Antonio Bryant Likely to Make it to FA

[dhamz]

It also blows to see another team talking about Givens but I guess I'd better get used to it. I'll say it one last time, Franchise him and try to trade him. If not it gives us a little power in the situation to get a long term deal done.

The huge flaw in this argument is the day we franchise/tranisition Givens he will show up on Kraft's doorstep with his agent and sign the 1 year tender - much like Charles Woodson did with the Raiders last year.

At that point his trade value would be nonexistant, he'd be a huge cap hit, and we would paying him more than we want to and would have set the baseline for the LT negotiations at the transition/franchise tender amount for not only Givens but Branch as well.

It only gives us any power or leverage if Givens doesn't sign the tender and we can withdraw it. With no team likely to pay him that kind of $ he probably will sign it.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

The huge flaw in this argument is the day we franchise/tranisition Givens he will show up on Kraft's doorstep with his agent and sign the 1 year tender - much like Charles Woodson did with the Raiders last year.

At that point his trade value would be nonexistant

No it wouldn't, an acquiring team (or the Patriots) could agree to a 5 year deal with him and tear up the Franchise contract. The worst case, yes, is we overpay him for one season by a few million. And that would be bad but I'd be willing to take that risk for the upside of either getting a deal done with him or getting something for him in a trade.

 

[Digger44]

It also blows to see another team talking about Givens but I guess I'd better get used to it. I'll say it one last time, Franchise him and try to trade him. If not it gives us a little power in the situation to get a long term deal done.

Can we hold you to this? This is the last time you will ever say this dumb idea?

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

This is the last time you will ever say this dumb idea?

With no WR in the draft and not a lot in FA, he will be a hot commodity. I just don't want to lose him and get nothing more than a comp pick (which could be nothing if we sign an equivalent player).