The Patriots' outside linebacker won't take his new contract and put it toward bedazzled jerseys or morph into a lavish new persona because of his hefty pay raise. That’s just not who Banta-Cain is (although, he did kind of go all "Steamin'" Willie Beamen with that recent rap, um, video).
Banta-Cain has steadily remained a hardworking, humble player since the Patriots selected him in the seventh round of the 2003 draft, and a new three-year contract reportedly worth as much as $18 million won't change that.
"I put pressure on myself every year," Banta-Cain said. "I’ve learned a lot through the years. I think because I was on a one-year deal last year, I had to prove myself. I’m going to recapture that mentality I had last year and use it every year."
Banta-Cain is coming off a career season with a Patriots-best 9 1/2 sacks. He also recorded 59 tackles (41 solo), two forced fumbles and two pass deflections in 16 games. Not too shabby for a guy playing under the veteran minimum.
The seven-year veteran was New England's best pass rusher in 2009, and he entered a curious position as a free agent in the offseason. See, Banta-Cain registered 5.5 sacks and 40 total tackles in a breakout 2006 season with the Patriots, and he turned that into a $12.2 million, three-year contract with the 49ers. He's never shied away from admitting how important that contract was for his family — both because he grew up in California and, obviously, he was swimming in money.
Yet, Banta-Cain was dumped by San Francisco after his second disappointing season in 2008 — he recorded just 4.0 sacks during two years out west — and the linebacker started back at square one, signing a frugal contract with his original team.
The move clearly worked out in each side's favor, and Banta-Cain and the organization each glowed about the reunion a number of times in 2009. However, as the Patriots entered a foggy offseason with a slew of questions, it was initially unclear if the marriage would continue.
For instance, with the contract uncertainty surrounding defensive lineman Vince Wilfork (at the time), left guard Logan Mankins, quarterback Tom Brady and a handful of others, it was tough to predict if another team would try to swoop in and dump a garbage truck full of money on Banta-Cain, particularly in a thin free-agent class, while the Patriots were caught looking in other directions. That never happened, though, as the Patriots locked up Banta-Cain during the first day of free agency.
"I think everyone who is here is here for a reason," Banta-Cain said. "If you're on this team, it's because you're going to help us win, and you're going to make us better on defense and offense. The coaching staff and the organization feel like they've got the right guys, and I do, too."
Banta-Cain, who turns 30 in August, will again be involved in a competition for playing time. With so many moving parts in New England's front seven — even with an ideal 3-4 base, the Patriots have the personnel to play as much 4-3 in 2010 as perhaps any other year — it's almost impossible at this point to predict who could be considered a prototypical starter on the outside.
Neither the competition nor the heightened expectations due to the new contract will faze Banta-Cain, though. He's always been the same guy, and there's no indication that will change.
"I feel pressure every year," Banta-Cain said. "Playing for [Patriots head coach Bill] Belichick, you're going to feel pressure, whether you're paid or not paid. This is the right place for that kind of environment, that kind of mentality."
