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| Colin Read/Icon SMI |
Unrestricted Free Agent in 2013
Seabass is the anticipated starting right offensive tackle going into the 2012 season. That is, if he is healthy. Also drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft, Vollmer was a pick considered to have a lot of upside, but who was a very raw talent. Vollmer immigrated from Germany to play at the University of Houston for four years. After being drafted, he has spent most his time on the right side, although he did fill in for the injured Matt Light several times at left tackle. In 2010, Vollmer started every game at right tackle and earned second team All-Pro, but was stiffed from the Pro Bowl due to the lack of publicity at the spot. Vollmer continued to show his All-Pro caliber play, but was sidelined for a majority of the 2011 season with a back and foot injury. Due to his late entry into college in America, he is older compared to his draft class. He will be 28 entering the season, while most draft picks from 2009 will be 24-25.
Proposed Contract: $30M/5 year, $8M guaranteed
This locks up Vollmer for most likely the rest of his career and his average salary of $6M/year makes him one of the better paid right tackles in the league. However, I think this would be a complex contract due to Vollmer's significant injury history. First off, I envision this would be a back loaded contract so a significant chunk of the money would be in the last two years and the Patriots could cut him earlier leaving a lot of money still on the table. Second, the guaranteed money is low compared to the total value of the contract, but this could be balanced with an option bonus in 2015. In other words, if Vollmer is healthy and plays well through the 2012-2014 seasons, he would get an immediate roster bonus which would be cap friendly to the Patriots, but reward Vollmer in the short term for his play.
Proposed Contract: $30M/5 year, $8M guaranteed
This locks up Vollmer for most likely the rest of his career and his average salary of $6M/year makes him one of the better paid right tackles in the league. However, I think this would be a complex contract due to Vollmer's significant injury history. First off, I envision this would be a back loaded contract so a significant chunk of the money would be in the last two years and the Patriots could cut him earlier leaving a lot of money still on the table. Second, the guaranteed money is low compared to the total value of the contract, but this could be balanced with an option bonus in 2015. In other words, if Vollmer is healthy and plays well through the 2012-2014 seasons, he would get an immediate roster bonus which would be cap friendly to the Patriots, but reward Vollmer in the short term for his play.
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