Contracts to deal with

I don't think either Vince or Mayo play next year on their current contracts, I think we can all agree on that point. I would like to see both of them back, BUT that is @15 million dollars worth of cap space (under their current contracts). I would be intrigued to see a defense where Collins is allowed to play OLB with Hightower and Mayo manning the middle. I think that someone is going to overpay for McCourty and he will not be back. That being the case, I can't see BB letting all three of his leaders on defense leave at the same time. The most likely scenario I see is Mayo staying and Vince and McCourty gone.

I think signing Revis to a long term deal is a MUST!

I also believe that they should lock up the Ghost long term too.

I think that bringing back Vereen is another must. The Pats offense is very difficult to pick up, and very few players have been able to grasp it quickly. Let's try a season where Brady doesn't have to teach a whole new crew the offense. I would keep Amendola (if they could restructure him and lower his cap number, that would be outstanding, but he current contract is still workable). Do not discount Amendola's value as a replacement for Edelman. Edelman is a beast, but he takes a beating and will most likely miss a game or two. Amendola has shown that he can step into that role (on a limited basis).

Connelly is easily the team best guard and hopefully they can re-sign him. Here is a nugget to throw out there, what if TB cuts Mankins? It would be interesting......

This is another one of those off-seasons where it would be considered a great success IF the Pats could just re-sign all their own guys.

Of the FA out there, I would have to say, imagine if they did let Vince go, and could bring in Suh. That is a pipe dream, I admit, but imagine what he would do to the Colts!!!

I would make a run at Charles Clay, I think he could fit into the Pats offense, if nothing else, at least raise his price on the Dolphins.

I think the list of veterans who may be cap casualties might be better bargain than the FAs.
Names like Chris Long, Mike Wallace, Vernon Davis, Mankins, Mercedes Lewis, Reggie Bush, and of course, the omnipresent Larry Fitzgerald. All of them might be willing to take less money for a chance at a ring.

http://overthecap.com/calculator/new-england-patriots/

We can keep them all.

Why wouldn't they franchise McCourty?

Simplest solution to wipe out current overage and be able to sign most everyone but one
and still have room for new players. Cut Revis and pick up 20M in cap space and all other players get paid
and PATS can sign most important of PATS FAs.
(if still need cap consider redo of Solder, Wilfork and Mayo contracts)

Butler will take Revis Job. He is ready and I am not just thinking SB winning interception.
(remember Revis had some problems last year and he won't be as hungry next year for a SB win)

My guess, Revis is gone.

Sorry to dislike your post but I can not tolerate a so so defense again.
If they plan on letting Revis walk they better damn be getting ready to create a superior pass rush but I'd much rather retain Revis and Mccourty and replace the likes of Wilfork, Mayo in the draft.
There are only a handful of elite corners and if your lucky enough to have one you do what you can at all costs.

ChrisR2223 said:

Sorry to dislike your post but I can not tolerate a so so defense again.
If they plan on letting Revis walk they better damn be getting ready to create a superior pass rush but I'd much rather retain Revis and Mccourty and replace the likes of Wilfork, Mayo in the draft.
There are only a handful of elite corners and if your lucky enough to have one you do what you can at all costs.

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I'm in the keep-Revis camp. It should be possible to sign him for a couple million a year below true market value, which is a sufficient discount. He's a good fit for the Pats, in that they'll never have a super-aggressive pass rush, so they need guys who can cover for a while. It's rare that his talents are wasted in a game plan, although Seattle -- by having debatable quality among their receivers -- came closer than most.

Cut Revis? No. Just no.

Revis and McCourty are the two most important pieces right now.

Restructure or cut Mayo.
See if there's way to restructure Wilfork. He may get cut.
Restructure or cut DA.

Did JR just say Butler is ready to take over for Revis?


Lmao.

ChrisR2223 said:

Sorry to dislike your post but I can not tolerate a so so defense again.
If they plan on letting Revis walk they better damn be getting ready to create a superior pass rush but I'd much rather retain Revis and Mccourty and replace the likes of Wilfork, Mayo in the draft.
There are only a handful of elite corners and if your lucky enough to have one you do what you can at all costs.

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Maybe cutting Wilfork and Mayo would be enough. But I'ld sure hate not to be able to sign
guys like Gostkowski, Vereen, Connolly and several others.

I like keeping Danny over big Vince call me crazy but he made big play after big play when we needed it.
I want to see more unique ways to have both Danny and Julian on the field at the same time next season.
I would love to see what CJ Spiller could do in this offense.
Imagine Blount wears the D down then Spiller runs thru a exhausted defense its very tantalizing.
Suh isn't coming here as great as that would be we would have a very good chance to go 19 and 0 if we retain Mccourty and Revis and bring in Suh to boot.
No chance of that happening though.

JR4 said:

Maybe cutting Wilfork and Mayo would be enough. But I'ld sure hate not to be able to sign
guys like Gostkowski, Vereen, Connolly and several others.

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I highly doubt Connolly becomes a guy who is tough on the cap I don't want to lose Vareen and Gostkowski as well.
But this is the first season I haven't had to pace around the living room when its third and long that is invaluable.
We replaced Faulk with Woodhead who we then replaced with Vareen its not ideal but its more palatable then not having a teams number 1 receiver completely neutralized.
I've heard Bill and Tom lavish praise on Revis I didn't hear them say that about Talib or the revolving door at Cornerbacks that have come thru and walked out the door.

