New England Patriots: 6 Overpaid Players on the 2011 Roster
The New England Patriots are famous for making the most of their 53-man roster and of their $123 million cap space.
Sometimes, though, a contract just doesn't pan out exactly how they plan it to. With so many incentives, escalators, bonuses and other minute details included in the fine print of a contract, even a role player can end up with a good chunk of change in his bank account.
Likewise, it's tempting to overpay a player at a position of need. Even the Patriots have been guilty of this on occasion.
Thus, here's a look at some of the overpaid players on the 2011 roster.
Author's note: These figures come from an unofficial source, located at www.patscap.com.
Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter @erikfrenz.
James Sanders
1 of 6
Total 2011 cap figure: $3.5 million
The Patriots have run a safety by committee over the past couple of years, with James Sanders locked in as one of the key players in that rotation. He played 70.8 percent of defensive snaps in 2010, according to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss.
It should also be noted that while Sanders played the fewest snaps of the top three safeties, those three safeties were in on the top six percentages for defensive snaps. That means the Patriots put a bit more stock in safeties than other teams do, and that they like to use their safeties as the fifth defensive back in nickel packages more than other teams do.
Thus, while $3.5 million might seem like a high number for a backup safety, it all comes back to that all-important value.
Tully Banta-Cain
2 of 6
Total 2011 cap figure: $4.5 million
Unlike with James Sanders, I doubt there are many who would deny that for what Tully Banta-Cain is being paid, his 2010 performance was unacceptable. After a breakout contract year in 2009, in which Tully registered 10 sacks, he tallied just half that total in 2010 after earning a nice three-year deal.
He also saw his role reduced to a third-down pass rush specialist. He played in exactly two-thirds of New England's defensive snaps—734 out of 1,101, to be exact.
With the selection of Markell Carter in the draft and the in-season addition of Eric Moore, it became clear that the Patriots were looking for someone who could contribute more than Banta-Cain, specifically on special teams and against the running game.
With his hefty price tag, Banta-Cain's time could be drawing near its end in New England.
Nick Kaczur
3 of 6
Total 2011 cap figure: $4.4 million
The jury is out on whether Kaczur will return to prominence on the Patriots offensive line after missing all of 2010 with a back injury. We have to wonder if he will still have the ability to take on 300-plus-pound defensive linemen with frequency.
With the emergence of Sebastian Vollmer, Kaczur has become expendable to an extent. Of course, you can't put a price tag on protecting Tom Brady. His price tag is high enough, though, that the Patriots actually asked him to take a pay cut, according to the Boston Herald.
He could become a key guy, however, if the Patriots aren't able to retain Matt Light and Nate Solder doesn't pan out as quickly as the Patriots hope.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Alge Crumpler
4 of 6
Total 2011 cap figure: $3 million
Crumpler's role with the team is clear. He has been a mentor to the young tight ends, and he has been a solid run-blocking tight end. It's clear that the Patriots like him. He played his role in any situation the Patriots asked and usually delivered.
Even with only six catches in the regular season, the Patriots looked his way in the playoffs, but he just didn't execute.
Now, though, with the quick emergence of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, a $3 million role player and role model may be a bit too rich. The drafting of run-blocking tight end Lee Smith from Marshall may also point to the Patriots moving in a different direction in 2011.
Jonathan Wilhite
5 of 6
Total 2011 cap figure: $1.3 million
Devin McCourty. Leigh Bodden. Ras-I Dowling. Kyle Arrington.
All four of those cornerbacks are probably higher on the offseason depth chart than Wilhite.
As mentioned earlier, the Patriots like to use a third safety as the extra defensive back in nickel packages, further diminishing the value of a fifth cornerback like Wilhite.
The only reason the Patriots would bring him back is if they think he can contribute on special teams, but at this point, they have enough guys that can do that.
Gary Guyton
6 of 6
Total 2011 cap figure: $1.3 million
The Patriots love to mix things up in the linebacking corps, but for $1.3 million, Guyton should be playing more than 57 percent of defensive snaps.
He is a sub package pass defense linebacker at his core, heralded for his ability to cover tight ends and running backs, but those also happen to be the two positions the Patriots gave up the most yardage to last year, according to Pats Propaganda's Mike Dussault.
I have wondered aloud whether the Patriots could be grooming Dane Fletcher to be Guyton's eventual replacement, and at a modest $416,000, they'd be getting way more bang for their buck.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")