With right tackle Nick Kaczur getting a contract extension from the Patriots that will take him through the 2014 season, some, like Ron Borges, feel that the Patriots are being hypocritical in their dealings with players, having said previously that next year’s labor uncertainty is preventing them from getting a deal done with defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. What Borges, and some others miss is that the Kaczur deal is for peanuts compared to what Wilfork would be receiving.
If Kaczur collects his entire deal…by no means a sure thing…he could make a total of $16 million over four years. Wilfork, if he views Albert Haynesworth as a model, could ask to collect that much in a single season. These deals are apples and truffles.
Mike Reiss writes today that perhaps the Patriots should agree not to franchise Wilfork next season, just to avoid any hard feelings. I’m not sure I agree with that take. The NFL is a business on both sides, and if the Patriots agreed not to franchise Wilfork next season, there’s no guarantee that that will get them any favor with Wilfork next offseason. The only way I can see the team agreeing to give up the tag is if Wilfork leaves camp and holds out. Jim Donaldson notes that the Patriots are usually correct when they decide to let a player walk.
Ian R. Rapoport has a look at Jerod Mayo’s role growing by leaps and bounds in his 2nd year. Carolyn Thornton has long snapper Nathan Hodel striving for consistency in camp. Rich Garven has Hodel and rookie Jake Ingram battling for the same job.
Christopher Price and Glen Farley try to figure out the final 53-man roster. Rapoport has Alex Smith struggling a bit to pick up the Patriots offense. Jeff Howe looks ahead to Friday night.
Rapoport’s notebook has Benjamin Watson returning to practice. Reiss’ notebook has Tom Brady placing the blame on himself for the hit he took from Robert Geathers. Thornton’s Patriots journal has Watson in a battle for his job. Garven’s notebook says that the starters will likely see more action in Friday’s night’s preseason game against the Redskins. Farley’s notebook has more on Brady taking the blame for the hit.
Boston College/Misc
Mark Blaudschun talks to wide receiver Rich Gunnell about catching passes from three quarterbacks in three season. Steve Conroy has the projected starting QB, Dave Shinskie out with a broken rib. Eric Avidon has BC hoping to lean on the running game this season. Blaudschun’s notebook has more on the injury to Shinskie.
Jessica Camerato has a recap of the community work done by the Celtics this summer.
John Powers has an extensive Olympic notebook.
