Pat's LB Willie McGinest could join former coach Bill Parcells in Dallas
McGinest’s return is no sure thing
By John Tomase
Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - Updated: 06:11 AM EST
All things being equal, Willie McGinest hopes to rejoin the Patriots in 2006. He said as much after the season ended in Denver.
But that doesn’t mean he’ll play for nothing. And the next week could prove pivotal in deciding whether McGinest returns for a 13th season in New England.
He’s due to make $8.3 million and will likely be released before a $3.5 million roster bonus comes due in early March, saving the team $6.8 million against the salary cap.
The thought of cutting McGinest is jarring enough. He’s a locker room leader coming off one of the best seasons of his career. But economics dictate that even if the league and players are able to extend the collective bargaining agreement and add as much as $15 million to this year’s salary cap, the Patriots won’t pay McGinest $8.3 million.
What happens from there could be interesting, according to sources close to McGinest. It has been considered a foregone conclusion he would renegotiate with the Patriots and return, a la Troy Brown last spring. McGinest is not Brown, however, and sources say he’ll leave, if he believes he’s being treated unfairly.
Last year, the Patriots failed to exercise Brown’s $2.5 million option with a $2.5 million bonus and cut him. He returned for an $800,000 salary despite a higher offer from the New Orleans Saints.
But Brown was a receiver coming off a season spent largely at defensive back, limiting his value. Even at 35, McGinest remains atop his game. He broke the record for postseason sacks held by Bruce Smith and wreaked havoc in opposing backfields all season, recording 62 tackles and six sacks.
If he’s cut, there’s every indication he’ll test the market. There would be no shortage of teams vying for his services, particularly with former Patriots defensive coordinators Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini, now coaching the Browns and Jets, respectively.
Both consider McGinest a consummate leader. “What we need is some pass rush production,” Crennel said. “Whether that’s a pass rusher or some exotic new schemes, which probably we’re not going to have those. So we’re going to try to get us a pass-rush rusher to help us improve our sack production.”
There’s also the possibility McGinest could join former coach Bill Parcells in Dallas or Bill Belichick disciple Nick Saban in Miami.
McGinest is represented by Gary Uberstine. A spokesman for Uberstine yesterday said he would not discuss McGinest’s contract.
There are no indications the team has reached out to McGinest as of yet. With the CBA in limbo, Belichick last week said the team was instead focused on the draft and football matters.
McGinest made it clear he wants to stay with the Patriots, who will get first crack at keeping him. But if he hits the market, his Pats’ career could be over.
By John Tomase
Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - Updated: 06:11 AM EST
All things being equal, Willie McGinest hopes to rejoin the Patriots in 2006. He said as much after the season ended in Denver.
But that doesn’t mean he’ll play for nothing. And the next week could prove pivotal in deciding whether McGinest returns for a 13th season in New England.
He’s due to make $8.3 million and will likely be released before a $3.5 million roster bonus comes due in early March, saving the team $6.8 million against the salary cap.
The thought of cutting McGinest is jarring enough. He’s a locker room leader coming off one of the best seasons of his career. But economics dictate that even if the league and players are able to extend the collective bargaining agreement and add as much as $15 million to this year’s salary cap, the Patriots won’t pay McGinest $8.3 million.
What happens from there could be interesting, according to sources close to McGinest. It has been considered a foregone conclusion he would renegotiate with the Patriots and return, a la Troy Brown last spring. McGinest is not Brown, however, and sources say he’ll leave, if he believes he’s being treated unfairly.
Last year, the Patriots failed to exercise Brown’s $2.5 million option with a $2.5 million bonus and cut him. He returned for an $800,000 salary despite a higher offer from the New Orleans Saints.
But Brown was a receiver coming off a season spent largely at defensive back, limiting his value. Even at 35, McGinest remains atop his game. He broke the record for postseason sacks held by Bruce Smith and wreaked havoc in opposing backfields all season, recording 62 tackles and six sacks.
If he’s cut, there’s every indication he’ll test the market. There would be no shortage of teams vying for his services, particularly with former Patriots defensive coordinators Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini, now coaching the Browns and Jets, respectively.
Both consider McGinest a consummate leader. “What we need is some pass rush production,” Crennel said. “Whether that’s a pass rusher or some exotic new schemes, which probably we’re not going to have those. So we’re going to try to get us a pass-rush rusher to help us improve our sack production.”
There’s also the possibility McGinest could join former coach Bill Parcells in Dallas or Bill Belichick disciple Nick Saban in Miami.
McGinest is represented by Gary Uberstine. A spokesman for Uberstine yesterday said he would not discuss McGinest’s contract.
There are no indications the team has reached out to McGinest as of yet. With the CBA in limbo, Belichick last week said the team was instead focused on the draft and football matters.
McGinest made it clear he wants to stay with the Patriots, who will get first crack at keeping him. But if he hits the market, his Pats’ career could be over.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:48 PM
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