Guys, I'm more worried about next year's Free Agents....

[TBR]

I think we will extend at least 1 of Gostkowski/McCourty/Vereen this summer or during the beginning of season like we did with Ninkovich. And the remaining guy(s) around next year's FA period.

I'd like to think we'll re-sign Bolden for cheap (he's been solid for us), and with Ridley likely gone after this year I wouldn't mind trading him this off-season. Perhaps in effort to move up in the draft or get some mid-round picks

 

[Brady6]

So, I'm hearing so much talk about using the current cap space to not just re-sign Edelman/Talib (which I fully support); but also go after new guys in Free Agency, etc. Well, I have to say I'm pretty worried about what things are looking like for next year. Shouldn't the Front Office try to use some of the possible available cap space to extend at least some of the players listed below? That way the team's priorities won't be in totally rough shape for next year.

Also, if the cap space is expected to increase as much as people say, will 2015 FA be as big of a problem as I'm currently thinking?

In No Particular Order: 2014 is the last year under contract for...
Dan Connolly
Stephen Gostkowski
Nate Solder - 5th yr option
Matt Slater
Devin McCourty
Shane Vereen
Stevan Ridley
Marcus Cannon
Brandon Bolden
Ryan Mallett

and two vets...
Vince Wilfork
Tommy Kelly

I hope I didn't forget anyone important, or list an incorrect name!

This is what I anticipate –

- McCourty will receive an extension this offseason, it makes sense for him and the team.
- Gostkowski will receive an extension this offseason, it makes sense for him and the team.
- Ridley and Vereen will play out their contracts and then they will try to resign them during UFA, they will probably only retain one of them.
- Solder will have his option picked up and then an extension worked out.
- Slater is a special team’s player, an excellent one but still he will not be hard to retain.
- Cannon may get an opportunity to start at RG this season if he does, they will resign him after the season, and if he remains a backup, he will probably walk and find an opportunity to start.
- Bolden is a restricted free agent, so they can tender him.
- Mallett will be gone, he will either get traded this offseason or sign someplace where he can compete for a starting job next offseason.
- Wilfork and Kelly will likely be determined this offseason.

I am not overly concerned; I think 2016 with Solder (if only his option is picked up), Jones, Hightower, Dennard, Armstead, and Allen all slated to hit UFA is more concerning.

 

[jmt57]

So, I'm hearing so much talk about using the current cap space to not just re-sign Edelman/Talib (which I fully support); but also go after new guys in Free Agency, etc. Well, I have to say I'm pretty worried about what things are looking like for next year. Shouldn't the Front Office try to use some of the possible available cap space to extend at least some of the players listed below? That way the team's priorities won't be in totally rough shape for next year.

Also, if the cap space is expected to increase as much as people say, will 2015 FA be as big of a problem as I'm currently thinking?

In No Particular Order: 2014 is the last year under contract for...
Dan Connolly
Stephen Gostkowski
Nate Solder - 5th yr option
Matt Slater
Devin McCourty
Shane Vereen
Stevan Ridley
Marcus Cannon
Brandon Bolden
Ryan Mallett

and two vets...
Vince Wilfork
Tommy Kelly

I hope I didn't forget anyone important, or list an incorrect name!

Almost all NFL contracts are for four years or less, so to see this many players on an NFL roster scheduled to become NFL free agents is not unusual at all. It's not like some other sports where contracts are often for a much longer amount of time.

For example, check out who will become unrestricted free agents in Cincinnati next year:

WR A.J. Green
NT Domato Peko
MLB Rey Maualuga
TE Jermaine Gresham
QB Andy Dalton
OLB James Harrison
K Mike Nugent
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
G Clint Boling
RB Cedric Peerman
DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo
WR Ryan Whalen
QB Josh Johnson

There are also a half dozen restricted free agents, including LB Vontaze Burfict. Including Burfict that's seven starters; nine if you include the kicker and count BJGE as the starter over Giovani Bernard.

Every year things look dire in terms of so many players hitting free agency, but since other teams are in the same situation it evens out; it's not that bad relative to the situation facing the 31 other NFL clubs. To me that's the key, not how much the cap will be at that time.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Gostowski will likely be restructured this year, too, or they'll bring in competition and Zoltan him.

Allen was cheaper and better. There is no Ryan Allen in this year's crop of kickers. The Pats can get cheaper, if they want, but they can't get better than Gostkowski.

And don't ask me why this is, but the Patriots have never had serious roster competition for Gostkowski after he beat out Gramatica.

 

[mgteich]

You make a good point. The norm is about 1/4 of your roster.

We have 11 UFA's going into this year, including 5 that Miguel lists as starters. Next year, we have 13 UFA's including 4 starters. Some will be gone; more will be added; some will be extended, but the total should end up being about the same as this year.

So, it seems that next year the situation will be about the same as this only with a higher cap.

Obviously, we will add 2015 cap responsibility as this off-season progresses, but we are in great shape as of now. We figure to be in at least good shape when we face next year's decisions.

Almost all NFL contracts are for four years or less, so to see this many players on an NFL roster scheduled to become NFL free agents is not unusual at all. It's not like some other sports where contracts are often for a much longer amount of time.

For example, check out who will become unrestricted free agents in Cincinnati next year:

WR A.J. Green
NT Domato Peko
MLB Rey Maualuga
TE Jermaine Gresham
QB Andy Dalton
OLB James Harrison
K Mike Nugent
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
G Clint Boling
RB Cedric Peerman
DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo
WR Ryan Whalen
QB Josh Johnson

There are also a half dozen restricted free agents, including LB Vontaze Burfict. Including Burfict that's seven starters; nine if you include the kicker and count BJGE as the starter over Giovani Bernard.

Every year things look dire in terms of so many players hitting free agency, but since other teams are in the same situation it evens out; it's not that bad relative to the situation facing the 31 other NFL clubs. To me that's the key, not how much the cap will be at that time.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

That's my understanding of it too, that's why I wrote "5th yr option" next to his name. I hope NE takes advantage!

FWIW, this decision will probably be made in May. [As PFT(?) noted, the fifth-year salary is guaranteed against injury prior to the season, so why risk it now?]