New England Patriots: Top 3 Items on Offseason Agenda
By Hal Bent
OVERPAID VETERANS:
New England has stayed at the top of the NFL for a decade and a half by being merciless when it comes to a player not performing to their salary or cap number. Other than Tom Brady–who has seemed to keep any drop-off in play at bay–New England has not hesitated to unload a player when they can be replaced by a better or more inexpensive player. This offseason there are a number of veterans on the roster potentially in danger of being released and replaced.
A look at the salary cap (all salary numbers from OvertheCap.com) for the Patriots in 2016 shows veteran linebacker Jerod Mayo with an audacious $11.4 million cap number. Releasing Mayo saves $7 million against the salary cap but leaves $4.4 million in dead money. Designating him a post-June 1st cut saves an extra million. Mayo lost his starting job in 2014 to Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins and lost playing time this season to Jonathan Freeny. He likely has played his last game for New England.
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Next on the list is veteran wide receiver Danny Amendola. Tasked with replacing the popular Wes Welker, he was instead replaced by Julian Edelman as the top option in the passing game. However, late in 2014 he reclaimed a role in the offense and was a key contributor. He reworked his contract to lower his cap charge in 2015 but has a $6.8 million cap charge in 2016 (higher than Rob Gronkowski).
Amendola proved his value again in 2015 with a solid season when healthy. One advantage New England has with Amendola in renegotiations is that he has limited value outside of Foxborough, MA. He is a great fit in the New England offense, but would not have as much a value to another team. He may not like taking another pay cut, but he should be smart enough to see that staying in New England with Tom Brady as his quarterback is the best place for his talents. He should return on a more team-friendly deal.
Another wide receiver who may not be back in New England is Brandon LaFell. After a strong 2014 season, a foot injury derailed the start of his season. When he returned, he was ineffective and contributed little. He lost playing time to Keshawn Martin (who was signed to a team-friendly extension during the season) and Aaron Dobson remains on the roster at a third of the cost of LaFell. With only $1 million in dead money, LaFell is a likely cap casualty.
When New England signed tight end Scott Chandler after his release from Buffalo last offseason, the thought of him and fellow massive tight end Rob Gronkowski on the field together electrified the fan base. However, in reality Chandler failed to do much other than becoming the primary target when Gronkowski, Edelman and Amendola were all out injured. Even then, his uncharacteristic drops caused him to fall out of favor with Brady and by the playoffs he was a non-factor. With a cap number just over $3 million and only $1 million in dead money, Chandler is another likely salary cap casualty on offense.
Two other veterans potentially on the block are offensive tackle Marcus Cannon and defensive tackle Alan Branch. Based on their playing time, both earned their salary in 2015. However, Branch is carrying a $2.75 million cap hit and his status on the roster may depend on what happens with Akiem Hicks. Ditto for Cannon who played hurt during the second half of the season. Cannon and his $4.75 million salary cap charge could be dependent upon LaAdrian Waddle’s status with the team come training camp.
These veterans are all part of the “middle class” of the Patriots’ roster and often the ones who are in danger of being replaced in free agency and the draft. Mayo and Amendola are almost definitely not going to return in 2016 without reworking their contracts. LaFell and Chandler are both likely to be replaced in free agency or the draft and at best have to go to training camp and win a job. Cannon and Branch should be safe unless New England breaks the bank to keep players at their same position and go with Waddle and Hicks.
Next: 2017 FREE AGENTS