All quiet on Hightower front or Dont'a-do-it FA tour

[qbno12]

I am aware of all that and remember all that. It is not even just about sticking around. I just get the feeling Hightower hasn't bought in like those players did when here. Even if he resigns here I almost feel like he has a mercenary mentality and just is looking to punch the time card more than soak in the culture if that makes it more clear. Nothing wrong with that. Just wondering if anyone else felt that way.

Felt that way with Marty Bennet towards the end of the season. Just thankful that he kept his mouth shut, played through injuries and left.

 

[BobDigital]

Felt that way with Marty Bennet towards the end of the season. Just thankful that he kept his mouth shut, played through injuries and left.

Well do you feel that way about Hightower or am I the only one? Maybe I am off base here. It is not just cause he is silent with the media. McCourty doesn't talk too loud but he just feels like a Patriot. He has that kind of "Patriot pride" thing going on.

 

[varjao]

Felt that way with Marty Bennet towards the end of the season. Just thankful that he kept his mouth shut, played through injuries and left.

Yeah I felt that way too and was uncomfortable with the Pats giving him big money, I think he would sit in the contract. Good for both sides that he left, I like Allen's upside and mentality, guy is already saying all the good things without the baggage of Bennett.

 

[varjao]

Well do you feel that way about Hightower or am I the only one? Maybe I am off base here. It is not just cause he is silent with the media. McCourty doesn't talk too loud but he just feels like a Patriot. He has that kind of "Patriot pride" thing going on.

I think the mental stress of playing for the Patriots and being the leader of the defense must be taking a tool on him. Add that he doesn't like the weather in NE, I can see him in a position of "there's nothing wrong here, I like the guys and the team, the people, the coaching staff but...but..."

Like there is really nothing wrong but I think the guy wants out and at this point I'm not comfortable with his mindset from now on if he stays.

 

[BobDigital]

From Tom Curran's latest article...

Hightower’s not going to have his spot given away like Welker did. But disillusioned by the process and perhaps pissed that the Patriots didn’t get him done before this unfolded, it’s getting easier to envision this not ending well. With a perception from other teams that Hightower is bound to return to the Patriots he might -- like Adam Vinatieri did more than a decade ago -- leave just to prove he will.

Adam V left to be the highest paid kicker in the game IIRC. Not exactly the same thing i think. Curran got that wrong IMO. Hightower might be a bit ticked off he isn't making the splash he hoped to but if the Pats offer the best or close to it he could just take it and play up the home town discount thing and that he turned down more money to be here. That is what will be reported by the media their big loud speaker. I don't think he leaves just to leave but what do i know i guess.

 

[qbno12]

Well do you feel that way about Hightower or am I the only one? Maybe I am off base here. It is not just cause he is silent with the media. McCourty doesn't talk too loud but he just feels like a Patriot. He has that kind of "Patriot pride" thing going on.

I feel 50-50 about Hightower. He hasn't said anything stupid so far and is still mad about Pats sending Collins to Cleveland. The sooner he understands the nature of business, the better for us. I really believe his visits to TEN, NYJ and PIT will put things in perspective for him.

 

[Love The Drake]

Yeah I felt that way too and was uncomfortable with the Pats giving him big money, I think he would sit in the contract. Good for both sides that he left, I like Allen's upside and mentality, guy is already saying all the good things without the baggage of Bennett.

I heard a interview with Allen shortly after his contract extension with Indy and I remember thinking I wish he was a Patriot.
You can tell football is important to him and hes a real humble and dedicated person.
I think personality wise hes a much better fit.
I have a feeking Bennetts attitude about overpaying superbowl heros might of rubbed off in some of the locker room.
While BB might of had him reeled in or under control I love Bennett I bet there will be a few times this year where he smarts off to Mike Mccarthy and others.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I am aware of all that and remember all that. It is not even just about sticking around. I just get the feeling Hightower hasn't bought in like those players did when here. Even if he resigns here I almost feel like he has a mercenary mentality and just is looking to punch the time card more than soak in the culture if that makes it more clear. Nothing wrong with that. Just wondering if anyone else felt that way.

