Linebacker's release would have negative cap effect Aaron Wilson
The New England Patriots have no intentions of repeating the Miami Dolphins' embarrassing attempt to cut a high-priced outside linebacker only to have the release nullified due to salary-cap reasons.
The Dolphins announced that they had cut outside linebacker Joey Porter last week, but the cut was rescinded because it would have pushed the AFC East franchise over the salary cap.
The Patriots are expected to ultimately release outside linebacker Adalius Thomas, who clashed with coach Bill Belichick this past season and was benched twice.
As pointed out by the Boston Herald, cutting Thomas now would push the Patriots over the salary cap, which will remain in effect until the new fiscal year of an uncapped period launches on March 5.
Per the report, the Patriots are currently just over $3 million under the salary cap limit. And releasing Thomas would trigger a salary-cap acceleration of over $3 million.
So, cutting or trading Thomas is unlikely to happen until March 5 or later.
According to the Herald, cutting Thomas before March 5 would trigger a cap charge of $8.8 million. He's due a $4.9 million base salary in 2010.
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Thomas is a goner. According to published reports there has been no contact between the team and Thomas since the season ended. While his skill set didn't match what the Pats needed, he is a good player and will land somewhere and be productive.
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Feb 18, 2010
11:12 PM
I can't imagine a team trading for his huge contract