all 16 games). $100K per game incentive (up to $1.6M). Option must be picked up 5 days before the start of the 2014 season. Can't be franchise tagged if option is not picked up. $12M option triggers 5 year $36M deal with an additional $6M guaranteed for injury and on the 5th day of the 2015 season fully guaranteed. Language that protects teams interest in the event he is suspended again under the personal conduct policy or otherwise unavailable due to non football related circumstances. Offset language in the event he is cut while owed guaranteed money and signs with another team.

If Talib wants to test the market, I'll offer a similar deal to Nnamdi switching the per game incentives to pro bowl and all pro and eliminating the protective but not offset language.

I'm letting Chung walk. Ambivalent about Thomas and a few others. Need space for rookies and an UDFA or two and the bottom of the roster is intended to be churned. I still have about $6M left without cutting anyone (and there will be cuts) if something I can't pass up comes calling (along the lines of a physical WR or DB)) or the draft doesn't wow me with a later round, developable physical WR or day 2 DB. And I can always roll most of it over. Still mulling the draft, the combine isn't even over. And as always it depends to some extent on how FA shakes out. Tendering Hooman at twice his minimum salary seems a little wasteful. Don't think he'd draw a 5 out of the woodwork. Perhaps I'll offer him a 2 year minimum deal and a $100K signing bonus with some playing time incentives in case he has to.

I'm thinking about bringing Branch back for camp on a vet min. deal just to piss some of the fantasy fanboys off...

 

[Brady6]

I spent the morning restructuring and extending and squeezing a few salary reductions out of my roster... That freed up another $17.5M in cap space.

Brady signed a 4 year $78M extension. : $19.5M new money AAV slots him in between Brees and Manning. But he gets the first $45M fully guaranteed and $2.5M more in the first 3 than that greedy bastid Brees. His cap hits will be $15.8M (-6M), $18.2M (-3.6M), $20M ($1.8M less than 2014 pre extension hit), $21M (still $800K less than 2014 pre extension hit), $23M, $23M with $5M in dead cap and $18M in cap saving in 2018 if he or they walk away. Rolling full guarantees on the 2016 and and half of the 2017 salaries if he is on the active roster on the last day of the preceding season.

Wilfork signed a 3 year $24M extension with a $12M signing bonus and $18M guaranteed. His cap hits will now be $6.5M (-$4.2M), $7.5M (-$4.1M), $8.4M, $10.2M and $12.4M in 2017 with a dead cap of $2.4M (or $4.8 if he doesn't last until 2016).

Me and the cowboy did a simple restructure converting $5M in salary into signing bonus that lowers his cap by $3.75M this season while increasing it $1.25M per on the last three (the last of which only has that $1.25M and $7M in salary scheduled).

Did one with Gostkowski too. Next season he's either extended or sayonara. Saved $1M.

Ditto Connolly who will either be extended next season or they'll have found a better backup C/RG. Saved $800K.

Just flat out squeezed another $2M out of Fells ($400K take it or leave it pay cut) and Lloyd (who got $1M of his salary guaranteed in exchange for putting his $3M option bonus into realistic incentives, one of which will be LTBE. The others trigger at 75+ and 85+ receptions and 1000+ and 1200+ yards. Maybe he will be less inclined to hit the deck.

So with $30M or thereabouts in cap space after accounting for the rookies, I gave Welker a 4 year $32M deal with $16M guaranteed, $12M of it in the form of signing bonus. Cap hits $6M, $8M, $8M, $10M (dead cap $3M in 2016).

Then I offered Seabass 5 year option deal at $27.5M with another $4.8M in roster bonuses ($100K per game in years 2-4) and a $250K pro bowl/$500K all pro bonus structure (up to $3M) throughout. $8M signing bonus, $4M option bonus. Cap hits if he never misses a game $3.6M, $6.2M, $6.9M, $7.2M, $6.6M. Dead cap in 2017 $2.6M. I think he's going to shop it. I told him not to dawdle or I'd draft someone for Dante to replace his ass with.

