MAYO .........(9233) (5600) (7600) (10600) .... signed thru 2017
HIGHTOWER .(1404) (1755) (2106) (2458) (UFA)
SPIKES .........(788) ..(878) ..(UFA)
FLETCHER-IR ..(540) ..(TBA) ..................?
MAYO (6012/242) started showing up in 2012 as the playmaker many have been waiting to see as the overall defense has started to fill up around him. That he's under contract through the forseeable future seems nothing but a good thing to me, though he ain't cheap. [NOTE: His 2013 cap hit is significantly lower than 2012, apparently due to the way some bonuses were structured.]
HIGHTOWER (6022/265) has some work to do yet, but has shown significant promise as a rookie.
SPIKES (6027/249) is simply a force in the middle and the Defense's #2 baddass behind only Wilfork. BTW, he tied with Dennard for 3rd on the team for passes defensed with 7. As an RFA in 2014, there's no pressing need to address his future in 2013, but it seems likely that a significant pay bump may be due and cap management around that might get tricky. Although I'd hate to lose Spikes' aggressiveness, instincts and attitude, there are "gaps" in his game. A good "2nd-year leap" by Hightower and Fletcher quickly getting back on course could weaken Spikes' bargaining position if he's looking for a huge payday. Still, that's for next year's reviews.
FLETCHER (6015/244), in addition to being an excellent special-teamer, seemed poised to become a regular rotational/coverage guy in 2012 before going on IR during Camp with an ACL injury. He apparently bypassed RFA status for 2013 and signed a new contract with the Pats on 1/31, but, according to one of Reiss' sources, it's only a 1-year deal (as might be typical with guys who are primarily special-teamers) so we'll see where that goes.
Aside from Nink (and possibly Vega, as per chevss) being fully capable of reverting to OLB if necessary, the "depth" for this unit is basically drawn from the pool of special-teamers. So, that's where I'll deal with Rivera, Tarpinian, Benard, White and Kouts.
This unit doesn't seem to need any major "adjustment" for 2013, although it wouldn't surprise me to see BB use a 3rd-rounder on a SS/LB hybrid type (Davonte Holloman, e.g.). I'd be surprised, though, if BB doesn't pick up a UDFA LB or two (potential special-teamers) to round out the 90-man off-season/Camp roster).
CURRENT UNIT CAP HIT for 2013 = $8.23M (+ Fletcher)
HIGHTOWER .(1404) (1755) (2106) (2458) (UFA)
SPIKES .........(788) ..(878) ..(UFA)
FLETCHER-IR ..(540) ..(TBA) ..................?
MAYO (6012/242) started showing up in 2012 as the playmaker many have been waiting to see as the overall defense has started to fill up around him. That he's under contract through the forseeable future seems nothing but a good thing to me, though he ain't cheap. [NOTE: His 2013 cap hit is significantly lower than 2012, apparently due to the way some bonuses were structured.]
HIGHTOWER (6022/265) has some work to do yet, but has shown significant promise as a rookie.
SPIKES (6027/249) is simply a force in the middle and the Defense's #2 baddass behind only Wilfork. BTW, he tied with Dennard for 3rd on the team for passes defensed with 7. As an RFA in 2014, there's no pressing need to address his future in 2013, but it seems likely that a significant pay bump may be due and cap management around that might get tricky. Although I'd hate to lose Spikes' aggressiveness, instincts and attitude, there are "gaps" in his game. A good "2nd-year leap" by Hightower and Fletcher quickly getting back on course could weaken Spikes' bargaining position if he's looking for a huge payday. Still, that's for next year's reviews.
FLETCHER (6015/244), in addition to being an excellent special-teamer, seemed poised to become a regular rotational/coverage guy in 2012 before going on IR during Camp with an ACL injury. He apparently bypassed RFA status for 2013 and signed a new contract with the Pats on 1/31, but, according to one of Reiss' sources, it's only a 1-year deal (as might be typical with guys who are primarily special-teamers) so we'll see where that goes.
Aside from Nink (and possibly Vega, as per chevss) being fully capable of reverting to OLB if necessary, the "depth" for this unit is basically drawn from the pool of special-teamers. So, that's where I'll deal with Rivera, Tarpinian, Benard, White and Kouts.
This unit doesn't seem to need any major "adjustment" for 2013, although it wouldn't surprise me to see BB use a 3rd-rounder on a SS/LB hybrid type (Davonte Holloman, e.g.). I'd be surprised, though, if BB doesn't pick up a UDFA LB or two (potential special-teamers) to round out the 90-man off-season/Camp roster).
CURRENT UNIT CAP HIT for 2013 = $8.23M (+ Fletcher)