2014 Pats Salary Cap Breakdown - Special Teams

[Miguel]

Special Teams - As of now, the Patriots have three special team players (Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan Allen, and Matt Slater) signed for the 2014 season. Their respective cap numbers are $3,800,000, $2,266,668, and $495,500. Danny Aiken, the undrafted long snapper, will be a restricted free agent in 2014. Below are the possible projected tenders.

Level 1: $1,389,000 (Right of First Refusal)
Level 2: $1,389,000 or 110% of 2013 salary (Original Round Pick)
Level 3: $2,124,000 or 110% of 2013 salary (Second Round Pick)
Level 4: $3,023,000 or 110% of 2013 salary (First Round Pick)

I believe that the Patriots will tender Danny Aiken at the Right of First Refusal level ($1,389,000) which would take up $894,000 in cap space. I would expect the Pats to reach a long-term deal with Aiken something like 5 years,$5 million. I also expect the Pats to extend the Ghost to a deal in the neighborhood of 5 years, 18 million total which could lower his 2014 cap number significantly.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Special Teams - As of now, the Patriots have three special team players (Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan Allen, and Matt Slater) signed for the 2014 season. Their respective cap numbers are $3,800,000, $2,266,668, and $495,500. Danny Aiken, the undrafted long snapper, will be a restricted free agent in 2014. Below are the possible projected tenders.

Level 1: $1,389,000 (Right of First Refusal)
Level 2: $1,389,000 or 110% of 2013 salary (Original Round Pick)
Level 3: $2,124,000 or 110% of 2013 salary (Second Round Pick)
Level 4: $3,023,000 or 110% of 2013 salary (First Round Pick)

I believe that the Patriots will tender Danny Aiken at the Right of First Refusal level ($1,389,000) which would take up $894,000 in cap space. I would expect the Pats to reach a long-term deal with Aiken something like 5 years,$5 million. I also expect the Pats to extend the Ghost to a deal in the neighborhood of 5 years, 18 million total which could lower his 2014 cap number significantly.

Miguel:

I've worked through the numbers, and I don't think they can give Gostkowski an extension and lower his cap hit by more than ~$1M or so. But that's still better than the status quo.

 

[Fencer]

Notwithstanding BB's praises for the kicking operation, I get the impression that Aiken misfires some snaps and is bailed out by the punter/holder more often than was the case, say, when Paxton was here. I even suspect him of having contributed a bit to Gostkowski's (now obviously ended) slump.

But it's not a strong impression. Am I wrong?

 

[Miguel]

Reposting these posts as they may be of more interest now.