Hightower will not be given the tag, now a free agent

[shmessy]

Cool. Ultimately I'd classify that at "not bad news." Meaning it would certainly be a bad sign if dialogue was shut off. It would be a better sign if they were actually finalizing a deal, but I'm inferring from it that Hightower may be willing to give the Pats a chance to match or come close to what's out there.

trags
Sounds more and more like McCourty model every day... which is a good sign. Jeff Howe on Twitter
Posted: 12:25pm - Mar 02, 2017

 

[BadMoFo]

From the sounds of it, according to Jeff Howe, the team is very interested in having Hightower and Branch back and may even match on Ryan and Harmon if they don't get offered crazy money.

 

[JMC00]

Jeff Howe-

The Patriots and Hightower are aware of each other’s contractual parameters and are trying to find a common ground, though the Patriots haven’t extended a formal written proposal since last summer’s contract worth an average of $10 million per year. The absence of a recent formal contract offer isn’t a major issue, as the back-and-forth has remained verbal in communication.

Neither side wants to publicly reveal the numbers involved in their parameters out of respect for the negotiating process, but a fair estimation is Hightower should garner a contract worth $12 million annually. He wants to earn as much as possible and his preference is to return to the Patriots, but he’ll sign elsewhere if the Patriots don’t offer a financial package that is competitive with the best offer on the open market.

Sources: Patriots, Dont'a Hightower maintaining positive, productive dialogue


i.e.- Pats aren't bidding against themselves at this point. Hightower will be allowed to see what the market is and then the Pats will make their formal offer.

 

[RobertWeathers]

From the sounds of it, according to Jeff Howe, the team is very interested in having Hightower and Branch back and may even match on Ryan and Harmon if they don't get offered crazy money.

That's the run D right there. W/O those two it's 2002 again

 

[The Gr8est]

Jeff Howe-

The Patriots and Hightower are aware of each other’s contractual parameters and are trying to find a common ground, though the Patriots haven’t extended a formal written proposal since last summer’s contract worth an average of $10 million per year. The absence of a recent formal contract offer isn’t a major issue, as the back-and-forth has remained verbal in communication.

Neither side wants to publicly reveal the numbers involved in their parameters out of respect for the negotiating process, but a fair estimation is Hightower should garner a contract worth $12 million annually. He wants to earn as much as possible and his preference is to return to the Patriots, but he’ll sign elsewhere if the Patriots don’t offer a financial package that is competitive with the best offer on the open market.

Sources: Patriots, Dont'a Hightower maintaining positive, productive dialogue


i.e.- Pats aren't bidding against themselves at this point. Hightower will be allowed to see what the market is and then the Pats will make their formal offer.

I like the sound of this. Seems like there is a good chance of keeping Hightower once the market level is clear.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Jeff Howe-

The Patriots and Hightower are aware of each other’s contractual parameters and are trying to find a common ground, though the Patriots haven’t extended a formal written proposal since last summer’s contract worth an average of $10 million per year. The absence of a recent formal contract offer isn’t a major issue, as the back-and-forth has remained verbal in communication.

Neither side wants to publicly reveal the numbers involved in their parameters out of respect for the negotiating process, but a fair estimation is Hightower should garner a contract worth $12 million annually. He wants to earn as much as possible and his preference is to return to the Patriots, but he’ll sign elsewhere if the Patriots don’t offer a financial package that is competitive with the best offer on the open market.

Sources: Patriots, Dont'a Hightower maintaining positive, productive dialogue


i.e.- Pats aren't bidding against themselves at this point. Hightower will be allowed to see what the market is and then the Pats will make their formal offer.

The good news is Highs agent it Pat Dye Jr and has a long history with BB.

The bad news is so does Tannenbaum as Dye is also Tannehills agent.

 

[Ring 6]

Jeff Howe-

The Patriots and Hightower are aware of each other’s contractual parameters and are trying to find a common ground, though the Patriots haven’t extended a formal written proposal since last summer’s contract worth an average of $10 million per year. The absence of a recent formal contract offer isn’t a major issue, as the back-and-forth has remained verbal in communication.

Neither side wants to publicly reveal the numbers involved in their parameters out of respect for the negotiating process, but a fair estimation is Hightower should garner a contract worth $12 million annually. He wants to earn as much as possible and his preference is to return to the Patriots, but he’ll sign elsewhere if the Patriots don’t offer a financial package that is competitive with the best offer on the open market.

Sources: Patriots, Dont'a Hightower maintaining positive, productive dialogue


i.e.- Pats aren't bidding against themselves at this point. Hightower will be allowed to see what the market is and then the Pats will make their formal offer.

