I'm glad the Pats made a deal with Asante
 

As we got caught up in the Asante sign or holdout (I know it's not-don't go there) a lot of people thought we caved by giving some assurance about not retagging him next year.

Don't we get what we want without giving up much?

1. Happy player allowed to save face.

2. We wanted to bump him up 20%? Could it be more, depending on CB salaries next year? (that's a question, I don't know).

3. If we do want to sign long term, we have a good relationship. He might not be the flavor of the month next year.

4. I think we benefit by being seen as tough and fair in negotiations.

I don't think being seen as unyielding and trying to "beat" every player in negotiations even when it doesn't matter helps us.

I think we're regarded as smart rather than mean and nasty and that's got to help us.

Thoughts?

Re: I'm glad the Patsmade a deal with Asante
 

Most teams have traditionally been reluctant to use the Franchise tag, not only because of the high salary, but because they understood it might not make sense to force disgruntled players to play for a team and didn't want to hurt thier chances in attracting free agents should the team get a rep for using the tag all the time.

Right now however, with Franchise salaries still reflecting many top contracts of the old CBA, Franchise salaries for many positions aren't prohibitiive to teams - $7.8 million for one season is high on the cap yes, but for a one year only deal its a good deal for the Patriots - the risk is low and the reward is potentially high. And with more teams using the Tag the "stigma" that an organization might have for using it is lessened.

That's why the Pats recognized the value in using it with Samuel to have him for another season... but it also can't be ignored that the intent of the Franchise Tag is not to force players to remain with a team indefinately - its meant to bridge one, MAYBE two seasons in an extreme case so a team can find a quality replacement player for a pivotal position.

For next year, I think its safe to assume a 20% bump for Samuel theoretically - I can't recall exactly how the CBA calculates the salaries but I think his cap and actual salary/bonus are still on the low side as its the 2nd year of his contract.

That would bring Samuel to $9.4 million - still not unthinkable for the Pats to pay that theoretically if Samuel replicates last season. That's $17 million over 2 seasons if he made it that far - which is about what I'd think the Pats might have agreed to as a bonus this year if Samuel agreed to a long term contract... but Samuel is gambling that he can get Nate Clements money next year, especially given NFL inflation.

He might not be wrong, but he's gambling that he remains healthy, has a good season, and now, is allowed to play enough downs to trigger his clause.

Overall I think this deal favors the Pats - as I'd prefer to have the high reward, low risk of one additional season of Samuel, and another SB ring, rather than seeing Samuel sit out for 10 games - especially now given the Harrison situation.

But overall I think if I were Samuel I'd do the same thing... $7.8 million guaranteed... risking $9.4 million (or the equivilent of this years additional signing bonus money had he agreed to a contract/or next year's Franchise salary) but potentially gaining $20 million in bonus alone next year if he plays well, stays healthy and is a true free agent.

Re: I'm glad the Patsmade a deal with Asante
 

Ya, that would totally suck to only get $17 million signing bonus.

Re: I'm glad the Pats made a deal with Asante
 

The Pats had very little choice but to sign Asante. They had no

viable alternatives. Did you notice how Peyton Manning tore Jason

David to shreds? The trouble is that there will be a shortage of

good cornerbacks among next years free agents. Who will replace

Asante? Are the Pats willing to draft a cornerback with one of

of their first round draft choices and start him? Also, will the

Jets target Randall Gay next year if he has a good year?

Re: I'm glad the Pats made a deal with Asante
 

The other year Manning had about 50 touchdown passes. That's a average of over 3 per game. There aren't many CB's that Manning hasn't torched in his career. Even Law, who did so well in the 2003 playoff game, still had TDs thrown on him. I wouldn't make a judgement that there are no good CBs out there because Manning threw a couple TDs.

Asante was a fourth round pick, and they started him his rookie year.

No need to panic.

Re: I'm glad the Pats made a deal with Asante
 

I think people are sniffing too much glue. Had the Pats not bended do you seriously think Asante would have sat out the first ten games of GUARANTEED money? Give up about 4 million when that's about as much as he's earned in his first contract. And let's say he did come back game 11, does the franchise tag get prorated? Anyone know? If it does.... let's say he gets injuted game 12 and his value dips bigtime missing that big contract plus he missed out on 10 paychecks.


I think the Pats just didn't plan on keeping him next year and didn't want a fiasco of public relations. It's ashame they are letting a commodity walk with no compensation next year.

Re: I'm glad the Pats made a deal with Asante
 

Asante had little choice but to sign the tender I would argue.

Re: I'm glad the Pats made a deal with Asante
 

I agree. Given that we could have had an acrimonious situation leading to probably letting him go next year anyway, but with a "sign anywhere but the Patriots" attitude.

Or a face saving scenario with no distraction and good relations if we want to keep trying to sign him long term.

I don't think we wanted to hold him hostage for two years at pretty good money, that's my point.

Re: I'm glad the Pats made a deal with Asante
 

Huh????????

Re: I'm glad the Pats made a deal with Asante
 

Do you care to elaborate?