Some comments on the comments:
1. I've always questioned why the reports that Vince demanded his release, cleaned out his locker, and now hated the organization he'd worked for for the last 10 years. It never made sense, because he had to have seen what was coming. The team couldn't allow that $11.6MM cap number survive.
Now it turns out that it was all just a matter of negotiations. Vince wasn't as angry as it was reported, and once again the Herald made it up as it went along. I can't wait to see how Borges spins this.
2. I have mixed emotions about this. I really believe that this kind of deal, which is essentially a one year deal of $3MM guaranteed with incentives to $8MM (the other 2 years are just to create some cap space); couldn't have been done in June. No other team would have offered a deal even close to what he got here.
The point being, It might have been better if the Pats put the deal on the table. Released Vince to create the $8MM in cap space now, and then in June sign the same deal he has now. Just a thought. As it is we aren't really sure how much space was created, but I'm guessing somewhere between $3-5MM. We'll just have to wait a few days until Miguel makes his assessment.
3. The fact that he signed STILL doesn't make the issues of his relatively poor play last season, and critical problems of coming back from an Achilles injury at his age, weight and position. I'm hoping that now we might hear some info on where he stands in his rehab, how much he weighs, and when we can expect him to be back on the field now that the deal has been signed. I also hope we keep our expectations of what he'll be able to do when he does get back on the field realistic
4. I'm sorry we missed out on Shaun Phillips. He seemed like the ideal guy who provide veteran depth at both the DE and OLB position. It didn't make me feel any better that he signed for a very reasonable $3MM/yr.
5. On the plus side, Vince's leadership and presence would have been sorely missed on this still very young D. I'm not sure what kind of leaders Revis and Browner are, but they both add a lot of experience to a defense that didn't have much.
6. All in all, a pretty good day in the nation. Now lets go and spend some money filling in the gaps.