If Hightower walks what is the best option?

[hornetfb85]

Sign Hightower...then draft Reuben Foster with the #12

Have Foster in the middle, Hightower on one edge, and a combination of Van Noy, Ninkovich, and McClellin at the other outside spot.

 

[cupofjoe1962]

I love Hightower, but he has a history of injuries & I don't see BB giving him a long term contract at big money.

We have more cap room than usual, so we can afford giving Hightower the franchise tag for 1 year.

If we can't find common ground for an extension, we have another year to find his replacement.

If he becomes disgruntled we could always move him during our bye week if Bill thinks we have enough to get bye.

 

[varjao]

Hightower should be kept at any sane price possible IMO. The difference between a championship Team and a good Team is little and he proved in both Super Bowls that he can be that difference with game changing plays. Without his stop at the 1 yard line and his strip sack, the Patriots lose both these games. MLB isn't the ideal position to pay big $$ but he proved that he is worth being paid like the elite player he is.

Agreed, also it's good to remember Von Miller made the difference the year before, so it's 2 SB's in a row with strong LB performance. I'd say it's a good market for Hightower.

 

[doesntmatter1]

Sign Lawrence Timmons from the Steelers. I actually think we should consider signing him even if we do keep Hightower.

 

[mosslost]

Obviously we all want the Pats to sign him but lets say some team just goes crazy and way over pays an unjustifiable amount. What now?

Looking at the best options I don't like them

Zach Brown? Played great last year on a "prove it" deal and will get a big money long term deal. I hate to invest long term in guys who really only have 1 really good year and had it on a contract year. Gerald Hodges? I like him him and he has been successful for years but is a bit small for BB's taste and might make them change their scheme which requires a bigger LB to run well. Kiko Alonso? Always injured. Perry Riley? May make sense but he has been banged up a good amount recently too and I question his pass rush ability. Rolando McClane? PED issues are worrying. Kevin Minter? Another guy who stepped up only in the last year of his contract. Sean Spence? Too small for our scheme.

After that you have potential RFAs and start to scrap the bottom of the barrel for who are legit starters. Maybe a trade could be the best option but that is not something you can 100% control. So is the plan to get 2 of these guys if Hightower walks and figure they combined will give you enough or trade for someone or rely on a rookie?

I just don't love any option. If I had to pick one I'd say sign Zach Brown but that is a long term big money investment in a guy who might regress from the past year. You don't get him on another 1 year contract like last year.

they will pay or franchise him

 

[Ring 6]

Also let me add 13M per year would make Hightower the highest paid ILB in the NFL right now. I don't have an issue with that cause in a few years that won't be the case anyway.

So we should hand out the highest pay to players solely because in the future teams will pay more?
Your logic in this one is poor.

 

[BobDigital]

So we should hand out the highest pay to players solely because in the future teams will pay more?
Your logic in this one is poor.

It is cause he is one of the best at the position and with him being the one getting a contract this year when the cap has gone up 10-20M since the last top guy got his contract it makes sense for him to be the highest paid.

 

[Ring 6]

It is cause he is one of the best at the position and with him being the one getting a contract this year when the cap has gone up 10-20M since the last top guy got his contract it makes sense for him to be the highest paid.

You can't over pay because the cap goes up.
This team was built on financial discipline. They gave to keep that mentality and not throw money around because of the hope of cap increase. It is still handicapping your future.

 

[supafly]

You can't over pay because the cap goes up.
This team was built on financial discipline. They gave to keep that mentality and not throw money around because of the hope of cap increase. It is still handicapping your future.

This is yet another reason why I doubt Belichick will even spend half of the cap space available. He isn't going to stray too far from his value system just because there's more money at his disposal in 2017.

 

[RayRay]

Hopefully we can give him a non exclusive franchise tag in case we don't want to pay him what others will later, well get the 2 first round pics for him walking.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think we have to tag Hightower, but we draft a guy like McMillan, if he runs well, and have him red shirt a year.

 

[supafly]

I think we have to tag Hightower, but we draft a guy like McMillan, if he runs well, and have him red shirt a year.

Yes. To both.

@AndyJohnson--This could actually fill the Collins role better than replacing Hightower, no? From everything I've seen, McMillian certainly has a lot of raw talent and athleticism.

 

[jmt57]

If Hightower walks what is the best option?


Adam Seward

 

[deroc5050]

I want HT back in a Pats Uniform. I am not married to anyone on the Dline yet except for Flowers, but we need HT for a defensive leader and pro bowl talent. We also need McCourty and Butler. HT, DM, and MB are the future of the Patriots. We can probably get Alan Branch for cheap dollars. Thats are nucleus.

We franchise HT if they cant come to a reasonable deal. 4 years 28 mil guaranteed.

We need to draft a OLB, A safety, A corner. And we definitely need to upgrade at Defensive tackle. Ninko is getting old and Chris Long will he even come back? OLB DT are necessities.

 

[Ring 6]

This is yet another reason why I doubt Belichick will even spend half of the cap space available. He isn't going to stray too far from his value system just because there's more money at his disposal in 2017.

He will spend to the cap, or close enough to leave cushion. He just won't do it frivolously.

 

[Ring 6]

Yes. To both.

@AndyJohnson--This could actually fill the Collins role better than replacing Hightower, no? From everything I've seen, McMillian certainly has a lot of raw talent and athleticism.

I love McMillan but he is in the small side for a patriot LB.

 

[captain stone]

Franchise him, and let's see if he can stay healthy for an entire season, for once.

 

[JMC00]

let's see if he can stay healthy for an entire season

 

[Todd Bradley]

Pay the man. He deserves it. He's worth it.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Hightower isn't going anywhere so there's really no need to worry about this.

I have been of this belief throughout this but I'm starting to wonder if they are going to try the McCourty approach, which is too risky imo. I would be surprised however to see Belichick allow another team dictate the price to them.

I don't see any good options to replace him and I think they would have to draft a top LB in the first round this year to come even close to what Hightower brings to the table.