Patriots Pursued Higgins, but then Paid Milton Williams

[maust]

What thread caused this here melt down?

The most likely root cause isn't the presence of any single thread but rather an absence of medication. Especially the one with this disclaimer:

 

[Real fan 02]

Really trying hard to get banned.

Tee liked the wood benches in the Bengals locker room better...

 

[Vindicate]

Tee liked the wood benches in the Bengals locker room better...

I think it's the walk across a busy street in a ****ty Southwest corner of Cincinnati from the main facility to the practice field that he was really staying home for.

Bengals ownership is somehow more cheap than most owners, an amazing accomplishment.

 

[Wozzy]

Milton Williams was clearly a priority free agent. Breer is a silly person, don’t care much what media members here think… most are clueless about football. You don’t accidentally or stumble into giving a DT 100M dollars…. just dumb.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I think it's the walk across a busy street in a ****ty Southwest corner of Cincinnati from the main facility to the practice field that he was really staying home for.

Bengals ownership is somehow more cheap than most owners, an amazing accomplishment.

I've only been to a few NFL stadiums (Foxboro and FedEx Field in Maryland), but it seems like a lot of them are in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by not the best parts of their cities. Are they all like that or are there ones that are in central locations?

 

[Real fan 02]

I think it's the walk across a busy street in a ****ty Southwest corner of Cincinnati from the main facility to the practice field that he was really staying home for.

Bengals ownership is somehow more cheap than most owners, an amazing accomplishment.

Someone else posted that as well... that is a joke.. to call themselves an NFL franchise.. goes to show how much damage was done to the perception of the Patriots from the last few seasons.. and being last in cash spending.. somehow RK was ranked lower than Bengals in spending in 2022..

 

[mike_usagisan]

Milton Williams was clearly a priority free agent. Breer is a silly person, don’t care much what media members here think… most are clueless about football. You don’t accidentally or stumble into giving a DT 100M dollars…. just dumb.

I can only speak to how it appeared, but there was the report that he signed somewhere else, but then we came back after that with more. So it might be the "more" that they used knowing they weren't signing an expensive wideout.

 

[Wozzy]

I can only speak to how it appeared, but there was the report that he signed somewhere else, but then we came back after that with more. So it might be the "more" that they used knowing they weren't signing an expensive wideout.

That’s how I remember it as well, he was highly sought after. The Pats had the most cap space and biggest purse. He was a smart target. I don’t think Higgins had anything to do with it at all.

 

[Real fan 02]

I can only speak to how it appeared, but there was the report that he signed somewhere else, but then we came back after that with more. So it might be the "more" that they used knowing they weren't signing an expensive wideout.

Initially reported he signed with Carolina..but that was quickly refuted.. Milton was the highest regarded FA out there and he's been excellent.. chase brown said thank you for not playing against us..

 

[Real fan 02]

That’s how I remember it as well, he was highly sought after. The Pats had the most cap space and biggest purse. He was a smart target. I don’t think Higgins had anything to do with it at all.

The team made it clear during the latter part of the season that Higgins would be a FA target at WR..

 

[mike_usagisan]

That’s how I remember it as well, he was highly sought after. The Pats had the most cap space and biggest purse. He was a smart target. I don’t think Higgins had anything to do with it at all.

I think it’s like you set aside X percent of the cap on any position. If you want to do more than that you have to take it from somewhere. They knew they weren’t spending it on WR, so they went over the percent they wanted to spend. It’s just cap management. Breer just brought Tee specifically into it to get reads.

 

[Wozzy]

The team made it clear during the latter part of the season that Higgins would be a FA target at WR..

If the price was right I don’t doubt it, but he was never a 1A guy. Good big WR… just don’t think Milton Williams signing had anything to do with it. They signed Diggs after all these signings.

 

[Real fan 02]

I've only been to a few NFL stadiums (Foxboro and FedEx Field in Maryland), but it seems like a lot of them are in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by not the best parts of their cities. Are they all like that or are there ones that are in central locations?

Gillette initially was supposed to be in Boston..however local politics and just the landscape of the city wouldn't allow for it..Boston is my home born and raised..beautiful city but a congested city and some of the worst traffic in the country.

RKK initially got with investors and sponsored by South Boston based Gillette to build the new stadium in Foxborough where the old one was..

 

[Real fan 02]

If the price was right I don’t doubt it, but he was never a 1A guy. Good big WR… just don’t think Milton Williams signing had anything to do with it. They signed Diggs after all these signings.

I agree. The team was going to target Higgins regardless of signing Williams.. Diggs was signed during the quiet part of the FA period.. we got lucky there..

 

[Wozzy]

I agree. The team was going to target Higgins regardless of signing Williams.. Diggs was signed during the quiet part of the FA period.. we got lucky there..

I don’t think any smart team goes into an offseason and says “WR X is my only target.” There’s usually a small list of desired free agents, price and desire to join your team usually leads to a result.

 

[signbabybrady]

I don't get it

Ian's tools don't let me quote otherwise it would be easier to follow

 

[Sorrynotsorry]

The most likely root cause isn't the presence of any single thread but rather an absence of medication. Especially the one with this disclaimer:

Well sbb replied to me but I cant see it.

Its like he shadow banned himself...

Amazing.

 

[PatsFan2]

I don’t think any smart team goes into an offseason and says “WR X is my only target.” There’s usually a small list of desired free agents, price and desire to join your team usually leads to a result.

The Bengals made a Huge mistake resigning Tee Higgins: I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes available in a year or two. They have really blown their window the last two years.

 

[signbabybrady]

I like how this guy thinks he's a nice guy. But then runs around mocking someone he thinks is going through mental problems.

For the record I'm schizophrenic but the only thing that sets me off is when someone calls me schizophrenic then I've been known to

 

[Rob0729]

Other than this being another SBB mental breakdown thread, is this that big of a story?

Teams can only spend so much on top of the market free agent talent even if they have tons of cap space. So it doesn't seem like a big deal that the Patriots would prioritize Higgins over Williams. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't have acquired both players, but you gotta prioritize the free agents when you approach free agency. You put the most effort to sign the ones you prioritize and then move onto the next tier.