RFA Emmanuel Sanders visits Pats 3/16; signs offer sheet 4/10, sheet matched 4/14

[ctpatsfan77]

As Miguel just pointed out, the Pats would not be able to restructure the deal for 1 year. Basically, after the Super Bowl in 2014.

In all honesty, I think that the Pats decided they didn't like the depth of this draft, figured that getting Sanders was better than someone who wouldn't necessarily produce, and, at worst, they can potentially get a 3rd back for Sanders if they lose him in Free Agency next year.

We're talking about two distinct issues: they can't do a Brady-like restructure to push cap hits into 2014, but that wording doesn't seem to prohibit them from simply tacking on more years at the end.

 

[Shockt327]

Re: Pats submit offer sheet for Emmanuel Sanders

I'm not sure that's an accurate assessment of Sanders though. He may be a fast guy but his only skill isn't straight line speed.

He played in the slot over 50% of the time in PIT last year, which may say something about his ability to go over the middle.

Don Bebe was a "slot" guy. That doesn't mean he did anything similar to Welker, dude. He was a burner who'd go deep.

And yeah, Don Bebe is a great comparison to Sanders. Great player....in another system. We'll see how he translates to NE.

The best we've seen from that type would be Donte Stallworth; he put up pretty meager numbers in NE and Gaffney replaced him in the latter half of 07.

 

[PP2]

As Miguel just pointed out, the Pats would not be able to restructure the deal for 1 year. Basically, after the Super Bowl in 2014.

In all honesty, I think that the Pats decided they didn't like the depth of this draft, figured that getting Sanders was better than someone who wouldn't necessarily produce, and, at worst, they can potentially get a 3rd back for Sanders if they lose him in Free Agency next year.

I was under the impression that you could not renegotiate to reduce a salary for the league year.

But if that is across the board then I would say to 'parlay the offer sheet into a multi-year contract.'

 

[Joker]

as someone mentioned above there is an unwritten rule among owners not to touch each other's RFAs. Sanders to NE ain't happening unless the pats want to bring back James.

Big "unwritten rule" sale!!!...One day only!.....now you can own your very own box of unwritten rules for the never before heard price of eleventy eight cents!!! get YOURS today!!!

 

[JackBauer]

I think interior OL depth is a need as well especially with Mankins and Connolly getting long in the tooth. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see a OL drafted with either one of their first picks if they stand pat as is.

Judging by the draft visits/private workouts it looks like the team views that as priority as well. But you're correct, WR and a another pass rusher would seem to be up there as well. With the later perhaps of lesser importance (judging by the visits/workouts).

Yeah, but I think they could get something later in the draft/UDFA/post-draft scrap heap. Someone similar to Donald Thomas, who wasn't all that great before Dante got to him.

 

[SVN]

As per schefter

Adam Schefter ?@AdamSchefter 25m
Money in Emmanuel Sanders' one-year offer sheet with NE will not scare PITT. But Steelers could opt to take NE's 3rd-rd pick instead.

Adam Schefter ?@AdamSchefter 12m
So PITT's decision to match NE's offer sheet to WR Emmanuel Sanders will be more philosophical than financial.

personally dont like giving up draft choices .Wouldve rather used the pick and drafted a player ourselves which is what I think the steelers will do.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

I am assuming that this offer is a one year deal so that Pittsburg cannot use the later years to backload the contract so they can match.

I also think that with the cap the Patriots have left, they can give him 4 million in year one, add additional years immediately because they will not lower the cap hit for year one. I would imagine that this has all been worked out ahead of time between Sanders and the Patriots and maybe that is why it took this long for the offer to be made and signed.

 

[BradyManny]

Honestly I think this guy will be a great fit. I wish it was for more than 1-year, but I can, ultimately, understand the logic.

There are 3 possible scenarios:

1) he doesn't fit, we lost a 3rd rounder, which probably only had a 25% chance of being a legit player on this team anyway.
2) he fits, plays well, we re-sign him next year for a reasonable deal.
3) he fits, plays really well, prices himself out. we got one year of great play for a 3rd rounder, and potentially can recoup a comp pick probably in the round 3-5 range anyway.

 

[BadMoFo]

Still would like to see either Edelman/Lloyd back and a receiver picked with one of our two early picks. Right now, the only sure bets to make the team (if the Steelers don't match) are Amendola, Sanders and Slater.

