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- May 1, 2008
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After 2 consecutive AFCCG losses, BB seemed utterly disgusted yesterday. Sure, the injuries were ridiculous this year. But I think he understands that he needs to go all out to get over the top. The last time the Pats lost to Manning in the AFCCG BB went out and got Randy Moss, Wes Welker, signed Adalius Thomas.
I think BB has finally realized that he needs to get more athleticism like Jamie Thomas showed in the playoffs, a more aggressive pass rush, and a couple of key guys in the secondary (a big CB for depth behind Aqib Talib, and ideally an upgrade for Steve Gregory).
We're not flush with cap space, but we have some room to maneuver, and a lot of guys whose contracts can potentially be address:
- Wilfork. 32, coming off an Achilles' injury, looks very overweight. Not sure he can come back. $11.6M cap hit, $7.5M savings if cut.
- Mankins (32 years old, $10.5M cap hit). Not sure we can do anything, but it will be discussed.
- Connolly (32 years old, $4M cap hit, $2.5M savings if cut).
- Kelly ($2.5M cap hit, $1.7M savings if cut)
- Gregory (31 years old, $3.5M cap hit, $2.3M savings if cut). Very smart player, good rotational guy, but athletically limited.
- Gostkowski ($3.8M cap hit, $2.5M savings if cut). Had a great year, so a cut is unlikely. Maybe an extension that lowers his cap hit?
- Slater ($2.3M cap hit, $1.1M savings if cut). Had a great year, so a cut is unlikely. Maybe an extension that lowers his cap hit?
Plus there's Isaac Sapoaga (32 years old, $3.5M cap hit, $2M savings if cut) and Adrian Wilson (34 years old, $1.8M cap hit, $700K+ savings if cut).
I don't know what changes are coming, but I think BB will take a hatchet to some of the excess. If you're not out-performing your contract you're under-performing, and therefore at risk. And I think he'll be very aggressive with shaping the team on both sides of the ball for the next 5 years. There is a very talented young nucleus to build around, but how that nucleus is augmented this season will be key.
I think BB has finally realized that he needs to get more athleticism like Jamie Thomas showed in the playoffs, a more aggressive pass rush, and a couple of key guys in the secondary (a big CB for depth behind Aqib Talib, and ideally an upgrade for Steve Gregory).
We're not flush with cap space, but we have some room to maneuver, and a lot of guys whose contracts can potentially be address:
- Wilfork. 32, coming off an Achilles' injury, looks very overweight. Not sure he can come back. $11.6M cap hit, $7.5M savings if cut.
- Mankins (32 years old, $10.5M cap hit). Not sure we can do anything, but it will be discussed.
- Connolly (32 years old, $4M cap hit, $2.5M savings if cut).
- Kelly ($2.5M cap hit, $1.7M savings if cut)
- Gregory (31 years old, $3.5M cap hit, $2.3M savings if cut). Very smart player, good rotational guy, but athletically limited.
- Gostkowski ($3.8M cap hit, $2.5M savings if cut). Had a great year, so a cut is unlikely. Maybe an extension that lowers his cap hit?
- Slater ($2.3M cap hit, $1.1M savings if cut). Had a great year, so a cut is unlikely. Maybe an extension that lowers his cap hit?
Plus there's Isaac Sapoaga (32 years old, $3.5M cap hit, $2M savings if cut) and Adrian Wilson (34 years old, $1.8M cap hit, $700K+ savings if cut).
I don't know what changes are coming, but I think BB will take a hatchet to some of the excess. If you're not out-performing your contract you're under-performing, and therefore at risk. And I think he'll be very aggressive with shaping the team on both sides of the ball for the next 5 years. There is a very talented young nucleus to build around, but how that nucleus is augmented this season will be key.