With free agency starting Tuesday at 4 p.m., the Patriots are in a position to spend if they so desire. As of Friday's end of business, New England had 16.2 million in space under the 2012 salary cap which goes into effect when the new league year begins. Our guy Mike Florio has all the numbers at Pro Football Talk. The 2012 cap number is 120.6 million. The Pats rolled over the 6.7 million that they had in 2011 cap room so the number they are working off of is 127.3 million. Wes Welker's franchise tag hit of more than 9.5 million is included. If the team works out a long-term deal with Welker between now and July 15, they'll likely knock down his 2012 cap hit as well. What's it mean? Just that money should be no major obstacle to getting players they see as good fits.