I honestly have a love/hate relationship with free agency. I love it because you have to admit, it's exciting. All the last minute deals and no-deals that shock us all, the thrill you get when your team signs a top FA...it's all great. I hate free agency, though, because obviously, teams can't keep every player each season. What I've kind of gotten accustomed to over the years of being a Patriots fan, is the heartbreak of losing my favorite player. Most of the time to free agency; Welker, Woodhead, Vinatieri, Milloy...just to name a few. Considering the Patriots aren't usually very big spenders, and that Bill Belichick has a ridiculously good knack for knowing when a player is a just season or two away from being out of his prime, New England is usually right about the decisions they make when it comes to free agency. No matter how hard it is to accept.
With the start of free agency quickly approaching, many people are no longer confident that the Patriots work out a long term deal with McCourty and/or Revis. Many fans were stunned after the Patriots placed the franchise tag on Gostowski. To me, it makes sense; we didn't need a 'Vinatieri 2.0' situation. The cap hit for this season would've been a bit too high for the Patriots to tag DMac, and obviously, when it comes to Revis, the situation is either: pick up his 2nd year option, work out a long term deal, or allow him to test the market; tagging was never an option.
As of now, the Patriots are over the cap space. They have until next Monday to change that. There are several things New England can do to place themselves significantly under the cap. Restructuring deals with guys like Browner, Amendola, Mayo, and Wilfork would be the place to start.
This season, Revis and McCourty were the heart and soul of our secondary. It's scary enough to think about losing one of them, but it's even worse when you think that there's a (good) chance we don't have DMac and Revis back next season. The Patriots are obviously not big spenders, and both Revis and McCourty deserve to get paid. I get that. I believe the Patriots' offer for McCourty will be somewhere around $8-9 million per season. Which is kind of low for a safety, considering he's a highly targeted free agent, and this years draft class is lacking at the safety position. With the new cash "handout" requirements, though, the Patriots could essentially give McCourty closer to what he's looking for. Revis is looking at probably his last "big deal". He'll be 30 this year, and entering the most critical years of his prime. I know he wouldn't mind going back to New York and finishing his career there. In my heart, though, I think Revis was looking for a "home" and a place to win. Doesn't that sound like New England? Now that he's gotten a taste of a Championship and consistently winning, why go somewhere else? I think he takes a bit of a discount and stays in Foxboro.
Honestly, it all comes down to whether or not #24 and #32 want to win, or just get money. New England has a good chance to win it all again next year, so if I'm them, I take wins now, money later.
What I will say: after yesterday, Devin McCourty isn't too optimistic about returning to the Patriots. Given the Patriots' history when it comes to safeties, I'm not too confident either. In my opinion, safety just a position that Belichick puts a lot of value in. I mean, c'mon, we're talking about the guy who decided to cut Lawyer Milloy and basically stunned the entire football world. I love DMac; I think he's a great guy on and off the field. So I'll hate to see him go, but wish him the best wherever he winds up. IF the Patriots don't resign McCourty, however, there's really no excuse for them to not get Revis back on a longterm deal. His presence clearly impacted our defense in ways we hadn't seen in years. It'll be interesting to see how this busy offseason plays out. Let's gooooo.
As always, go Patriots.
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