Here's a 2004 Felger article when Pats extended Brown....stating among other things....Pats paid up for intangibles (guess NE didn't see any intangibles in WW)
"Pats extend Brown through 2005
By Michael Felger
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Given his advancing age, increasing salary and moderating statistics, there was some speculation that the Patriots [stats, news] would ask Troy Brown to take a pay cut this offseason.
Instead, the Pats decided to do the exact opposite.
Bingo! Troy Brown's got bingo!
The Pats last week guaranteed Brown's 2004 base salary of $2.25 million while extending the veteran receiver's contract by a year for cap purposes.
The maneuver will save the Pats roughly $1 million against the 2004 cap while virtually ensuring that one of the most popular and recognizable players on the two-time Super Bowl champions will play this year in New England.
It also means Brown, who will turn 33 in July, will wind up being paid all the money due to him from the five-year, $12.5 million deal he signed with the Pats in 2000.
Brown said repeatedly this offseason he would not accept a cut.
Brown's 2004 cap number was slated to be around $4 million. Now it's near $3 million. NFL Players' Association figures list Brown's 2005 salary at $2.5 million, which means another restructuring will be in order if Brown is to return for that season.
Brown has agreed to similar guarantees in each of the past three years, maneuvers that have pushed roughly $3 million in prorated cap charges into future years. The latest restructuring allows the Pats to move some of that load onto the 2005 cap, which currently has considerably more room than the Pats' 2004 ledger sheet.
Of course, Ty Law's whopping $10 million-plus cap charge continues to put the squeeze on the rest of the roster. The Pats will need to make some further minor adjustments to sign all of their rookies.
Brown's production dipped in 2003, as he caught just 40 passes while missing four games with a hamstring injury. Brown had 97 catches in 2002 and a team-record 101 receptions in 2001.
However, coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots clearly put a value on Brown that went beyond the statistics. Brown has been a heart-and-soul player for the Pats for years, and in each of the past three seasons he's been voted a team captain. He also is someone who quarterback Tom Brady continues to look for in big games and crucial situations. Brown caught eight passes for 76 yards in the Super Bowl win over Carolina despite playing most of the game with a broken nose.
Brown also has been a valuable asset on special teams, especially as a sure-handed and consistent punt returner. His work in the kicking game was a huge factor during the Pats' 2001 Super Bowl run. Brown likely will continue to field punts, but the coaches might consider limiting his responsibilities to keep him fresh for the offense, something they did at times during the 2003 season.
Brown has been training with the team this offseason in Foxboro and has been on hand at the Pats' veteran passing camp this week. "
