Patriots' moves spark speculation | ProFootballTalk.com

The release of Tully Banta-Cain, Joey Galloway, Eric Alexander, and Michael Matthews opens up $2.87 million in nonprorated 2009 salary cap space, which in theory allows the Patriots to absorb a player with a full-season base salary of $2.85 million. (Because all players were signed through 2009 only, there's no cap acceleration arising from cutting them.)

Some are speculating that the Patriots are making a play for Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.

Coincidentally, his full-season base salary for 2009 is $2.972 million.

3 months ago John (obviousman) 56 comments 0 recs |

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Many also are speculating that linebacker Adalius Thomas would be included in any trade, given his surprise scratch on Sunday. His $1.9 million full-season base salary would be offset by bonus acceleration from 2010 and 2011, the final two years of his contract.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 20, 2009 10:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

Would they give us Wilfork?

by Dude52089 on Oct 20, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No chance

They won’t part with Wilfork, Green or Warren. They know what’s valuable in a 3-4.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 20, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ya

I’d just be curious, what would they be willing to give up that we need, other then picks.

by Dude52089 on Oct 20, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it’ll be a pick, a couple of picks, or maybe a pick plus Thomas. Thomas would be a really cool weapon in this defense. Especially against the pass.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 20, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't really want to consider rebuilding just yet

But if we can get more draft picks for the same production, I am all for it.

by Dude52089 on Oct 20, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

especially that Raider pick...

top 5

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Oct 20, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You think NE would give up Wilfork for

Merriman and a 1st round pick?

by sirbud on Oct 20, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the only thing that would make them give up Wilfork is Rivers.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 20, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unless it's true that they don't plan to re-sign him.

In which case they would want to unload him for something in return, and his new team could give him a new contract.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 20, 2009 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d give them just about anything for Wilfork. How about this?

1st Round Pick
Shawne Merriman
Ogemdi Nwagbuo (or Luis Castillo?)

Adalius Thomas
Vince Wilfork

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 20, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How old is Wilfork?

It’s honestly looking like we’ll be selecting in the top half of the draft again. It may be better to hold on to our picks and use them to select a young, fresh NT than trade for one that’s over 30 already and is going to cost a boatload of money.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 20, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unless we pick in the top 5-8

Neither of the top DTs (Suh, McCoy) is going to be there. Some people like Terrance Cody, but I seriously doubt he’d be better than Wilfork over the next 5 years.

Disclaimer: I think all these trade rumors are bunk.

Side note: Isn’t there some bad blood between Wilfork and some Chargers players. Didn’t he try to poke somebody in the eye?

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 20, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Possibly.

But I think the only one I’ve actually heard Charger players call out is Seymour.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 20, 2009 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I agree they're probably bunk.

Unless someone blew his socks off, I think AJ wants as many picks as possible next April.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 20, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A sound strategy

I’m liking this draft. The Chargers need to work on somehow getting another 1st or 2nd round pick. There’s also a really good set of pass rushers in the projected 1st and 2nd rounds. So, in that regards, trading Merriman for picks would allow you to get one of those guys early and use the picks you gained to build depth.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 20, 2009 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can see AJ tagging and trading Merriman this off-season

through either the franchise tag or an RFA tender, depending on the CBA situation.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 20, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can see that too

But, you can’t be so set on a plan that you won’t act on a better opportunity if it comes around.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 20, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely.

It just depends I guess on what deals are offered right now, and what he reasonably thinks he can get in the off-season.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 20, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Draft choices ! We need darft choices

…. and the Pats have ’em

by Trendsearcher on Oct 20, 2009 10:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I heard a 2nd round pick would be included as well...

" A finger or two in the air shows how much we care"

by ChargersWitch on Oct 20, 2009 10:38 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Where’d you hear that? A 2nd rounder plus Thomas seems like waaaaay too much.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 20, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a friend who's my sports psychologist (i just call him that) always tells me things he finds out...

he wont tell me his sources but everything he tells me has been legit so far…

" A finger or two in the air shows how much we care"

by ChargersWitch on Oct 20, 2009 11:07 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

The Wise Guy & the Witch coming soon to the WB!

I smell a TV show in the making!

by Trendsearcher on Oct 20, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah... Starring YOU!

" A finger or two in the air shows how much we care"

by ChargersWitch on Oct 20, 2009 11:11 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Hey its better idea than Ballon Boy

These cable stations are hurting for ideas

by Trendsearcher on Oct 20, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha! Nice point...

“Is it Legit or a Hoax?” inquiring minds wannna know…

A Sports Junkie show should be created

" A finger or two in the air shows how much we care"

by ChargersWitch on Oct 20, 2009 11:40 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

it's called Best Damn Sports Show on FOX Sports

Chance favors the prepared mind.......

by Gorditoe1 on Oct 21, 2009 4:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't even know who to point at

To blame for this team being mediocre at best, yes special teams failure doesn’t happen like that almost ever, but that’s no excuse, I’m gonna blame the players first, specifically the D and O-line. I almost want to blame A.J. but how was he supposed to know that half of these players would decide to just start sucking and play way below their level. You know what, F*ck it I’m gonna blame everybody.

by Harsh_619 on Oct 20, 2009 10:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wrong post, buddy.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 20, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

my bad

I don’t know about trading Merriman though, it’s not like the other OLB’s are doing jack and what’s their excuse? Trading him could be a huge mistake or we could use the pick we get for him and get a stud, who knows that’s not our job, that’s what A.J. Smith get paid for.

by Harsh_619 on Oct 20, 2009 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since Merriman probably wont re-sign I’m happy getting whatever we can for him now. Although if he’s a restricted FA, shouldn’t we get draft picks for him anyway when he goes somewhere else?

by JollyWaffle on Oct 20, 2009 11:05 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Me too !

by Trendsearcher on Oct 20, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 20, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it would be a mistake to trade Merriman.

Talk about selling at lowest value.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 20, 2009 11:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess the idea is that the team doesn’t think he’ll get better this year, and they need to make room for English on the field.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 20, 2009 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was just thinkn that...

what was English’s injury lastnight?

" A finger or two in the air shows how much we care"

by ChargersWitch on Oct 20, 2009 11:18 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

English got injured? I must’ve missed that. When he was playing he looked better than Merriman.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 20, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty sure it's an ankle.

Plus Vasquez hurt his knee again. God help us.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 20, 2009 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know Burnett hurt his ankle

Haven’t been able to find anything about English getting hurt.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 20, 2009 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He did look better than Merriman...

English: 2 sacks
Merriman: 0 sacks

" A finger or two in the air shows how much we care"

by ChargersWitch on Oct 20, 2009 11:45 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Well

he’s not hurt and hasn’t been out of football a whole year. Merriman will probably pick it up as the season progresses, and play extremely well next year.

If he doesn’t, then he really was a one-hit wonder. But if he’s a great talent, he will improve.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 20, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs