If I'm remembering correctly, I read somewhere that cutting him only frees up about $500k on the cap versus keeping him. For that reason, the person who wrote it thought the Pats were likely to bring him back to camp and see if he can pick up the offense with an entire offseason to work on it. If he doesn't pick it up, they could still cut him before the season starts. (And I think they would still save the 500k against the cap at that point.)

OMG, is that REALLY why he's been riding the pine? He's fine physically? His lack of production isn't from being in his mid-30s? It's because he STILL can't "pick up the offense" after a full season and post-season?????

He'd better take any restructure offer they make him, because no other team is going to want a guy who needs YEARS (plural!) to learn an offensive scheme!!!

Clearly he's slowed down, nobody is going to argue with that. But why would the Pats bother restructuring if they thought he was completely cooked? I doubt 85 is going to restructure in a manner that allows the Pats to cut him for cheaper. More likely, they will work something out (or not) where by his cap hit is the same if they cut him, but cheaper if he makes the roster.

In any case, if the cap hit between cutting or keeping is only a 500k difference, and they get to decide at the end of camp, it serves no purpose to cut him now.

Personally, I do believe he was still struggling with the offense. He looked lost out there, and just losing your wheels doesn't cause that. Of course I don't know for sure, but then again neither do you.

If on the roster, Ochocinco's salary cap hit for 2012 is about $4.5 million -- a base salary of $3 million and $1.5 million in a prorated signing bonus. If the Patriots cut him, they'd save the $3 million salary but the signing bonus portion would still hit the cap for at least this season.

from Mike Reiss

so there are cap savings if they straight out cut him. I expect either he is cut, or they renegotiate to an even lower cap figure, something like the veteran min.

Ok it looks like they could take the hit in one of 2 ways: either $3.17 million against the cap if they choose to take the hit all against the 2012 cap, or $1.583 against both the 2012 and 2013 cap if they designate him a post June 1 cut.

Either way they save way more than $500k versus keeping him. The prior info I read was incorrect.

So the globe reported that during the season Welker rejected 2x8m fully guaranteed. Based on that, I don't see how the Pats can get anything done on a 3+ year deal that doesn't put them at risk of overpaying down the road.

It's hilarious that the Dolphins just let this guy walk.

If by walk you mean trading for a 2nd and 7th round pick, then I agree.

Yep, and that's what scares me. We're going to overpay Welker for his later years and ignore any WRs who can help us right now.

Salva wtf Welker is awesome and theres no reason to think hes going to decline anytime soon. We have as close to a certain thing as any team does when u get that u lock it up/

I just hope we don't end up overpaying in years 3+. Obviously glad he'll be back in the meantime.

Nah, I say go ahead and mortgage the future, and make a push before Brady's window closes.

Never mind 2+ years from now, I still believe that if we have to pay him 10 million per for the next 3 years, I would rather spend that money on an elite downfield/outside receiver, and let Welker walk if it comes to that. Brady has other great players running short routes, and they can find another serviceable slot receiver imo.

Obviously the Pats braintrust disagrees with me and agrees with you guys.

if the Pats are only going to offer 2x8m - or have Welker play on a franchise tag this year - then I would say BB agrees with you.

I guess that remains to be seen, but the reports/radio talk seems to be that they are hopeful to get a longer term deal done. I didn't really consider that they may actually have Welker playing on the tag next year.

Though now that I think about it, the reports and talk are often way off, especially when it comes to what the Pats will/should do in the draft and FA.

Moss to SF... there goes my hopes of seeing him put up 23 TDs again

Maybe we will sign Wallace and Lloyd to make up for it.

So, why haven't we signed Lloyd? Why is Lloyd meeting with San Francisco?

My guess is with the crazy money being handed out to WR's so far Lloyd is looking for more than the Pats want to pay.

Do you know if they've actually spoken, or if Lloyd has even met with the Pats yet? Supposedly the Pat's haven't dealt with his agent in years.

Welker playing out the season on tag looks more and more likely

Huge need, decent cost, reliable production, simpatico with McDaniels. Add in all the interviews he's done gushing about the Pats and it's a big kick in the balls if he doesn't sign.

Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd is close to reaching a contract agreement with the Patriots.

Also, Safety LaRon Landry was supposed to be in Foxborough Friday night for a phyiscal.

Boston.com: Patriots have Lloyd and Landry on their radar

Sounds like Lloyd just wants a little more than Pats are willing to give, but they should be able to work something out... First time hearing about the possible addition of Landry and that would be sick!!

signed lloyd and gonzalez
adding landry would make it a pretty good offseason.

gonna be interesting to see what ridley/vereen do this year. if ridley can stop fumbling hes clearly our best RB and vereen looked pretty good in his few carries.

NFL Network is reporting the Lloyd deal is for three years and $12 million.

That's a huge bargain given what free agent wide receivers have gotten in the past week.