- Joined
- Apr 3, 2006
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Dont'a Hightower
Age Next Season: 27
Position: Linebacker
Positional Franchise Tag Cost: $14.1 M
PROS: At least one notable NFL publication has ranked Hightower as the #1 UFA available this coming offseason. Typically, you don't see guys at the top of their class hit the open market, particularly at this age, and I don't recall Belichick losing a player of Hightower's caliber right in his prime when the tag was available. Hightower is arguably the most important player on the defense (him, Butler and McCourty are the top 3) and, from everything we have observed, is the Patriots highest priority to for a long-term extension. If the Patriots were to franchise him, they be able to produce some leverage, which has generally worked for teams that slap the tag on players coming out of their rookie deal.
CONS: It is possible that Hightower would not be a Patriot after 2017, which is the biggest risk for the Patriots. Some players (see Josh Norman) get infuriated at being franchised, preferring a long-term deal. The free agent market may also show astronomical numbers that the Patriots are unwilling to meet next year, just the result of Hightower's standing. The Patriots did not extend him before he became a borderline superstar, so they are left having to foot a big bill no matter what. Oh, and also, a cap hit of $14.1 M is a darn lot of money, about $5 more than McCourty.
Martellus Bennett
Age Next Season: 30
Position: Tight End
Positional Franchise Tag Cost: $9.1 M
PROS: I would have to think age is the biggest reason the Patriots might get needed leverage with Bennett. At 30 years old and a career with some bust seasons and character concerns, Bennett must know that, should he fall out of good graces with the Patriots, he may be viewed as a journeyman tight end when he hits the market a 31 in 2018. That and multiple injuries, including tough ones this year, may make him re-think the $7.5 M per year extension the team offered him earlier. Imagine if Darrelle Revis had hit free agency one year later, after showing significant decline in his return for the Jets, or two years later, after proving to be a shell of himself. When football players reach this age, that regression comes quickly and can happen any time. At $9.1 M, the cap hit can be absorbed without completely shaking up the Patriots disciplined value system.
CONS: Let's assume first for a minute that Rob Gronkowski does return, which the majority of observers believe. It may be a sticky situation that your #2 TD earns more than your #1 tight end, especially with the Patriots, who adhere to their internal pay scale and pecking order as much as any other team. The Patriots have a question mark with Gronkowski, which both complicates Bennett's value to the team and makes them more desperate to shore up this position. Finally, Bennett has been a good teammate so far (at least from what we know), but it is clear he is both emotional and prideful. He didn't want the long-term extension, and you have to consider the risk-factor of franchising a guy like this.
Age Next Season: 27
Position: Linebacker
Positional Franchise Tag Cost: $14.1 M
PROS: At least one notable NFL publication has ranked Hightower as the #1 UFA available this coming offseason. Typically, you don't see guys at the top of their class hit the open market, particularly at this age, and I don't recall Belichick losing a player of Hightower's caliber right in his prime when the tag was available. Hightower is arguably the most important player on the defense (him, Butler and McCourty are the top 3) and, from everything we have observed, is the Patriots highest priority to for a long-term extension. If the Patriots were to franchise him, they be able to produce some leverage, which has generally worked for teams that slap the tag on players coming out of their rookie deal.
CONS: It is possible that Hightower would not be a Patriot after 2017, which is the biggest risk for the Patriots. Some players (see Josh Norman) get infuriated at being franchised, preferring a long-term deal. The free agent market may also show astronomical numbers that the Patriots are unwilling to meet next year, just the result of Hightower's standing. The Patriots did not extend him before he became a borderline superstar, so they are left having to foot a big bill no matter what. Oh, and also, a cap hit of $14.1 M is a darn lot of money, about $5 more than McCourty.
Martellus Bennett
Age Next Season: 30
Position: Tight End
Positional Franchise Tag Cost: $9.1 M
PROS: I would have to think age is the biggest reason the Patriots might get needed leverage with Bennett. At 30 years old and a career with some bust seasons and character concerns, Bennett must know that, should he fall out of good graces with the Patriots, he may be viewed as a journeyman tight end when he hits the market a 31 in 2018. That and multiple injuries, including tough ones this year, may make him re-think the $7.5 M per year extension the team offered him earlier. Imagine if Darrelle Revis had hit free agency one year later, after showing significant decline in his return for the Jets, or two years later, after proving to be a shell of himself. When football players reach this age, that regression comes quickly and can happen any time. At $9.1 M, the cap hit can be absorbed without completely shaking up the Patriots disciplined value system.
CONS: Let's assume first for a minute that Rob Gronkowski does return, which the majority of observers believe. It may be a sticky situation that your #2 TD earns more than your #1 tight end, especially with the Patriots, who adhere to their internal pay scale and pecking order as much as any other team. The Patriots have a question mark with Gronkowski, which both complicates Bennett's value to the team and makes them more desperate to shore up this position. Finally, Bennett has been a good teammate so far (at least from what we know), but it is clear he is both emotional and prideful. He didn't want the long-term extension, and you have to consider the risk-factor of franchising a guy like this.
