I doubt he is holding out for cash.
I say offer him a vet min contract, then PUP him. He's had off-season surgery and surely qualifies.
It isn't like he needs training camp. He's been to O, D, and ST meetings for years. Give him a contract, the summer off, and surely by week 9 we will have enough WRs and/or DBs hurt to activate him.
I based my remarks on a comment made by Mike Reiss in his latest mailbag of 3/21/07
"
: My read on the Troy Brown situation is that he would like to play for the Patriots in 2007, and that if both sides were willing to accept a veteran minimum benefit type of contract, it's a slam dunk and he'd be on the final roster. But my hunch tells me that Brown's representatives believe he is worth more than a veteran minimum contract, so there might be some negotiation involved"
Is only his hunch, but, I cannot see NE paying more than Vet Min due to the cap situation. Also, with the health questions....who knows.
As far as I am concerned - it would be BLASPHEMY to see Troy in Jet green or Colt blue......but, I think we are in a real tough spot here.
This is a very rare situation where I think even BB may just find a spot for him on his roster for one more year, flying in the face of what may be logical. Of course, knowing Troy, it would also most likely end up being a really smart move too.
I really hope this does not drag out, but it looks like it will.
This situation is the ONLY negative of this off season as of today.