Waters' Locker Cleaned Out (Update: Reports Nameplate Taken Down)

[Avenger]

This just in, Pats wanted to cut his salary per 98.5

 

[AzPatsFan]

Although Waters has quietly left, or maybe not, the Patriots HAVE HAD an entire Training camp to adjust, play potential replacements, and prepare to be ready to play without Brian.

From what I have seen Connelly, Thomas and McDonald and even Wendell can fill in satsfactorily on pass blocking. What has yet to be demonstated is that anyoneof them can be a good run blocker though.

But in the wings, is a plainly superior run blocker in Marcus Cannon, who has consistently sprung Ridley for big gains around his Right Tackle position.

Volmer is back, and if he is healthy and can play more than he did last season, then Cannon can be released to plaly RG, where I believe he can be a Pro bowl type talent, eventually.

 

[fumbrunner]

If the rumours are true that they wanted to cut his salary to the vet minimum, then I hope the team is happy when Brady is laid out on is back from inferior O line play.

via rotoworld:

According to the Boston Herald, the Patriots want Waters to take a $500,000 pay cut down to the veteran minimum. The sides are at an impasse, as Waters balks at the contract restructuring and the Pats aren't sure if he's fully committed. Waters has contemplated retirement and reportedly wants to play closer to his family in Texas. The Herald now believes any speculation that Waters could return "should just about come to an end."

 

[RobertWeathers]

He played well for the last year and I hate to see him not being part of the 2012 team. Like all of us are assuming, the Pats wanted him back and BW, at his point in life was conflicted. Retire? Go back to a SB team? Play closer to home or just fade away without much fanfare? I have no idea if receiving a better wage is also a reason he is not coming back. Who knows.

Not sure if the Pats plan on terminating his contract or not. I assume that they will but maybe by not terminating it they are still leaving the door slightly open?

It seems to me that Connolly/Waters is better than Wendell/Connolly so from a pure football standpoint, it seems that they are not as good.

 

[Run DMC]

Watching Fleger and Mazz. So we're squeezing this guy for a measly 500k$?! This team makes no sense sometimes. This is where the Krafts get the rep as being cheap bastids. I don't understand a dik move like this, which is literally threatening TB's health. Stupid and greedy.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Watching Fleger and Mazz. So we're squeezing this guy for a measly 500k$?! This team makes no sense sometimes. This is where the Krafts get the rep as being cheap bastids. I don't understand a dik move like this, which is literally threatening TB's health. Stupid and greedy.

If those reports are true its one of two things...they want to get younger yet still keep vets on cheap or they don't feel he is as worth it as we do.

What boggles my mind is we are paying some practice squad guys $150,000 a year to possibly never see the field and pay them so other teams don't gobble them up,yet hold out on Waters,a pro bowler for small change???

I Can't ever understand what goes on behind closed doors at Gillette,but I am a fan and must accept everything they do..like it or not.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I am seriously surprised if the Pats with their fine cap position, need to protect the Franchise and having blown serious millions on non-contributors are trying to cut a fine performer's modest pay.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

So far only Howe is reporting this. Makes little sense considering the bonus money they squandered on other than vet min contracts this offseason to guys who had they even stuck would not have been treated as vet min. And I'm not sure you can claim the exemption as Felger assumes (therby saving a million) on a deal that paid a signing bonus last season. Signing bonus is part of the equation that determines if a contract can be discounted against the cap. And if they only want the $500K savings seeking it from a player who went to the pro bowl last season is insanity.

 

[Patriot Missile]

No way, I just cant believe it would come down a measley 500k. Pats have thrown that kind of money away just in this offseason alone on wasted signings. I refuse to believe that is true regarding the low balling on the last year of the contract.

 

[12ClutchFactor]

Watching Fleger and Mazz. So we're squeezing this guy for a measly 500k$?! This team makes no sense sometimes. This is where the Krafts get the rep as being cheap bastids. I don't understand a dik move like this, which is literally threatening TB's health. Stupid and greedy.

Agreed, people always point to the fact that they pay their true superstars. So we should commend them for making the complete no brainer decision to pay your absolute most crucial people? No, that's expected as a smart business decision if nothing else.

