Bedard: Boston.com Chat (off-season roster building plans)

[Ring 6]

Looking at the broad picture of the OL position itself, we have a lot of money currently tied in with Mankins, and Solder will be due after 2 more years. Obviously the Solder deal will take up a big chunk if they intend on keeping him, which I would imagine that they would want to do.

Of course by then the Mankins deal may be moot since he may only have 2 more years here, although I'm not sure of the potential finanical implications of what that would specifically mean in releasing him early.

Regardless Mankins is currently slated to be here for 4 more years at the moment, so there very well may be overlap with Mankins' pact and a new Solder pact in two more seasons.

I'm not sure that I could envision them giving money to S.Vollmer when he has injury concerns and durability issues as it is, let alone have 3 guys at the same time taking up enormous amounts of money on the OL.

Vollmer just isn't worth as much to the Pats as he may be to another team, especially if that team has plans on moving him to LT. We've seen other RT's do just fine in the past. You can't have probowlers at every position obviously.

I think the interest in Vollmer is going to be very disappointing for him compared to what people here expect.

 

[DocHoliday]

Funny, I cant think of one that is worse. Bedard is great at his job as a reporter. When he doesn't do his jo and tries to analyze, particularly assessing players, or projecting personell moves, he is poor.

Looks like you couldn't think of one either.

 

[Ring 6]

Looks like you couldn't think of one either.

On the contrary if you read you will see i came up with many

 

[Sciz]

On the contrary if you read you will see i came up with many

How about one name?

 

[supafly]

I think the interest in Vollmer is going to be very disappointing for him compared to what people here expect.

That may be a blessing in disguise then. Obviously I would much rather keep him if it were a reasonable cost, but I just don't see that happening.

Where are you assessing his potential deal/worth at yourself? Do you think he may end up staying here?

 

[patfanken]

Looking at the broad picture of the OL position itself, we have a lot of money currently tied in with Mankins, and Solder will be due after 2 more years. Obviously the Solder deal will take up a big chunk if they intend on keeping him, which I would imagine that they would want to do.

Of course by then the Mankins deal may be moot since he may only have 2 more years here, although I'm not sure of the potential finanical implications of what that would specifically mean in releasing him early.

Regardless Mankins is currently slated to be here for 4 more years at the moment, so there very well may be overlap with Mankins' pact and a new Solder pact in two more seasons.

I'm not sure that I could envision them giving money to S.Vollmer when he has injury concerns and durability issues as it is, let alone have 3 guys at the same time taking up enormous amounts of money on the OL.

Vollmer just isn't worth as much to the Pats as he may be to another team, especially if that team has plans on moving him to LT. We've seen other RT's do just fine in the past. You can't have probowlers at every position obviously.

Mankins may have 4 more years on his contract, but the after the 2014 season he could be released with minimum damage. So in reality, Mankins will likely be coming off the books, just at the time Solder will be coming up for his new contract. The point being that the Pats, with only one big contract on the OL COULD possibly pay Volmer.

I think we all agree that 2 high contract guys on the OL is the maximum. Volmer's back problems have been an issue throughout his professional career, and IIRC even in college. Any team that signs him will have a contract that protects them from that medical risk. Even if the back issue doesn't cut into his cost per year, it will certainly cut into his guarantees and make it more of an incentive based contract with a premium put on his future durability.

Bottom line - If you look at Mankins as having a 2 year time frame instead of 4, the possibility of signing Volmer becomes more possible

 

[supafly]

Mankins may have 4 more years on his contract, but the after the 2014 season he could be released with minimum damage. So in reality, Mankins will likely be coming off the books, just at the time Solder will be coming up for his new contract. The point being that the Pats, with only one big contract on the OL COULD possibly pay Volmer.

I think we all agree that 2 high contract guys on the OL is the maximum. Volmer's back problems have been an issue throughout his professional career, and IIRC even in college. Any team that signs him will have a contract that protects them from that medical risk. Even if the back issue doesn't cut into his cost per year, it will certainly cut into his guarantees and make it more of an incentive based contract with a premium put on his future durability.

Bottom line - If you look at Mankins as having a 2 year time frame instead of 4, the possibility of signing Volmer becomes more possible

All fair thoughts, Ken. Like I said, I wasn't completely sure of the financial implications of letting Mankins go early etc, but it was feasible to think that there could be an area that overlaps with Solder.

I agree--no more than 2 max bigger type deals at once on the OL, not that I meant that to be the one deciding factor either, but it was a thought. There are many other more important factors like his durability issues, their price set on him, and whether or not another team will overpay or offer more.

FWIW--I still don't think that Vollmer stays here myself.