Mike Reiss attempts to answer the question, "What's the delay with Dont'a?"

[oldrover]

What's the holdup with Dont'a Hightower, ESPN's No. 2 free agent?

Warning: BSPN link. Ill quote a key part of Reiss's work:

"When I reached out to a coach for one linebacker-needy NFL team about Hightower, the response surprised me. Hightower, I was told, wasn’t a fit for that team. One example was that one of Hightower’s best assets is his rush ability, and this particular team doesn’t use its linebackers that way.

That got me thinking about how Hightower, at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, is a unique player who doesn’t fit into the traditional linebacker box. Few have his combination of size, power, football IQ and big-game chops, but he’s not a quick-twitch athlete, his production doesn’t jump off the stat sheet, and there is an injury history for teams to consider.

Thus, a flexible defensive scheme and a creative coaching staff are an important combination to maximize what makes Hightower so special."

Maybe... this analysis bodes well for his return.

At least...



...I hope so.

 

[Gwedd]

C'mon back, D. Bring back that 'Bama attitude and spend some more time to home here.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

What's the holdup with Dont'a Hightower, ESPN's No. 2 free agent?

Warning: BSPN link. Maybe... this analysis bodes well for his return.

At least...



...I hope so.

Found this part very interesting....

No team has obviously stepped up with the type of offer Hightower, 26, was hoping for. Perhaps that could still come, but offers generally don’t go up after the first wave of free agency.

When I reached out to a coach for one linebacker-needy NFL team about Hightower, the response surprised me. Hightower, I was told, wasn’t a fit for that team. One example was that one of Hightower’s best assets is his rush ability, and this particular team doesn’t use its linebackers that way.

That got me thinking about how Hightower, at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, is a unique player who doesn’t fit into the traditional linebacker box. Few have his combination of size, power, football IQ and big-game chops, but he’s not a quick-twitch athlete, his production doesn’t jump off the stat sheet, and there is an injury history for teams to consider.
​

This explains why Hightower may not be getting offers akin to Lou Kechley or Jamie Collins. Not to say he is any less deserving, but he doesn't fit the profile of an every-down Linebacker...

Surprised Reiss didnt mention his injury history as a factor

 

[Edelmania]

I said this earlier. It wouldnt surprise me if he ends up coming back to the Pats for a lot less than we thought. 10M/year wouldnt surprise me now. I could be totally wrong though.

 

[Edelmania]

Also, I dont really see a lot of ILBs getting paid big money. If you look back at last year Jerrell Freeman only got 4M/year and hes had over 100 tackles in every season except one (94), gets a few sacks every year, and a hand full of run stuffs. Maybe we are over estimating the linebacker market and Hightower was too.

 

[Ring 6]

Found this part very interesting....

No team has obviously stepped up with the type of offer Hightower, 26, was hoping for. Perhaps that could still come, but offers generally don’t go up after the first wave of free agency.

When I reached out to a coach for one linebacker-needy NFL team about Hightower, the response surprised me. Hightower, I was told, wasn’t a fit for that team. One example was that one of Hightower’s best assets is his rush ability, and this particular team doesn’t use its linebackers that way.

That got me thinking about how Hightower, at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, is a unique player who doesn’t fit into the traditional linebacker box. Few have his combination of size, power, football IQ and big-game chops, but he’s not a quick-twitch athlete, his production doesn’t jump off the stat sheet, and there is an injury history for teams to consider.
​

This explains why Hightower may not be getting offers akin to Lou Kechley or Jamie Collins. Not to say he is any less deserving, but he doesn't fit the profile of an every-down Linebacker...

Surprised Reiss didnt mention his injury history as a factor

Because his injury history isn't a factor. He is not an injury prone player and has no chronic injuries

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Money talks. Considering all of the other high profile signings league-wide, I guess Dont'a isn't seeing equivalent interest. I'd have thought $13M+ per year would have spoken by now.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

From 7 hours ago....but still quite telling



I like these reports, but part of me is concerned that if indeed Hightower isnt getting max offers from other teams, why hasnt he resigned with NE yet??

