I think that there is a very different set of decisions when a player is a UFA compared to a player under contract.
SPRINGS
For example, Springs has been injured and is under contract through the 2011 season. He was brought in knowing that he had injury issues (as was McGowan). There is absolutely no reason to cut him before camp, especially if there no cap. Why would you? Springs was brought in to start if necessary and otherwise to be a role player if our developing stars needed help or were injured. Do you know that a healthy Spring is NOT better than Wheatley? What if Bodden isn't re-signed? What if the new free agent or two doesn't work out. Are you ready to count on Wilhite, Butler and Wheatley and not even see if Springs is capable of being a backup (at no cost). This makes no sense to me.
BURGESS
I think that you might as well cut him unless we get a new DC. We know exactly what a healthy Burgess can do in this scheme.
THOMAS
He is gone because he doesn't salute properly. That's probably what got Seymour traded also. Thomas has told the truth as he sees it. When playing for the 2009 (or the 2008) this is close to treason. I wish AD good look except when his team plays ours, as I do to Seymour. I do get it. Someone has to take the blame for the "poor" performance of the patriots. A few days ago, over 60% of us thought it was the coaches. It is much easier for the fault to Burgess and AD. After all, without them we'd be 11-1.
NEAL, GREEN, FAULK
As is always the case, they will find out what the patriots think that they are worth, and will accept our offer or someone elses. Every decision is a business decision. These are nothing special.
WOODS
Woods is a role player and a top special teamer. I think the question is simply how high a tender we'll offer him, whether or not we extend him. I expect him to be extended, but he could decide that the patriot offer is not sufficient and that it would be better to wait a year.
SANDERS
I see absolutely no reason to cut Sanders before camp. But I could see it happening.
MOSS
The discussion of Moss simply shows how little some posters care about winning. Proferssional football is not kindergarten, it really isn't. We've had many veterans who attended practice intermiitantly and many who didn't particiapte in much of the offseason camps. Belichick does indeed give awards for practicing well. However, that is not a reason to get rid of one of our top players.
MY BOTTOM LINE
$2M -$2.5M role players should not be cut. They are valuable and reasonable value. Posters can choose to believe that Belichick can find rookies to take those roles. After all the posters would have no trouble doing so! This team has always been about using role players like Morris, Edelman, Aiken, LeVoir, Green, Woods, Guyton, Ninkovich, Alexander and the others. I'm fine with upgrading players, but not in cutting such players if they are under contract until their replacement had been shown to be a better option for a roster spot, as was the case when Lewis was cut to make room for Edelman and Galloway to make room for Tate.
There will be many openings to replace those who are fired (AD) or who are UFA's who sign elsewhere. And there will be many opportunities to beat out those with contracts in camp.
Adalius Thomas, Derrick Burgess, Jarvis Green and Shawn Springs are as good as gone, IMHO. Underproducers, and worse in some cases.
Stephen Neal, Kevin Faulk, Pierre Woods and James Sanders are business decisions. All have value, but none are contributing to the value of their contracts (except Faulk, who will be 34).
I don't see us letting Moss go this offseason, unless something changes. He was voted a team captain this season, and he's had some good moments. He's still on of the best WRs in the game. I think he'll be given a chance to get with the program. If he doesn't, he won't be back after 2010.
