New England Patriots 2021 defensive line playbook: Who stays, who goes
New England Patriots: Who stays, who goes – Lawrence Guy, defensive tackle.
New England Patriots defensive tackle Lawrence Guy has been a solid performer for Bill Belichick since coming over from Baltimore four years ago, he’s been a solid performer averaging about 57 or so tackles per season.
He’s an unrestricted free agent now and the Patriots have to make a decision on this solid but unspectacular player.
Guy will be entering his year 31 season in 2021. He made $4.3 M in 2020. That’s a significant allocation to a good but not really good player. The Patriots will need to replace this production if they decide to let Guy walk.
Guy’s cap number should be dramatically reduced if he is to be re-signed by New England. The Patriots’ most urgent general need its accumulate massive cap space to sign better players. Guy’s sack total is 7 or so in four years. Not exactly great statistics, even for an interior defensive lineman in New England’s scheme.
The New England Patriots should move on and try to fill the hole on defense with current roster players or from the outside. There will likely be little drop-off in play. Alternatively, add those resources elsewhere to bolster a team that needs a massive infusion of talent almost everywhere to again compete even in the AFC East.
New England has to take a new look at its personnel this offseason, more than any in the past two decades. In order to improve this team, they need to have the goal of improving every position on the squad.
To do so, Lawrence Guy should be allowed to depart for hopefully greener pastures. Unless he is willing to take a significant pay cut to remain, which is unlikely, the decision is clear.
Lawrence Guy goes.