Source: Aqib Talib wants top-of-the-market deal

[juny]

Is there a way to pay him Grimes money but give the Pats some protection from injury with games played bonuses? Also with the projected increases in the cap the next two years, Grimes pay isn't too crazy.

I really hate to go back to pre-Talib pass coverage, which was terrible.

 

[BradyMoss812]

Source: Aqib Talib wants top-of-the-market deal | Boston Herald


All the best for the future, Aqib.

 

[MassPats38]

If he could play a full season, then he would be worth top money.

Over his last four seasons, he consistently averages about 12 games per season. When he came back in Carolina, he didn't look himself. It is not just the games he misses, but his level of play (as is typical for any professional athlete) after returning.

It is tough to put a dollar value on, but if he pushes the length and dollar value upward on the contract expected then his injury history starts to matter.

I want him to return, but I would be concerned if the Pats pay big money to keep him. I hope he wants to play for the Pats as claimed, and his expectations are tempered to the more reasonable demand by his own injury history.

 

[PrairiePat]

Has anyone paid big bucks to a CB and had it work out? Maybe Revis's first deal? Any others besides that one?

 

[ralmat55]

Well, I guess this means bye-bye Aquib because no one around Foxboro makes "top-of-the-market" money other than the owner and the head coach.

This is why the next few weeks will be my least favorite ones on the football calendar watching the Patriots lose good players while replacing them with used-up castoffs all in the name of "value".

I truly get it: Most NFL players are replaceable; I'll lose no sleep rather Dan Connolly or Josh Kline will be the Pats starting RG next season. Either will do an acceptable job and, if they can't, they'll be ten others standing in the NFL unemployment line who can.

BUT, Cornerbacks with the speed, size and agility to cover #1 receivers do not grow on trees and are essential if you want a good defense in these pass-happy days. If you see his "value" at 7 million a year but the market is 8 million a year, it is lunacy to lose him over the difference.

 

[slash83]

Goodbye Talib was nice having a sick corner while it lasted.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Right, pay Talib and then cry when he tweaks his hip and misses playoff games.

It was his ribs, knee (whatever) this year, but that's irrelevant. He won't miss any playoff games in Oakland.

 

[RayClay]

Apparently, the writer misunderstood a conversation Talib had with some team mates. They were talking about a St. Patty's Day get together and Talib said Top o' the Morning to get in the spirit.

He further stated that he wasn't concerned about money and just glad to be a Patriot.

 

[Sicilian]

It was his ribs, knee (whatever) this year, but that's irrelevant. He won't miss any playoff games in Oakland.

I think when he got hurt in the middle of the season this year it was his hip again.

 

[Brady6]

From the Herald: Source: Aqib Talib wants top-of-the-market deal | Boston Herald



Would have to think that it's going to be somewhere north of what Grimes got from the Dolphins. It's good to see that they seem to be proactive about signing him, assuming the report is correct. I would have to think that any hold up would be guaranteed money, considering the lingering hip issues Talib has faced throughout his career and will no doubt face again in the future. I don't like that he didn't come back in during the AFCCG but, unless the team has other plans in mind or sees Ryan as more than just a capable nickel CB, I would have to think they know they need to do everything they can to bring him back. It will be interesting to hear the reports that come out on this in the coming days that give the numbers Talib is looking for. This report unfortunately does not.

He can want all he wants but it does not mean it will happen.

Talib was worth $5 million last season in UFA, what did he do in 2013 to propel himself to the top of the market? He played a great do not get me wrong but at the end of the day he still has the same concerns, the hip was a major issue, he acted like a punk on national TV against the Panthers, and got knocked out of the AFC Championship game for the second year in a row.

The Patriots will have a line drawn and it is likely around $6.5 million, maybe $7 million APY for a max of 3 maybe 4 years.

 

[Marqui]

no one around Foxboro makes "top-of-the-market" money other than the owner and the head coach.

And their starting NT and LG.

 

[ausbacker]

I'd like the Patriots to keep Talib but if it comes down to adding guys like Houston, Johnson, Bryant, Allen etc then I'm taking the Defensive Linemen and investigating other CBs.

 

[Sicilian]

And their starting NT and LG.

And if Brady had wanted to be the highest paying QB they probably would have paid him too. He chose not to demand that, which isn't the Pats fault.

 

[Kontradiction]

For me, I feel the same as I have about any high profile player negotiation the Patriots have engaged in in the last few years or so. I would prefer that they come to terms with Talib. If they can't, I'm fine with it so long as they replace him with a good to capable starter (Browner, Davis, Shields, etc.) while using the savings to improve other areas of that side of the ball (DT, actual pass rushing rotation of DE's, SS, etc.).

On the other hand, if they let Talib walk while starting Ryan or Arrington on the outside and those guys proceed to get torched while we still see the same issues (no physicality in the back end, leadfoot LB's getting burned by TE's and RB's in coverage, pass rush disappears at the end of the season and in the playoffs), then it's a stupid ass decision. I do hear the concerns about the guaranteed money and agree that it's going to be a sticking point in negotiations. Can't fault Talib for looking for as much as possible either. Careers in this league are short and he's a top CB when healthy. That said, it appeared as if he could have came back in the game in Denver. He ran out of the locker room and Dennard appeared to be pleading with him on the sideline afterward. I have my questions about him as a gamer on top of his hip issues but, at the end of the day, if you don't sign him are you going to replace him and improve other areas of the roster with the savings? We shall see.

 

[PatsGuy]

So, to everyone saying YEH to both Gregory and Talib leaving, what will the back 4 look like? All Rutgers? (At least 3 of the 4)

 

[voluntarysaftey]

This headline doesn't surprise me -- it's what he wanted last year and only came back on a one year deal when he failed to get top dollar multi-year.

However, I don't see Talib getting the money he wants from anyone. I don't think this year really helped him.

He did improve in his CB play
But he also reaffirmed that he's a huge chronic injury risk
And he hasn't done anything to mitigate 'how do we know he won't be a sour apple once he leaves NE'. The game against Steve Smith showed that it's possible for his emotions to be a negative.

 

[BradyManny]

Healthy Talib is worth it. Problem is, no guarantee when or for how long you will get that.

If a team is foolish enough to pay him like a guy who can stay on the field for 16 games, so be it. The Patriots won't be that team. If he gets a big deal from us, it'll be comparable to the Vollmer deal where we are protected from his recurring injury.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I would say that the Grimes contract is where they should start. I think the Pats would take that in a heartbeat, Talib, not so much. Interesting the "rumors" about the Pats trying to pry Revis from the Bucs. Is it a smokescreen to get Talib to lower his price? I dun't know, but all that will work itslef out in a few days (Revis' contract calls for a huge bonus and the last pick to the Jets goes from a 4th rounder to a 3rd, IF Revis is on the Bucs roster starting like the third day of the league year).

Imagine if somehow they signed Talib and traded for Revis?

 

[Love The Drake]

Would you cut Wilfork for Revis?
I would for also Michael Johnson or Houston.

 

[slash83]

Screw it pay Revis and be done with it, I'm sick of the revolving door at CB.