His worth and value dependant upon how he returns from injury and can he stay healthy for the rest of the year.
Will he play anywhere near the level he was prior to the injury.....if we see that guy, break the bank. If we see the guy that left the playoff raven game, no thanks, at least not without surgery and a lower contract.
I think that the best way to go here is for a big dollar contract that has a low guarantee based on health. Then they can trade higher guarantees for years of contract length. Also about an $8MM signing bonus is going to have to be worked into the deal regardless -
So here's a deal that I would think is fair - 4 years and $40 Million. An 8MMsigning bonus up front. Then 4MM per year guaranteed and the rest based on per game bonuses based on games played
If he's healthy he's worth 10MM/yr. Clearly his teammates love him. He plays hard and with passion. He's been great off the field as well since he's been here. Whatever emotional problems he had in Tampa have passed as he's matured. So pay him what he's worth as long as he's on the field and accept that guaranteeing around 60% of the contract is simply the cost of keeping a core defensive player.
We'd also have to accept that elevating another big contract player to the defense is going to mean that one big contract is going to have to come off that side of the ball, and that means that Vince is going to have to take a pay cut if wants to remain a Patriot.
Personally I think that will happen. Vince is level headed enough to understand that you cannot get paid in this league based on past performance. As you age your performance decreases, especially at a constant contact position like NT/DT. So coming off a year where it looked like he was in a bit of decline to begin with, and then add a severe injury like an Achilles, I think Vince fully expects to be asked to take a cut.
The issue is going to be how big a cut is he willing to take. vs how big a market is there going to be for a well worn NT/DT coming off a serious injury. My biggest concern about the Achilles injury is how it is going to affect his quickness, which is a big part of his game.
In any event. The first rule of Capology remains valid and needs to be repeated: For every dollar you give one player, there is one less dollar for everyone else.
So signing or not signing any of these players (ie McCourty, Jones, Talib, Solder, etc) is going to have a major consequence on the rest of the roster, and the ripple effect WILL be felt. The major problem I see is that most fans and mediots tend to look at these contract negotiations in a vacuum.