 

[Dexter]

For me this is the most important part of the article and my biggest fear about this whole situation:

"If so, it could spark a dynamic where the Patriots do value Hightower most, but Hightower himself isn’t yet feeling the love and respect he’d hoped for, especially after seeing former teammates Jamie Collins (Browns) and Chandler Jones (Cardinals) cash in big time elsewhere.

Would that make it harder for him to walk back through the locker room door in New England? Sometimes it's easier for a player to take less money elsewhere with a fresh start than settling for something with the team that you just gave everything you had over the past five years."


Maybe it's a little similar to the negotiations with Bennett, as it might have been a little easier for him to take less with the Packers after realizing that his market is way less than what he initially requested and hoped.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Who are the teams still being rumored to be interested?

 

[Dexter]

Who are the teams still being rumored to be interested?

Titans seems like the biggest threat at the moment but free agency is always very fluid and any team with enough cap space can make a strong push.

 

[AzorianPats]

For me this is the most important part of the article and my biggest fear about this whole situation:

"If so, it could spark a dynamic where the Patriots do value Hightower most, but Hightower himself isn’t yet feeling the love and respect he’d hoped for, especially after seeing former teammates Jamie Collins (Browns) and Chandler Jones (Cardinals) cash in big time elsewhere.

Would that make it harder for him to walk back through the locker room door in New England? Sometimes it's easier for a player to take less money elsewhere with a fresh start than settling for something with the team that you just gave everything you had over the past five years."


Maybe it's a little similar to the negotiations with Bennett, as it might have been a little easier for him to take less with the Packers after realizing that his market is way less than what he initially requested and hoped.

Can't compare Hightower and Bennett. Bennett was a one year rental. Hightower has been an important player for this team pretty much since the day he was drafted.

I think the team values Hightower. That's why they told him to go and get a feel what his value is around the league. The Pats won't overpay for him, but they sure as hell won't underpay him either. He's too important. All reports have been they kept a good dialogue this whole time. And the consensus is the whole league thinks he's coming back.

Collins and Jones catches the eye more, but it just so happens Hightower best fit is the team that drafted him. Hightower seems like a smart dude. Even if he doesn't reach Jamie Collins numbers, he should see past Pats winners after their careers was over. Troy Brown, Ty Law, Koppen and even his old mentor Jarod Mayo, they're all making money here after their careers are over. He's a 2x SB champ, and made big plays on the biggest stage.

 

[DarrylS]

Not sure about High School but this guy is spoiled, first the Alabama program and then the Pats.. that is sorta good "pedigree" on his resume. Two coaches Saban and Belichick, does not get much better than that..

Miguel has been saying that there is plenty of room for Stephon Gilmore type contracts for both Butler and Hightower..

 

[manxman2601]

C'mon back, D. Bring back that 'Bama attitude and spend some more time to home here.

And use that extra money to buy some damned central heating.

 

[varjao]

I believe duration of the contract is the bigger obstacle and not money, Hightower may want to sign a 5 year deal and teams are offering 3 years, well I think the Pats certainly is looking for 3 years, and then either sign him to another contract but then he will be 30 so the money will decrease or move on.

Its inevitable to compare with Jerod Mayo who started to break down and then he couldn't stay on the field anymore, Hightower is on the same path and actually already dealt with more injuries than Mayo at this point (27 years old) comparing both trajectories

 

[RIpats88]

Its surprising he hasnt received that much interest but at the same time its not.

Hightower is more of a traditional linebacker who isnt the best in coverage. With the pass happy nfl teams may not value a thumper like hightower as they do a collins or jones.

For the patriots scheme he is perfect

 

[Pats2000]

This Hightower situation is the prime example of why BB owns everyone else in the league. Think about it, Hightower comes up big in the biggest games. He saved us twice from losing a Superbowl. 1st with his incredible goal line tackle of Lynch, then his strip sack of Ryan. I've discussed this before, but BB will change his scheme and players positions to match their strengths. The vast majority of other coaches maintain the exact same scheme they are comfortable with and will try to plug in players that fit the scheme strengths. It's why no one can find a spot for an undercover Superbowl hero on their team.