The Patriot Way – New England Patriots News 3/14
By Adam Burt
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to The Patriot Way – New England Patriots news and links from around the web.
– Greg Rosenthal breaks down the Darrelle Revis contract and what it means to the Patriots in light of the full contract details. There is no way Revis is here in 2015 with the way the deal is currently constituted, but there is a chance that he and the team work out a longer term extension sometime this year. This is a move I see as likely, given the $5mil in dead cap space in 2015 if the Patriots decline Revis’ option.
– It seems the locals have taken quite well to Revis being in New England.
– In less happy news, long time Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork has asked the team to release him. The decision stems from a contract renegotiation dispute and is a move that would net the Patriots close to $8mil in cap room this season. I’m not sure what the market for a 32 year old nose tackle coming off an Achilles injury is, but it is almost certainly less than the $11.5mil he is scheduled to earn this year. I cannot blame Wilfork, however, for not wanting to negotiate, the man has long been a loyal and hard working employee and he has earned every penny he’s made.
– There was one defensive tackle who was willing to restructure his contract for the Patriots. The move saves the Patriots just under $1mil in cap space this season ($800k), which can be helpful given the Revis signing and any future signings the Patriots look to make this offseason.
– Speaking of signings, the Patriots are in negotiations with former Seahawks corner Brandon Browner. This was after Ian Rappaport tweeted that a two year deal was done, and followed it up tweeting that Browner was telling those close to him he was going to New England.
Brandon Browner has spread the word to those close to him that he has agreed with the #Patriots. Thus, my report that he has agreed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2014
The situation bears watching at Browner could be that big corner/safety hybrid capable of covering tight ends and bringing the big hit, something this secondary has been missing since the days of Rodney Harrison.
– Receiver Julian Edelman is set to visit the 49ers on Friday. I still think that Edelman can end up back with the Patriots, but only if the price is right, and all it takes is one team (looking at you Cleveland) to fall in love with him and offer a huge contract.
– After former Panthers received Steve Smith was released, the Patriots reached out to him. Smith is set to visit the Ravens soon. Not sure how much he has left in the tank or how healthy he is, but at this point anything is a boost to the receiving corps.