Not me. I think hes just trying to maximize his earning potential and keep the Pats honest and ensure he isn't being taken advantage of financially.

 

[qbno12]

You can tell football is important to him and hes a real humble and dedicated person.

That's all anyone needs to be a Patriot

 

[Love The Drake]

Not me. I think hes just trying to maximize his earning potential and keep the Pats honest and ensure he isn't being taken advantage of financially.

Thats best case scenario right there

 

[upstater1]

Hightower is the glue here for the transition between DLine to Dbackfield.

He is the sun around which so many of these others orbit. Sure, in context his play might not be worth a great deal, but we are putting McLellin and Van Noy out there behind a very good Dline, and what is shaping up to be a pretty excellent DBackfield.

Who is the glue? Even if he was a hobbled version of himself (which he isn't) you need the glue that will keep everyone together.

Why was Mayo kept around so long when clearly his play had fallen off a cliff? Because he was needed.

Elandon Roberts is not going to fill this role. The kid is a playmaker. I like him a lot. But don't count on a 225 pound tackling machine to be around for more than half the games. We have seen this before. Todd Collins, Clayton Weishuhn, a bunch of others. They are tackling machines, but they are not long for this league.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Well i wish they had waited out on marty.

Has cook signed yet?

I was a big supporter of Bennett but I really think they made the right move on Allen. 27 years old and a lower cap hit. Imo he's going to pair really well with Gronkowski.

 

[upstater1]

I could care less at this point, let him go become insignificant in that rat hole. Could care less if he leaves at this point.

You couldn't.

 

[BobDigital]

I feel 50-50 about Hightower. He hasn't said anything stupid so far and is still mad about Pats sending Collins to Cleveland. The sooner he understands the nature of business, the better for us. I really believe his visits to TEN, NYJ and PIT will put things in perspective for him.

Oh I feel strongly he will be back. My previous comments are not about that. If he leaves it is just cause he doesn't want to put in the same hard work anymore. Some guys just have had enough. That or the market didn't give him what he thought it would so he decides to take it out on the Patriots (a much more childish reason). Those things aside I don't see why he would turn down the Pats at this point. Clearly no one is offering him 13 or probably even 12M. If that is the case I would be very surprised as I have not got that impression once.

I would like him back but I am just saying I get a "Seymour" feeling from him. He is another great player who was key to our victories and did his job but I don't think ever bought into it all. It can work fine just I prefer guys who eat and breath it like McGinest, Bruschi, Edelman, Brady, ect... And not all of them take less to stay and some even move on but you know when they are here they are true believes. Just you feel that about them.

 

[Minitron]

Really? Link? I've been searching and couldn't find it...

I just had a look as well and i could have confounded it with the White House Visit.

 

[AtomicDawg]

Who/what is PFCentral, anyways?

The new SharksofVegas?

 

[Joey007]

Wilfork was not a FA in 2009

I meant around that time. Was it 2010?

 

[DaBronxPats14]

I think the mental stress of playing for the Patriots and being the leader of the defense must be taking a tool on him. Add that he doesn't like the weather in NE

I would think he aced that already comin up Huge in Big Time moments and leading. I mean that's what you sign up for right? If he didn't I think he would have been replaced already and as far as weather is concerned, NJ, Pitt aren't exactly filled with palm trees, it could get pretty nasty as well.

True, we can speculate on many scenarios here to consider. For me I think it could be actually checkin out a couple of teams to see what he's worth and bringin it back to BB if his intentions is to resign.
or
Dealings for Collins, Jones was already decided then and he is looking for top dollar else where.

 

[nabwong]

Who/what is PFCentral, anyways?

 

[RobertWeathers]

I meant around that time. Was it 2010?

Sorry...he signed his big deal after the 2009 season after was slapped the franchise tag so he was never technically a FA.