Donta Hightower 2 SB saves we owe him alot

Bennett is a 8.5 for two years guy.

AtomicDawg said:

No GIFs? Come on man...

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I feel very bad for Atlanta and generally like most of their players. That said, I'd like to take this moment to remind Devonta Freeman that, "We can do whatever we want," also means blocking free rushers, not just running and catching......

AtomicDawg said:

No GIFs? Come on man...

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Brady: OUR BALL! OUR BALLL!!!!!
Malcolm Mitchel: Our ball?

Harmon hearing how he was rallying the defense.
5 mill a season
But someone will pay him starter money maybe even Atlanta.
I love him as a player but you cant bump out chung.
Richards has been awful

ChrisR2223 said:

Hightower is tricky very clutch but dont know if hes elite.
May be a tough decision franchise and trade.
You cant pay Hightower more than 8 or 9 mill a year.

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Hightower is a Championship Linebacker.

Did it with Alabama. Now he's done it with New England 2x.

Don't just look at stats. He leads the defense better than anyone since Bruschi.

UptownPatsFan said:

Couldn't have done it without him...TWICE! Pay that myaan his myoney!!!!

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There was a poster right before the AFCCG who questioned whether or not High is worth the type of contract we know he'll get. I was not bothered when he talked about High's injuries because he's been hurt often (though I could make a pretty successful argument that he's a warrior who plays through most of them). He argued that High doesn't make plays and THAT'S when he lost me. We owe TWO Super Bowls to plays he made when they needed to be made. He made that tackle damn near solo with THE bum shoulder on Lynch, a man who consistently needed three and four guys to bring him down. Then he makes a strip sack in a game NE had no business being in at that point. Lest we forget the tackle for loss on ATL's first possession of the second half.

HE DESERVES EVERY PENNY HE WILL COMMAND AND I GUARANTEE HE GETS IT FROM NE. That's what Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins don't understand when the former accuses the Pats of not paying players and the latter wants to freelance to make money. Losers.

I agree with what Miguel thinks, they franchise him and work out a deal by July.



Hightower was asked about his pro bowl snub last year just before the playoffs and his response was "i'm in the ring winning business"

2x BCS champ
2x SB champ

I love what HT has done for the Pats, but it goes beyond just the execution. He captains that defense extremely well (remember him jumping up and down for the Time Out?). That aspect of his game alone would be backbreaking to lose.

I was watching the ESPN post-game show featuring Berman, Moss and somebody else ( I stand guilty of watching BSPN, but I was scanning all channels for different views of celebration) when Moss starts gesturing wildly at somebody off screen to come over (while Berman was talking). Turns out Moss was gesturing at BB who was walking by with his woman friend. So, BB comes over and chats with them for a long time, what with this being Berman's last year,etc. (kind of a coup for ESPN to get an unscheduled BB interview). BB unprompted tells the hosts - "did you see the Hightower play? That was huge for us" and repeats the samething again later in the conversation.
The Patriots organization is well aware of Hightower's importance to this team. Collins money is good, but it is not outrageous that it cannot be matched. The cap is going up every year, anyway.

I don't understand this HT talk. Why would they tag him? They can offer him the best deal for a LB. If he wants 15+ a year I will be sad to see him gone.

They have 15 FA's and $61,711,426 in cap room

First they take care of the cheaper but important ones:

Alan Branch - 3m
Martellus Bennett
Chris Long - - 3m
LeGarrette Blount - 2.5m
Jabaal Sheard - Walk ( They can draft a stud to pair with Flowers) - Upgrade him with our first pick, and they can recoup a pick after he signs with another team
Michael Floyd
Donta Hightower
Greg Scruggs - Walk - JAG ( Non factor)
Brandon Bolden - Walk - JAG ( They can use one of our late picks for a ST/RB guy that will be cheaper. Bolden is a non factor)
Duron Harmon
Logan Ryan
James Develin - 2m
Barkevious Mingo - 1.5m
Michael Williams - Walk - JAG ( Non factor. Fleming is pretty much a better version of him)
Malcolm Butler
---------------------------
$49,711,426
Now the priorities:

Martellus Bennett
Michael Floyd
Donta Hightower - 12.5m (Richest deal for a LB)
Duron Harmon
Logan Ryan
Malcolm Butler - 12.5m ( They can tag him one more year so he will give a small discount - Top 8)
---------------------------
$24,711,426
Martellus Bennett - 8m ( If he declines the offer, this draft class is pretty deep. If we trade Jimmy we can address DE + LB in the first round and go OT/TE/RB rounds 2 and 3)
Michael Floyd
Duron Harmon - 5m Pretty fair offer for a starter
Logan Ryan - 6m Pretty fair offer for a CB #2
---------------------------
$5,711,426
Michael Floyd - 5m
---------------------------
$0,711,426
Now extend Amendola / Cut Waddle / Maybe Cut Freeny, Richards/ Extend Solder/ Vollmer probably retiring/ Extend JE
---------------------------
$8,236,426++ Solder's extension
Sign Draft picks
---------------------------
$5,236,426 + Solder's extension
In 2018 if they do this they have 0 important FA's to re-sign

Hightower is a good cat er eh kid too. Has he ever been involved in
any controversial behavior?

looks like Willy McGinest and plays like Willy - save their best for the big games

I feel ashamed, I was a huge critique of him in his rookie season and the season after because he was struggling so much against the pass, I realized how valuable he was on the previous SB run, he was a difference maker against the run block and was very good at blitzing, I hope he has a long career in the Patriots Jersey, the scary part is that he is still only 26 and can only be even better. I rank him next to Luke kutchley in this league after this season. He may not have the passing coverage ability but he makes up for it with the front 7 doing their jobs and avoid giving up big plays.

thecore762 said:

I feel ashamed, I was a huge critique of him in his rookie season and the season after because he was struggling so much against the pass, I realized how valuable he was on the previous SB run, he was a difference maker against the run block and was very good at blitzing, I hope he has a long career in the Patriots Jersey, the scary part is that he is still only 26 and can only be even better. I rank him next to Luke kutchley in this league after this season. He may not have the passing coverage ability but he makes up for it with the front 7 doing their jobs and avoid giving up big plays.

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Wow didnt realize hes only 26!

HT is a difference maker. But he is also unreliable health wise.

If he wants to stay, I would go as high as 12M, but a whole lot in incentives and gameday checks (so few guaranteed money)

I.M. Fletcher said:

I remember when they released [Lawyer Milloy], the coaching staff kept asking why, and Bill saying " name me one key play he's made for us". They couldn't.

Hightower will have no such detractors. The man just makes plays. If he was healthy more often, it would be a no brainer.

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I agree about Milloy. He was solid but I never felt like he was an elite player. McCourty has been better in my opinion.

JayNM said:

HT is a difference maker. But he is also unreliable health wise.

If he wants to stay, I would go as high as 12M, but a whole lot in incentives and gameday checks (so few guaranteed money)

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He misses a few games each year, but he toughs it out and is in there for the playoffs!

JPsPats said:

looks like Willy McGinest and plays like Willy - save their best for the big games

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Not sure I completely agree. Willie is longer and bigger overall. He could rush the edge better but Hightower has more range and can shoot the gaps. They are indeed similar in that they play big in big games, just different skills IMHO.

I.M. Fletcher said:

I remember when they released [Lawyer Milloy], the coaching staff kept asking why, and Bill saying " name me one key play he's made for us". They couldn't.

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Really now

I can't for the life of me imagine bill doing that considering he never says anything

Hightower is an absolute stud. Dude consistently shows up when it matters, nuff' said.