While I was at it I extended Wendell on pretty much the same deal Connolly got when we thought he was the center of the future. 3 years $9M with $3M in signing bonus. Cap hits $2M, $3M, $4M. Dead cap in year 3 $1M. Then I inked Edelman to a 2 year $1.62M deal with a $250K signing bonus and $50K in per game active incentives that trigger an automatic salary increase in 2014 if met. Cap hits assuming he makes it through 8 games...$1.25M, $1.25M. And with Woodhead - 3 years $4.5M, $1M signing bonus, $200K per year in playing time incentives for more than 35% of snaps (he's averaged 33-34% the last two seasons). Cap hits $1.68M, $1.75M, $2.07M.

Arrington has an offer on the table for 3 years $10M with a $3M signing bonus and $6M guaranteed. Cap hits $3M, 3M and $4M. Likewise Talib has an offer of essentially a one year prove it deal with option. $3M signing bonus, $3M salary. Cap hit $6M (up to $7.6M if he plays all 16 games). $100K per game incentive (up to $1.6M). Option must be picked up 5 days before the start of the 2014 season. Can't be franchise tagged if option is not picked up. $12M option triggers 5 year $36M deal with an additional $6M guaranteed for injury and on the 5th day of the 2015 season fully guaranteed. Language that protects teams interest in the event he is suspended again under the personal conduct policy or otherwise unavailable due to non football related circumstances. Offset language in the event he is cut while owed guaranteed money and signs with another team.

If Talib wants to test the market, I'll offer a similar deal to Nnamdi switching the per game incentives to pro bowl and all pro and eliminating the protective but not offset language.

I'm letting Chung walk. Ambivalent about Thomas and a few others. Need space for rookies and an UDFA or two and the bottom of the roster is intended to be churned. I still have about $6M left without cutting anyone (and there will be cuts) if something I can't pass up comes calling (along the lines of a physical WR or DB)) or the draft doesn't wow me with a later round, developable physical WR or day 2 DB. And I can always roll most of it over. Still mulling the draft, the combine isn't even over. And as always it depends to some extent on how FA shakes out. Tendering Hooman at twice his minimum salary seems a little wasteful. Don't think he'd draw a 5 out of the woodwork. Perhaps I'll offer him a 2 year minimum deal and a $100K signing bonus with some playing time incentives in case he has to.

I'm thinking about bringing Branch back for camp on a vet min. deal just to piss some of the fantasy fanboys off...

Very impressive job with the cap restructuring.

 

[supafly]

I spent the morning restructuring and extending and squeezing a few salary reductions out of my roster... That freed up another $17.5M in cap space.

Brady signed a 4 year $78M extension. : $19.5M new money AAV slots him in between Brees and Manning. But he gets the first $45M fully guaranteed and $2.5M more in the first 3 than that greedy bastid Brees. His cap hits will be $15.8M (-6M), $18.2M (-3.6M), $20M ($1.8M less than 2014 pre extension hit), $21M (still $800K less than 2014 pre extension hit), $23M, $23M with $5M in dead cap and $18M in cap saving in 2018 if he or they walk away. Rolling full guarantees on the 2016 and and half of the 2017 salaries if he is on the active roster on the last day of the preceding season.

Wilfork signed a 3 year $24M extension with a $12M signing bonus and $18M guaranteed. His cap hits will now be $6.5M (-$4.2M), $7.5M (-$4.1M), $8.4M, $10.2M and $12.4M in 2017 with a dead cap of $2.4M (or $4.8 if he doesn't last until 2016).

Me and the cowboy did a simple restructure converting $5M in salary into signing bonus that lowers his cap by $3.75M this season while increasing it $1.25M per on the last three (the last of which only has that $1.25M and $7M in salary scheduled).

Did one with Gostkowski too. Next season he's either extended or sayonara. Saved $1M.

Ditto Connolly who will either be extended next season or they'll have found a better backup C/RG. Saved $800K.

Just flat out squeezed another $2M out of Fells ($400K take it or leave it pay cut) and Lloyd (who got $1M of his salary guaranteed in exchange for putting his $3M option bonus into realistic incentives, one of which will be LTBE. The others trigger at 75+ and 85+ receptions and 1000+ and 1200+ yards. Maybe he will be less inclined to hit the deck.

