The New England Patriots are prepared for the potential departures of center Dan Koppen and left tackle Matt Light, Greg Bedard of The Boston Globe reports. The 32-year-old Koppen, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the season-opener against the Miami Dolphins, will be an unrestricted free agent in March. Light, who turns 34 in June, may retire or be asked to restructure his contract this off-season. Light is due $3.4 million in base salary and has a $100,000 workout bonus plus $1.5 million in "likely to be earned incentives". The Patriots would clear $5 million of cap space if he were to retire. Source: Mac's Football Blog
$5 mill for a starting left tackle is too much money? huh? I didn't realize Light was one of the lowest paid LT's in the game. thought he made more than this.
i didn't think his play had deteriorated that much, but apparently it has because if the pats feel he is not even worth $5 mill anymore, that's really bad.
I don't this Light's play has deteriorated at all. He was one of the best OT's in the league last year imho.
well, then i don't understand why the pats would let him go even though he's only due to make $5 mill........... that's a steal.
Yea he's still an elite lt. But the pats have a history of letting players leave. I think it's arrogance. BB feels he can plug any player into his system and get great results. Which really isn't true.
Light had a solid season last year and he's been reliable for the most part of his career. He's been blocking for Brady since 2001 and it would be wierd to see the line without him. Fortunately they have Solder waiting in the wings.
Most of the players they've let leave were either done (Vrabel, McGinest) or replaced with better players (Milloy with Harrison). Their biggest mistake was not re-signing Branch in 06 and making Brady have to throw to Reche Caldwell that year :icon_evil: It'll be sad if Light leaves since I still think he can play but I don't think it will make or break the line; Scarnnechia has done a great job coaching up the unit.