Underhill - loading up through free agency not the best approach

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

If you're one of those people who are saying the Patriots should load up in free agency, your pleas are likely falling on deaf ears in the office of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, according to Nick Underhill of Masslive.com.

But as those cries wail through the streets of New England and over the airwaves, it's unlikely that they'll be heard in the offices at 1 Patriot Place. Owner Robert Kraft already said as much during a recent radio appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

"We're trying to manage our resources as wisely as we can and be as aggressive as we can, but we're trying to make sure every year we are putting ourselves in a position to win," Kraft said.

Here's a breakdown of the Patriots cap situation, according to Underhill: $118 million committed to their top 51 players, $8.5 million of dead space and $5.5 million in unused space if the Patriots rollover their $4.1 million from last year. So, they'll have to cut players before they can aggressively pursue a top free agent. But loading up can bring bad contracts as well bring in talent, as Underhill points out.

Now, money can be created by restructuring contracts, releasing guys, or getting creative with how deals are structured, but eventually you have to face reality. Loading up brings talent. It also brings bad deals. More often the latter outweighs the benefits of the former.

The Patriots wouldn't need to bring in multiple guys (one good wide receiver or tight end would be enough), Underhill is right to warn against loading up. I for one would like to see the Patriots one more Super Bowl before Tom Brady retires, but they only need to sign one more guy to push them over the top. Hopefully the Patriots can keep their core together and healthy and get that guy that'll put them over the top, because I would like to see one more ring before the Brady era ends.