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

[JPsPats]

The problem is that as the cap increases, so do average player salaries, so it really doesn't matter.

This is why the franchise tag always moves up, due to the average of the player salaries.

Of course what you're suggesting is something that isn't definite either, so we really don't know. The inflation won't cancel out the increase by the next year or two, but 4-5 yrs down the road it definitely will.

Pretty much proves my point, salaries are on the rise so it's not like we'd be overpaying. Top corners will prob be singing 12+ million dollar contracts in 2016 so if we can get him now at like 9 mill I would have no problem with it.

We need to win now (for Brady) and you needa number 1 corner to win. Whether it's talib or someone else we need it, and without talib we don't have a number 1 on the roster so we have to pay him or someone else.

 

[supafly]

Pretty much proves my point, salaries are on the rise so it's not like we'd be overpaying. Top corners will prob be singing 12+ million dollar contracts in 2016 so if we can get him now at like 9 mill I would have no problem with it.

We need to win now (for Brady) and you needa number 1 corner to win. Whether it's talib or someone else we need it, and without talib we don't have a number 1 on the roster so we have to pay him or someone else.

I see what you're saying in reference to the cap increase now. Apologies for not realizing it before. I'm used to the "we'll have lots of money next year due to the increase" posts, but that isn't what you're suggesting at all.

You want to lock in on a reasonable rate now since the CB market as you see it, is increasing and will continue to do so.

The only concern is Talib's bum hip flaring up as its done for many years now, practically guaranteeing him to miss time. It's hard to give someone top dollar like that.

In terms of them choosing to pay someone else, I don't know who that would be at this point? I think they'd choose someone a lot less of a cost + another top round draft pick. No one will really be left who's reasonable in my opinion.

Gotta trust in Belichick's decisions, I suppose.

 

[JPsPats]

I see what you're saying in reference to the cap increase now. Apologies for not realizing it before. I'm used to the "we'll have lots of money next year due to the increase" posts, but that isn't what you're suggesting at all.

You want to lock in on a reasonable rate now since the CB market as you see it, is increasing and will continue to do so.

Yes, the going rate will definitely be going up. Just think what guys like Patrick Peterson and Richard Sherman will get when they're due for extensions in a couple of years.

I think now is the time to buy.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yes, the going rate will definitely be going up. Just think what guys like Patrick Peterson and Richard Sherman will get when they're due for extensions in a couple of years.

I think now is the time to buy.

I would agree with this, especially now that viable options to replace Talib appear to be coming off the table. It's either sign him, draft one high (I don't think anyone wants to do that) and throw him into the fire, or go with Ryan as a starter (which would give us one of the slower 1-2 CB tandems in the NFL). The Pats can give him what he's looking for without hamstringing the cap and they can also do it in a way where they load the contract with incentives. That said, I don't think it's going to happen. If the reports are true, the Redskins will out-bid the Pats.

 

[stelfans]

I dont think i want to spend 10M on a guy who wont play in the biggest games of the season. That money will be better spent on someone that can go after the QB.

I dont want to draft another corner in the top round but we may not have other option.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

This is one of those questions where I can honestly see both sides of the argument.

On the one hand, I'm in the camp that thinks the Secondary suffered for years when the Pats didn't renew Asante at the money he wanted.

On the other hand, I worry about Talib's durability (as do many others in this thread) and I'm not 100% convinced that his temper and behavior issues are all behind him.

OK. I won't wimp out...so what's the bottom line for me?

If he didn't have the injury history I'd pay to keep him, but ultimately I think it's just too risky to shell out that kind of money for a guy who might not be around for several games and/or the Playoffs. So, in a close call, I'd reluctantly take the "Let him walk" side of this discussion...but wouldn't be bent out of shape if they decided to take the chance and pay him.

 

[slash83]

I dont think i want to spend 10M on a guy who wont play in the biggest games of the season. That money will be better spent on someone that can go after the QB.

I dont want to draft another corner in the top round but we may not have other option.

I understand where you guys are coming from seeing how Talib missed two of the most important games of his short patriots career. But that being said... I don't care if it was Talib, McCourty, Dennard or anyone else in the secondary. The shot he took from Welker would or could of knocked any of those players out. To sit and say he can't stay on the field in big games isn't fair. For all we know he plays every defensive snap vs Denver weren't it for welkers cheap hit.

 

[voluntarysaftey]

I understand where you guys are coming from seeing how Talib missed two of the most important games of his short patriots career. But that being said... I don't care if it was Talib, McCourty, Dennard or anyone else in the secondary. The shot he took from Welker would or could of knocked any of those players out. To sit and say he can't stay on the field in big games isn't fair. For all we know he plays every defensive snap vs Denver weren't it for welkers cheap hit.

I disagree. Most people would've gotten up with that hit. Receivers take hits to the hip often. I'd also be worried that the strategy against Talib will now be to target the hip as it's obviously a weak spot

 

[Rob0729]

If the Pats are going to pay top dollar for a CB, I think I would rather see them go after Verner than Talib. He is younger and more durable than Talib.

 

[slash83]

I disagree. Most people would've gotten up with that hit. Receivers take hits to the hip often. I'd also be worried that the strategy against Talib will now be to target the hip as it's obviously a weak spot

Receivers more often then not can brace themselves for hits with the new rule changes. The hit Talib took was cheap and a surprise, a recipe for injury.

