DaBruinz said:
I think you need get some more facts before making statements about what the Pats can and can't do regarding free agency.
Miguel has the Pats currently over the projected cap of $92 million by about $3 million.
So, the Pats need to jettison $3 million to get to the cap, then an additional X million for signing rookies and fill the roster, which has significant holes as of today at kicker, wide receiver, O-line, and the secondary.
Felger's analysis in the newspaper of an "easy" $9 million in cap savings was optimistic in my opinion. He is forgetting that, when you cut a player, you have to replace him with an equal or better player. So, when you cut Starks and Poole you have to consider the cost of bringing in replacements. If you want experienced veteran guys, you aren't going to get them for vet minimum.
Assuming that we restructure McGinnest and cut Poole and Starks, we have some serious holes in the roster. Ignoring practice squad and NFL Europe guys under contract:
We don't have a kicker under contract or factored in the cap.
We only have two wide receivers on the roster: Branch and Bethel Johnson.
We only have two offensive guards on the roster: Hochstein and Mankins
We only have two cornerbacks on the roster: Samuel and Hobbs.
And, not counting Rodney Harrison, we only have two safeties on the roster: Wilson and Sanders.
Now, I am NOT saying the Pats are in cap jail. There's some room to open up some cap space and the Pats are really good at it. However, it's tight, there are a lot of holes on the roster, and several vets who are important to sign. For example Samuel, Seymour, Branch, and Koppen are all heading into the final year of their contracts and keeping them is always cheaper if you do it a year early.
I am saying that the Pats are not in a position to go throwing money at the 5th wide receiver slot. The fact that Bethel Johnson costs less new cap money to keep on the roster than signing an undrafted rookie free agent stiff means that he could well be a good value. At least he is a reliable kick returner and contributes on special teams.
It's one thing to say "this bum" has to go or "bring in upgrades". But, the cap is the cap.
Now, what could change my thinking a bit would be if McGinnest retires or is cut and the Pats opt to not replace him with a veteran free agent. That would be a $7 million cap savings that the Pats could redeploy to other parts of the roster.