Free Agency and Amendola/Revis Predictions

Obviously we are on top of the world, but like Bill, we have to look forward to the future. And this year, we have a number of guys in free agency, or with huge cap numbers like Amendola and Revis.

Who do you think will stay, and who moves onto pastures new??

There has never been a year BB keeps exactly the same roster - for a variety of reasons. Usually, after the SB, some teams see great performances and become enamoured with the winner's players and they overpay for those guys. I can see Blount, Ayers in this group. Like TBC.

I don't know about Revis. (1) He loves winning (2) He loved this year (3) He loves getting paid (4) Is the SB win a "check on his to-do list" and now he continues being a mercenary ? Revis is that rare player who BOTH loves to get max money, yet has the pride to be his best at all times. Some people (Zolak and a few others) are convinced he stays. I am not as sure.

Amendola : someone will want him at his current salary. Are the Pats that team ? Again, I'm not convinced.

The guy I figure comes back : McCourty. I can also see NE paying a few bucks extra for Vereen. The others ? I dunno. I want Revis back the most. Captain Obv.

Revis has to come back along with McCourty.

I am not bringing amendola at his number unless he takes a paycut.

Any idea how much vince and mayo are making next year? I like vince but its obvious he is passed his prime.

I hear you. And I was thinking the same thing re Vince and Mayo... But I think BB places value on players beyond the contributions on the field.

In any company, there are sometimes a few older people who, though they might not produce as much as they used to, they contribute in ways that are less obvious. There was talk of older Giants brought in by Parcells to set the tone when he came to NE. As much as Vince and Mayo are (probably) overpaid, I just think they both stick because (1) they are loyal soldiers (2) they set the tone in the locker room. You think anyone in there ever talks back to Big Vince ?

A more interesting question - potentially - is Solder...

who are our FA this year?

Amendola's been huge for us in the playoffs but I wouldn't bring him back unless he restructures his deal similar to what Lafell is being paid - which I would LOVE because DA is great to have as a KR and 3rd WR.

Revis has to be kept at whatever cost IMO.

I would also try to rework or let go of Arrington. Not a knee jerk from last night because I think he is a very good slot CB and just had a poor matchup that nobody could see coming, but with the emergence of Butler and hoping for either Ryan to develop or Dennard to bounce back next year, if we can save a couple million by redoing or releasing Arrington's contract I would free up the space.

Vince looks like his old self for 2-3 snaps a games. It's beautiful when he does I've said in another thread that I can see Vince retiring. He came back from a pretty tough injury and I doubt he wants to risk potentially doing that again. Add a ring to it and why not go out on top? He seems pretty excited about coaching college also.

Regarding Mayo, he's back for sure. When you watch teams like SF lose Willis and Bowman and Seattle lose Wagner for stretches you realize you can never have enough good LBs.

PATSYLICIOUS said:

I would also try to rework or let go of Arrington. Not a knee jerk from last night because I think he is a very good slot CB and just had a poor matchup that nobody could see coming, but with the emergence of Butler and hoping for either Ryan to develop or Dennard to bounce back next year, if we can save a couple million by redoing or releasing Arrington's contract I would free up the space.

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It's totally a knee jerk from last night. Arrington is a steal at $4mm per year.

Mayo traded for a 2nd or a 3rd + 4th
Dennard traded for a 6th/7th
Amendola takes small paycut
Wilfork released

Revis resigned
McCourty resigned
Vereen resigned
Connolly resigned (near vet. min)
Branch resigned (near vet. min)

Casillas walks
Ayers walks
Ridley walks

VrabelJr said:

It's totally a knee jerk from last night. Arrington is a steal at $4mm per year.

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Operating on the outside vs tall or fast guys is just not a good place for Arrington. Bad matchups last night. I'm not down on him at all.

In the slot and on ST's hes a monster.

VrabelJr said:

Vince looks like his old self for 2-3 snaps a games. It's beautiful when he does I've said in another thread that I can see Vince retiring. He came back from a pretty tough injury and I doubt he wants to risk potentially doing that again. Add a ring to it and why not go out on top? He seems pretty excited about coaching college also.

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While I don't think it'll happen I COULD see VW hanging it up. 34 years old in Nov and looking at a redu w/ the FO on his current deal that'll pay him $8m next year...

VrabelJr said:

Regarding Mayo, he's back for sure. When you watch teams like SF lose Willis and Bowman and Seattle lose Wagner for stretches you realize you can never have enough good LBs.