 

[SVN]

Greg A. Bedard ?@GregABedard 2m
Expect Sanders sheet to be in $4-million range. Steelers could easily match it, so we'll see their evaluation of their player

Greg A. Bedard ?@GregABedard 2m
Do the Steelers still think Sanders is worth the third they drafted him with? We'll see.

I believe they will let him go since he is okay with leaving.

 

[Sicilian]

As per schefter





personally dont like giving up draft choices .Wouldve rather used the pick and drafted a player ourselves which is what I think the steelers will do.

Interesting if true, because after already losing Wallace, it would say something if the Steelers would rather have a 3rd rounder than this guy on reasonable money. Then again, the Dolphins chose a 2nd rounder over Welker, so sometimes teams make mistakes

 

[50-yard-line]

Still would like to see either Edelman/Lloyd back and a receiver picked with one of our two early picks. Right now, the only sure bets to make the team (if the Steelers don't match) are Amendola, Sanders and Slater.

You don't think Donald Jones is going to make the team?

Unless he's got some serious health condition, I think the guy will fit in nicely as a #3.

 

[fnordcircle]

Gotta say, merging the new news on this with the 4,000 page old thread was a bad idea. Should have locked the old one down and stuck with the new one imo.

Historically I've found this forum to err on the side of merging too much rather than not enough.

Personally it's a policy I loathe but I have managed to survive this long and they haven't changed their policy despite people regularly complaining so I think we've just all got to accept this is the way it will be.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

You don't think Donald Jones is going to make the team?

Unless he's got some serious health condition, I think the guy will fit in nicely as a #3.

The Patriots gave him a three-year deal with essentially zero guarantees, so even they're not convinced he's gonna make the roster.

 

[Triumph]

Re: Pats submit offer sheet for Emmanuel Sanders

Per LaCanfora



Great.



Now that is disappointing if it's a one year deal. It's a 3rd rounder we are giving up. Unless it's a funny contract I don't get that.

The Pats can franchise Sanders in 2014.

Franchise and extend or Franchise and trade.

 

[JackBauer]

Historically I've found this forum to err on the side of merging too much rather than not enough.

Personally it's a policy I loathe but I have managed to survive this long and they haven't changed their policy despite people regularly complaining so I think we've just all got to accept this is the way it will be.

Agree. The forum tends to be a little merge happy.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I'm not sure if I like this move, for several reasons:

1) This draft is incredibly deep with a lot of playmakers of all sizes. If the Pats trade out of the 1st round (pretty much a certainty if Pitt doesn't match), I hope they still use a high pick on a WR. So many talented receivers available.

2) I know what people are going to say, they rather depend on a veteran than a rookie trying to learn the system and be productive. Well, it's been proven that even Hall Of Fame WR's (Ocho) couldn't learn our system and be productive. So who's to say Sanders could do any better learning the system, and be more productive, than any of the receivers available in the draft ? Gronkowski and Hernandez had no problems learning the system and being productive as rookies.

3) Sanders never was an incredibly productive receiver, with his best season being last season. 44 catches and ONE TD. Averages 31 catches and 1.7 td's a season. Why all the hype and excitement, and he's injury prone, I don't really get it. Plus, with it being for only 1 year, if he has a huge year, no guarantees he signs an extension next season.

I really don't find this to be a smart move. Really don't like it. I hope Pitt matches, but I doubt they do, because they realize that a 3rd round pick for a receiver that is injury prone and really isn't a great player, is a good smart financial move for them. They could probably get a better receiver with that 3rd round pick.

 

[Don_the_patfan]

Re: Pats submit offer sheet for Emmanuel Sanders

The Pats can franchise Sanders in 2014.

Franchise and extend or Franchise and trade.

Don't see it they are not going to give him that kind of money(franchise). My guess is they add more years to the deal. I guess it makes sense so they don't match that you do a one year offer( no backloading of contract) but to lose a 3rd and no plan in place to extend would not be smart.

Love the move lets see what comes next IF Pit doesn't match.

 

[JDot]

So if the Steelers don't Match. I guessing there is about a 90% chance the Pats are trading out of the first round then.

 

[Spergon Wynn]

Ed Werder "expects" the Steelers to match the offer per Twitter.

Not like I carry much weight with what Werder says...