The Official Gonzo Extension Watch Thread

[mgteich]

Or just stalling until Witherspoon gets his deal done. His agent wont want Gonzo’s deal announced first if he knows Seattle won’t pay that much. It would be embarrassing to do it that way.

More likely is the Witherspoon gets signed first and is the highest paid CB for a few days.

 

[DarrylS]

Whatever the reason for the delay it appears that he will a Patriot for a long time.
Which is what we all wanted to have happen.

 

[203Pat]

Don't love the owner saying that. Keep that behind closed doors.

 

[n1997y]

Don't love the owner saying that. Keep that behind closed doors.

Why?

 

[scott99]

Don't love the owner saying that. Keep that behind closed doors.

No reason to hide the fact. I saw video of Kraft on the field chatting with Gonzalez and shaking his hand. I’m pretty sure the deal will be signed in the next day or two. Gonzo doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who wouldn’t sign that kind of contract offer. I think him being a full participant on the first day of training camp is an indication that they are pretty much 99% done with the contract getting finalized.

I’m confident Kraft meant what he said, he wants Gonzalez her long term.

 

[XLIX]

Don't love the owner saying that. Keep that behind closed doors.

Kraft is very PR conscious, and doesn't want to be seen as being a cheapskate here. I don't blame him.

 

[scott99]

Kraft is very PR conscious, and doesn't want to be seen as being a cheapskate here. I don't blame him.

He isn’t a cheapskate, so he doesn’t need to be worried about being perceived as a cheapskate. When the Pats have cap space, they’ll use it. As we saw in the 2014, 2017 (with Gilmore) 2021 and 2025 offseasons. The other seasons, if you don’t have cap space, you can’t spend it.

 

[XLIX]

He isn’t a cheapskate, so he doesn’t need to be worried about being perceived as a cheapskate.

I agree he is not a cheapskate, but the perception that he is most definitely is out there.

 

[203Pat]

Kraft is very PR conscious, and doesn't want to be seen as being a cheapskate here. I don't blame him

Why?

No reason to hide the fact. I saw video of Kraft on the field chatting with Gonzalez and shaking his hand. I’m pretty sure the deal will be signed in the next day or two. Gonzo doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who wouldn’t sign that kind of contract offer. I think him being a full participant on the first day of training camp is an indication that they are pretty much 99% done with the contract getting finalized.

I’m confident Kraft meant what he said, he wants Gonzalez her long term.

To XLIX's point, Kraft is playing the PR game of "Look we made a great offer but he hasn't accepted it" but everyone knows these contracts only come down to the guaranteed money. So yes, Kraft and the team could have offered Gonzalez the "Highest paid person to ever play at that position" but without seeing the real money who knows? Negotiating through the media is never ideal but Kraft has become so image conscious over the last few years as he makes his push for the Hall that he put this out thereto let himself off the hook.

 

[n1997y]

To XLIX's point, Kraft is playing the PR game of "Look we made a great offer but he hasn't accepted it" but everyone knows these contracts only come down to the guaranteed money. So yes, Kraft and the team could have offered Gonzalez the "Highest paid person to ever play at that position" but without seeing the real money who knows? Negotiating through the media is never ideal but Kraft has become so image conscious over the last few years as he makes his push for the Hall that he put this out thereto let himself off the hook.

I think Kraft knows how the game is played, and just did Gonzo’s agent a big one regarding Spoon. Probably a Pat of the back for Jacas coming home at the same time.

I’m reading it that Kraft knows they’ve got a deal ready for Gonzo and all they’re waiting for is for Seattle to reach agreement with Witherspoon. He wouldn’t be talking publicly like this without knowing where things stand. Kraft is a savvy businessman. He knows Spoon hasn’t signed, and he knows what his words will do to influence that.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

To XLIX's point, Kraft is playing the PR game of "Look we made a great offer but he hasn't accepted it" but everyone knows these contracts only come down to the guaranteed money. So yes, Kraft and the team could have offered Gonzalez the "Highest paid person to ever play at that position" but without seeing the real money who knows? Negotiating through the media is never ideal but Kraft has become so image conscious over the last few years as he makes his push for the Hall that he put this out thereto let himself off the hook.

I agree that only the guaranteed money matters, and the "highest offer ever" might start in Y6 after the rookie plus 1 deal is complete. If the player has to wait 2 more years with a minimal guarantee, the deal is not practically the highest ever (although technically correct, it is not practically the same when considering risk to the player). Lots of ways the situation could be spun when the details are hidden.

 

[n1997y]

I agree that only the guaranteed money matters, and the "highest offer ever" might start in Y6 after the rookie plus 1 deal is complete. If the player has to wait 2 more years with a minimal guarantee, the deal is not practically the highest ever (although technically correct, it is not practically the same when considering risk to the player). Lots of ways the situation could be spun when the details are hidden.

Exactly. And not just hidden, but different. Different terms, different incentives, different mix of salary and bonuses. Each of the contracts will be spun to look as good as possible, and probably done in ways that makes it hard to compare so either looks bad. Setting that up is going to take a lot of time and effort. B that may be the final holdup.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Exactly. And not just hidden, but different. Different terms, different incentives, different mix of salary and bonuses. Each of the contracts will be spun to look as good as possible, and probably done in ways that makes it hard to compare so either looks bad. Setting that up is going to take a lot of time and effort. B that may be the final holdup.

The bold is insightful and probably correct.

 

[n1997y]

The bold is insightful and probably correct.

Thank you. I just saw @Ross12 sayingbsimilar in the other Gonzo thread. His post gave me a fresh insight into how hard it could be for the agent to keep both clients happy in this situation. I’d love to be a fly on the wall for all their conversations!

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Thank you. I just saw @Ross12 sayingbsimilar in the other Gonzo thread. His post gave me a fresh insight into how hard it could be for the agent to keep both clients happy in this situation. I’d love to be a fly on the wall for all their conversations!

Ross12 can keep us updated since he works for the Pats.

 

[Ross12]

Ross12 can keep us updated since he works for the Pats.

That's news to me lol!

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

That's news to me lol!

That is what a Pats employee would say

 

[DaBruinz]

He isn’t a cheapskate, so he doesn’t need to be worried about being perceived as a cheapskate. When the Pats have cap space, they’ll use it. As we saw in the 2014, 2017 (with Gilmore) 2021 and 2025 offseasons. The other seasons, if you don’t have cap space, you can’t spend it.

People on this board always seem to over-look the long term for Sal Cap. People are yammering about the Pats having 30some million in cap space now. But they ignore that they're projected to only have $24M in 2027. So they need to carry as much over as possible. For Gonzo's deal and for Brown's Option bonus.

then there is the plethora of free agents they're going to have to re-sign or replace. Which will be tougher having traded away the picks for Brown.