Hightower will not be given the tag, now a free agent

[PatriotsPimp136]

Once free agency hits i hope they don't wait on this guy. Go out there and get some players. Maybe they can look at a zach brown.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

A $15M one-year deal is (a) too much, and (b) loses a compensatory pick, likely 3rd round if he walks away after this year.

From 2018. If they tagged him and he walked after 2017, he'd still be eligible for a 2019 comp pick.

 

[Snooky97]

It's a strange one. One way i don't blame him for going to get Paid, all it takes is one hit and that could be his life gone, but on the other hand i would happily give him 11 million a year. He is our leader on the defence

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

I just hate going through this again this year...last year

You should be used to it by now. I just never thought both collins and high would be out. It's up to high if he want's to be here.

 

[SomePatsFan13]

Butler is the only player on this defense I would hate not to see get paid.

High wants to go to *ahem* greener pastures, then **** him.

His behavior regarding Collins was unbecoming in the first place and while I am thankful to have had him, this is a business, and if he wants to go to a competitor for more money, good for him, but I reiterate:

F*** him.

 

[Huckleberry1]

If we trade jimmy g to cleveland for number 12 i don't know if he will be there.

There are some really good LBs in the draft and they can definitely get one if they get the 1st for Garrapolo. Either Foster or Cunningham would fit well in NE.

 

[Love The Drake]

When he missed the parade and commented about getting paid on Bennets twitter he is San Fran or Indy bound.
Maybe we can use the money we were going to pay him to get
Zach Brown and Logan Ryan
Would love to see Harmon back as well

 

[PatsBoy12]

I didn't see this coming a year or so ago. Disappointed. But we've seen this before and we've seen the Patriots be fine when they lose big names. They just keep plugging along.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Butler is the only player on this defense I would hate not to see get paid.

High wants to go to *ahem* greener pastures, then **** him.

His behavior regarding Collins was unbecoming in the first place and while I am thankful to have had him, this is a business, and if he wants to go to a competitor for more money, good for him, but I reiterate:

F*** him.

**** him? Even if he does leave, he's a team captain who was one of the best player on 2 Super Bowl winners. We don't win either Super Bowl without him. It's going to take a lot more than the sin of wanting to get paid market value for his services for me to turn on him.

The only exception for me is that if he goes to the Jets, Colts or Ravens I'll feel pretty much compelled to dislike him. Hopefully that doesn't happen.

 

[supafly]

Imagine : getting attached.

Why the HELL get attached ?!?! They are piece so of a puzzle. They are pawns. Get attached to winning. I love me some Tom Brady, but if dumping him guarantees a couple more titles - where do I sign ? (Yes, it's an extreme example, as I believe - as most do - that Brady is the reason for the winning...)

BB - just win. Pick up whomever & dump whomever. Just keep winning. People that want to get attached can follow Rivers in SD/LA. And lose.

There's definitely some truth spoken in this post.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Butler is the only player on this defense I would hate not to see get paid.

High wants to go to *ahem* greener pastures, then **** him.

His behavior regarding Collins was unbecoming in the first place and while I am thankful to have had him, this is a business, and if he wants to go to a competitor for more money, good for him, but I reiterate:

F*** him.

What behavior?

 

[Patstopia]

I do believe sir that the off season *****fest has officially begun.

 

[PatsBoy12]

**** him? Even if he does leave, he's a team captain who was one of the best player on 2 Super Bowl winners. We don't win either Super Bowl without him. It's going to take a lot more than the sin of wanting to get paid market value for his services for me to turn on him.

The only exception for me is that if he goes to the Jets, Colts or Ravens I'll feel pretty much compelled to dislike him. Hopefully that doesn't happen.

Seriously, this is the world in which we unfortunately live. The guy is largely responsible for two championships and we have people seeing "f- ck him" before he's even gotten his second for out the door... because he wants to get paid for sacrificing his body and was likely upset to see a good friend traded. Unbelievable.

 

[Kontradiction]

Butler is the only player on this defense I would hate not to see get paid.

High wants to go to *ahem* greener pastures, then **** him.

His behavior regarding Collins was unbecoming in the first place and while I am thankful to have had him, this is a business, and if he wants to go to a competitor for more money, good for him, but I reiterate:

F*** him.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

I am still hoping some restructures are in place to free up more money. Get an extra 4 million from danny.

 

[SomePatsFan13]

Seriously, this is the world in which we unfortunately live. The guy is largely responsible for two championships and we have people seeing "f- ck him" before he's even gotten his second for out the door... because he wants to get paid for sacrificing his body and was likely upset to see a good friend traded. Unbelievable.

I see that you dislike my post, but I think you misunderstood what I was trying to say. I didn't say **** him because I dislike him, I'm saying that because I'm a patriots fan and he may no longer be a patriot. I'm a true believer in the slogan we had New England against everyone. So that's what I meant

 

[Jimke]

Butler is the only player on this defense I would hate not to see get paid.

High wants to go to *ahem* greener pastures, then **** him.

His behavior regarding Collins was unbecoming in the first place and while I am thankful to have had him, this is a business, and if he wants to go to a competitor for more money, good for him, but I reiterate:

F*** him.

Butler will be treated no different than Hightower. He will be paid the minimum
possible amount. The Patriots are probably debating whether they can get away
with a second round tender. Don't be surprised if they lose him.

 

[VectorPrime]

Two years ago we were wondering who of the Big 3 on defense (Jones, Collins, Hightower) we would be able to keep. We all expected for us to be able to keep 2 at least. But instead we will probably be keeping none!

I don't get it.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

So they traded Jones because they couldn't afford to pay him, Collins, and Hightower, now it looks like they are going to end up with a late 2nd round pick and two late third round comp picks for three Pro Bowlers. And a giant hole in the defense!

Hightower has earned his money, pay him! Hopefully they let him test the market and match whatever offer he gets.

 

[luuked]

This thread is already full of moron overreactions. We have seen this play out almost every year and, yet, somehow some posters never learn to relax a bit and let the process work itself out.

No, Hightower is not gone yet and there is still a good chance that he won't sign somewhere else.

In case someone offers crazy money:

No, there will not be a splash FA replacement for him.
No, trading Jimmy G. has not become more important. Nothing has changed there.
No, drafting a LB early has not become any more important than it anyway already was. Even if we somehow stumble into Foster it will take that player 1-2 years to develop into a NFL-level ILB that is as versatile as Hightower.
No, this has no effect on any other extension. Just because we don't sign Hightower doesn't mean we will overspend somewhere else to keep other players.