A little early, but: should the Patriots try to re-sign Wes Welker?

[ATippett56]

Caldwell and Gaffney don't belong on your list.

Jabar Gaffney was cut during training camp prior to the commencement of the 2012 NFL Season.

 

[JackBauer]

Jabar Gaffney was cut during training camp prior to the commencement of the 2012 NFL Season.

If you want to argue that he was a failure this year, fine. But it's worth remembering that Gaffney performed quite well for this team in the past.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Exaggerate much? Try $24 million in salary cap space, not $14 million.

My total bad. I misread the article. Looks like $35m in cap space for next year.

I still wonder if it will be possible to dole out hefty signing bonuses to Talib , Vollmer, franchise WW, sign Woody, Edelman and whomever else that they want to bring in as a FA and draft picks...

According to Spotrac.com, the Patriots 2012 cap hit is at $106,632,966, which takes into account $94,491,221 of active contracts (base salaries and bonuses), $18,801,745 in dead money and $6,660,000 in cap rollover. With this year's salary cap at $120.6 million, this means the Patriots should carry over about $14 million in cap space next year.

NYJetscap.com, which projects future cap hits for all AFC east teams, projects the Patriots coming in at about $100 million against the cap in 2013. Considering the projected 2013 salary cap of $120.9 (per ESPN) and the possible $14 million the Pats can carry over into 2013, the Patriots should sit pretty comfortably at about $35 million under the cap.

 

[JackBauer]

Reche Caldwell was so valuable to the New England Patriots offense that the following season Reche Caldwell was not even on the roster.

Wes Welker provides sustained excellence to the New England Patriots offense.

None of that changes the fact that Caldwell did not belong on your list.

 

[ATippett56]

My total bad. I misread the article. Looks like $35m in cap space for next year.

I still wonder if it will be possible to dole out hefty signing bonuses to Talib , Vollmer, franchise WW, sign Woody, Edelman and whomever else that they want to bring in as a FA and draft picks...

I seriously question the validity of the article.

New England Patriots Salary Cap 2012

$6.3 million rollover from the 2012 NFL Season

New England Patriots Salary Cap 2013

$104.6 million currently expended

 

[RobertWeathers]

I seriously question the validity of the article.

New England Patriots Salary Cap 2012

$6.3 million rollover from the 2012 NFL Season

New England Patriots Salary Cap 2013

$104.6 million currently expended

I've seen these as well.

Regardless if the article is accurate or not, retaining all 3 will be extremly difficult.

 

[ATippett56]

None of that changes the fact that Caldwell did not belong on your list.

I seriously doubt the New England Patriots are looking for one year wonders for the 2013 NFL Season and beyond.

 

[ATippett56]

I've seen these as well.

Regardless if the article is accurate or not, retaining all 3 will be extremly difficult.

Given the choice, a durable Wes Welker provides more value than a right tackle with chronic back issues, especially considering the success of the New England Patriots organization of drafting offensive lineman since 2001 within the first three rounds.

 

[JackBauer]

I seriously doubt the New England Patriots are looking for one year wonders for the 2013 NFL Season and beyond.

Okay? Again: doesn't change the original point.

 

[ATippett56]

Okay? Again: doesn't change the original point.

Reche Caldwell was not on the New England Patriots roster the following season.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Given the choice, a durable Wes Welker provides more value than a right tackle with chronic back issues, especially considering the success of the New England Patriots organization of drafting offensive lineman since 2001 within the first three rounds.

He'll be 32 and if he wants a signing bonus of anything guaranteed north of $16m he will either be franchised or not with the team next year.

Meanwhile Vollmer will be 29 next October and not nearly be demanding - nor getting big money. It'll be something sizably less than what Winston got from KC.

Now Talib will be 27 next month and if he plays at a superior level in the playoffs, all it takes is one team to decide hes is worth franchise-level CB money (think Corland Finnegan 5y/$50m/$27m guaranteed) for the Pats to walk away.

 

[JackBauer]

Reche Caldwell was not on the New England Patriots roster the following season.

The issue was the FO thinking Caldwell would suffice as a WR1, not really anything on Caldwell's part.

 

[ATippett56]

He'll be 32 and if he wants a signing bonus of anything guaranteed north of $16m he will either be franchised or not with the team next year.

With only one viable wide receiver currently under contract for the 2013 NFL, Wes Welker is currently irreplaceable.

Meanwhile Vollmer will be 29 next October and not nearly be demanding - nor getting big money. It'll be something sizably less than what Winston got from KC.

You don't know that whatsoever. If anything Vollmer will get at least 50% more than Winston since Winston, even though he is a good run blocker, is a liability in pass protection.

