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.... and I think I can come up with 2 scenerios that will deal with Samuel and get this done quickly, assuming he is willing to compromise a little.
CONTRACT - It is my feeling that Samuel is worth $8-9MM/year. I also feel that no CB we draft THIS season will be close to Samuel's worth, even if he's the best CB drafted. However I DO believe that we can Draft a CB that will be close to his worth, if he has 2 years to develop. So the object of my contract is to get Samuel to play here at LEAST another 2 years.
So the first deal I offer Samuel is a 2 year deal for $18MM with about 10-12 guaranteed, and an agreement that at the end of the deal the Pats won't franchise him. That is about a million more than what it would cost to franchise Samuel the next 2 years. Its a good deal for Samuel because it would get him to FA at 28 years old and he wouldn't have to hear he's a one year wonder. It gets him MORE money than if he was franchised for 2 years, and it gives the Pats more time to see that he is worth what he wants and get a long term deal done.
I really think he understands that while he is a very good CB on his own, this system, coaching, and quality of the team, will help him become perhaps a HOFer There is always a risk that the team who he goes to will never be as good as the Pats will be over the next 5 years, and being on a great team helps an individual's rep a lot.
This is good for the Pats in that it gives them another 2 years before they have to replace a #1 CB. At the end the Pats will have had 3 years of elite play, and that would be a reasonable pay back for what they have invested in Samuel without having to worry much about a down turn in the level of his play over time. AND most importantly, it would get Samuel into the fold so there will be no training camp hold out and he can get all his work in. The only problem with this plan is that its all up front. You can't hide his money over time.
The second Deal I would offer is similar but would be a 3 year deal for about $26MM. with $18 guaranteed, and no franchise tag when the deal is done. That would get him to FA BEFORE he hit 30. Get him very close to what he is asking and he does not have him leaving before we can develop his successor.
Again I would want to know if there is a team out there who would what he is "reportedly" asking for. I really can't see a team looking to spend THAT kind of money on ANY CB.
As far as trading Samuel, I am really not hopeful. IMHO his is worth at least a mid round #1 plus a second next year or a third this year. IF the team who wants him is a low first rounder I would want a first and 2nd rounder this year, AND a 2nd the next year. Frankly I can't think that a team would give us those picks PLUS pay Samuel $30MM over the first 3 years. But then again, I didn't think anyone would give us a first AND pay Branch what HE wanted. Maybe there is a team who thinks they are one good CB away from a superbowl. but NO TEAM is just ONE good player away.
I know we can do this by just keeping on Franchising him, but I don't want him to miss the off season team activities. I appreciate your thoughts on any of these approaches
CONTRACT - It is my feeling that Samuel is worth $8-9MM/year. I also feel that no CB we draft THIS season will be close to Samuel's worth, even if he's the best CB drafted. However I DO believe that we can Draft a CB that will be close to his worth, if he has 2 years to develop. So the object of my contract is to get Samuel to play here at LEAST another 2 years.
So the first deal I offer Samuel is a 2 year deal for $18MM with about 10-12 guaranteed, and an agreement that at the end of the deal the Pats won't franchise him. That is about a million more than what it would cost to franchise Samuel the next 2 years. Its a good deal for Samuel because it would get him to FA at 28 years old and he wouldn't have to hear he's a one year wonder. It gets him MORE money than if he was franchised for 2 years, and it gives the Pats more time to see that he is worth what he wants and get a long term deal done.
I really think he understands that while he is a very good CB on his own, this system, coaching, and quality of the team, will help him become perhaps a HOFer There is always a risk that the team who he goes to will never be as good as the Pats will be over the next 5 years, and being on a great team helps an individual's rep a lot.
This is good for the Pats in that it gives them another 2 years before they have to replace a #1 CB. At the end the Pats will have had 3 years of elite play, and that would be a reasonable pay back for what they have invested in Samuel without having to worry much about a down turn in the level of his play over time. AND most importantly, it would get Samuel into the fold so there will be no training camp hold out and he can get all his work in. The only problem with this plan is that its all up front. You can't hide his money over time.
The second Deal I would offer is similar but would be a 3 year deal for about $26MM. with $18 guaranteed, and no franchise tag when the deal is done. That would get him to FA BEFORE he hit 30. Get him very close to what he is asking and he does not have him leaving before we can develop his successor.
Again I would want to know if there is a team out there who would what he is "reportedly" asking for. I really can't see a team looking to spend THAT kind of money on ANY CB.
As far as trading Samuel, I am really not hopeful. IMHO his is worth at least a mid round #1 plus a second next year or a third this year. IF the team who wants him is a low first rounder I would want a first and 2nd rounder this year, AND a 2nd the next year. Frankly I can't think that a team would give us those picks PLUS pay Samuel $30MM over the first 3 years. But then again, I didn't think anyone would give us a first AND pay Branch what HE wanted. Maybe there is a team who thinks they are one good CB away from a superbowl. but NO TEAM is just ONE good player away.
I know we can do this by just keeping on Franchising him, but I don't want him to miss the off season team activities. I appreciate your thoughts on any of these approaches