Could the Pats afford to be active in FA early in the offseason?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

If they franchise Matt and work deals with Wilfork and Seymour and Brady's money as well would set about 50M against the 123M cap

With less than 75M and the rest of the roster to pay,Is it a possibility the Pats will search early for a top FA CB or LB or are they strapped for cap space?,especially if the Tag is placed on Matt?

Could this mean the Pats will be quiet in FA in 09?

 

[ScottieC]

Re: Could the Pats afford to be active early in the offseason?

If they franchise Matt and work deals with Wilfork and Seymour and Brady's money as well would set about 50M against the 123M cap

With less than 75M and the rest of the roster to pay,Is it a possibility the Pats will search early for a top FA CB or LB or are they strapped fpr cap space?,especially if the Tag is placed on Matt?

Could this mean the Pats will be quiet in FA in 09?

I don't think Bill will throw money at a CB, he could have done that with Asante and I don't think he values the position like many of us do - I believe that he will look at LB in the first round - with either a high pick for Cassel or our 24th pick.

I do think that he will look at some OL in free agency - It's not as sexy as naming all the High Profile FA, but if Tom is coming back (and I'm sure he is) then he had better damn well be sure that he has time and protection.

In my opinion, The NO. 1 thing we need to address in 2009 changed on Sept. 7th, 2008 - Protecting the franchise just got really really real.

 

[Watson's IQ]

Re: Could the Pats afford to be active early in the offseason?

I don't think Bill will throw money at a CB, he could have done that with Asante and I don't think he values the position like many of us do - I believe that he will look at LB in the first round - with either a high pick for Cassel or our 24th pick.

I do think that he will look at some OL in free agency - It's not as sexy as naming all the High Profile FA, but if Tom is coming back (and I'm sure he is) then he had better damn well be sure that he has time and protection.

In my opinion, The NO. 1 thing we need to address in 2009 changed on Sept. 7th, 2008 - Protecting the franchise just got really really real.

I think he subscribes to the (likely correct) school of thought that even the best corner will look pedestrian if the QB has all day to throw. You spend your big money on the Front 7, that's how I feel anyways. Even average CBs can cover most WRs for a few seconds.

 

[Spiral]

I think one of the reasons why the Patriots are announcing that they're going to franchise Cassel is so that they can have something worked out as soon as possible. Usually, the Patriots don't say or commit to anything until they absolutely have to, but I think they let the word out on the franchise tag so that they will free up that $14M in time to use it somewhere else.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

I think one of the reasons why the Patriots are announcing that they're going to franchise Cassel is so that they can have something worked out as soon as possible. Usually, the Patriots don't say or commit to anything until they absolutely have to, but I think they let the word out on the franchise tag so that they will free up that $14M in time to use it somewhere else.

The Patriots have never actually said that they were going to franchise Cassel. It has been media speculation, at best. A sports tv channel in Canada also went as far as writing on their ticker at the bottom of the screen that the Patriots have franchised Matt Cassel - well that's impossible because it cannot be done until Feb. 5th

 

[Jimke]

Unless the Patriots franchise and trade Matt Cassel early in free agency,

there won't be much money available to sign premium free agents.

I expect the Patriots to attempt to re-sign a few of their own free

agents like Evans, Hochstein, Gaffney, Paxton, and L. Sanders.

Wright and J. Sanders might be too pricey.

 

[AzPatsFan]

If they franchise Matt and work deals with Wilfork and Seymour and Brady's money as well would set about 50M against the 123M cap

With less than 75M and the rest of the roster to pay,Is it a possibility the Pats will search early for a top FA CB or LB or are they strapped for cap space?,especially if the Tag is placed on Matt?

Could this mean the Pats will be quiet in FA in 09?

I have been saying the Pats will be quiet in FAs except, that they will resign their own.

For two reasons: they want to re-sign their stars a year sooner, and more important, they just have too many draft choices and too little room to put them all on the roster.

Franchising Matt Cassel wil have ZERO effect on their resigning their own. The signing bonus money may be great, but that doesn't count against the CAP. The CAP situation will probably actually IMPROVE as they do it. Most times the first year of a new deal hits the CAP less than teh original deal or subsequent years of the new deal. They could resign ALL their big crew of starters coming free in 2010 this off season, and have MORE room to carry Cassel all season, if they wanted to do so, until Brady's health situation is clear.

As much fun as it is to talk about FA signing all we'll get is the group of usual vet minimum tryouts, and draft picks, but Seymour, Wilfork and Mankins locked up.

 

[cstjohn17]

I have been saying the Pats will be quiet in FAs except, that they will resign their own.

For two reasons: they want to re-sign their stars a year sooner, and more important, they just have too many draft choices and too little room to put them all on the roster.

