The big problem is Talib’s injury history. That is a ton of money to give a guy you cant count on to play.

From an NFL business model perspective, I think you’ll see more teams being careful with the franchise tag. The League is entering a new era of pay structures…

Vollmer would have been the easier choice given BB’s luck, or lack thereof, picking up/drafting defensive backs. He’s been far better drafting O-lineman that can fill in right away through the draft. This way he could have picked up a couple picks and maybe drafted an early pick to replace Vollmer

no player was worth the franchose tag.   vollmer is a flipping right tackle with a bad back too boot
that is the one position we can fill easily, 

talib is a knuckehead if they like him they can compete for him, only un informed patriot fans think talib is worth way way more than the rest of the league.

welker should be done now that brady gave them 15 million more in room, no excuse

Just one man’s prediction hear, but I think we’ll probably see Welker back again, I think we’ll definitely see Sea-Bass again (I’d be shocked if the Pats let him go), and I don’t think we’ll see Talib here unfortunately… just too much off the field stuff, and he got injured twice during the short span he played with the Patriots.. and that was after having a lot of time off because of the suspension.  I just don’t think he’s worth anything past a 1-year deal, but somebody will probably offer him a sizeable deal the Patriots aren’t going to match.

Talib did nothing during his stay here to be deemed a knucklehead!!  Yes, the guy had a few minor injuries, but he behaved professionally the whole time he was here.  With the uncertainty of Dennard’s court case, and their lack of any young corners, should have been reason enough to tag Talib.  If Dennard gets a jail sentence, and Talib walks, then who plays corner??  Dowling appears to be way to brittle for this league, and Arrington is also a free agent, who can really only play effectively in the slot!!   So tell me, who the heck are their starting corners next year??  I am hoping that they have some type of framework in place for a deal with Talib.. Your uninformed Patriot fans comment is bunk pal!!  You seem to be the uninformed fan, for the reasons stated above…Talib is much better than anything they have on their roster, and BB has a knack for turning troubled players around and getting good production out of them.  Sorry, but any fan that thinks they don’t need Talib, needs to refer back to their pass defense before he was traded for.

good move !  your either with us or against us, that’s the bottom line.

Not surprised. They probably are close with Welker, can negotiate with Volmer, and are still deciding what to do with Talib. But, Talib is probably not worth the payday from a franchise tag.

Patriots need to use this CAP money wisely. May mean all the difference come playoff time. Brady’s coming to the end of his career. Need to win Super Bowls over the  next couple of years.

Talib’s unwillingness to even try to get back on the field during the AFC Championship game sealed his fate. You want guys who are fighting wirth the Doctors to get back in the game, not guys who bundle up and look disinterested from the sideline. If the guy isn’t willing to play hurt, he’s not a guy you can count on. There are other options on the market. Smart move not handing him $9 million guaranteed dollars.