The most important part of that is that his preference is to return to new England

 

[Ring 6]

That's the run D right there. W/O those two it's 2002 again

I think how we do so well defending the run from nickel is something that needs a lot of attention.
Obviously we can't assess that effectively from our living room but BB knows. My guess is that these 2 are a big part of it.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think how we do so well defending the run from nickel is something that needs a lot of attention.
Obviously we can't assess that effectively from our living room but BB knows. My guess is that these 2 are a big part of it.

Yea they might be able to deal with one leaving and have an average run D but losing both scare me.

 

[Ring 6]

Yea they might be able to deal with one leaving and have an average run D but losing both scare me.

We have won partly because we have an excellent run d so being average would be a huge blow.

 

[RobertWeathers]

We have won partly because we have an excellent run d so being average would be a huge blow.

Yea I agree.

Shutting down the run and staying in nickel is a huge competitive advantage.

 

[PittPatriot]

How would rank the following middle LB of the BB Era?

Bruschi
Mayo
Hightower

All 3 guys were so solid. Played through injuries, etc. But Hightower has quite the postseason resume and highlight reel.

 

[Ring 6]

How would rank the following middle LB of the BB Era?

Bruschi
Mayo
Hightower

All 3 guys were so solid. Played through injuries, etc. But Hightower has quite the postseason resume and highlight reel.

Hightower isn't a MLB.

As LBs it's
1) Hightower
2a) Bruschi
2b) mayo
With bruschi getting the nod because he was more durable. Straight up mayo was better but he didn't last long enough.

Hightower is clearly better than either of them.

 

[strngplyr]

Hightower isn't a MLB.

As LBs it's
1) Hightower
2a) Bruschi
2b) mayo
With bruschi getting the nod because he was more durable. Straight up mayo was better but he didn't last long enough.

Hightower is clearly better than either of them.

You're about to be quoted by a lot of upset individuals.

 

[Ring 6]

You're about to be quoted by a lot of upset individuals.

why?
I don't think it's really arguable.
All are/were great players but there is certainly a difference between the 3 in ability.

 

[strngplyr]

Hightower isn't a MLB.

As LBs it's
1) Hightower
2a) Bruschi
2b) mayo
With bruschi getting the nod because he was more durable. Straight up mayo was better but he didn't last long enough.

Hightower is

why?
I don't think it's really arguable.
All are/were great players but there is certainly a difference between the 3 in ability.

Because I've seen a lot of people who simply can't accept what you're saying, I agree with you.

Lots of people won't let go of Bruschi though.

 

[Ring 6]

Because I've seen a lot of people who simply can't accept what you're saying, I agree with you.

Lots of people won't let go of Bruschi though.

I love bruschi. Among my favorite patriots of all time. He was a solid player who made many clutch plays.
but the truth is the truth.

I'll even say I like bruschi the best if the 3 but that isn't the question.

 

[zipster9]

Jeff Howe-

The Patriots and Hightower are aware of each other’s contractual parameters and are trying to find a common ground, though the Patriots haven’t extended a formal written proposal since last summer’s contract worth an average of $10 million per year. The absence of a recent formal contract offer isn’t a major issue, as the back-and-forth has remained verbal in communication.

Neither side wants to publicly reveal the numbers involved in their parameters out of respect for the negotiating process, but a fair estimation is Hightower should garner a contract worth $12 million annually. He wants to earn as much as possible and his preference is to return to the Patriots, but he’ll sign elsewhere if the Patriots don’t offer a financial package that is competitive with the best offer on the open market.

Sources: Patriots, Dont'a Hightower maintaining positive, productive dialogue


i.e.- Pats aren't bidding against themselves at this point. Hightower will be allowed to see what the market is and then the Pats will make their formal offer.

$12m would be acceptable only if there are clauses based on games played. This would protect Patriots if Hightower misses games due to his injury history..

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

I would hate to lose him I don't know if there's a LB at 32 worth drafting. He's a leader on that defense.

 

[50-yard-line]

The good news is that the Pats have the money, if they choose, to keep three of the four - Hightwower, Ryan, Branch, Harmon.

They don't need start restructuring a bunch of other contracts. They're in good shape.

And they have few free agents next year, which should allow them to keep Butler, too.

I think it's more important to keep the core here than getting a shiny new toy, as much as I love Calais Campbell.

Pick up a couple of vet value FAs - maybe Odrick, maybe Fairley - or a couple of badly-used younger players (Chung, Van Noy, McClellin) and next year's team should be better than this year's team, and that's saying something.

I hate losing Bennett, but it seems like he's gone (because I think someone's paying him Gronk+ money) and would hate to lose either Ryan or Harmon...but it is what it is.