[Erik]

Yikes. I think if you cut the footpocket, you are going to have problems as there's so much leverage at that point... I could see you ripping it open even with a good patch and glue. Even if it worked, I think you'd still have a footpocket that didn't fit properly.
Do you have the biggest size footpockets? I'd put the right footpockets on- it's not that difficult, but removing the originals might be a pain.