Release Arrington, 're-sign Revis, restructure Mayo and Amendola, 're-sign McCourty, Vereen and Gostkowski, then worry about the rest. Much as I like guys like Ayers, Branch and Siliga they can be replaced much easier than their key players listed above. They don't have anyone who can replace Wilfork so they will have to live with his deal if they can't restructure it. I like Connolly but they can replace him with a 3rd to 4th round pick, and as much as I like Ridley he would have to come back inn a low cost incentive based deal.

ATippett56 said:

A simple reply to your pathetic rant:

"Welcome to the Theatre of the Absurd"

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Yes, your position has been absurd. Good to see you acknowledging that.

Guys the question is simple.
Is Revis willing to play for a contender for about 14 m? Or get 16 elsewhere?
If the Patriots give him 14m a year and cut wilfork they have money to sign all free agents. Mayo, DA, Arrington will be money to use on other teams FA.

My predictions:
Wilfork cut.
Revis Extend 4 years. Avg 14.2/year. Highest of all CB. 32m SB.
Mayo Restructure. Cap hit now $10,287,500 - after $7,806,667.
Extend Solder 5 years. Avg 7.2/year.
Amendola Restructure. Cap hit now $5,700,000 - after $3,430,000.
Kyle Arrington Restructure. Cap hit now $4,625,000 - after $3,622,500.
Cut Hooman.
ERFA: Devlin. Orton. Morris. Tyms.
RFA: Siliga.
Extend McCourty 5 years. Avg 7.6/year.
Extend Gostkowski 5 years. Avg 3/year.
Extend Vereen 3 years. Avg 3/year.
Extend Connoly 2 years. Avg 2.5/year.
LS. Vet Minimum. Anyone.
Ridley, Ayers no cap space.
Branch. Vet Minimum. 100k Gtd.
C White. Extend 2 years Vet minimun.
Casillas. Extend 3 years Avg 1.6/year.
Cap Room: $2,546,806 (How much do we need for draft picks?)

When you extend a guy like McCourty and Revis, the first year cap hit is nowhere near the AAV. Because, the signing bonus is pro-rated. They get the money up-front. The teams gradually increase the yearly contract to fill it out.

In my opinion Revis is absolutely must sign player. Butler ready to take his duties? - I do not think anybony in this league can do it. In covering one by one and "erasing" WR's he is irreplaceable. I love DMAc too, but if I have to choose one of them, I would take Revis in a heartbeat. Sorry to say that, but I feel that Wilfork is gonna be the salary cap casualty. No chance he's ready to restructure his contract once again ( it is a matter of Wilfork's pride I think ). Mayo seems like a real Belichick " soldier " and one of his favourite players so he'll probably accept the new terms. The more I write articles the more I think that Browner's position might be in jeopardy. I'm not saying he is a bad player, but Dennard is comming and Browner's payment is not low.I am really curious about Solder's situation. He is very valuable, but he had some upside downs this season.
BY and large the main point to keep as many players as it possible to give them possibility to play together. I know it will be a hard thing. I think we should also focus on the O-line and Brady's protection in a FA or draft.

Ivan said:

Release Arrington, 're-sign Revis, restructure Mayo and Amendola, 're-sign McCourty, Vereen and Gostkowski, then worry about the rest. Much as I like guys like Ayers, Branch and Siliga they can be replaced much easier than their key players listed above. They don't have anyone who can replace Wilfork so they will have to live with his deal if they can't restructure it. I like Connolly but they can replace him with a 3rd to 4th round pick, and as much as I like Ridley he would have to come back inn a low cost incentive based deal.

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We need to understand that it isn't Revis OR guys like Siliga. The cap just don't work that way. There are lots of decisions to made, at all levels of the roster.

Players like Siliga and Develin are ERFA. They are paid almost nothing, and it is unreasonable to even consider cutting them.

Players like Casillas are $1M or so players (like Bolden). These players are backups with a role and do not really affect the major decisions. They are simply upgrades over UDFA's who might have their roster positions.

With regard to Connolly, we all would like to see Belichick find a 3rd or 4th round pick who can step in and start, and be an upgrade to Connolly. Sometimes that is possible, sometimes not. Sometimes the players don't work out. Sometimes, the player needs a year to develop to be good enough to protect Brady. Besides, we need a starting and a backup LG. I do NOT want to count on a 3rd or 4th rounder with Kline as the backup. We discuss this every year, and every year Belichick has at least a veteran backup. Connolly's health makes it more likely that the team chooses another veteran to compete with the rookie for the starting position. But then, perhaps Connolly wants to just play another couple of years for Belichick and will sign a cap-friendly contract.

Not sure why so many want the Patriots interior defensive line to suck. Wilfork is the only really good player on that unit and they have no replacement for him. If they can't restructure they need to pay him.

Wilfork needs to restructure or go after someone younger in free agency. Thats how i see it. Same for mayo.

Ivan said:

Not sure why so many want the Patriots interior defensive line to suck. Wilfork is the only really good player on that unit and they have no replacement for him. If they can't restructure they need to pay him.

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To be fair, no one wants the DL to suck. The DL without Wilfork would likely be
Branch or Jones, Siliga, a top free agent, Easley, and a top draft choice.

The question is whether to pay Wilfork $8.5M or not. A bonus decision will be made before March 10, so we'll know more then.