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New England Patriots Links 2/29/12 - Ochocinco Approached About Contract Restructuring

By Marima

Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Pats ask Ochocinco to restructure his contract.

When the Patriots acquired receiver Chad Ochocinco via trade in 2011, which at the time was the final year of his contract, the two sides added two more years. With a base salary of $3 million due in 2012 and a base salary of $3 million due in 2013, and with Ochocinco doing nothing in 2011 to justify such compensation, it’s no surprise that the Patriots want to adjust the deal.

Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal reports, and PFT has confirmed, that the Patriots have approached Ochocinco regarding the possibility of restructuring the contract.

It’s unknown at this point whether the Patriots wish to do a "simple restructuring," which would give him up to $2.075 million in the form of a signing bonus and drop his 2012 cap number by up to $1.0375 million, or whether the Pats want Ochocinco to roll back his base salary to a lower amount.

Many league insiders believe that the Patriots opted not to cut Ochocinco during the 2011 season because the team paid him a $6 million signing bonus upon extending his contract after the trade that sent him from Cincinnati to New England. There’s a much greater chance that, if he won’t re-do his deal, he’ll be cut before the 2012 season begins.

Mike Reiss reports Kevin Faulk is still contemplating his future.

"My decision is not going to be based solely on me," he said. "That's one thing I have to weigh in, but at the same time, I've played a lot of football. If it doesn't happen to work out for me later, hey, it doesn't. I'm blessed, I'm happy, I thank God for everything. At the same time, I know what I love to do. If it happens, it happens."

"No, I wish I did [have a sense of where things may lead]. That's the different part, because you don't know what's going on," he said. "You're just going and living your life, and keeping faith in God and knowing that he'll take care of you no matter what goes on later on."

"No matter what happens, I'm going to be involved with the New England Patriots. I've been here 13 years playing. If I happen to retire or they don't happen to bring me back, I'm still going to be a New England Patriot," he said.

TEAM TALK

LOCAL LINKS

  • Mike Reiss shares a feel-good story involving Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo, Kevin Faulk and Julian Edelman serving pancakes at Children's Hospital.
  • Mary Paoletti reports three Patriots players visited Children's Hospital Tuesday and met a big, big fan... of the New York Giants.
  • Mike Reiss lists the Patriots players with the highest base salaries in 2012 (not including bonuses).
  • Mike Reiss reports Julian Edelman's final playing time broke down to 179 snaps on offense and 125 snaps on defense. He's prepared to be ready for both in 2012.
  • Christopher Price charts the final 3-cone drill times for DBs and WRs at this year's combine.
  • CSNNE reports the Patriots would benefit from another early run on quarterbacks in this year's draft.
  • Mike Reiss answers his weekly Patriots Mailbag: Keeping Wes Welker, signing Mario Williams and more.
  • Christopher Price discusses the winners and losers from the NFL Combine.
  • Shalise Manza Young reports exclusive-rights free agent Kyle Love has switched agents and is now represented by KLASS Sports, who also represent Kyle Arrington and Gary Guyton.
  • Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Kevin Faulk hasn’t made up his mind about retirement, but his first choice would be to finish his career with the team that drafted him; When he retires he still hopes to be involved with the team; Faulk, Jerod Mayo and Julian Edelman took part in a pancake-serving event at Children's Hospital yesterday; Chad Ochocinco was asked to restructure his contract.

NATIONAL NEWS

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