Akiem, we hardly knew ye...

[RobertWeathers]

I think that the Patriots are probably under on most of these free agents. Despite the supposed floor on cap spending it seems like every year there are a number of teams with literally 50 million in cap space and they go nuts giving good players HOF caliber money and reset the market at ridiculous levels. Jacksonville had over 80 million to spend and went nuts and Houston and the Giants joined them giving superstar contracts to good players, and I can't imagine what Von Miller will get when he ultimately hits free agency, let alone a guy like Andrew Luck, who could be upwards of 150 million.

Exactly. First and foremost, I think what the Pats do is tacitly ( via the contract negotiation process) try to understand how much the player wants (and can) to play in New England. If the player is chasing the last buck and comes off as luke warm during negotiations they won't throw more money at him with the hope he changes his mind.

In addition the Pats will not set the market, will let the market come to them and decide how aggressively they wish to pursue the player.

 

[Huckleberry1]

If you are a player or a free agent that is in career crisis mode you should beg to be picked up by NE.

True, but if you are a really good player on the Patriotss signing a good offer from them makes little sense when, other talks will give you ridiculous money. I was confident the Patriots could sign three of their top four defensive players before next year's free agency and now I think that will be next to impossible and would be happy with two and tagging another while letting Jones walk for the comp pick.

 

[RobertWeathers]

True, but if you are a really good player on the Patriotss signing a good offer from them makes little sense when, other talks will give you ridiculous money. I was confident the Patriots could sign three of their top four defensive players before next year's free agency and now I think that will be next to impossible and would be happy with two and tagging another while letting Jones walk for the comp pick.

They lucked out with DMC resigning here last year. If I understand correctly the Giants and TN both offered more guaranteed $.

I agree on the big 4. They'll get to keep 2.

 

[patfanken]

I really liked Hicks as a player, and I'm very sorry to see him go.... but I understand. With the Bears he not only gets more money, he will be given the opportunity to be THE guy at DT. Here he would be just one of a rotating group of invisible pieces of the puzzle.

Also does his leaving mean the chances are greater for a swan song year with big Vince?

 

[captain stone]

Apparently BB made a pitch to him last night trying to convince him to stay

Too little…too late…as usual...

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I really liked Hicks as a player, and I'm very sorry to see him go.... but I understand. With the Bears he not only gets more money, he will be given the opportunity to be THE guy at DT. Here he would be just one of a rotating group of invisible pieces of the puzzle.

Also does his leaving mean the chances are greater for a swan song year with big Vince?

No

 

[IcyPatriot]

Da' Hicks ...

You've earned it big guy ... stay healthy.

 

[AvocadoIceCream]

Great mid season addition, would have been nice to get him back, but this isn't gonna stop us from reaching the goal.

Health is a huge question mark for Easley, but with Easley and Brown, we've got two studs upfront

 

[aluminum seats]

They lucked out with DMC resigning here last year. If I understand correctly the Giants and TN both offered more guaranteed $.

I agree on the big 4. They'll get to keep 2.

Hopefully 3, as I would hate to see HT, Collins or Butler go. All the more reason to lock them up now.

 

[willard]

I really like Hicks as a player and what he brings especially at such an important position. Think he is more valuable than Hogan and Hicks was a better signing value.

But as others have said he have some big bills coming up on defense. We could not put Hicks salary in with the others we will need to sign. Hogan's salary fits in LaFell's spot on offense.

Soldier seems like he would be cheaper now due to play/injuries/OT FA market seeming quiet.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Does anyone remember Andre Carter or Mark Anderson (2011)?

 

[TomPatriot]

Does anyone remember Andre Carter or Mark Anderson (2011)?

Exactly.

 

[captain stone]

Does anyone remember Andre Carter or Mark Anderson (2011)?

What about them?

 

[Huckleberry1]

Too little…too late…as usual...

Thanks Steve.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

What about them?

They signed with the Patriots and had very good seasons which catapulted them to big contracts elsewhere.
They could not duplicate the success they had with the Patriots when they joined new teams.

 

[captain stone]

Andre Carter was old, and Mr Anderson got injured the following season in Buffalo.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Exactly. Both had 10 sacks for our team. Both fell apart while on someone else s payroll.
(I am certainly not wishing for the same fate for Mr. Hicks)

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Sorry to see him go, however, that kind of money may not have been wise for the Patriots to match. The ongoing shell game of cap and signing/re-signing is an interesting one indeed.

Good for him. He worked hard, played hard, and it paid off. Never fault a player for playing hard as they aim to earn bigger money. The Patriots don't like to overpay, which may be the case here, and the player moves on to strike gold elsewhere. It is what it is.

The Patriots have set a very sweet precedent multiple times now. Come here as a play per cap dollar value to the Patriots yet look to see your coffers full of coin upon completion of a 110% output. Agents surely know this and have BB at the top of their rolodex for every player client they feel is squandering their abilities on a dysfunctional team. Getting abbreviated but max effort-team cap beneficial play can be the difference between going home with the prom queen or going walking home alone in a musty and punch stained rented tuxedo (so to speak ).

 

[IllegalContact]

Akiem Hicks on picking Bears: 'I wanted the opportunity to play a lot'

he certainly learned something good here......

to put it simply, he wants to play full time for full time money and the pats wanted him at part time for part time money.....nothing wrong with how this worked out

int the end, they will have turned hooomanawanui into a 5th or 6th round pick