But squabbling over what in this business amounts to chump change with a guy who is clearly needed is indeed cheap. And not to mention, counterproductive as it becomes a detriment to the fortifying of the offensive line. A line that is supposed to protect the most important player on the team. Disappointing to say the least.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Not only this but in relation to this situation,I read yesterday that Mankins himself has no idea of he is ready for a full 60 minute game with his injury which apparently is not 100% which was expected.

Does this mean that we may not see Mankins out there all game until his knee heals?...that would mean no Light,no Waters and not a full game from Mankins???

OUCH!!!

 

[ATippett56]

If those reports are true its one of two things...they want to get younger yet still keep vets on cheap or they don't feel he is as worth it as we do.

What boggles my mind is we are paying some practice squad guys $150,000 a year to possibly never see the field and pay them so other teams don't gobble them up,yet hold out on Waters,a pro bowler for small change???

I Can't ever understand what goes on behind closed doors at Gillette,but I am a fan and must accept everything they do..like it or not.

I agree 100%.

As currently reported, the New England Patriots are not constrained by salary cap issues this season.

 

[patsfan13]

No way they wanted to cut the contract # of a guy who performed like that last season, they may have objected to a raise, but cutting his contact, no way.

 

[Deus Irae]

If the report is true, BB needs an asskicking. To lose Waters over this would be monumentally stupid, even for a team that is perfectly capable of doing stupid things in the interest of the salary cap, team salary structure and saving a buck.

It's so stupid, in fact, that I'm not buying the story. Consider it a defense mechanism, if you will.

 

[Urgent]

This is very poor judgment.

What is the value of a Pro Bowl guard? Probably somewhat north of veteran minimum.

What is the cost of a lost game to Tom Brady? Probably somewhat north of veteran minimum to the value of the franchise and postseason revenue.

Terrific coaching. Great game planning. Lots of effort and preparation. Poor judgment on this cap management decision. Surprisingly poor. Not in the best interests of the team.

 

[pazrul72]

Like many I want Waters back, anyone who watched him last year can attest he was a beast and argueably our best Olineman. The reports coming out make NO sense based on the fact that Waters has not reported. If they were true then Waters could force the patriots hand by showing up and because he is under contract would receive the full money he is owed. I think it was the other way around that Waters was looking for an upgrade after a steller season and being further away from his family was unexpectedly hard. Compare the caliber of play to the money received for that play between Mankins and Waters. Yes Mankins is younger and part of the core talent but Waters was just as good and deserves to be compensated for that.

This whole is he coming back or not has gotten very old and at this point I would say the chances of him walking thru the door are about 5% unless the pats open up their wallets a significant amount which they will not do because they can't be seen rewarding someone who didn't show up like everyone else. Even when Mankins was tagged he was made to prove he was an all pro for the half a year he was back.

At this point I put my faith is Scar working another miracle because victory all starts in the trenchs and despite the star power the pats offense has I am worried about Brady having enough time to find all of his weapons

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Bedard has tweeted that you can't reduce the salary of a vet on a multi year contract and get the minimum cap treatment as I thought. So if they are asking him to take a $500K paycut, that is all the relief they would realize against the cap.

Waters original deal was for 2 years and $3M with $2.5M in additional incentives available. The split on the incentives according to rotoworld was $1.75M in 2011 and another $750K available in 2012. I bet he made many of them in 2011 being named to the pro bowl and starting all 16 games.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Watching Fleger and Mazz. So we're squeezing this guy for a measly 500k$?! This team makes no sense sometimes. This is where the Krafts get the rep as being cheap bastids. I don't understand a dik move like this, which is literally threatening TB's health. Stupid and greedy.

\
Why or why do you beleive these TWITS? Have they
EVER demonstarated any truth to their suppositions?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

They should do whatever it takes to get Waters back ....

Hell.....if i was Kraft,not only do i pay him his just desserts,I fly him every sunday evening back to Texas on Kraft's private jet to hang out with family and send him back to the Pats practice field by wednesday afternoon...whatever makes Brian happy

 

[ATippett56]

At this point I put my faith is Scar working another miracle because victory all starts in the trenchs and despite the star power the pats offense has I am worried about Brady having enough time to find all of his weapons

Between Mankins' knee and Vollmer's back, I'm not sure that Scarnecchia can play witch doctor, as well.