Franchising Matt Cassel wil have ZERO effect on their resigning their own. The signing bonus money may be great, but that doesn't count against the CAP. The CAP situation will probably actually IMPROVE as they do it. Most times the first year of a new deal hits the CAP less than teh original deal or subsequent years of the new deal. They could resign ALL their big crew of starters coming free in 2010 this off season, and have MORE room to carry Cassel all season, if they wanted to do so, until Brady's health situation is clear.

As much fun as it is to talk about FA signing all we'll get is the group of usual vet minimum tryouts, and draft picks, but Seymour, Wilfork and Mankins locked up.

I think you are off, Seymour may result in a lower cap hit because he carries a large number already ($9+ M). Wilfork and Mankins are working off their rookie deals and would almost certainly have much larger cap hits.

I am not saying they can't extend these guys but with Cassel on the books for $14M they have very limited options.

 

[alamo]

The uncertainty regarding the CBA and the prospect of 2010 being uncapped may work against extensions. The fact 2009 is the "last capped year" limits their options a bit, especially regarding lowering Seymour's cap number, though deals can still get done.

 

[swheeler23]

Could the Patriots release Brady , then resign him after they trade Cassel? That way they would have alittle extra money available for free agents. Why would Brady agree? To help the team.

 

[spacecrime]

Franchising Matt Cassel wil have ZERO effect on their resigning their own. The signing bonus money may be great, but that doesn't count against the CAP. The CAP situation will probably actually IMPROVE as they do it.

Huh???????

 

[Miguel]

The signing bonus money may be great, but that doesn't count against the CAP.

This is wrong.

May I suggest looking at
USATODAY.com
Miguel's UNOFFICIAL 2009 Patriots Salary Cap Information Page
Ask The Commish.com - Salary Cap FAQ
Salary Cap Information
Atlanta Falcons | People | Signing Bonuses and Incentives

 

[Miguel]

Could the Patriots release Brady , then resign him after they trade Cassel? That way they would have alittle extra money available for free agents. Why would Brady agree? To help the team.

The Patriots do not need Brady's consent to release him.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

both seymour and brady deals can be redone....in fact, even the moss deal can be made more cap friendly.........I doubt jarvis green's roster bonus will come to fruition as they will probably rework his deal, also......

the pats can cover much of the 1 year hit keeping cassel would cost by creating additional guarantees and pushing costs out for a year although it could come back to bite them should the CBA not get done

 

[Miguel]

both seymour and brady deals can be redone....

Please illustrate how Seymour's deal can be redone as lower his 2009 cap number that takes into account the 30% rule.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

Please illustrate how Seymour's deal can be redone as lower his 2009 cap number that takes into account the 30% rule.

errrr.......ummmm......redone as in extension?

 

[Miguel]

errrr.......ummmm......redone as in extension?

How much money will Seymour get in a 2009 signing bonus??

For what years will this extension cover???

 

[swheeler23]

The Patriots do not need Brady's consent to release him.

They would need Bradys consent if they wanted to resign him?

 

[Miguel]

They would need Bradys consent if they wanted to resign him?

Let me understand this.

The Patriots release Brady taking a $10,340,000 dead money hit in 2009. The Patriots then tag Cassel. Brady who was due a $3,000,000 roster bonus the day free agency begins is supposed to wait until the Patriots trade Cassel and then resigns with the Patriots. And during the time that Cassel is not traded Brady is expected to turn down all offers from the other 31 teams. That does not seem kosher to me but that is probably acceptable under the CBA.

 

[stinkypete]

Let me understand this.

The Patriots release Brady taking a $10,340,000 dead money hit in 2009. The Patriots then tag Cassel. Brady who was due a $3,000,000 roster bonus the day free agency begins is supposed to wait until the Patriots trade Cassel and then resigns with the Patriots. And during the time that Cassel is not traded Brady is expected to turn down all offers from the other 31 teams. That does not seem kosher to me but that is probably acceptable under the CBA.

That seems a tad disrespectful to a QB who should have his bust carved on the mountaintop of great QBs. I know the Patriots are not afraid to make tough decisions for the better of the organization, but Brady is unquestionably the greatest player in the history of the franchise. The only way he gets cut is if he's done.

Tagging Cassell severly limits the teams FA maneuvering, but it is absolute necessity. This buys the team nearly two more months to moniter the progress of Brady, and it locks up Cassel in the case that Brady's recovery is indeed significantly behind schedule.

As far as FA activity goes, I don't expect much of a splash. A pass rusher like suggs will be too expensive to bring in. I would love to see a stud safety brought in to compliment Meriweather. Imagine Meriweather and Sean Jones or Dawan Landry back there.