Tuesday Patriots Notebook 3/3: McCourty Slipping Away?, Revis Headed to Free Agency? More Notes

Patriots S Devin McCourty was not franchised by the team and may reach free agency if an agreement can't be reached in the next week. (USA TODAY Images)

Following Monday's decision to use the franchise tag designation on kicker Stephen Gostkowski, it was interesting to find out that apparently the communication between New England and safety Devin McCourty doesn't seem to be as good as it probably should have been.

According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, McCourty didn't really know what the Patriots were going to do from that standpoint until the decision was made. Now it seems like he's starting to believe he could end up elsewhere.

"I guess it's more realistic now that (there's) a chance that I might not be back there," McCourty told Anderson. "Or there's still a chance that I will, but I guess (there's) more of a chance now with the franchise tag going to Steve that I could be playing in a different place. Still, keeping an open mind and trying to enjoy the process."

For now it appears that McCourty could very well be headed to free agency and that could be bad news for New England, who may see one of the league's top safeties receive an offer far above what they may be willing to pay him. The franchise tag number for the veteran was $9.6 million and the decision to target Gostkowski instead likely may have more to do with the fact it was a number they felt was simply too high.

There's still time to get a long-term deal done as well as a chance to still bring him back, but it sounds like his time in New England could very well be coming to an end. Needless to say it will remain one of the bigger things to watch in the weeks to come.

REVIS HEADED TO FREE AGENCY?

For anyone hoping Darrelle Revis may have had enough fun in his first season to try and take a shot at winning a second ring and may have been eager to get a deal done, it appears that the veteran may have alternate plans and may be focused on still getting maximum value.

According to Adam Schefter Revis may also be headed to free agency as unless the Patriots pick up his $20 million option for the 2015 season, he's apparently ready to test the market.

Darrelle Revis has a clause in his contract that says he can't be tagged," Schefter said via NESN. "There's a $20 million option bonus payment that would carry a $25 million cap number. The bottom line is, it would surprise me if New England picked that up. So, the chances are — not chances are, it's going to happen — Darrelle Revis is going to hit the market. He'll be another coveted free agent."

Now the bigger question will be whether or not Revis wants to remain a Patriot, or if he'll simply continue his stance of the business of the NFL and go wherever he'll get the most value.

"This all comes down to whatever Darrelle Revis wants to do," Schefter said. "He's got a Super Bowl ring, his career has been validated. He's got one more big score left. One score in terms of big contract. So, does he want to take that big contract with a team like the New York Jets, who are dying to make a run at Darrelle Revis? Or the Buffalo Bills? Or is he willing to take less to go back and play with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and be in the environment he's been in in New England? "That's a call that only he can make."

Hopefully if the two sides are close he'll opt to stay, but for now it's looking like there's a chance this team may look quite different next season.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Some good news for those who wish the worst for one of the biggest Patriots killers, as it appears the Tennessee Titans appear to be on the verge of cutting Bernard Pollard. Pollard finished 2014 on injured reserve after tearing his Achilles and the 30-year old will now be headed to free agency. Here's to hoping he ends up somewhere playing for a team New England won't face next season...

With $55 million dollars to spend, the Jets are reportedly making a "big push" for Revis, if he is cut loose before his bonus money is due. According to SI, Woody Johnson has told GM Mike Maccagnan that it needs to get done. Johnson made comments about the same thing publicly in December which led to a Patriots charge of tampering. If Revis is released and signed by the Jets, how would the league view those tampering charges then?

While Revis talk is dominating talk in New England, the "Spring of Suh" has begun. Lions DT Ndamukong Suh was not franchised and will be a free agent when the period begins on March 10. He's the biggest name, both figuratively and physically to be looking for a new team. His potential suitors are deemed to be the Raiders, Colts, Dolphins, Bears and Jaguars. Other top free agents include Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray, Packers WR Randall Cobb, Broncos TE Julius Thomas, Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin, and designated pass rushers include the Bills Jerry Hughes, Steelers Jason Worilds and the Redskins Brian Orakpo.

With the NFL mandated salary cap set at $143.28 million for 2015, the Patriots had over $6 million in carryover from 2014 which was slashed down to just over a million due to adjustments. Right now, the Patriots cap for 2015 is $144,578,084. The Patriots are currently more than $11,280,000 over the cap. They now have a week to remedy that situation. With big contracts of Revis, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo being looked at, the Patriots have some work to do...

With the Patriots using the franchise tag on K Stephen Gostkowski, they join only four other teams to use the tag in 2015. The other four teams include: Justin Houston, Kansas City, Dez Bryant, Dallas, Demaryius Thomas, Denver, Jason Pierre-Paul, NY Giants. The Dolphins placed a transition tag on TE Charles Clay which means other teams can make an offer to Clay, but Miami will have the opportunity to match any offer made.