Does Sebastian Vollmer get an extension?

[BradyIsTheMan12]

With Pats fans waiting for the playoffs to start, I thought this would be an interesting discussion. He's a great player when he is on the field, and he has been healthier this season than the last few. However, you still have to wonder about that back acting up again and presenting problems. If we did go in a different direction then the first guy to look at would be Cannon. Cannon has been very inconsistent, so who knows whether that would work out long-term or not.

So, do you believe he will get the extension? What type of deal would you be comfortable with giving him? Maybe we let Welker walk (or work out a deal, but not sure about that) and tag Vollmer with the franchise designation to give the Pats another year to consider it. I also would not be surprised if the Pats spent a premium pick (2nd or 3rd round pick) on a RT in the upcoming draft.

Thoughts?

[lolollort]

what will it cost us to tag him?

[BradyIsTheMan12]

what will it cost us to tag him?

Probably around 8 or 9 million for one year, but I could be off on that guess. It is the average of the top five paid offensive tackles.

[lolollort]

damn, tricky. Idk, I think this depends on what we do with Welker.

[subroc]

Offensive line: $9.4 million in 2012 (down from $10.1 million in 2011, $10.7 million in 2010)

[Austeezy]

Give him an incentive-based contract for when he's on the field. Back issues worry me.

[B'sCeltsPatsSox]

Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe
Matt Light, Deion Branch (after trade) and Rob Gronkowski are Belichick's only second-round picks to earn a second contract w/ Pats.

I can see Vollmer joining those group of guys.

[BradyIsTheMan12]

I hate being that guy that pimps his college team's players (we all do it to a certain extent if we watch cfb), but Kyle Long has some similarities to Vollmer (when Vollmer came out of Houston). Both tall players with long arms and very good athleticism. Long also shows upside as a run blocker on the edge once he gets the nuances of the position. Long is a project, but in the third round I'd be fine with the Pats giving him a look. Also, even though he has played LG for the Ducks, he is more of an offensive tackle prospect at the next level.

[mooz]

I'd give him an extension. Yes, the injuries will always be a concern but man is he good when he plays. 6'8 guys who can get out on screens like he does do not come along often. I feel he's played exceptional this year when healthy and even when he's been coming off injury, he has played above average.

[lobster]

I would feel more comfortable tagging him this year and if he is healthy next year try to sign him to an extension. 6'8 guys with back problems usually don't get healthier when they get older.

[Sportfan]

Does anyone have numbers how how well Vollmer played this year? He looked pretty good To me, is he top 10?

[lolollort]

^top 5

[BradyIsTheMan12]

I would feel more comfortable tagging him this year and if he is healthy next year try to sign him to an extension. 6'8 guys with back problems usually don't get healthier when they get older.

That's my concern as well. I trust the Patriots if they decide to give him the extension since their track-record with back injury dilemmas is pretty good (Gronk), but it is worth monitoring. He's a great offensive tackle when healthy, but back injuries and offensive linemen can be very tricky.

[BostonSports96]

I hope so, he's a beast.