Recapping contracts for Wright & Sanders

Given the break down of Sander's Salaries implies two things; Firstly, there were definitely other teams gunning for him with more money and Secondly, more importantly, Belichick definitely sees Sanders on the cusp of taking the next step and being a pretty darn good safety and a leader on the team.

Rajiv, I'm not sure how you made that assessment. The way I see it is Sanders is in a one year deal where if he plays well enough to make into the second year his salary will triple. This also adds to the argument of drafting an early round safety. If that safety can beat out Sanders you can cut Sanders and have a cheap alternative in 2010.

Yeah I'm with Andy on this one

I think that the Pats backloaded the deal intending to draft a new safety, but groom him for a year before starting him. I say if the rookie turns out well, and the Pats find a cheap backup, Sanders is gone after this year. Look for the Pats to go SS at #47, most likely Pat Chung or William Moore.

Sanders is pretty average IMHO. The safety's are pretty weak, since Harrison started to get hurt.

I agree safety is a position that could be upgraded, but I think the problem lies at strong safety right now. I am with most of you in thinking Sanders is pretty average at best for a SS, but if you look at Meriweather's numbers last year, they're looking really solid for a 2nd year player, playing at SS when he should be at FS. If he can be left alone at his natural FS position, and improves on his tackling a lil bit, and they can draft a hardhitter with some decent coverage skills at SS, they're pretty set IMO.

I am amazed they got Wright for so little money. That guy was a beast at the end of the seaon ....

I agree with Andy as well. But I do believe if there's no CBA agreement that money becomes guaranteed, doesn't it?

I thought Lewis Sanders was the better Sanders at safety IMHO. If just once James would come out of no where to make a INT or break up a pass as he levels someone. You know somewhere over our weak middle or when Hobbs is getting beat deep. UGH Maybe he's a great blitzer? Maybe a good run support guy like Bob Sanders. Aaaa NO

Walter Cherpinsky's site, walterfootball.com, had Sanders rated as the 4th best free agent safety on the market.

If you look at Sanders contract, you could cut him after year one and his signing bonus turns his contract into a one year deal at about 2.6 million, which is comparable to what he gets in years two and three.

So what the Patriots did was hand him some guaranteed money up front and if he proves worth it then they can keep him around and amortize the signing bonus for the length of the contract. If not, they end up paying something close to what the market was likely offering him and he gets to be a free agent all over again.

I wouldn't consider his deal backloaded with a signing bonus of $1.8MM

He is making 3.5 million this year including bonuses. It is not a 1 year deal for sanders guys...

......( Joe ) - Plus, with the new player / ownership contract coming up, the cap number will probably go up and the rookie salaries will be predetermined. These deals might seem low in the coming months