So the patriots have about 10 million in cap space

[patfanken]

It depends on how the signing bonus is structured (installments) and when the payments are.

They can take his $7.5m this year convert it to a bonus, spread it out along with the additional money.

Per Miguel

Yeah, that's what I was thinking when I made my comment. See how smart we all are when we read Miguel on a regular basis.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking when I made my comment. See how smart we all are when we read Miguel on a regular basis.

I depend on it. I sure as hell can't make this up on my own

 

[patfanken]

May I suggest reading
Why the New England Patriots will need to create more cap space and how they can do so

At the time of the its publication Pats had about $9.5 Million in cap space. They now have 9.7M

IIRC, Miguel, you made a very strong case that with the cap space they have in 2017 (something over $60mm if I'm correct), the Pats should be able to sign virtually ALL their key UFA's next spring, including Collins, Hightower, Sheard, etc. And none of the deals you outlined would be considered "team friendly" if I recall. These were all pretty much "in the market" deals, even if they didn't CREATE new markets.

Now we all had hoped that some of those signing would have taken place this off season, especially Hightowers since his deal would probably have cleared more cap space for this season. Well, they didn't make any big signings and its unlikely that they will, and those players will probably test the free market next spring.

HOWEVER, that doesn't mean we still won't be able to sign most of them anyway. No one will have close to the money we will. But enjoy watching Jaime Collins,this season, since I think he'll be gone. Not only is someone likely to offer him a market breaking contract the Pats won't match, I heard rumblings that, unlike a lot of guys, Collins isn't in love with living in NE, and might like to get closer to home, But who knows. About all we DO know is that you just can't keep them ALL, even if we can sign most of them

 

[long distance]

IIRC, Miguel, you made a very strong case that with the cap space they have in 2017 (something over $60mm if I'm correct), the Pats should be able to sign virtually ALL their key UFA's next spring, including Collins, Hightower, Sheard, etc. And none of the deals you outlined would be considered "team friendly" if I recall. These were all pretty much "in the market" deals, even if they didn't CREATE new markets.

Now we all had hoped that some of those signing would have taken place this off season, especially Hightowers since his deal would probably have cleared more cap space for this season. Well, they didn't make any big signings and its unlikely that they will, and those players will probably test the free market next spring.

HOWEVER, that doesn't mean we still won't be able to sign most of them anyway. No one will have close to the money we will. But enjoy watching Jaime Collins,this season, since I think he'll be gone. Not only is someone likely to offer him a market breaking contract the Pats won't match, I heard rumblings that, unlike a lot of guys, Collins isn't in love with living in NE, and might like to get closer to home, But who knows. About all we DO know is that you just can't keep them ALL, even if we can sign most of them

I think you're right about Collins. I even had a crazy thought today (trying to sort out the incredible depth at DE/LB not only for 53 but also for snaps) that if there is a SHOCK trade it will be about Collins. I don't believe that since this D is looking spectacular and Collins looks incredible and is the key for it to remain on this level. But bringing McClellin and now Mingo - two guys with exactly the same measurements - looks like they might even not use the tag next year.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think you're right about Collins. I even had a crazy thought today (trying to sort out the incredible depth at DE/LB not only for 53 but also for snaps) that if there is a SHOCK trade it will be about Collins. I don't believe that since this D is looking spectacular and Collins looks incredible and is the key for it to remain on this level. But bringing McClellin and now Mingo - two guys with exactly the same measurements - looks like they might even not use the tag next year.

There is 0.0000000000000000000000000000% in that happening.

With being paid $917k in 2016 and can franchise tagged, Pats control him cheap. Hes not going anywhere.

If they let him walk they;ll get a 3rd. If they trade him they'll get a 2nd or a 1st.

If Collins wanted to play hardball he should have held out this year.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Actually any extension that Hightower gets would likely INCREASE cap space for this season.

$8-10MM under is about were you want to be going into a season. It leaves with plenty to make the several mid season acquisitions that come up due to trades or injuries.

BTW-for those still looking for OT's to suddenly add, the fact is there aren't any $10MM quality OT's out there on the FA market, not even close. Some of the names I keep hearing like Schwartz, are marginal guys to begin with. Face it we are NOT going to find a guy as good as Volmer sitting there waiting for us to sign. Cannon and Waddle as the #3 are going to HAVE to be the guys.

This just in.
After stealth reading this post on Patsfans, Giselle has asked Goodell to suspend her husband the entire 2016 season