I understand what you're saying that Belichick just won't see the value there. I agree.
That said, I don't feel that this is the year, cap-wise, where we really could afford it either. There are just too many other priorities that need to be addressed.
I disagree. Even
Losing very important players such as: Wilfork, Mayo, Vereen, and Gostkowski to save Revis and McCourty may be very counter-productive, particularly in the mind of Bill Belichick.
Those are some key players right there.
I think I'd definitely agree with a combination of 2/4, maybe even 3/4--but not ALL four.
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MAYO
OK, Mayo is going nowhere. In any case, it cannot be cut to save cap room by March 10. He is injured and would get his injury guarantee. There would be ZERO cap savings. In fact, Mayo "should" be restructured before March 10th if the team really needs the 3 or 4 million of cap savings. There could even be a movement of some salary to incentives. The open question is how much Mayo will contribute in 2015.
WILFORK
Wilfork's 2015 cap shouldn't be more than $5.5M, a savings of $3M. He will go if he doesn't; want a pay cut. McCourty and Revis have almost nothing to do with the decision.
So, we can sign Revis at as a high an AAV as Belichick wants and still have a cap savings of $12M for a total of $19M of savings. After the 4 we're now over, we have $16M. McCourty gets $9.5M. That leaves $6.5M plus Amendola will be cut a couple of million to give us $8.5M
BOTTOM LINE
1) We're not paying Revis $20M.
2) McCourty will play for us.
3) We're not paying Wilfork $8.5M
4) Mayo can be restructured for the same money.
5) There is plenty of room to sign Gostokowski and/or Vereen, if Belichick so chooses. If they go, it will be because belichick thinks that they are no worth what they are asking in compensation.
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IF YOUR GOAL IS TO KEEP AT LEAST 3
Then just cut Wilfork and move on.