1) We haven't seen the final numbers, but Branch will apparently paid more than the $19M for for four years that the Patriots were willing to pay. The last couple of years are likely to be fluff. When the contract comes out, consider the first four years, including the entire signing bonus and understand that Seattle paid that much PLUS A FIRST ROUND DRAFT CHOICE!!! I think that you will then agree that Seattle was willing to pay more than the patriots were, or should be, willing to pay.
2) With regard to the threesome, you are correct there will be no contract principles involved. The patriots will simply have to decide whether to pay what these players are worth to the patriots or to pay what the market will bear. At that time, we will again self-righteously agree that the patriots make "fair" offers, whatever that means. I guess "fair" means whatever the patriots are willing to pay, given our salary structure that has worked very well thank you.
HOWEVER, please understand that the patriots are most unlikely to outbid others for these players. The teams (including the patriots) have not yet gotten used to the new cap, since there are many players on old contracts, leaving lots of available money. IMHO, there will definitely be teams willing to pay significantly more than the patriots. I see absolutely no reason for Graham not to be in the same situation as Givens. Koppen will also draw big money. Samuel is much more questionable, but that is another issue entirely.
The bottom line is the patriots did what they felt they had to for the future of the the team. They replaced Branch, Givens, McGinist, and Vinitieri with Gabriel, Caldwell, Seau, and Gostkowski. No amount of koolaid will change that. And we should really feel lucky to get Gabriel and Seau. The prospects looked a lot worse a couple of weeks ago.
Sure, I know we drafted Jackson; but he should be Troy's replacement, when he retires after this year, not the miracle man 2nd round draft choice. We are the best roster planners in the league. Barring major injuries, we shouldn't need to depend on 2nd round rookie wide receivers, no matter how good they are.
flutie2phelan said:
Piolichick got Branch's value exactly right. Offered him the right number.
For a contract to begin when his existing contract expired.
Come March, the contracts of the Patriots we are now concerned about
will have expired.
I think that the players would do well to assume that Piolichick price their future services right on the market ...
exactly as they got Branch's value right.
With Koppen, Samuel, Graham, Wilson ...
there will be no remaining year to an existing contract
to becloud the issue.
The only real question should be,
Do They Wish To Remain Patriots?