Safety was a problem for Patriots. If Patriots even "equal" the 2m offer, Goldson would've been a Patriot. That was what Goldson hinted at in the article.
Problem with Patriots is that they always low-ball in negotiations. In this case, Patriots are not breaking the bank for a 1yr 2m gamble.
You theory about nobody wanted him is false. Patriots would not waste time on bringing someone in, and giving an offer, even if low, unless Patriots see something in them.
Yes, the Pats thought Goldson was going to turn into the Pro Bowler he came so they "wisely" offered hin an one year, sub $2 million contract. This was clearly a huge win for the Pats because when he exploded last year and became an UFA, the Pats could the have the opportunity to use the franchise tag on him and lose Wes Welker or use the franchise tag on Welker and lose Goldson or be forced to make him the highest paid safety in the league before he made it to free agency.
Seems just like the forward thinking that Belichick always looks for. You have the opportunity to get a player you really like at a real bargain and only lock him up for one year so it screws you in the next year by seriously having to over pay for that player or lose that player or another impact player because of it.
Seriously, do you read what you are writing. If the Pats really liked Goldson and thought he was going to be 60% the player he was the last few years, they would have offered him a multiyear deal with a signing bonus more than $2 million. If they really thought so, they would have easily offered him Gregory's contract or more. In fact, if any team believed that, they would have offered him a Gregory contract or more.
The Pats do not low ball the lower tier paid guys who they think they are getting at their lowest market value. They overpay those guys. They don't pay the top guys at least until recently.
Again, no one wanted Goldson enough to offer him more than an one year, value contract for him to prove his worth. Not the Pats. Not the 49ers. Not anyone.
Maybe Goldson only wanted an one year deal. Many players didn't like the money they were getting offered in 2011 and chose to only play for an one year deal and cash in during free agency in 2012. The Pats then knew the odds of keeping him in 2012 were slim and none since they needed the franchise tag for Welker and he would want to test free agency if he had a good year.
I'm sorry, but if Goldson was such a bargain at one year, $2 million; some one would have paid more. This league is devoid of good safety talent and if Goldson was such a good risk, some one would have paid it. The fact of the matter was he was going into his fifth year in 2011
As Sciz said, people are rewriting history now that he turned into a Pro Bowler. Many people thought Goldson was an one year wonder in 2009 since he was mediocre in 2010 and a back up his first two seasons.
