Hightower status

jmt57 said:

Are we thinking that Josh Uche or Harvey Langi will suddenly make monumental progress between now and Sept 12?
Or that 5th round pick Cameron McGrone should be the starter and defensive play caller?

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Yes on Uche making a big step forward, but much more likely with a year of Hightower's mentoring him.

As an aside, I thought McGrone is a medical red shirt this year.

This guy is one of my favorites, but I could see him retiring. Damn.

Belichick's response seems like a typical Belichick response.

varjao said:

Yeah I agree, specially for a great player who was huge in 3 championships and didn't exactly break the bank when he became a free agent because he had to deal with a weak market at the time. Let him get his last paycheck and ride into the sunset.

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Maybe I missed the sarcasm, but if 2019/2020 didn't remove any doubt about how BB operates, I'm not sure what will. And it certainly doesn't include overpaying out of sentimentality.

for sentimental reasons I hope he stays for one more year. Just seems like one of those leaders you need around. Cap cost be damned.

He was at OTA's today...not going to read much into it, but at least he was present.

ashley1992 said:

He was at OTA's today...not going to read much into it, but at least he was present.

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Does that look like Donte Hightower? Doesn’t look like him to me. Here’s rookie Cameron McGrone. Dye his hair orange and that looks like him to me.
Cameron McGrone (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more

McGrone is injured so he would be in street clothes rather than full uniform. He wears 54 as part of the rookie class. And he’s hanging around with the other rookies.

A recent tweet from Hightower..

Hammer of Thor said:

Does that look like Donte Hightower? Doesn’t look like him to me. Here’s rookie Cameron McGrone. Dye his hair orange and that looks like him to me.
Cameron McGrone (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more

McGrone is injured so he would be in street clothes rather than full uniform. He wears 54 as part of the rookie class. And he’s hanging around with the other rookies.

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Great job Hammer...please see confirmation from Kyed.

Since I'm not enamored with Julio to the Pats, I'd like to spend the $ on high. Either swallow this year's cap hit or extend him one more year at a mutually beneficial deal reflecting age & injury if possible (unlikely). In any case if he wants to play and is able he is a superb asset.

Lagaffe_07 said:

I just listened to Bill press conference and I must say with the rumors that he could retire, the fact that he didn’t actually confirmed that he was gonna play and Bill’s response, my confidence has dipped a little.

Edit: the video is time stamped at the specific question.

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While I understand your concern, BB is clearly in mid-season form with his non-answers. Here is my take:
- Players who are part of the 90 but not at OTAs aren't required to be there anyways.
- He expects players on the 90 to be at Camp. Period.
- He also understands that life happens and things change. I think what happened on 5/28/2006 drives this point home.
- BB knows the circumstances of every player not there. As far as he's concerned, it's none of our damn business until Camp starts.

Les archambeau said:

Well the Pats won't need a "Mr. February" for the foreseeable future if that makes a difference.

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People said that the 2001 Patriots wouldn't see the play-offs either.

You can take your negative attitude elsewhere at any time. We have plenty of people on here like that already.

PatsWickedPissah said:

Since I'm not enamored with Julio to the Pats, I'd like to spend the $ on high. Either swallow this year's cap hit or extend him one more year at a mutually beneficial deal reflecting age & injury if possible (unlikely). In any case if he wants to play and is able he is a superb asset.

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I think that Julio is just using the idea of going to the Pats to go somewhere ELSE. I'd rather not have him either. He's 32. Coming off a season where he missed 7+ games due to injury. Nothing has shown me that he'll be able to stay healthy going forward.

amfootball said:

Ugh.

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Why UGH? Because he might have been at Gillette in street clothes? I could care less if Hightower was on the practice field currently. He's not one that needs practice. BENTLEY. Rae Kwon. UCHE. HALL. THOSE guys need the practices.

jmt57 said:

Releasing or trading Hightower would be a very short sighted mistake, in my opinion.

Are we actually advocating for another year of Ja'Whaun Bentley over Hightower?
Do we trust Raekwon McMillan to play at Hightower's level?
Are we thinking that Josh Uche or Harvey Langi will suddenly make monumental progress between now and Sept 12?
Or that 5th round pick Cameron McGrone should be the starter and defensive play caller?

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Could you show me ANYONE who has "advocated for Bentley over Hightower"?

Bills response didn't indicate anything in my opinion, sounded like he's not there yet but confirmed to be coming back (whenever that was, couple months ago?). High's salary is perfectly fine for this year.

DaBruinz said:

People said that the 2001 Patriots wouldn't see the play-offs either.

You can take your negative attitude elsewhere at any time. We have plenty of people on here like that already.

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I for the most part deal in reality. If you think that the stars will align as they did in 2001 then you deal in fantasy. I'll leave my attitude right here whether you like it or not.

Les archambeau said:

Well the Pats won't need a "Mr. February" for the foreseeable future if that makes a difference.

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What a dumb comment. The Patriots may or may not make the playoffs this year, bot to suggest that "the forseeable future" is off the table is just dumb. Unless Jones is a bust we're in the middle of a temporary setback right now. And frankly I like what I've seen so far from Jones and I'd be willing to bet he ultimately grades out as an above average QB.

Writing off multiple seasons right after we just drafted a potential quarterback of the future who was considered a potential top 10 pick, and we still have one of the best coaching staffs in the NFL, is not rational or "realistic." It's pure pessimism.

Les archambeau said:

I for the most part deal in reality. If you think that the stars will align as they did in 2001 then you deal in fantasy. I'll leave my attitude right here whether you like it or not.

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The fact that you claim to deal in reality what is the FANTASY here. You've shown nothing to support that claim. Just look at your post. You're the one claiming the Pats won't make it to the play-offs anytime soon. That's NOT reality. That's pure speculation on your part that has ZERO basis in reality. It ignores EVERYTHING the Patriots have done this off-season. It ignores the past 20 years of Patriots REALITY. So, you'll forgive EVERYONE for laughing at your ridiculous post and thinking that you're nothing but a negative nancy with no clue as to what you are talking about.

Not surprised that someone as Arrogant as yourself would insist on staying and spewing BS.

If Mac starts and lives up to the hype the division is in play THIS season. Wouldnt put any money on a Super Bowl run though, especially with the only one bye now.