Reiss On Sports Final: Will Revis, McCourty Be Back?
BOSTON (CBS) -- As the celebration from Super Bowl XLIX winds down for the New England Patriots, focus can now shift on what lies ahead.
The Patriots have several key free agents to take care of this offseason, most importantly Darrelle Revis. He signed a two-year deal with the Patriots prior to last season, but the second year carries a $25-million cap hit.
Jonathan Kraft said last week that the second year of Revis' contract was a placeholder, and the team would love to work out a long-term extension with the All Pro corner. Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com joined Dan Roche on WBZ-TV's Sports Final on Sunday night, and has a hunch that the two sides will get a long-term deal done.
"I thought [Kraft's comment] was significant because some people said they may pick up that second year and $25-million salary cap charge, which isn't their way. They like to distribute the cap out more evenly. They won't pick it up based on Jonathan Kraft's remarks, so what happens now is they have to get a deal done between now and March 10, the start of the league year, or maybe if they're willing to keep that cap charge for a little bit they can roll the dice and try to get it a little after that. I think that's unlikely," said Reiss.
"It's really more than a hunch, because they haven't gotten down to the hardcore talks yet. But I think Revis loved it here, and I think they loved him, and not just as a player," said Reiss. "This is the important part; behind the scenes and in the locker room, the way he fit in and his work ethic. You never really know with a guy until you have him."
Reiss doesn't think the other suitors lining up for Revis can offer what the Patriots can -- a shot at multiple Super Bowls.
"The other suitors for him – Rex Ryan in Buffalo – does Darrelle Revis really want to go to Buffalo? I think [he wants to be in a] big market, playing in big games at this point in career. He's going to be 30 and you want to look at it from the perspective of, 'How can I maximize the next four years?' It might be $2-3 million less here, but in the big picture [is it worth it to win]?" Reiss questioned. "[He'll be back] as long as the Patriots are respectful to him, and that deal comes in near Patrick Peterson, a little north of that and Richard Sherman – which I think the Patriots are willing to do and can do in part because of what Tom Brady has done for them [restructuring his deal]. "
As for New England's other free agents, Reiss said safety Devin McCourty is a franchise tag candidate. But it's likely if they do hit McCourty with the tag, it may just be to buy more time to work out a long-term deal, much like they did with nose tackle Vince Wilfork a few years back.
"He's too valuable, and Belichick has gone on record as to how valuable he is," Reiss said of McCourty, a two-time All Pro and Patriots team captain. "I think safeties are hard to come by. You look at the draft and teams are struggling to find these guys. McCourty is a great leader on the field and a great leader off of it. He needs to stay."
So if Revis and McCourty are back, who is likely gone? Stephen Gostkowski, Dan Connolly, Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen are all free agents, and the Patriots probably won't be able to re-sign all of them.
Of that bunch, Reiss thinks running back Shane Vereen may be the odd man out.
"I think he's a tremendously valuable player, which we saw that in the Super Bowl with 11 catches. He played the most snaps of any running back for the Patriots this year. But they can only pay so many guys so much, and he's going to get some money on the open market," said Reiss. "They drafted a guy in James White who could replace him at lower dollars, and they have to make tough decisions.
"[Vereen] is one that I would say wouldn't be back."
Check out the full clip of Reiss' offseason talk above, and watch his take on the last few weeks for the Patriots below:
Tune in to WBZ-TV's Sports Final every Sunday night at 11:30 p.m.!
