Samuel is gone in FA ...

[ctpatsfan77]

The Patriot way, my only hope is that they cut their losses early, do not let it hang on to TC or the beginning of the season.. make their offer if it is rejected move on an plan for the contingencies. This team is built in the trenches, that is our strength now and in the future.

Can't happen; Samuel's a FA unless he's resigned/tagged, and you can't bring in an FA without a contract.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

The way I look at it, they're either going to pay Samuel or they're going to be paying somebody else. I don't think BB goes into next season with Hobbs (who some might say isn't a No. 1 or No. 2 corner anyway) at one corner and a rookie at the other.

Either he signs some lesser known FA types with upside or they spend money on someone like Clements.

 

[smg93]

Even more fuel to the fire.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/01/07/payment_due/

"FOXBOROUGH -- Tattoos are permanent. If you choose to have a message drilled onto your arm with a needle, then you must really mean what you say. Check out Asante Samuel's tattoo: Get Paid."

 

[RayClay]

I used to think that but now I fundamentally disagree. I now think that trying to leverage value by maximising the time that players play under rookie contracts builds resentment which hurts the team in the long run.

A better strategy, I believe, is to extend players early, paying good but not huge amounts of money. What any player really wants is a payday that is good enough for them not to have to worry about money should their career end suddenly. After that, the difference between $10 and $15 million isn't that important.

Here is a story by Len Pasquarelli that shows a team taking this approach. My opinion is that, after the last off-season, the Patriots ought to be fundamentally re-appraising the way that they handle rookie contracts:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2714373
Herremans is fourth Eagle from '05 draft to land deal

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com






Continuing to lock up their young offensive linemen with long-term deals, the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday reached agreement with starting left guard Todd Herremans on a five-year contract extension.
[SIZE=-2]Herremans[/SIZE]
The deal is worth $16 million to $17 million and includes a $5 million signing bonus. Herremans signed the extension Saturday, which is the NFL deadline for teams to sign players to new contracts and be able to allocate remaining 2006 salary cap space to do so. Philadelphia is typically proactive in reaching early extensions with players they believe are key to their future and Herremans, only a second-year pro, is considered one of the team's young veterans around whom the Eagles will build.

We haven't re-signed our line?

 

[mgcolby]

All our key OL are signed through 2008.

 

[RayClay]

There are no easy answers. Ask Krafty how "locking up" Max Lane, Todd Rucci and Bledsoe worked out.

 

[shmessy]

There are no easy answers. Ask Krafty how "locking up" Max Lane, Todd Rucci and Bledsoe worked out.

Right on, Ray. I was going to bring that up to Mike the Brit in response to his Philly Eagles example (but I got sidetracked by Asante Samuel's well timed kick to the groin this morning).

Bob Kraft ALREADY tried that before, and it brought no stability (in fact, instability) for a few years.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Tell me all you would be General managers, who "know" the Belichick/Pioli methods, where will you spend the $25 million or so that is available under the 2007 cap. There a re only three significant Fas and the draftees will cost only about $5 million,leaving $20 million or so.

Where Will you geniuses spend it?

Signing to-be Franchised players like Adalius Thomas or a Lance Briggs?

Sure...R-I-G-H-T !

What next geniuses?

All it proves is that you don't "know " the Belichick/Pioli methods at all.

BB/SP are:
a) smart,
b) adaptable.
c) willing to do what's possible
d) spend to the cap longterm


When they are in cap hell, they sign cheap FAs, and draftees. When they have cap room over their needs, they sign premium FAs if available (Colvin); If neither is available, they trade for premium players (Corey Dillon). They are willing to spend up to the amount they have available to spend without mortgaging the future, (like the Titans or 49ers did). for producers thy pay big contracts, (Brady, Seymour and for lesser players Green and Faulk).

As a consequence in today's environment and conditions, Samuels, Graham and TBC aren't going anywhere for Money; they might leave for personal reasons, though. Adam left to kick in a dome to prolong a fading leg and career; Derrick Mason didn't come because his wife didn't like NE.

 

[VJCPatriot]

If the Pats want to retain Asante they will have to pony up. The dude has a tattoo that says "get paid", so come on now you know he isn't going to take a lowball offer or give a "hometown discount."

 

[Mike the Brit]

We haven't re-signed our line?

How many of the class of 2005 have we signed long-term?

 

[Miguel]

How many of the class of 2005 have we signed long-term?

None.

But I think that you alreadu know that

I took you to the wrong Jets game

 

[The-Beast]

Someone will sign him to a 6 year 40 million dollar deal, will it be the patriots overpaying for once? maybe.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Do not underestimate the importance of getting Seymour signed last off-season. The Pats now have their "franchise" tag available for Samuel. I have not doubt that Samuel will make it to free-agency (no way he re-signs with the Pats before getting to the open market). HOWEVER, the Pats will almost certainly drop the franchise tag on him. It will actually be cheaper to franchise him (for this year only), than to pay him a huge signing bonus + salary. So if Samuel really wants to "get paid", he is going to have to either sign with the Pats, or play under the "franchise" tag.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

you know, screw it. I've said all along that asante was gone.

tag him. the team will have a ton of cap room. cb is a need of the team. it's only a 1 year commitment. there's no need to sign him to an extension.

BB sucked it up and paid law $10M one year, a dummy year that no one ever thought would be paid out. pay asante $7-8M this year while drafting a replacement.

making the franchise amount will raise Asante's value, though what's the chance he has another 10 int season? he might even be cheaper to sign to an extension after next season.

it also gives you the option to trade him. tag him.

 

[zarakotas5]

I have wanted to keep Samuel, but I'm beginning to waver. He is not worth top 5 money. And considering our defensive backfield play is a low-point in our defense (though still somehow in the upper echelon of the league), perhaps the best way to expend a big % of the money is not by essentially giving it a big raise.

If the Pats are so inclined, recent high CB draft picks have made easy transitiions into the league. Some like D. Hall, D. Robinson, etc. are already amongst the best in the league despite 1-2 years experience. This years crop has up to 5 CBs that may become pro-bowl calibre. Almost all are better tacklers, similar to TEs becoming more athletic receivers.

I think franchising him the best option, either as a 1-year stop gap whilst the younger guys develop or as a means to drive up compensation if he signs elsewhere. Similar to previous Branch debate, Samuel is at best a 1B corner worth up to $5M a season.