I guess the cap number means back to Bargain Basement guys late in FA

[PATRIOT64]

Since our cap number is about 8 million less than last year and the fact that a much higher number of key guys on the team need to be resigned or contracts reworked and also the influx of Rookies to sign up I guess it means back to the basics with ol' Belichick and FO and that means the Bargain Basement guys picked up late in FA and a quiet Patriots offseason with probably no really big names added to the roster as finacially its near impossible unless guys want to play for less, but with New Englands failure in the playoffs the past 3 years guys may become more hesistant to play for less money since the team now shows vulnerability every year since 2004.

I am kind of spoiled for the great acqusitions the team signed last year knowing it cannot possibly be the same active style again.

Oh Well,Lets hope the team is able to resign Moss,Samuel (longshot),Stallworth and Kelly Washington and we will be just fine while quiet again in the FA pool awaiting the discarded guys the other teams put out to the trash come mid summer.

My how I already miss the busy offseason of 2007 -

Any way possible it can be anywhere near as good or as busy as last years signings?,I can't envision it to be,A long summer awaits all of us unless the unexpected happens and I really don't know what that is.

 

[upstater1]

Nope.

8.5 million is the current number.

Cut Stallworth, the number gets bumped up.

Redo contracts with Colvin, Brady and Bruschi. That number could rise by $10 million.

Ultimately, the Patriots can have $20 million under the cap. Of course, they have t sign Moss then, their draft picks, as well as FAs such as Gaffney.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Nope.

8.5 million is the current number.

Cut Stallworth, the number gets bumped up.

Redo contracts with Colvin, Brady and Bruschi. That number could rise by $10 million.

Ultimately, the Patriots can have $20 million under the cap. Of course, they have t sign Moss then, their draft picks, as well as FAs such as Gaffney.

I read on some sports sites where Colvin is an unlikely player to return,Why I don't know,maybe his injury is going to linger for longer than expected or he wants big money?

Bruschi probably is 60% in favor of retiring but no one knows right now,Probably including Tedy himself

Those 2 gone would definately make some room for FA market shopping like maybe getting Briggs to play for an Adalius Thomas type contract but that would be hard to get him to come here,Snyder is looking to open his wallet again.

 

[#12]

Those 2 gone would definately make some room for FA market shopping like maybe getting Briggs to play for an Adalius Thomas type contract but that would be hard to get him to come here,Snyder is looking to open his wallet again.

I would be so happy if he came to NE...he's been a hell of a player for Chicago.
But did I miss something? How is Snyder going to open his wallet when Washington's cap looks the worst out of all the teams?

 

[nittanylions52]

Well there probably won't be a whole lot of talent in free agency to get anyway. Briggs, and maybe Trufant or Asomugha. But the latter two might be franchised (Asomugha more likely than Trufant), so if that happens there isn't much else left unless NE can re-sign Samuel. Maybe Calvin Pace from Arizona? He's apparently good in a 3-4 from what I hear. Anyway, I don't know if there's really anyone who is worth spending a lot in free agency for besides Briggs when it comes down to it. Depends a lot on who is franchised.

 

[PATRIOT64]

I would be so happy if he came to NE...he's been a hell of a player for Chicago.
But did I miss something? How is Snyder going to open his wallet when Washington's cap looks the worst out of all the teams?

It is a rumor that Snyder is going to try his utmost to get a player he covets VERY much and how he is going to do that with his cap number and also his undying interest in Chad Johnson is beyond me.

Theres no doubt that if the NFL did not have a cap that Daniel Snyder would be far and away the closest thing to George Steinbrenner in having a roster filled with and totalling triple digit million dollar figures

 

[eom]

briggs might be overvalued because of that system.

how much would san fran offer him?

 

[PATRIOT64]

briggs might be overvalued because of that system.

how much would san fran offer him?

If Briggs does not stay in Chicago I would assume the Jets and Dolphins,especially with Parcells genius history in FA would be top contenders and that would suck having to face him twice a season

 

[#12]

If Briggs does not stay in Chicago I would assume the Jets and Dolphins,especially with Parcells genius history in FA would be top contenders and that would suck having to face him twice a season

OMG that thought hadn't even occurred to me...that is very much a possibility, especially if the pats try to contend for him, and with miami's cap situation if he's lookin for money they could easily outbid us. that would suck major cuz i could no longer root for him if he's a miami dolphin...if he doesn't go to the Pats please let him stay in the NFC!!!

 

[#12]

briggs might be overvalued because of that system.

how much would san fran offer him?

It does help him to have Brian Urlacher right there, but from watching him play I do not think for one second he is a system player. He would be killer on this pats team.

 

[eom]

It does help him to have Brian Urlacher right there, but from watching him play I do not think for one second he is a system player. He would be killer on this pats team.

