Friday Patriots Notebook 3/27 - Hightower Out Six to Seven Months, Edelman Thought About Being a Firefighter, More Notes

It looks like the Patriots may start 2015 without Dont'a Hightower. (USA TODAY Images)

Heading into 2015 the Patriots find themselves facing improved foes within the AFC East, and it appears that they may be without one of their better defenders by the time next season starts.

According to a report by Ben Volin of the Boston Globe on Thursday, linebacker Dont'a Hightower may miss the start of the season after the newspaper reported that the timetable for his recent offseason shoulder surgery is six to seven months, which he suffered at the end of last season. The veteran linebacker underwent a procedure back on February 10th to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

The injury reportedly happened toward the end of last season, which caused him to miss the Week 14 match-up against San Diego, and he also later sat out the finale against Buffalo in a meaningless match-up, but played in all but six snaps during the postseason and made the critical tackle near the end of Super Bowl XLIX when he stopped Marshawn Lynch from scoring just one play before Malcolm Butler's game-clinching interception.

Hightower played a significant role in the Patriots' defense last season, finishing the season second on the team in tackles with 89 and was tied with Chandler Jones for second on the team in sacks with six. He was also second in quarterback hits with 13, as well as totaling 2 passes defensed and forcing one fumble.

Last month Hightower posted a picture of himself lying in a hospital bed in a sling on Instagram, with the caption, "The process begins now!! #rehab #determined #finallydone #iwillbewhereiworktobe" Hopefully he doesn't suffer any setbacks because he's certainly become a valuable asset in New England's defense.

EDELMAN TELLS MAXIM HIS JOB ISN'T SAFE:

Julian Edelman recently did an interview with Andrew Burmon of Maxim.com, talking about a variety of topics in a feature story for the magazine.

A couple things he mentioned was the fact that had he not been drafted, he may have instead been saving lives after telling Maxim, "I can remember, after my last game in college, thinking about becoming a fireman."

He also talks about the fact that as much as he reveres coach Bill Belichick, he knows that loyalty, as it pertains to players, only goes so far, saying, "If there's someone out there who's better or cheaper or something like that, I'll lose my job."

Edelman also reveals a personal side and talks about the relationship with his dad, which is always great to see and there's a terrific moment he talks about from when he was little and getting mauled by bigger kids, asking his dad, "When am I going to grow?'" with Edelman saying, "He would say, 'Son, when you get to be the same size, it's going to be unfair.'"

So far Edelman has evolved into one of the most dangerous players in the league and has become such a valuable asset in New England's offense. Not bad for a guy who was a seventh round pick and later garnered little interest when he hit the free agent market. Now he's one of the best in the game and was obviously a key component in the Patriots Super Bowl win.

He might not be the biggest player, but the plays he makes more than make up for his size. Needless to say, it looks like his dad is definitely right.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

- Colts coach Chuck Pagano is aware of the losses the personnel losses the Patriots have suffered so far, but he knows they'll still be dangerous next season. "He's always found a way," Pagano told the Indianapolis Star of Belichick at this week's NFL owners meetings. "He's a great coach. I'm not going to put any credence or any weigh in that. Everybody's roster changes. Every team is different. Every year is different." He says the challenge now is getting to their level. "You want to be the champ, you've got to beat the champs," Pagano said. "And they're the champs. They've been a thorn in our side, but a great football team, a great owner, great coach. Done a great job and won the Super Bowl this year, four in the last 14 years. It's a big challenge for us."

NFL to expand Markets to Mexico, Germany....Others: While the league's efforts overseas will remain tied to London, the league is looking for other markets to expand in. The league is searching out opportunities for Canada, Mexico and China to host games in the future. But it doesn't end there, Germany is also in the mix and there is talk of holding a Pro-Bowl game in Brazil.

Germany has one issue holding it back, while the audience is strong, the Germans hosted numerous NFL Europe teams in the past, it is television rights that is holding up that venue. While the Super Bowl is regularly aired, the NFL hasn't been able to get any of the major television stations to air the regular season in Germany.

The Bills have played games in Canada and the NFL has played exhibition football in Mexico City in the past. With some upgrades to facilities there...it should be an easy slam dunk for the league to return.

China is a vast source of untapped potential, but one has to wonder if the game, so foreign to the people there would stick after the initial burst of curiousness had worn off.