Hogan, Mitchell, Hightower and Ninkovich on SC/First Take

[ahmed]

I will never hold being selfish in the offseason against a player...let alone one who has been nothing but money on the field for us. I hope they keep him as he is very good and even better in the clutch bu if he wants to go for more money, I wish him nothing but the best.

He reminds me of Willie.

 

[ViperGTS]

It's good that you can read his mind for us.

If more people listened to what and how people say things it can give an insight into their mentality in relation an issue, unless you deflect everything a la BB.

Again. Harmon says he wants to stay. Hightower hasn't publicly said anything like that.

How that is too much for people to understand isn't my problem.

 

[fnordcircle]

I think Howe said that Hightower didn't go to the 2014 parade too and that it's just he's a lowkey guy. I wouldn't read too much into no-showing a parade.

I mean if you're gonna no-show something out of anger you aren't going to no-show something where you're guaranteed to have about 3000 drunk Boston chicks throwing you their keys, phone numbers, panties....

 

[jimnance]

No disrespect my fellow pats fans- but I'll put a lot more stock into what Reiss and howe think than the tea- leave reading some of y'all are doing. Both of them believe High wants to stay and the Patriots do too- they just need to work it out. Its a negotiation. Give and take. He's been an exemplary Patriot in every way. The Patriots need to give some too- its not all on High. I don't get the negative posts about him. Undeserved.

 

[JMC00]

It doesn't sound good for a new deal with High...sounds like he's got one foot out the door already (?)

So. McCourty basically had one foot in Philadelphia and he ended up staying..

 

[aluminum seats]

No disrespect my fellow pats fans- but I'll put a lot more stock into what Reiss and howe think than the tea- leave reading some of y'all are doing. Both of them believe High wants to stay and the Patriots do too- they just need to work it out. Its a negotiation. Give and take. He's been an exemplary Patriot in every way. The Patriots need to give some too- its not all on High. I don't get the negative posts about him. Undeserved.

You beat me to it. The annual frantic reading of the tea leaves, which is wrong 99% of the time, is hilarious. This guy said this, that guy looked funny and said that. Blah blah blah.

HT is terrific, I think he stays. If the Pats pay him, he will.

 

[rochrist]

If more people listened to what and how people say things it can give an insight into their mentality in relation an issue, unless you deflect everything a la BB.

Again. Harmon says he wants to stay. Hightower hasn't publicly said anything like that.

How that is too much for people to understand isn't my problem.

Actually, he did say that.

 

[jimnance]

The Kimmel video with BB and JE11 was great.

I love something BB said near the end. When he and Linda got back to their room at 4 am, the replay of the game was on and the score was 28-3.

BB said they had to watch it to make
sure they really won! That's something us fans would do. But it speaks to just how incredible that finish was.

 

[Tony2046]

Notice which finger Nink has his ring on.

 

[ViperGTS]

Actually, he did say that.

Where? Where does he say he wants to stay? He turned down over 10 million last off seaso. Now GTD money is the big one but still.

I heard Howe saying he told him. If he can tell him, why can't he say on ESPN today that he wants to stay but see what happens? Like most do if the really want to stay? I believe Dmac said the same thing last year and it's true he did want to stay because he came back for a bit less than the Giants were offering.

 

[ViperGTS]

I'll put it much more succinctly for people.

I have a dim opinion of anyone who does the following:

Player- Great situation, great team and players. Owner and coaches. And you would leave that for a bit more money. Not like the current team isn't gonna make a competitive offer.

Example: Jared Cook, GB. He fits well, and I'd love him here. However unless he's offered so much more it's stupid to turn down, he's better off staying in GB with Rodgers. He works really well there.

Fans/media- Saying it's understandable that a player would leave a great situation for a much less great situation. Look at the guys who left Denver last offseason for big pay days. Who signed with the Jags? Was it (LB) Brandon Marshall? Worked out well I see. Granted both teams missed the playoffs but the Jags are a joke.

If current team offers say 10 a year, and you leave for a worse situation for say 12, good riddance. And who ever is advising you for your "career" should be fired.

 

[rochrist]

Where? Where does he say he wants to stay? He turned down over 10 million last off seaso. Now GTD money is the big one but still.

I heard Howe saying he told him. If he can tell him, why can't he say on ESPN today that he wants to stay but see what happens? Like most do if the really want to stay? I believe Dmac said the same thing last year and it's true he did want to stay because he came back for a bit less than the Giants were offering.

He said hopefully the Pats trading Collins means they want to keep him. That sounds like someone who would like to stay. Certainly it's as informative as your mind reading.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Offer him $1 more than Luke Kuechly and get it over with

 

[NormZauchin]

He's already indicated that being tagged wouldn't bother him. It IS 15 million after all.

A tag might actually be the best thing for both Hightower ($) and the Pats, who would not be committed to an oft injured player for an extended period.

 

[Jackson 2]

Offer him $1 more than Luke Kuechly and get it over with

Love Hightower, but he isn't as good as Kuechly. But, then again, no one is in my opinion.

 

[SVN]

That would be a huge hit to this defense if Hightower doesn't want to be a Patriot..

Seems he took it personally with what happened to Collins... if he hates the Pats that much, we can always tag and trade him to Cleveland so he can be with his best buddy in the whole wide world

I hope it's nothing like that and he missed the parade for another reason... definitely nothing you can do about a player that doesn't want to be a part of your organization.. I really hope that isn't the case

I think all these comments need to be taken with a grain of salt before interpreting he doesnt want to be part of the organization.

 

[SVN]

I like hightower but he's acting like a little b*tch. Football's all business. Collins was obviously being a problem. I am starting to wonder if this guy will be back. Anyone else out there?

So anyone who doesnt outright say he loves BB and everyone here and will happily take a discount to come back is a b*tch ?

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

It is nothing more than a bargaining chip. HT has won 2 SB, he has made key plays in both games, and he is the defensive QB. His body has been beaten, he probably has been playing in constant pain, and now he wants to be rewarded for his sacrifices to this team.

Pay the man. At some point loyalty and sacrifice have to be rewarded especially for a key player.

Agreed. I'm sorry but can anyone really justify losing CJ, Collins AND Hightower? Not IMO.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Love Hightower, but he isn't as good as Kuechly. But, then again, no one is in my opinion.

I agree, he isn't as good as Kuechly but the market has been inflated since Kuechly signed his deal... with their current salary cap, the market on top end middle linebackers and the importance of the MLB position to any good defense... I think Hightower is a safe person to invest a top contract into

You have to have a few guys on your roster that are studs with the salary to match, and Hightower is a stud at a very important position for this defense

 

[BradyFTW!]

I think people need to take a deep breath in some cases and remember how publicly contentious the negotiations between the Pats and Wilfork got back when they were negotiating his extension. This can happen, even when the player in question is one of the core players on the team. If the Pats are determined not to overpay, and the player is determined not to be underpaid, friction can result. Negotiations are weird business; as long as they eventually work something out, I wouldn't put much stock in small displays of dissatisfaction that happen along the way.