February 12
Patriots Will Have to Make a Decision
The New England Patriots franchised quarterback Matt Cassel on the first day teams were able to do so. Sometime this offseason the Patriots are going to have to decide on what to do with him.
The reason is that Cassel signed his frachise tender, which guarantees him almost $15 for the 2009 season. That puts the Patriots at $119 million of a salary cap that is $123.
The problem is two fold for the Patriots. First, they do not have enough money right now to sign all their draft picks from the upcoming draft in April. Also, the Patriots have 22 free agents after the 2009 season and would need the room to renegotiate contracts.
Of those 22 players that will be free agents three of them will be starter from the offense in guards Logan Mankins and Stephen Neal, and tight end Benjamin Watson. Also, six of them will be starters from the defense in defensive ends Richard Seymore and Travis Green, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, linebackers Teddy Bruschi and Mike Vrable, and finally cornerback Ellis Hobbs.
Even with the departure of Cassel’s contract there still probably will not be enough room to resign half of them. That means some tough choices for the Patriots to come starting this offseason.
Enjoy Patriot fans, because 2009 will most likely be your last year on top.
