Patriots Have Difficult Decisions to Make About Key Players

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Jan 21, 2010

Patriots Have Difficult Decisions to Make About Key Players Bill Belichick and Adalius Thomas go together like Massachusetts and Martha Coakley. It worked for a while, but the eventual clashing translated into a sour relationship.

The New England Patriots' head coach has an important decision to make this offseason in regard to Thomas, who was the most expensive free-agent signing in franchise history. But there are a handful of other players who could see their time run out in Foxborough, so let’s take a look at the most difficult personnel decisions Belichick faces in the coming months with four high-profile players who remain under contract.

Adalius Thomas
In 2007, Thomas was reportedly signed for five years and $35 million, and based off of his reported salary structure, it appears as though the Patriots would have to eat about $9 million if they cut him with two years left on his contract. Basically, he is the Pats’ version of Julio Lugo, except Thomas was actually good at one point in his career.

Thomas was brought to New England to be an all-purpose linebacker — someone who could create havoc in the offensive backfield or hold his own in coverage. He recorded 13.5 sacks in a stretch of 23 games between 2007 and 2008, including the playoffs, but he’s only had three sacks in the 17 games since then, including the playoffs. In 2009, Thomas was sent home for showing up late to a crucial team meeting, and he spoke out against Belichick on multiple occasions afterward.

Releasing Thomas wouldn’t exactly help the Patriots’ diminishing depth at linebacker, but it would help the locker room issues.

Prediction: I incorrectly predicted Thomas had played his last game in New England after he was benched against Carolina in 2009, but it’s too hard to believe Belichick will keep him around any longer. He’ll get cut this offseason, and he might just reunite with Rex Ryan on the New York Jets.

Laurence Maroney
For a time, the running back’s resurgence was one of the better stories of the Patriots’ season. Maroney was running with a purpose and showed for a long stretch that he had really developed since his rookie year in 2006. A bunch of his teammates praised Maroney’s improved work ethic prior to the 2009 season, and he played in a career-high 15 games because he avoided injuries.

However, Maroney’s six-game scoring streak was marred by an awful case of Steve Slaton-itis, which softens the hands and often causes fumbling, upset stomach, lack of confidence and an attachment to the bench. Maroney lost four fumbles this season, including two on the goal line. He never saw the field against Jacksonville after his second goal-line giveaway, and he was inactive the next week against Houston. Then, Maroney only got one touch in the Pats’ playoff loss to Baltimore.

Maroney has one year and a reported $2 million remaining on his rookie contract, and the Patriots would reportedly save about $1 million if they cut him prior to June 1.

Prediction: The only way Maroney will get cut is if the Patriots can land another feature back through free agency or the draft, but recent history indicates Belichick doesn’t really care if he has a primary back or not. Therefore, Maroney will most likely play out the final year of his contract in Foxborough.

Randy Moss
OK, this one is a long shot, like, for instance, Macaulay Culkin landing Mila Kunis. Since, apparently, anything is possible, it’s worth touching on Moss for this story. The wide receiver was the target of a ton of criticism, from fans to media to players alike. But the constant bashing he received from his opponents this season suggests Moss seems to be more vulnerable now than in the past. If Belichick believes that criticism is warranted, the coach might decide to move in a different direction.

However, the Patriots are in a bind at the receiver position. Obviously, Wes Welker might not be ready for part of the 2010 season, and Tom Brady failed to get any consistency out of his third receivers throughout 2009. Unloading Moss would likely make things far, far worse.

Moss has one year worth a reported $11.2 million remaining on his contract, and the Patriots would save a reported $6.5 million if he is dumped before June 1.

Prediction: He’ll be back.

Shawn Springs
The veteran cornerback signed for a pretty manageable contract worth three years and about $10 million but was surprisingly used very sparsely during his first year in New England. It couldn’t have been for performance because he played pretty well during his time on the field. Springs, who turns 35 in March and will be entering his 14th NFL season, was on the inactive list in four consecutive games, but he provided a real boost when he earned four starts to close the regular season.

Springs’ fate might be tied into what happens with free agent Leigh Bodden, whose future in New England is very difficult to project. If Bodden re-signs, the Patriots might choose to pair him with Darius Butler and Jonathan Wilhite, who is clearly very popular in Belichick’s eyes, and that could spell the end of Springs’ days at Gillette Stadium.

Prediction: Springs’ on-field performance suggests this shouldn’t be an issue, but the coaching staff appears to hold a curious crumb of discontent with the cornerback. Of these four players, this is the toughest one to call, but there is probably a more likely chance Springs is wearing a different uniform in 2010.

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