extension for Solder: 2 years, per Schefter

robertweathers said:

I'm with you. I'm struggling with the motivation the Pats have in doing this deal at the structure that is being reported.

Solder is a solid player and clearly the Pats like him. I'm not convinced he is a top 5 LT in this league but having a player worse than Solder at the position could derail the entire season.

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The entire offense rests on a once-in-a-lifetime quarterback who is probably the best of all time (just compare his receivers with Montana's). Although he has stayed remarkably injury free so far, that amazing quarterback is now 38, when most players become more injury prone. Trying to scrimp on the LT position that protects that amazing quarterback would be dumb under the circumstances, and one thing that BB is not, is dumb.

resdubwhite said:

I understand that those decisions have to be made.
But there are moving parts. Mayo and Amendola's 2016 money for instance.
Don't have to to pick up both Hightower and Jones 2016 options either. And a rising cap.

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They already picked up both options.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/30/patriots-exercise-chandler-joness-2016-option/

This has been a very top priority for the team once the decision was made on Revis. Now Brady will be protected through 2017.

Also, it seems likely that the parties thought that this would happen, since Solder was named a captain. I don't think that he would have been named captain if he wasn't likely to be extended.

This gives the Patriots time to acquire a #1 draft pick to draft a left tackle.

zydecochris said:

The entire offense rests on a once-in-a-lifetime quarterback who is probably the best of all time (just compare his receivers with Montana's). Although he has stayed remarkably injury free so far, that amazing quarterback is now 38, when most players become more injury prone. Trying to scrimp on the LT position that protects that amazing quarterback would be dumb under the circumstances, and one thing that BB is not, is dumb.

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I agree. Without a player on the roster that they project as better and cheaper than Solder the player has the leverage. However there is a difference between skimping and overpaying.

He is now paid between Clady and Ferguson. He is now paid as a Top 5 LT and 99% of his deal is guaranteed. I'm still not sure he should be in the neighborhood but I'm glad he is with the team till 2017.

robertweathers said:

He is now paid between Clady and Ferguson. He is now paid as a Top 5 LT and 99% of his deal is guaranteed. I'm still not sure he should be in the neighborhood but I'm glad he is with the team till 2017.

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Gugs called him the 2nd best LT in the league.

robertweathers said:

I agree. Without a player on the roster that they project as better and cheaper than Solder the player has the leverage. However there is a difference between skimping and overpaying.

He is now paid between Clady and Ferguson. He is now paid as a Top 5 LT and 99% of his deal is guaranteed. I'm still not sure he should be in the neighborhood but I'm glad he is with the team till 2017.

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That depends on where he actually falls.. The reports of 10.3 million average are false..

Patsrock said:

They already picked up both options.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/30/patriots-exercise-chandler-joness-2016-option/

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But they can trade and or not exercise those options (if up against cap).

not that either is a likely scenario.

resdubwhite said:

But they can trade and or not exercise those options (if up against cap).

not that either is a likely scenario.

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They can trade them, yes. But both options have already been exercised..

So, $1.83M in cap space now plus up to another $0.76M or so when guys come-off PUP and a couple players without guarantees get cut. That doesn't leave much for signing guys to help if other players are injured. I guess any replacement players are likely to be promoted from the PS or at least come-in at a minimum salary. I'll be interested in getting Mig's take on whether $2.6M is enough cap space to handle whatever other might hit this year's cap or whether we should expect someone to be cut to free-up salary before tomorrow afternoon.

DaBruinz said:

MY gut feelinig is that the deal is a $20.3M but it includes THIS year. That would put Solder around 6.76M per year. That would allow them to lower this years cap hit and still pay him well..

Again, the devil is in the details and I'll go with Miguel over any of the nitwits like Rappoport..

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That makes no sense. He was earning 7.5mill this year. Why would he agree to add 2 years at a total of only 12.8mill?

Bruins29 said:

Gugs called him the 2nd best LT in the league.

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Who is Gugs? Pats O-line coach? Who is 1st?

DaBruinz said:

That depends on where he actually falls.. The reports of 10.3 million average are false..

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Just double checked and right now he is being paid $27.5 for the next 3 years. That is obviously a shade above $9m per season.

At 10m is it Top 5. At $9m it is not.

robertweathers said:

Who is Gugs? Pats O-line coach? Who is 1st?

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Gugs - DeGuglielmo

1st would be Joe Staley, in my estimation, though it could be Joe Thomas as well..

Pretty rich deal, on a per-year basis. I guess they really like him.

That said, it sounds as if this could be his last contract with the Patriots, by which I mean it seems likely that if he's still a really good tackle they'll be outbid for him in three years. I anticipate more tackles in the intervening drafts, assuming the NFL actually lets the Patriots make any picks.

DaBruinz said:

Gugs - DeGuglielmo

1st would be Joe Staley, in my estimation, though it could be Joe Thomas as well..

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Deguglielmo said he was second only to Tyron Smith.

http://mmqb.si.com/2015/02/13/new-england-patriots-offensive-line-dave-deguglielmo

Patriot OL Coach Dave DeGuglielmo said: "I believe he’s one of the best left tackles in the NFL. And I see enough tape in film study to know what I’m talking about in that regard. I wouldn’t trade him for another left tackle in the league, I really wouldn’t. I mean the only guy, and I’ve told him this, that is in his league in my opinion with the combination of skills and movement and power is Tyron Smith in Dallas. I don’t want to hear about [Denver’s Ryan] Clady, [Cleveland’s] Joe Thomas, I don't want to hear about any of them. [Eagles’ Jason] Peters is sloppy. I’d take Nate Solder over all those guys, and I’ve told him that.”

One could argue where he belongs, but the Patriot coaches aren't particularly known to be flatterers, they must have an high opinion of Solder.

robertweathers said:

Who is Gugs? Pats O-line coach? Who is 1st?

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resdubwhite said:

But they can trade and or not exercise those options (if up against cap).

not that either is a likely scenario.

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They can release them before the option fully vests, but they've already exercised the option. After this year's trade deadline, the Pats won't be able to trade either until after their 2016 salaries are fully guaranteed.

Froob said:

Well it's a tad bit risky. Hopefully his early play from last year was due to recovering from cancer. Aside from the Chargers game after the bad start he held up well for the most part.

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im sure the testicular cancer didnt factor into his play at all. im very confident he is going to bounce back

Solder locked in for 2 more years. So add the 20m to the 7.5 he is already making, he will average about 9.27m per year. That's the price of a top tackle in the NFL these days. He's getting paid fairly.