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Mayo is another one that if he wants to stay needs to take a pay cut.

farn said:

There has never been a year BB keeps exactly the same roster - for a variety of reasons. Usually, after the SB, some teams see great performances and become enamoured with the winner's players and they overpay for those guys. I can see Blount, Ayers in this group. Like TBC.

I don't know about Revis. (1) He loves winning (2) He loved this year (3) He loves getting paid (4) Is the SB win a "check on his to-do list" and now he continues being a mercenary ? Revis is that rare player who BOTH loves to get max money, yet has the pride to be his best at all times. Some people (Zolak and a few others) are convinced he stays. I am not as sure.

Amendola : someone will want him at his current salary. Are the Pats that team ? Again, I'm not convinced.

The guy I figure comes back : McCourty. I can also see NE paying a few bucks extra for Vereen. The others ? I dunno. I want Revis back the most. Captain Obv.

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Blount is under contract for next season.

I am very curious about what to do with Mayo and his salary cap. I really like him, but this season made it obvious that he is expandable and that Hightower and Collins are the real deal (Still need depth, IMO).

I feel like Amendola will either take a paycut or walk. He was great in the playoffs, so I'm hoping he sticks and maybe next year he can play like that for the whole season.

I hate to say it or to think about it, but i don't think Revis will stick around. I really want to be wrong here

McCourty, Ayers and Vareen will remain here. Ridley won't.

Arrington is a key reason why we are able to constantly destroy the Colts.
With him and McCourty eliminating Hilton and Revis taking away the WR2, Luck has nowhere to throw.

Arrington is a specialty CB like Browner. If Butler can emerge as a decent outside CB, Arrington should never be outside again.

Wilfork is probably gone. Past prime. Not the player he once was.
Mayo too. Bicep tear. Then pec tear. These are injuries that make me think body breaking down. Like Garciaparra at the end. Hightower and Collins showed we can win it all without him.

Revis - re-sign big deal (lower number from 25 to 15)
McCourty - re-sign big deal (sign to a deal with 7 million first year cap hit)
Gostkowski - franchise or sign (sign to a deal for ~4 million per season)
Ayers - re-sign short money or let walk, maybe 2 million per year (backup)
Branch - re-sign short money or let walk, maybe 3 million per year (borderline starter)
Connolly - re-sign short money or let walk, if he's back doesn't prevent us from drafting a starter and using him as a quality backup
Vereen - signs elsewhere for 3-4 million per year (we wouldn't go 2 yrs/$4 million for Woodhead)
Ridley - ?? if he signs here it has to be for short money, don't expect him back

Re-do Brady deal to free up cash (maybe free up 4 million)
Cut Hooman and other minor releases to free up cash (free up 1 million)
Re-do Amendola - maybe some incentives - maybe convert salary to bonus and push money into future years

There's going to be some tough decisions to be made. For example, I'd love Brandon Browner to stay but he's due about 5.5 mil next year and can be cut before the league year at, I believe, no cost. I'm hoping he stays, but in addition to Revis and McCourty , that's a lot invested in the secondary.

No chance they cut Browner. BB clearly loves him. Wilfork and Mayo could stay, although we all know how stubborn Big Vince is.

manxman2601 said:

There's going to be some tough decisions to be made. For example, I'd love Brandon Browner to stay but he's due about 5.5 mil next year and can be cut before the league year at, I believe, no cost. I'm hoping he stays, but in addition to Revis and McCourty , that's a lot invested in the secondary.

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I hear what your saying : but in a passing league... NE has just been burned so many times because they lacked DB quality and depth. I want them to end money there.

Re-structure Amendola

Revis and McCourty re-sign. Seems like they're becoming great friends and I'm thinking they talk it over on making sure they stick together here.

1 of Wilfork and/or Mayo will go, unfortunately.

I feel like the Cowboys will sign Ridley and he'd have a ton of success behind that o-line.

I like Vereen and want him to stay. Unless they see something in Bolden being able to catch passes & do similar things. Plus we drafted James White. Doesn't look too good for Vereen, unfortunately.

I think everyone agrees that both Revis and McCourty need to be kept in the fold.

Wilfork and Mayo are question marks to an extent, since the former is getting up there and the latter is coming off a significant injury.

Connolly I can see being allowed to walk and replaced with a draftee. If he comes back I expect it will be for significantly less money.

I've been see-sawing on Vereen, but after last night I think he's too valuable to lose. His versatility as a run game substitute against elite defenses is an asset.

I've got binkie love for both Amendola and Ridley so while I don't necessarily expect them to return, I sure as heck would like to see them back.