If I understand the Patriots situation correctly they are $22 million under the cap at the moment. This is before they either sign Wes Welker to a long term deal or tag him which would be roughly $9 million on the cap. They could also decide to let him go, but I think it is far more likely that they bring him back in some fashion.
Assuming they tag or sign Welker that would leave them roughly $13-$15 million under the cap before and draft choices are signed. The Patriots also have several other players they would like to re-sign and a couple of high priced vet's like Ochocinco who they will most likely part ways with.
With the money that is left over will the Patriots realistically have the financial ammunition to go after the 2 or 3 impact players they need?
As great as it would be to see the Pat's pick up a defensive stud or two like Mario Williams, Brandon Carr or Cliff Avril to go along side with a wr to stretch the field like Brandon Lloyd I don't think (unless they shift money around) they can be major players in the f/a market.
So my question to someone who undestands the cap far better than I do is can the Patriots make a splash in the f/a market?
In my humble opinion the Pat's are right there. If I were them I would make every attempt to sign the impact players we need while Tom Brady's window is still open.
Assuming they tag or sign Welker that would leave them roughly $13-$15 million under the cap before and draft choices are signed. The Patriots also have several other players they would like to re-sign and a couple of high priced vet's like Ochocinco who they will most likely part ways with.
With the money that is left over will the Patriots realistically have the financial ammunition to go after the 2 or 3 impact players they need?
As great as it would be to see the Pat's pick up a defensive stud or two like Mario Williams, Brandon Carr or Cliff Avril to go along side with a wr to stretch the field like Brandon Lloyd I don't think (unless they shift money around) they can be major players in the f/a market.
So my question to someone who undestands the cap far better than I do is can the Patriots make a splash in the f/a market?
In my humble opinion the Pat's are right there. If I were them I would make every attempt to sign the impact players we need while Tom Brady's window is still open.