So with $30M or thereabouts in cap space after accounting for the rookies, I gave Welker a 4 year $32M deal with $16M guaranteed, $12M of it in the form of signing bonus. Cap hits $6M, $8M, $8M, $10M (dead cap $3M in 2016).

Then I offered Seabass 5 year option deal at $27.5M with another $4.8M in roster bonuses ($100K per game in years 2-4) and a $250K pro bowl/$500K all pro bonus structure (up to $3M) throughout. $8M signing bonus, $4M option bonus. Cap hits if he never misses a game $3.6M, $6.2M, $6.9M, $7.2M, $6.6M. Dead cap in 2017 $2.6M. I think he's going to shop it. I told him not to dawdle or I'd draft someone for Dante to replace his ass with.

While I was at it I extended Wendell on pretty much the same deal Connolly got when we thought he was the center of the future. 3 years $9M with $3M in signing bonus. Cap hits $2M, $3M, $4M. Dead cap in year 3 $1M. Then I inked Edelman to a 2 year $1.62M deal with a $250K signing bonus and $50K in per game active incentives that trigger an automatic salary increase in 2014 if met. Cap hits assuming he makes it through 8 games...$1.25M, $1.25M. And with Woodhead - 3 years $4.5M, $1M signing bonus, $200K per year in playing time incentives for more than 35% of snaps (he's averaged 33-34% the last two seasons). Cap hits $1.68M, $1.75M, $2.07M.

Arrington has an offer on the table for 3 years $10M with a $3M signing bonus and $6M guaranteed. Cap hits $3M, 3M and $4M. Likewise Talib has an offer of essentially a one year prove it deal with option. $3M signing bonus, $3M salary. Cap hit $6M (up to $7.6M if he plays all 16 games). $100K per game incentive (up to $1.6M). Option must be picked up 5 days before the start of the 2014 season. Can't be franchise tagged if option is not picked up. $12M option triggers 5 year $36M deal with an additional $6M guaranteed for injury and on the 5th day of the 2015 season fully guaranteed. Language that protects teams interest in the event he is suspended again under the personal conduct policy or otherwise unavailable due to non football related circumstances. Offset language in the event he is cut while owed guaranteed money and signs with another team.

If Talib wants to test the market, I'll offer a similar deal to Nnamdi switching the per game incentives to pro bowl and all pro and eliminating the protective but not offset language.

I'm letting Chung walk. Ambivalent about Thomas and a few others. Need space for rookies and an UDFA or two and the bottom of the roster is intended to be churned. I still have about $6M left without cutting anyone (and there will be cuts) if something I can't pass up comes calling (along the lines of a physical WR or DB)) or the draft doesn't wow me with a later round, developable physical WR or day 2 DB. And I can always roll most of it over. Still mulling the draft, the combine isn't even over. And as always it depends to some extent on how FA shakes out. Tendering Hooman at twice his minimum salary seems a little wasteful. Don't think he'd draw a 5 out of the woodwork. Perhaps I'll offer him a 2 year minimum deal and a $100K signing bonus with some playing time incentives in case he has to.

I'm thinking about bringing Branch back for camp on a vet min. deal just to piss some of the fantasy fanboys off...

I like the idea of extending Wendell while you were at it. The creativity in freeing up some extra money in other areas is brilliant. I think you should be pretty close to your proposal of Arrington and Woodhead. Any thoughts on Edelman?

While offering Vollmer a new deal would you have any concerns that at some point the bigger pacts of Mankins, Vollmer, and Solder (assuming they want to retain him when the time is up) would all overlap? I suppose that would be in what, the 2015 season? Or are you assuming that there is a reasonable chance that after 2 more yrs Mankins could be let go? I wouldn't think that Belichick would want to pay all 3 of Solder, Mankins, and Vollmer big money deals, but that's just a thought.

Also, do you think there is any chance that a potential Brady extension could possibly be used to carry money over to the 2014 year, and that they may end up putting it off for a little bit? I suppose the same question could apply to either one of Mankins or Wilfork also, but Brady would bring the biggest cap savings. I'm wondering if a good chunk of the Brady savings (I think you claimed it to be roughly 7 million) may be brought ahead to the 2014 season, once again giving them even more leeway or even possibly extending McCourty next year in one yr earlier fashion.