Now Talib will be 27 next month and if he plays at a superior level in the playoffs, all it takes is one team to decide hes is worth franchise-level CB money (think Corland Finnegan 5y/$50m/$27m guaranteed) for the Pats to walk away.

Cornerback Richard Marshall received a 3 year, $16 million dollar contract in March 2012. If anything, the cornerback market is severely overpriced.

 

[RobertWeathers]

With only one viable wide receiver currently under contract for the 2013 NFL, Wes Welker is currently irreplaceable..

The Patriots do not agree. Everyone is replaceable and they are playing hardball with WW and if they didn't give him a big deal last year, why do you think they will this year?

You don't know that whatsoever. If anything Vollmer will get at least 50% more than Winston since Winston, even though he is a good run blocker, is a liability in pass protection..

To say that Vollmer will get 4y/$32m/$12m bonus which would make him the highest paid RT by a wide margin is outrageous. Not going to happen. Hes never made the ProBowl and as you say, the back is a concern and teams will protect their investment.

Cornerback Richard Marshall received a 3 year, $16 million dollar contract in March 2012. If anything, the cornerback market is severely overpriced.

...and that still means that teams are still paying big money for top-shelf CBs.

 

[ATippett56]

The Patriots do not agree. Everyone is replaceable and they are playing hardball with WW and if they didn't give him a big deal last year, why do you think they will this year?

Wes Welker should be retained considering that the following was not the solution:

Anthony Gonzalez
Jabar Gaffney
Donte Stallworth
Chad Ochocinco
Jeremy Ebert
Greg Salas
Kamar Aiken

To say that Vollmer will get 4y/$32m/$12m bonus which would make him the highest paid RT by a wide margin is outrageous. Not going to happen. Hes never made the ProBowl and as you say, the back is a concern and teams will protect their investment.

Sebastian Vollmer has previously played left tackle for the New England Patriots against Dwight Freeney and the Indianapolis Colts. Other franchises may view Sebastian Vollmer as their solution at the left tackle position:

Bears
Cardinals
Chargers
Rams

...and that still means that teams are still paying big money for top-shelf CBs.

That doesn't mean the New England Patriots will participate in that market.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Wes Welker should be retained considering that the following was not answer:

Anthony Gonzalez
Jabar Gaffney
Donte Stallworth
Chad Ochocinco
Jeremy Ebert
Greg Salas
Kamar Aiken .

We've been disscussing this point for a while now. My position is that in order to compete for a Super Bowl, the team does not need to find a WR who replaces WW catch for catch and yard for yard. WW is important to this offense, but not to the point of "just paying the guy" without doing a full risk assesment of the roster, financial and cap impact.

Sebastian Vollmer has previously played left tackle for the New England Patriots against Dwight Freeney and the Indianapolis Colts. Other franchises may view Sebastian Vollmer as their solution at the left tackle position:

Bears
Cardinals
Chargers
Rams.

...that was Vollmer's rookie year. C'mon now. No one is going to dole out big $$ for a player who played the position less than a handfull of times.

That doesn't mean the New England Patriots will participate in that market.

Thats my point. It's unlikely that they will.

 

[ATippett56]

To say that Vollmer will get 4y/$32m/$12m bonus which would make him the highest paid RT by a wide margin is outrageous. Not going to happen. He's never made the ProBowl and as you say, the back is a concern and teams will protect their investment.

New England Patriots: Sebastian Vollmer

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Named to the Associated Press All-Pro Second Team in 2010
• Named to the 2010 USA Today All-Joe Team

2009 (14/8, 1/1)

Played in 14 games, starting eight, with five starts at left tackle and three starts at right tackle while missing two games due to injury.

 

[ATippett56]

We've been disscussing this point for a while now. My position is that in order to compete for a Super Bowl, the team does not need to find a WR who replaces WW catch for catch and yard for yard. WW is important to this offense, but not to the point of "just paying the guy" without doing a full risk assesment of the roster, financial and cap impact.

The New England Patriots failed miserably at trying to replace Wes Welker whether by free agency, draft, or trade based upon the following 2012 NFL season results:

Anthony Gonzalez - 0 catches
Jabar Gaffney - 0 catches
Donte Stallworth - 1 catch
Chad Ochocinco - 0 catches
Jeremy Ebert - 0 catches
Greg Salas - 0 catches
Kamar Aiken - 0 catches

 

[RobertWeathers]

New England Patriots: Sebastian Vollmer

He did ok at LT. Main reason why they brought Light back and drafted Solder.

My bad on the # of starts at LT. Thought is was 3.

 

[ATippett56]

...that was Vollmer's rookie year. C'mon now. No one is going to dole out big $$ for a player who played the position less than a handfull of times.

NFL franchises keep an open mind at roster solutions unlike you.