Is Sebastian Vollmer worth the big bucks?

RayClay · Feb 23, 2013

Deus Irae said:
He's missed 11 games in the past 2 seasons.

My bad, got caught in hyperbole. He played 14, 15 and 16 the other three years. A knee scope is no big deal. Linemen are injured all the time, that's why BB tries to play everyone some.

Despite my unfortunate statement (I know he's had recent injuries) I would say he's not way out of the ordinary for a lineman.

bagwell368 · Feb 23, 2013

manxman2601 said:
And when Nate Solder gets injured for the season week one next year...?

The above statement is why I think Vollmer is so important to us. He's arguably the best RT in the NFL but he's a better than average LT too. I think Cannon is excellent cover but I'm not convinced he can hold down a Tackle position as a starter.

Fine logic. But, we are going to outbid teams for Vollmer that see him as a LT on a long term deal, when we'll use him at RT? Doubt it.

Franchise him and deal him.

RayClay · Feb 23, 2013

I don't think the Patriots draft players hoping they won't succeed so they will be more affordable.

Vollmer proved to be a great draft pick, he seems to be able to play with a back issue, like about half the league and his other injuries are just injuries from trying to corral super fast huge guys all day.

Chung, on the other hand, seems to have not worked out, or at least not if he wants a big contract.

Remember, the draft and the first resigning are not to make a splash, or train a player for years so another team will benefit, they are to, hopefully identify and groom elite players as part of a plan to improve an aspect of the team for years.

In Vollmer and older, they have elite bookends to keep Mr. Brady's shirt clean. Why would they want to trade one and start over hoping some as yet unknown works out, makes it to the next contract and has the character to contribute to the team ethos?

Of course you do that if you can't work something out, but that's not plan a, b, c, or d, I'm sure.

ctpatsfan77 · Feb 23, 2013

AndyJohnson said:
There are no idiots that will pay Sebastian Vollmer like a top LT

Really?

Vincent Jackson: 5 yrs, $55M
Robert Meachem: 4 yrs, $26M
Pierre Garçon: 5 yrs, $42.5M
Josh Morgan: 2 yrs, $12M
Laurent Robinson: 5 yrs, $32.5M

And that was just WRs, just last year.

mgteich · Feb 24, 2013

There are lots of teams that need starting OT's with experience. There always are. Apparently, we believe that we have two starters in Solder and Cannon. Therefore, it is very, very likely that at least on team will think is worth considerably more to them than the patriots think he's worth to us.

After all, we'd sign a veteran to compete with Cannon and move on.

RayClay · Feb 24, 2013

mgteich said:
There are lots of teams that need starting OT's with experience. There always are. Apparently, we believe that we have two starters in Solder and Cannon. Therefore, it is very, very likely that at least on team will think is worth considerably more to them than the patriots think he's worth to us.

After all, we'd sign a veteran to compete with Cannon and move on.

When did Cannon become our starting tackle? Is this the same guy who was completely hopeless and a bust this preseason?

When did the patriots start making decisions based on what other teams want? Why wouldn't they make a push for a guy who has performed better than they though when they spent a high pick on him.

Also, if other teams value a tackle who could play both sides so much we couldn't possibly compete, why do we expect to find a replacement as easily as buying a chicken sandwich art a drive thru?

BritPat · Feb 24, 2013

AndyJohnson said:
He hasn't been EITHER since 2010.

Vollmer hasn't been one of the best RT's since 2010?

Really?

Froob · Feb 24, 2013

RayClay said:
There are tons of 6'8" all pro tackles who can play both positions...

Oh, I mean there aren't. Where do you get the idea that we can manufacture those players? Look at the high first round tackle busts, we had one on the roster last year.

Who? I get the idea from the team manufacturing good o-linemen. Like Donald Thomas, Dan Connolly, Marcus Cannon, Nick Kaczur(well decent at best anyways), Ryan Wendell, Dan Koppen and I'm sure there was more. None of them high draft picks, seems like it's just plug and play. I'm not saying they would plug in somebody just as good but, if they have to pay big bucks I'd rather that money go elsewhere. I think the addition of a skills player or safety and Dante plugging in somebody to replace the loss of Vollmer would be a better team than just re signing Vollmer.