I'm not saying he's a dog, but weak side cover 2 guys tend to be advantaged somewhat.
I'd love to get him in here at a reasonable price, but I'm not sure they can afford him.

 

[PATRIOT64]

It does help him to have Brian Urlacher right there, but from watching him play I do not think for one second he is a system player. He would be killer on this pats team.

Urlacher is having Neck Surgery within a week or so I am told so if Brian cannot come back too early or out for a bit longer than expected then Briggs signing and becoming a long time Bears player becomes a near certainty as he all of a sudden becomes crucial to Chicago's defense.

 

[#12]

I'm not saying he's a dog, but weak side cover 2 guys tend to be advantaged somewhat.
I'd love to get him in here at a reasonable price, but I'm not sure they can afford him.

Yeah, its much more wishful thinking on my part...still, the thought of one of my fave non-pats player in a patriots uniform is really exciting, though i know it's a longshot

 

[#12]

Urlacher is having Neck Surgery within a week or so I am told so if Brian cannot come back too early or out for a bit longer than expected then Briggs signing and becoming a long time Bears player becomes a near certainty as he all of a sudden becomes crucial to Chicago's defense.

Urlacher unfortunately was not of old this past year with his back problems. I did not know he was about to have neck surgery though (stayin away from football news), but I guess if that Pats can't get Briggs the second team (and probably only other team) i wouldn't mind him playing for would be the Bears. There are definitely some serious question marks with Urlacher, I'm just hoping these injuries won't seriously affect him later in life. He's been such an amazing player.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Urlacher unfortunately was not of old this past year with his back problems. I did not know he was about to have neck surgery though (stayin away from football news), but I guess if that Pats can't get Briggs the second team (and probably only other team) i wouldn't mind him playing for would be the Bears. There are definitely some serious question marks with Urlacher, I'm just hoping these injuries won't seriously affect him later in life. He's been such an amazing player.

I agree with your assessment of Urlacher,In a more successful foundation and organization,Urlacher could have been the **** Butkus of the 21st century,I think he is that good and I wish him all the best in the world with that delicate Neck surgery.

In a complete career in New England, Urlacher would probably have made Tippett,McGinest and Antwine an afterthought of best Patriots LB or DE ever.

 

[Fencer]

Give or take a vet backup, QB is set.
The OL is set, give or take cheap guys.
TE is set. Ditto K/P/LS.
RB/FB is set.
WR -- the base case is sign Moss, Gaffney, and Washington, and reluctantly part w/ Stallworth. Nobody costly is needed after that.
DL -- Wright should be resigned, backup NT could be upgraded, and otherwise they're pretty set. Investing in Seymour's eventual replacement seems unlikely.
S -- They're set, with Wilson walking

So there's a little money for CB and LB. Not a lot. Plus the top draft pick or whatever it's traded for might be used at one or both of those positions.

 

[BelichickFan]

With various players leaving and/or restructurable, we'll have plenty of money to sign a couple of good players should the opportunity arise. The bigger issue usually is finding good players willing to play for us at a good price as opposed to more elsewhere. Last year's spending spree wasn't so much having more money available or spending more, it was more that the dominos fell into place with players willing to come here on our reasonable but not exorbitent terms.

 

[signbabybrady]

I read on some sports sites where Colvin is an unlikely player to return,Why I don't know,maybe his injury is going to linger for longer than expected or he wants big money?

Bruschi probably is 60% in favor of retiring but no one knows right now,Probably including Tedy himself

Those 2 gone would definately make some room for FA market shopping like maybe getting Briggs to play for an Adalius Thomas type contract but that would be hard to get him to come here,Snyder is looking to open his wallet again.

I think the injury should be OK. I ran into Colvins Father at the Super Bowl and he said Rosi is already out of the boot and recovering fine.

 

[Rob0729]

briggs might be overvalued because of that system.

how much would san fran offer him?

Briggs is a classic Tampa 2 LB. Tampa 2 LBs are typically not 3-4 guys. Briggs agrees with that assessment. I am surprised that San Fran is even interested in the guy. I am guessing that Briggs will need to be won over with money to go to a 3-4 team. So I expect a Clements type of deal where San Fran breaks the bank to get him if he ends up going there.

 

[Rob0729]

As for the cap, the Pats can easily free up tons of cap space by cutting Stallworth and Washington and extend or renegotiate Colvin's contract (or cut him outright). Brady is three years away from free agency, the Pats could give him another long extension and free up $6-10 million in cap space. At the very least, they could convert the $3 million roster bonus into a bonus that can be prorated over the life of the contract and free up $2 million. Kyle Brady could be cut to save $2 million in cap space.

The Pats could easily free up another $10 million or even $15 million if they choose to without cutting a single starter or significantly weaken the team. There are teams out there with $30 plus million in cap space. So I don't know if the Pats will be a major player in the top end of the free agent market, but they could definitely be a player in free agency if they want to.