 

[Sicilian]

I understand where you guys are coming from seeing how Talib missed two of the most important games of his short patriots career. But that being said... I don't care if it was Talib, McCourty, Dennard or anyone else in the secondary. The shot he took from Welker would or could of knocked any of those players out. To sit and say he can't stay on the field in big games isn't fair. For all we know he plays every defensive snap vs Denver weren't it for welkers cheap hit.

If it were isolated, I would absolutely agree with you. But the real time bomb is his hip, and he had issues with that earlier in the year as well. So in a vacuum I don't consider his injury against the Broncos to be a sign of injury problems, but it adds to his reputation which isn't getting any better.

 

[slash83]

If it were isolated, I would absolutely agree with you. But the real time bomb is his hip, and he had issues with that earlier in the year as well. So in a vacuum I don't consider his injury against the Broncos to be a sign of injury problems, but it adds to his reputation which isn't getting any better.

I understand man it's a nagging hip injury and he is risky. But at the end of the day if the patriots were in zone and not man coverage on that play for all we know that hit never takes place and he prob finished the game. If that were the case we wouldn't be having this discussion and he would prob be signed with us by now.

On a side not, reports are WSH interested in Corey graham the corner, hopefully a good sign Talib is back with NE.

 

[Kontradiction]

If the Pats are going to pay top dollar for a CB, I think I would rather see them go after Verner than Talib. He is younger and more durable than Talib.

Sounds like Verner already has a deal on the table and will be gone quickly after FA starts. If the Pats aren't that team (I think it's the Jets), he won't be an option.

 

[Rob0729]

Sounds like Verner already has a deal on the table and will be gone quickly after FA starts. If the Pats aren't that team (I think it's the Jets), he won't be an option.

Nothing is final until 4PM tomorrow. I wouldn't bet he has a deal. He is not making visits, but that doesn't mean he has decided on a team.

The Jets are reported to have contacted Captain Munnerlyn over the weekend too which tells me they might not be the favorites for Verner.

If the Pats don't think they can get Talib done, they can certainly go after Verner. I am sure he isn't going to reject more offers between now and 4PM tomorrow, but it isn't really in the Pats' character to overpay for anyone. So it isn't likely.

 

[IllegalContact]

if he gets a top market deal, the pats get a 3rd rounder next year

let him walk

 

[Kontradiction]

Nothing is final until 4PM tomorrow. I wouldn't bet he has a deal. He is not making visits, but that doesn't mean he has decided on a team.

The Jets are reported to have contacted Captain Munnerlyn over the weekend too which tells me they might not be the favorites for Verner.

If the Pats don't think they can get Talib done, they can certainly go after Verner. I am sure he isn't going to reject more offers between now and 4PM tomorrow, but it isn't really in the Pats' character to overpay for anyone. So it isn't likely.

The NFL network on Sirius XM disagrees with you. They were talking yesterday specifically about Verner and the main point was that, usually, when a guy doesn't go for any visits it means that he already has a destination pinpointed and the talks are going well enough that his agent doesn't have to float any other teams' names to the media to increase contract value. That said, the fact that the team is not being discussed gives me hope that it's the Pats.

 

[Rob0729]

The NFL network on Sirius XM disagrees with you. They were talking yesterday specifically about Verner and the main point was that, usually, when a guy doesn't go for any visits it means that he already has a destination pinpointed and the talks are going well enough that his agent doesn't have to float any other teams' names to the media to increase contract value. That said, the fact that the team is not being discussed gives me hope that it's the Pats.

Typically it does mean he has a good idea where he will signed. But it also could be a bargaining ploy to make teams think he has a solid offer and to make a last ditch effort to throw money at him. Granted it could backfire and make teams feel they are out of the running and walk away.

I think if the Jets basically had Verner locked up, everyone would know. That organization can't keep quite about anything. I could be wrong, but Woody would be trying to sell PSLs on getting one of the top CBs on the market.

 

[Kontradiction]

Typically it does mean he has a good idea where he will signed. But it also could be a bargaining ploy to make teams think he has a solid offer and to make a last ditch effort to throw money at him. Granted it could backfire and make teams feel they are out of the running and walk away.

I think if the Jets basically had Verner locked up, everyone would know. That organization can't keep quite about anything. I could be wrong, but Woody would be trying to sell PSLs on getting one of the top CBs on the market.

The Jets are only my best guess because they're flush with cap room even before cutting Sanchez and Holmes and they just cut Cromartie. Admittedly I have no idea if I'm right about that. Like I said, I hope that he's been quiet about the team means that it's the Pats.

 

[dales804]

The Jets are only my best guess because they're flush with cap room even before cutting Sanchez and Holmes and they just cut Cromartie. Admittedly I have no idea if I'm right about that. Like I said, I hope that he's been quiet about the team means that it's the Pats.

Interesting thought on the possibility of it being NE because of the quietness from Verner and Rob's point about how the NYJ can't keep anything under wraps.

Would you be happy, Kontra, if NE went with Verner over Talib, assuming they get similar dollars?

 

[JackBauer]

Of course. Verner to NE would be the optimal outcome, in my opinion (I know you're not asking me but I'll eat my hat if he disagrees).