PeteNH · Feb 24, 2013

I don't get it, why do people think SeaBass is worth big bucks? He is a RT - hasn't played left, AND has serious back issues... Its not like the Pats really suffered without him.

I bet he re-signs with the Pats for MUCH less than people think. (like 3 years 12mil)

He just had knee surgery too!

Ring 6 · Feb 24, 2013

BritPat said:
Vollmer hasn't been one of the best RT's since 2010?

Really?

Have you watched him play? He has missed 11 games in the last 2 years, and his play looks like a guy who is struggling with injuries.
He hasn't been close to one of the best RTs since 2010.
In 2011 he played 6 games.
In 2012 he was no where near his preinjury level, there was discussion this year about him being a weak link, and he was no better than an average RT this year.
Really.

Ring 6 · Feb 24, 2013

ctpatsfan77 said:
Really?

Vincent Jackson: 5 yrs, $55M
Robert Meachem: 4 yrs, $26M
Pierre Garçon: 5 yrs, $42.5M
Josh Morgan: 2 yrs, $12M
Laurent Robinson: 5 yrs, $32.5M

And that was just WRs, just last year.

How many of those are injury prone RTs who have been average players for the last 2 years that someone thinks will get paid like a LT when he hasn't proven he can play there. I realize he did for a little while as a rookie, but put in the film, he doesnt move now like he did then.
Why would the Patriots have spent the highest pick they have had in years on a LT if they could have just extended Vollmer? Because they don't believe he is a LT. I have yet to see any team give 'top LT money' (which is what has been discussed) to an injury prone RT who's team doesn't believe he can be a starting LT.

RayClay · Feb 24, 2013

Froob said:
Who? I get the idea from the team manufacturing good o-linemen. Like Donald Thomas, Dan Connolly, Marcus Cannon, Nick Kaczur(well decent at best anyways), Ryan Wendell, Dan Koppen and I'm sure there was more. None of them high draft picks, seems like it's just plug and play. I'm not saying they would plug in somebody just as good but, if they have to pay big bucks I'd rather that money go elsewhere. I think the addition of a
skills player or safety and Dante plugging in somebody to replace the loss of Vollmer would be a better team than just re signing Vollmer.

Who? Robert Gallery, former 2nd overall pick from Oakland. Marcus Cannon was projected much higher than we picked him. He had cancer and he has struggled mightily. We drafted Matt Light, hardly on the level of Vollmer and solder height wise (fine career, obviously) and who else? Adrian Klemm? They obviously drafted Solder and Vollmer for a reason, they spent high picks. The fact they can develop guards over years has nothing to do with drafting bookend mobile 6'8" tackles.

I don't know what big bucks is, I just know they don't plan and spend high picks on positions an players just to ditch them, start over and hope to get lucky again. Why would they do that, when keeping Brady upright is one o the biggest tasks we have?

RayClay · Feb 24, 2013

Also, before we decide we know what the market will be for Vollmer or Welker, there's this (Reiss).

3. Two years removed from the 2011 lockout, a clearer picture is starting to come into focus, and this is what it looks like: The teams that planned accordingly for a flat salary cap in consecutive years -- as Patriots owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft had warned at the time -- are putting themselves in position to capitalize on what looks like a flooded market that is flush with solid players who can be signed at reasonable prices. Those who didn't plan accordingly are over/tight to the cap and will have to cut some good players, which we've already seen happen with various teams, with more to follow in the coming weeks. Because of this, the majority of player agents I spoke with at the combine aren't expecting a lucrative free-agent period and have braced themselves for a depressed financial market -- both this year and next. As more time passes since the 10-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement in July 2011, it seems the chorus is growing louder among agents that it's not as good of a deal as the players thought they were getting.

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Deus Irae · Feb 24, 2013

As more time passes since the 10-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement in July 2011, it seems the chorus is growing louder among agents that it's not as good of a deal as the players thought they were getting.

They're just starting to figure this out now? This was obvious before the deal was even ratified.

mgteich · Feb 24, 2013

Perhaps Reiss is just now figuring this out.

Deus Irae said:
They're just starting to figure this out now? This was obvious before the deal was even ratified.

PatsWickedPissah · Feb 24, 2013

Guys, cool it. The Jets GM could be reading this and now he knows.

Is Sebastian Vollmer worth the big bucks?

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