Salary cap to reach 155 million for 2016 season.

[ivanvamp]

I want Branch back...big time

I want both Branch and Hicks back. Those guys were both really good. I want this to be a dominating defense.

 

[aluminum seats]

Isn't Cannon a Scarnecchia guy? Cannon's struggles began when Goog came in and he had an ankle injury too right? With Scar back and with his ankle properly healed I think Cannon's career could turn around fairly quickly.

Fair enough. I guess it's just the rare Pats player over the past 15 years where I've thought so consistently "that guy is just bad." (I know we could point to some CBs and others). But maybe Scar can turn him around.

 

[Triumph]

Who doesn't struggle against the likes of Von Miller? In case you missed it, Vollmer was as much a turnstile against Miller as Cannon was.

Cannon's decline seems to coincide with DeGugliermo's hiring. With Scar back, Cannon should be serviceable again..

Vollmer is strictly a RT and had a bad ankle. The guy was lucky to be on the field at all. This was Cannons 3rd season and you should know by now what you have in a draft pick.

The Pats can do better and Cannon is not worth the money.

 

[mgteich]

If Hicks is going to get 3 million a season them cutting Branch makes sense. Imo Belichick pays a great deal of attention to unit cost and IIRC DL is the most expensive unit on the team. I have no problem with that as they are worth it and have 3 first rounders on that unit but they will likely try to offset Hicks in some way if they do re-sign him, and Branch is the most likely cut.

I think that Chris Jones is the most likely cut. I'll believe his cap hit is $1.7M.

 

[BlueThunder]

Darn, and I like Chris Jones.......maybe he gets on BB's speed dial after TC if he doesn't get picked up elsewhere.....

With money to resign some key youngsters on D and get Brady some offensive weapons, I like the Pats chances of another shot at the SB ..if they can just stay healthy.

 

[mgteich]

Darn, and I like Chris Jones.......maybe he gets on BB's speed dial after TC if he doesn't get picked up elsewhere.....

With money to resign some key youngsters on D and get Brady some offensive weapons, I like the Pats chances of another shot at the SB ..if they can just stay healthy.

Chris Jones might be cut and re-signed for a much lower price. The real cost then will only be his signing bonus.

 

[AzorianPats]

Don't forget about guys that we have that need to be taken of. Malcolm Butler at $600 is criminal. Pro Bowl (and well deserved) CB's are a rare commodity.

That dude needs a serious raise now because if he matches last years play he's as good as gone next year.

I could be wrong about this, but I heard Bert Breer on the radio last week say since (I think) the new CBA teams arent allowed to negotiate a new contract with a player until they complete 3 years in the league.

If thats the case the Pats could have extended last year contracts to Hightower and Jones, they can do Collins this year, but Butler has to wait another year.

 

[BlueThunder]

If Butler gets even better next year...it just means more $$$$ coming his way with new contract !

 

[Miguel]

I could be wrong about this, but I heard Bert Breer on the radio last week say since (I think) the new CBA teams arent allowed to negotiate a new contract with a player until they complete 3 years in the league.

If thats the case the Pats could have extended last year contracts to Hightower and Jones, they can do Collins this year, but Butler has to wait another year.

As an UDFA Butler's contract can be redone/extended this year. UDFAs contracts can be redone after two years. See Ryan Allen in 2015.