If that happened, it would make Arrington's contract for one year super horrible. It already looks bad (it looked bad at time of signing), but if he's cut then Bill will be acknowledging a colossal mistake.
A colossal mistake is trading a first and a fourth for Darrelle Revis then cutting him a year later, or trading a first for Trent Richardson then actually trying to use him. This is just a garden variety mistake, and a rare one in that most of us realized it was a mistake in at the moment that it was made.
Cutting Arrington would be an acknowledgement that the contract that he got was a mistake, but so what? That's the truth, regardless of whether or not it's acknowledged. Once that's clear, it's better for the team to accept the sunk cost and move on once it becomes feasible to do so. I'd much, much prefer that to holding on to the guy in hopes that he unexpectedly becomes a better player and justifies his contract. That's what losing franchises and GMs who are afraid for their jobs do.
Note: I don't think that Arrington will be cut this year. The financial incentive isn't there yet. He's overpaid, but most of that cost is sunk anyway. Luckily this is the last year that that will be the case.
What I'm most intrigued to see is how the Pats will defend Megatron. Do you put Browner on him because the size matchup works? Or do you acknowledge that even Browner can't reliably jam him at the LOS and put Revis on him?
I wouldn't be at all surprised if they put Tate on Revis island and then dedicate pretty much all of their other resources (starting with Browner and McCourty) to holding Megatron in check.
I don't see the big deal being made by some posters. Arrington is being overpaid for his 2014 services, but there are roles he can play. Arrington is a valuable member of the team, just not worth what he is being paid.
Coming into 2015, Arrington's contract will be for $3M of new money for 2015 services. The team will determine how much he's worth to them. Just like lots of other players, he is likely to be asked to take a reduction in compensation or be cut. He could stay; he could leave. He just won't be paid $3M to play in 2015.
Note: I don't think that Arrington will be cut this year. The financial incentive isn't there yet. He's overpaid, but most of that cost is sunk anyway. Luckily this is the last year that that will be the case.
A) The base defense (nearly 60% of snaps) has five or six DBs on the field. The days of thinking in terms of 2 CBs and 2 safeties on the field is obsolete.
B) What are the odds of getting through the season without multiple DBs missing games due to injury? Think of all the years the Pats have had to play a WR on defense to cover for injuries.
I am not questioning that we need a lot of DB's on the roster. I almost always prefer 9 who can actually play defensive back, plus a special teamer. We now have 5 corners and 4 safeties (including the Wilsons) plus Ebner. I am fine with that, although I would prefer another safety to compete with the Wilsons in camp.
A) The base defense (nearly 60% of snaps) has five or six DBs on the field. The days of thinking in terms of 2 CBs and 2 safeties on the field is obsolete.
B) What are the odds of getting through the season without multiple DBs missing games due to injury? Think of all the years the Pats have had to play a WR on defense to cover for injuries.
Which is a liability, when Arrington is every bit as good a Ster as Ebner is and can fill in as CB or Safety far better than Ebner.
Same goes for Kanorris Davis.
Arrington can do 3 jobs - - and his best role is the role that they are specialists in. Arrington in 2014 will keep his roster spot. One of Ebner/Davis/T. Wilson will not.
And it will be 2 out of 3 if the Pats find a safety in the draft.
Which is a liability, when Arrington is every bit as good a Ster as Ebner is and can fill in as CB or Safety far better than Ebner.
Same goes for Kanorris Davis.
Arrington can do 3 jobs - - and his best role is the role that they are specialists in. Arrington in 2014 will keep his roster spot. One of Ebner/Davis/T. Wilson will not.
And it will be 2 out of 3 if the Pats find a safety in the draft.
IMHO, Slater, White, and Ebner are special team starters and specialists. I don't expect to see them playing other than on special teams. They are well worth their salary as special teamers, much like our punter, kicker and deep snapper.
The fact that these three players may get a rep or do in the regular offense or defense is somewhat irrelevant. We really don't want them on the field.
That being said, there can be, and should be, competition for these positions, just like we have for any other.
So, we continue to mislabel our rosters (as the league does). IMHO, we should list SIX special team specialists, instead of THREE.
I hope I'm not jinxing things by posting this but, here goes:
We at Patsfans.com owe a debt of gratitude to Revis and Browner. For the first time in years, we're not seeing DB threads filled with nothing but back-and-forth about "They're not good enough!"/"Yes, they are!". In this thread, it's even translated into discussions about the safety position. For the first time in years, we can see people looking at the secondary, acknowledging the issue at S2, and rationally looking at ways to fix it beyond "BB signed Gregory/drafted Chung(Wilson), so he must be good enough!", and it's making for some legitimately good reading.
Do you agree that the 5 corners plus McCourty, Harmon and A Wilson are enough depth at defensive back? Well, A Wilson or someone that beats him out for a roster spot.
I think that we can have an open discussion with regard to how to fill the additional two roster spots that are usually labeled "safety".
I would argue that at least one need not EVER be expected to play safety. The other is an emergency or developmental safety in case of two injuries. As of now we have Ebner and T Wilson in these roles.
I feel like Arrington is likely on the outs, like others have observed. It's not that I don't want the DB insurance, but I feel like that's how BB operates. Perhaps he works a trade with Houston.
Does anyone know if Arrington has an imminent bonus? That would force BB's hand.
We need to be able to put on the field, at any time, 5 DBs who can play plus 1 who can play a little. (The latter position may be called the AntwanH in honor of a certain forced fumble.)
I would suggest that we therefore need at least 7 DBs on the roster who can play, plus 2 more who can play at least a little.
Revis
Browning
Dennard
Arrington
Ryan
McCourty
Harmon
That's 7 who can play, if we assume reasonable (not even outstanding) 2nd-year growth from the Rutgers rooks.
Do you agree that the 5 corners plus McCourty, Harmon and A Wilson are enough depth at defensive back? Well, A Wilson or someone that beats him out for a roster spot.
I think that we can have an open discussion with regard to how to fill the additional two roster spots that are usually labeled "safety".
I would argue that at least one need not EVER be expected to play safety. The other is an emergency or developmental safety in case of two injuries. As of now we have Ebner and T Wilson in these roles.
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