 }})
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2014
- Messages
- 2,426
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Military Branch
- Rival Allegiance
The author of the article has some rather uncomplimentary adjectives for the Pats but the rule is in the books so why not use it? Just because it's rarely used doesn't make illegal and the Unrestricted Free Agent does have the opportunity to avoid it by signing a contract with any team by May 10. I'm sure he had interest from other teams (Giants & Lions appear to be in the hunt) so maybe he overestimated his value.
So why is the author, Kevin Patra, apparently so upset? The tender has a value of 110% of last years salary, $1.1M in LeGarrette's case. So the Patriots have effectively crushed his negotiating position because the bar is at $1.1M. Why would another team pay 3 or 4 million bucks for a guy whose only other choice is the tender? On the other hand more teams may be interested knowing his negotiating position is limited but his asking price needs to be reevaluated downward.
Why would New England exercise the tender? Well, Blount is still an UFA until July 22nd and if he signs with another team between now and then, Blount counts in the formula towards a compensatory pick. Free agents that left the Pat's like Micheal Floyd, who signed with the Vikings, do not count in the comp pick formula. There's no guarantee NE gets a compensatory pick but their chances would be improved if he signed elsewhere prior to July 22 even though the pick would probably no better than a 6th or 7th. After July 22nd LeGarrette can only negotiate with New England so they'll retain his rights until their 10th game of the season. If Blounts holds out till that 10th game he is completely released but would get the tender of $1.1M.
As comp picks can now be traded they're more valuable. An example of how much value the Patriots place on getting draft picks no matter how insignificant that they may appear. It may sound unfair to the player but I wouldn't have felt bad if the Redskins had done that with Ihenacho ($675k last year). Even if he doesn't get signed by July 22nd the Redskins could still cut him after that for roster space and cash him out.
link: Patriots issue rarely used tender on LeGarrette Blount - NFL.com
So why is the author, Kevin Patra, apparently so upset? The tender has a value of 110% of last years salary, $1.1M in LeGarrette's case. So the Patriots have effectively crushed his negotiating position because the bar is at $1.1M. Why would another team pay 3 or 4 million bucks for a guy whose only other choice is the tender? On the other hand more teams may be interested knowing his negotiating position is limited but his asking price needs to be reevaluated downward.
Why would New England exercise the tender? Well, Blount is still an UFA until July 22nd and if he signs with another team between now and then, Blount counts in the formula towards a compensatory pick. Free agents that left the Pat's like Micheal Floyd, who signed with the Vikings, do not count in the comp pick formula. There's no guarantee NE gets a compensatory pick but their chances would be improved if he signed elsewhere prior to July 22 even though the pick would probably no better than a 6th or 7th. After July 22nd LeGarrette can only negotiate with New England so they'll retain his rights until their 10th game of the season. If Blounts holds out till that 10th game he is completely released but would get the tender of $1.1M.
As comp picks can now be traded they're more valuable. An example of how much value the Patriots place on getting draft picks no matter how insignificant that they may appear. It may sound unfair to the player but I wouldn't have felt bad if the Redskins had done that with Ihenacho ($675k last year). Even if he doesn't get signed by July 22nd the Redskins could still cut him after that for roster space and cash him out.
link: Patriots issue rarely used tender on LeGarrette Blount - NFL.com
