I can understand why some people are panicking, watching all the guys walking out the door in Foxboro, but the Patriots' system has worked so far. They don't overpay if they don't have to. They go for value. They don't pay guys for past performance. They let guys walk a little early as opposed to signing them a little too late. I think Belichick and Pioli remember 2002 very well, and don't want it to happen again.
Don't let the parting hand-grenades being lobbed at Foxboro get you nervous. All this wounded-ego BS about "they never called me with an offer", etc.,. These guys know exactly what they are or are not worth to the Pats. If the Pats TRULY wanted to keep guys, they'd renegotiate before the final year of their deal is up; they wouldn't cut them unless they knew they could live without them.
AV is the only guy who may be irreplaceable, but if he truly wants $3M+ then more than likely he's not gonna be wearing a Flying Elvis.
After three SBs, we'd have to go 2-14 for a few seasons before I back away from the Kool-Aid table...