Ryan Wendell re-signed

[Froob]

That and the two niche specialist long snappers each for 2 year contracts make me say "WTF????"

Why would signing longsnappers for chump change make you say "WTF???" somebody has to longsnap and Aiken was shaky last year...hopefully Pats draft a center early....please

 

[Marinlik]

I feel like I have to puke.

 

[BradyManny]

What a **** move in what has otherwise been a slam dunk of an offseason. I hope you guys enjoyed watching Brady uncomfortable due to A-Gap pressure because we're going to likely be seeing more of the same in 2014.

I really, really don't get this move. At all.

Wendell was bad last season, and unless there was an injury that caused it, there's no reason he should be getting paid starter money, because he's not a starting caliber player.

I can see that the contract is incentive based - but its tied to playing time. He could very well play a lot, and just not play very well, like he did in 2013. It doesn't protect the Pats much.

The Patriots were bidding against no one for his services. He should've been a dirt cheap signing.

 

[JMC00]

It isn't even an one year contract at this point. He isn't guaranteed a roster spot with only $850k of dead money if cut. He will need to win the starting center job to make the final 53 man roster.

I still think his chances of playing for the Pats this season aren't great. If the Pats draft a center fairly high, his chances could go to none pretty quickly.

Hadn't seen that it was only a $850k dead hit if cut before the season. With that info people shouldn't think this rules the Pats out from drafting a C.

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

It isn't even an one year contract at this point. He isn't guaranteed a roster spot with only $850k of dead money if cut. He will need to win the starting center job to make the final 53 man roster.

I still think his chances of playing for the Pats this season aren't great. If the Pats draft a center fairly high, his chances could go to none pretty quickly.

Agreed. People here need to chill out. Will have to wait and see what the final contract says but I don't see the downside of having Wendell come back. He wasn't at his best last year but it's worth it to the Pats to bring him back and see if he can get back to his 2012 form. If he gets back to that form, or at the least his 2011 form, he'll make the team and this contract will have been worthwhile. Pats need the OL depth, especially with Vollmer coming off of the dislocated ankle. Seems like a fine signing.

 

[Joker]

why all this hand wringing???

it's not like you all haven't seen the Pats sign players to deals and then cut them when other contingencies prove out. They are using due diligence...jeezus krist, give it a friggin break...it's STILL March!!!

 

[varjao]

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

Hadn't seen that it was only a $850k dead hit if cut before the season. With that info people shouldn't think this rules the Pats out from drafting a C.

Aaron Wilson ?@RavensInsider 22m

Patriots re-signed Ryan Wendell to a two-year, $6.85 million deal, $850,000 bonus, salaries $1M, $1M, roster bonuses $2M, $2M in 2014, 2015

Only thing guaranteed seems to be the 850K signing bonus.

 

[BradyToAmendola]

Ryan Wendell blows. I don't get this.

Maybe they're afraid to break up the line right now because of losing Scar.

 

[Kontradiction]

why all this hand wringing???

it's not like you all haven't seen the Pats sign players to deals and then cut them when other contingencies prove out. They are using due diligence...jeezus krist, give it a friggin break...it's STILL March!!!

I don't like watching the Pats sign the weakest link on the OL to a contract where, if he actually does end up playing, has him earning starter dollars. Again, I hope that the Pats draft a center and I know that you're right there with me considering the blame you've been leveling at interior pass protection since the offseason began.

 

[Sicilian]

Only thing guaranteed seems to be the 850K signing bonus.

Which means you either have a guy like Wendell who is flawed but has chemistry with Brady for a couple million, or he gets beat out by a rookie in which case you lose nothing. As much as we don't like Wendell, you're not going to get a better C for under 3m outside the draft, and if a good one doesn't fall to you there, you'd have nothing.

Hell, this doesn't even prevent the Pats from drafting a GUARD and having Connelly win the C job. Too much doom and gloom around these parts over a pretty reasonable signing IMO.

 

[PatsFan2]

Thats a heck of alot of $$$ for a back-up they could have got Two better guys cheaper in the Draft.

 

[manxman2601]

I don't like watching the Pats sign the weakest link on the OL to a contract where, if he actually does end up playing, has him earning starter dollars. Again, I hope that the Pats draft a center and I know that you're right there with me considering the blame you've been leveling at interior pass protection since the offseason began.

Why is a draftee likely to be better than Wendell? Not only is there no guarantee of that talent-wise, he's going to have to learn all the protections. Even if they do bring in a draftee, it might be worth keeping Wendell on to smooth the process.

 

[zipster9]

Ryan Wendell blows. I don't get this.

Maybe they're afraid to break up the line right now because of losing Scar.

I agree. Why even bother signing him. If he stinks, and gets cut, still a 850k loss.

Signing a veteran Center in FA should've been the way to go.

If he plays, it only increases the chance Brady will get clobbered...

 

[JMC00]

Which means you either have a guy like Wendell who is flawed but has chemistry with Brady for a couple million, or he gets beat out by a rookie in which case you lose nothing. As much as we don't like Wendell, you're not going to get a better C for under 3m outside the draft, and if a good one doesn't fall to you there, you'd have nothing.

Hell, this doesn't even prevent the Pats from drafting a GUARD and having Connelly win the C job. Too much doom and gloom around these parts over a pretty reasonable signing IMO.

"What is this reasonable logic? Guards, seize him"

 

[Marqui]

Horrific signing, someone hit it when they said Arrington 2.0 contract.

 

[PatsFan2]

Why is a draftee likely to be better than Wendell? Not only is there no guarantee of that talent-wise, he's going to have to learn all the protections. Even if they do bring in a draftee, it might be worth keeping Wendell on to smooth the process.

Call me crazy but I thought Dan Conolly played Center a heck if alot better than Wendell.

 

[Sicilian]

Signing a veteran Center in FA should've been the way to go.

Wendell has been the starter for two years. He's as much a veteran center as anyone. And find me another vet center who's better for under 3m a year... scratch that, under 3m a year AND laid out in a way that only guarantees him 850k. You won't get one better than Wendell for those conditions. If the plan is to draft a kid and use Wendell as a plan B, it's a decent plan. If this is their final move on the OL, then sure, this is silly.

 

[Rob0729]

Thats a heck of alot of $$$ for a back-up they could have got Two better guys cheaper in the Draft.

No. Either he will start or he will be cut. There is no in between. Either he will make good money as a starter or the Pats wasted $850k for a player cut.

People need to look at the contract.

 

[strngplyr]

Horrific signing, someone hit it when they said Arrington 2.0 contract.

I may have been very premature in calling him the new Arrington, it looks like (assuming people in this thread know their ****) that he can be cut before making the final 53 and only cost us 850k.

Basically he wins the starting job or he's off the roster.