Fleming, Hilapio, Devey, Stork and Wendell

[supafly]

Wendell has a $1,000,000 salary, plus a weekly roster bonus of $12,500 per game that he is active, which works out to $200,000 for the full season.

There was also an $850,000 signing bonus, which is a sunk cost.

Wendell's cap number is $1,625,000.

If he is cut or traded then the Pats will take a cap hit of $850,000 (for his signing bonus).

The cap savings for the Patriots is $705,000 if he is cut or traded.

PatsCap.com | Ryan Wendell


A vet minimum contract would give a team signing him a lowered cap number, which is that of the minimum contract for a player with two years experience, or $570,000. Wendell's contract does not qualify for that cap discount because (a) his salary is in excess of the vet minimum for a player with his experience ($730,000); (b) it is for more than one year; and (c) it contains combined bonus money in excess of $65,000.

Should another team want to pick him up and qualify for that vet minimum discount, then they would have to sign him to a one-year deal with a salary of $730,000 and signing and/or roster bonuses of no more than $65,000.

Thank you, jmt57. For that kind of money, I wouldn't mess around by cutting Wendell. Just my opinion.

As I said, I think it's always the hope that a cheaper/younger rookie will step up in justification of a veteran release to save money, but in this case---it's not just that significant of a savings.

Of course, we've seen Belichick make moves to save far less, so I could be wrong. I just think we'll be needing him this year one way or another.

 

[supafly]

I expect the draftees to all make it. They were drafted for a reason and there will likely be some movement next year (Wendell gone, Cannon will be a UFA, Mankins a possible cap casualty).

I would guess they'll release Wendell, have Connelly at Center and keep Cave on the PS as a Center emergency. IRing Stork is a possibility too, we have plenty of depth for this year but keeping it for next year is the goal for me.

Good point, BelichickFan. That is actually how I feel about RB and CB--although probably to a lesser extent. I think some of these logjams of talent will pay off big time next year.

At RB, I'd like to see at least one of Finch/Gray on the PS, if that is possible (preferably Finch). If not, we may have a nice foundation of White and Finch at RB for 14/2015, only needing to sign one of Ridley/Vereen in the offseason.

As usual, Bolden is a wildcard for me both this year and next when he's a RFA.

 

[mgteich]

Thank you, jmt57. For that kind of money, I wouldn't mess around by cutting Wendell. Just my opinion.

As I said, I think it's always the hope that a cheaper/younger rookie will step up in justification of a veteran release to save money, but in this case---it's not just that significant of a savings.

Of course, we've seen Belichick make moves to save far less, so I could be wrong. I just think we'll be needing him this year one way or another.

 

[mgteich]

SEVEN LOCKS OR ALMOST LOCKS
Mankins, Connolly, Stork and the four tackles. At this point, Connolly needs to start somewhere. A can't see Belichick cutting Stork. Cannon is at very least a needed backup at OT. Fleming is good enough to be the emergency backup while he develops.

1-2 INTERIOR LINEMAN - WHO ARE THEY?
Who are they? Given, the above, who would you keep?
WENDELL
DEVEY
KLINE
HILAPIO
BARKER
CAVE

OT - Solder, Vollmer, Fleming
OG/C - Mankins, Connolly, Wendell, Stork
OT/OG Cannon

OPTION ONE - Wendell
Of the kids. Belichick could simply keep only the 4th rounders. The 9th and 10th OL's would then be on the Pracive Squad. I suspect at least 3 of the 5 will clear waivers.

OPTION TWO - Two Kids
Cut Wendell and keep two of the kids.

OPTION THREE - Wendell plus one kid

OPTION FOUR - Wendell plus 2 kids for 4 weeks and then cut someone.

I like the 10 OL Option 4. If Stork is ready in 4 weeks, then Wendell can go.

 

[captain stone]

My guess, as of now:

Solder - Mankins - Connolly - Devey - Vollmer
Cannon - Wendell - Stork - Kline - Fleming

Wendell could be a 4-week insurance policy while Stork learns the ropes. Another wrinkle could be
that Wendell is released then re-signed after Week 1 so that his contract isn't guaranteed.

Halapio needs a good performance v Carolina to overtake Kline before cut-downs. Kline could also
start at RT with a good performance v Carolina.

 

[mgteich]

I understand that Wendell may get cut. However, we shouldn't have any illusions about re-signing him.
Wendell would simply say "thank you" for the bonus money and take a guaranteed minimum value contract elsewhere. There are many teams that can use a veteran backup center as their 8th or 9th OL, especially one that is healthy and was a 2013 starter.

Personally, I like the idea of 10 OL's. We would have 8 position players plus 2 developmental players (Stork and Fleming).

We often keep a couple of developmental players. We have fragile OT's. Cannon is in his contract year.
Mankins, Connolly and Wendell could all be gone after season. To me, the OL is a good value for the use of developmental roster spots.

My guess, as of now:

Solder - Mankins - Connolly - Devey - Vollmer
Cannon - Wendell - Stork - Kline - Fleming

Wendell could be a 4-week insurance policy while Stork learns the ropes. Another wrinkle could be
that Wendell is released then re-signed after Week 1 so that his contract isn't guaranteed.

Halapio needs a good performance v Carolina to overtake Kline before cut-downs. Kline could also
start at RT with a good performance v Carolina.