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As of now, the Patriots have eight defensive tackles (Vince Wilfork, Isaac Sopoaga, Tommy Kelly, Sealver Siliga, Chris Jones, Joe Vellano, Armond Armstead, and Marcus Forston) signed for the 2014 season. Their respective cap numbers are $11,600,000, $3,500,000, $2,656,250, $570,000, $495,000, $495,000, $495,000, and $495,000.
Vince Wilfork is signed through the 2014 season. He is due $8 million in cash ($7.5 million salary, 300K weight bonus, and a 200K offseason workout bonus). I just do not see Vince playing the 2014 season without redoing his current deal. I can see Vince and the Pats reaching one of two possible deals (a restructure of his deal that lowers his cap number by 4 to 6 million with Vince to earn $8 million in cash by reaching some NTLBE incentives (examples, Pro Bowl, Total defense - net yards, 46-man active per game roster bonues, average net yards allowed per rushing play) or an extension of his deal while converting a good portion of the $8 million into a signing bonus.
Isaac Sopoaga's last day with the Patriots will probably be February 3rd, the first day that teams can waive/release players for the 2014 season. When released, he will still count $1,000,000 against the 2014 cap as that is the amount of his fully guaranteed salary. Sopoaga's release will create $2,005,000 in cap space.
Like Wilfork, Kelly is signed through the 2014 season. He is due $2,156,250 in cash ($1.95 million salary, 156,250 roster bonus, and a 50K offseason workout bonus money). If the Pats decide that they need the cap space I see them releasing Kelly early in the 2014 League Year. If they do not, I see him staying with the Patriots (maybe at a one million salary).
Siliga is due to become a restricted free agent after the 2014 season. Vellano is due to become a restricted free agent after the 2015 season. Do not foresee any changes in their contracts in 2014.
As part of the new CBA there is a proven performance escalator for draft picks chosen in Round 3 through 7. Chris Jones is eligible for it in 2016 . An eligible player will qualify for the Proven Performance Escalator in his fourth League Year if: (1) he participated in a minimum of 35% of his Club's offensive or defensive plays in any two of his previous three regular seasons; or (2) he participated in a "cumulative average" of at least 35% of his Club's offensive or defensive plays over his previous three regular seasons. Chris Jones played in 68% of the defensive snaps in 2013.
I have seen posts suggesting that the Patriots should try to make a run at the Ravens defensive tackle, Arthur Jones, Chandler's brother. My take is that if he is too expensive for the Ravens to retain then he will most likely be too expensive for the Patriots to sign.
Probably because his 2013 salary was fully guaranteed, Armstead was paid like a rookie in 2013 even though he spent the entire season on the Non-Football Injury List. Some NFI players have had their salaries greatly reduced. $225,000 of his 2014 $495,000 salary is fully guaranteed.
Vince Wilfork is signed through the 2014 season. He is due $8 million in cash ($7.5 million salary, 300K weight bonus, and a 200K offseason workout bonus). I just do not see Vince playing the 2014 season without redoing his current deal. I can see Vince and the Pats reaching one of two possible deals (a restructure of his deal that lowers his cap number by 4 to 6 million with Vince to earn $8 million in cash by reaching some NTLBE incentives (examples, Pro Bowl, Total defense - net yards, 46-man active per game roster bonues, average net yards allowed per rushing play) or an extension of his deal while converting a good portion of the $8 million into a signing bonus.
Isaac Sopoaga's last day with the Patriots will probably be February 3rd, the first day that teams can waive/release players for the 2014 season. When released, he will still count $1,000,000 against the 2014 cap as that is the amount of his fully guaranteed salary. Sopoaga's release will create $2,005,000 in cap space.
Like Wilfork, Kelly is signed through the 2014 season. He is due $2,156,250 in cash ($1.95 million salary, 156,250 roster bonus, and a 50K offseason workout bonus money). If the Pats decide that they need the cap space I see them releasing Kelly early in the 2014 League Year. If they do not, I see him staying with the Patriots (maybe at a one million salary).
Siliga is due to become a restricted free agent after the 2014 season. Vellano is due to become a restricted free agent after the 2015 season. Do not foresee any changes in their contracts in 2014.
As part of the new CBA there is a proven performance escalator for draft picks chosen in Round 3 through 7. Chris Jones is eligible for it in 2016 . An eligible player will qualify for the Proven Performance Escalator in his fourth League Year if: (1) he participated in a minimum of 35% of his Club's offensive or defensive plays in any two of his previous three regular seasons; or (2) he participated in a "cumulative average" of at least 35% of his Club's offensive or defensive plays over his previous three regular seasons. Chris Jones played in 68% of the defensive snaps in 2013.
I have seen posts suggesting that the Patriots should try to make a run at the Ravens defensive tackle, Arthur Jones, Chandler's brother. My take is that if he is too expensive for the Ravens to retain then he will most likely be too expensive for the Patriots to sign.
Probably because his 2013 salary was fully guaranteed, Armstead was paid like a rookie in 2013 even though he spent the entire season on the Non-Football Injury List. Some NFI players have had their salaries greatly reduced. $225,000 of his 2014 $495,000 salary is fully guaranteed.