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

[BobDigital]

If by representative, you mean the D that gave up the fewest points per game this year, then okay, I hear that.

No that D was very good. I am talking about the Ds they have had in the past. I worry they will take a large step back next year and just have a representative D again.

 

[Rob0729]

McCourty wanted to be here though and he took less than what was offered him to stay but a bit or so the story goes. Hightower won't do that I think.

I don't think McCourty took much less to be here. He still got a market deal from the Pats. In fact, it was more than a lot of people were predicting he would get.

And you don't know if Hightower would not take a little less to be here. It wouldn't be the first time the Pats let a player test the market to see what he can get before they signed him (see McCourty, Edelman, and others).

 

[FourierSeries]

No that D was very good. I am talking about the Ds they have had in the past. I worry they will take a large step back next year and just have a representative D again.

People had that same concern after Jones left, and even more so after Collins was traded. The D ended up getting much better after their departure. That doesn't guarantee it will happen if Hightower leaves, but Bill knows what he's doing.

 

[Bruins29]

according to what

Maybe he used the eye test.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Maybe he used the eye test.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHA!!!!

 

[RayRay]

Nothing new here. We let guys walk all the time. Do I agree with it? Never, but that's why I'm me and the Patriots are champions.
I've learned not to question any move they make ever again.

 

[TomPatriot]

I would sign him to a Collins-like deal. I will be surprised if that isn't done. Then again, I have no rings.

 

[long distance]

People need to calm down. Two years ago everyone said McCourty was gone too when the Pats decided not to tag him. And the Pats ended up making McCourty one of the highest paid safeties in the League after free agency began with McCourty as an UFA. Hightower isn't gone yet.

True. But there's much more money around this time and not much competition for elite versatile 3 down LB. Also weak ILB draft.

Then again, there is a degree of trust and respect among Pats and High so like Reiss mentioned this morning he could let Pats match (or be competitive with) the offers regardless of no transition tag.

 

[stelfans]

It will be a damn shame if he goes somewhere else. Hopefully they reach a deal.

If he is gone I would think Bilk is going to do whatever he can to grab Foster in the draft, if not it will be an interesting offseason.

 

[IllegalContact]

its no big deal if he leaves

we have freeny coming back

 

[Kargetina]

 

[Rob0729]

True. But there's much more money around this time and not much competition for elite versatile 3 down LB. Also weak ILB draft.

Then again, there is a degree of trust and respect among Pats and High so like Reiss mentioned this morning he could let Pats match (or be competitive with) the offers regardless of no transition tag.

The money is fairly irrelevant. The cap goes up. So do salaries. Two years from now, Hightower's deal no matter where he signs will not be at the top of LB contracts. Only if someone considers him like a Von Miller type of LB (an outside pass rusher) and gives a contract approaching that will it be really stupid money.

At the time, the Pats "overpaid" for McCourty. Now if he was a free agent and still 26 this year, people would consider that the Pats bent McCourty's agent over a barrel if he signed for what he did two years ago. And there were plenty of teams two years ago with stupid money to throw around (look at the ridiculous contract the Jets gave Revis that year).

Either the Pats consider Hightower a top of the market player or

 

[chasa]

Don't like this one bit. I get that you can't pay everyone but don't think it should mean you don't pay anyone. They supposedly had a big three and now none of them will get a second deal.

They wont get second contracts of the patriots.

But each one of them is breaking the bank.

Collins: 12.5 mil
Jones: 17 mil*
Hightower: probably between 12-15 mil

Those three guys are getting a combined: 44 million dollars next year.

16 million wouldn't be enough i don't think to fill all of the other holes we currently have to fill.

 

[PatsGuy]

Dolphins boards all over him.
Time to move Geno Grissom to LB
Or give Mingo a chance

What r u talking about??

 

[XLIX]

I trust in Bill although I am surprised to hear this announcement.

 

[PatsGuy]

ID be shocked if Pats paid him market value.
Its a shame but he seemed like a teenage girl when we traded Collins away.
Now Elandon is the new leader of the linebacking corps.

So, BB Will give Roberts the green dot??

 

[long distance]

My feeling all this year with Hightower was that he wants to taste different fruit (football culture) and I felt he was not comfortable with some things around Foxboro (his extension offer, trade of Collins but also some minor things). The brotherhood they had going with CJ, JC and some others was broken.

I also felt that captainship was a little forced on him. I never thought he was a “natural“ leader - more like that after Mayo the leadership naturally came to him. I saw him as a confident leader on the field and somewhat uncomfortable off-field.

When I saw that he was not with his teammates at victory parade as a team captain - I had a feeling he already left the ship..

 

[Love The Drake]

What r u talking about??

I liked how Mingo looked coming off the edge in preseason maybe another year with the playbook gives him a grasp of the D and he steps up.

As far As Dolphins Board the Dolphins are one team that is said to be in pursuit of him.

As far as Grissom he is very athletic he could potentially lose some weight and we could try him at linebacker in camp just to explore

 

[DaBruinz]

No idea but I think he wants the highest offer anyone offers.

If you have no idea what the offer is or what the asking price is, how can you say that they are too far apart?

 

[long distance]

So, BB Will give Roberts the green dot??

KVN had it already this year..