If we don't tag Hightower... Will you get a bit nervous?

[zoostation]

Yes. The Pats can recover but its a setback. I can say with confidence they don't win championship 4 and 5 without him. High has more leadership qualities than the other 2 (Collins/Jones). Make it happen.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

Decisions still need to be made on Waddle and Amendola, so that should increase it even more. I think some estimates had it in the high 60s.

I'm of the idea that Belichick will be eventually leaving the team in very good position with both cap space and draft resources, and that he'll carry at least 25m over into next year, as he probably should.

On the one hand, we have some holes to fill and key guys to retain. On the other hand, there's more than enough draft resources (potentially even more with Garoppolo) and cap space to address those needs, while still having the luxury to push resources into the future.

With all due respect, that's delusional.

1. They have 15 FA's this year and 7 picks + 5 guys they will probably tender. Brady/BB plus the depth of this team is the main reason they always win. That's why guys like Vollmer and Gronk being placed on IR list is not that big deal.
2. They have only have 2 FA's next year: Solder and Edelman. So there is no need to carry that amount of money.

 

[Huckleberry1]

They can't play games with this, they need to franchise Hightower.

 

[resdubwhite]

We've been here before. Revis the most recent example and it worked out fine. I do think though that they apply the tag and give themselves some breathing room

 

[Kontradiction]

I really don't see how they don't get a deal done with him. We saw how important executing the defense, being in the right position, and doing your job was to Belichick in 2016 when he traded Collins. Hightower does all that to a T, has made some major impact plays in the biggest moments, is co-captain of the defense, knows the playbook inside and out, and is responsible for a lot of pre-snap communication. I would actually be more inclined to believe that Hightower not getting franchised is actually a sign that talks on a long-term deal are going well.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I really don't see how they don't get a deal done with him. We saw how important executing the defense, being in the right position, and doing your job was to Belichick in 2016 when he traded Collins. Hightower does all that to a T, has made some major impact plays in the biggest moments, is co-captain of the defense, knows the playbook inside and out, and is responsible for a lot of pre-snap communication. I would actually be more inclined to believe that Hightower not getting franchised is actually a sign that talks on a long-term deal are going well.

Reiss said he may take the McCourty approach. No tag and test the market..if that happens that is beyond dangerous. Like others have said stupid $$ going to be flying around

 

[long distance]

While Ill be happy if Hightower is signed long-term I am comfortable knowing it won't be for unreasonable dollars. (I am blessed this is the team that will never pay a WR 4y 68M etc. despite increasing cap)

Is that possible in this year's market . overloaded with money and short on top players (LB especially)? Unfortunately the odds are pretty much against it. While I can understand Reiss line of thinking in today's article on High - Dont'a Hightower's free-agent process could resemble Devin McCourty's - I think its a little naive . and disregarding the blatant difference in general and specific FA market situation of D-Mac and High. If you don't tag Hightower he most probably walks.

The thing where Reiss is right is that BB will not get intimidated by market. He knows better than anybody what Hightower is worth to this Patriot team and in general (accounting injury situation, leadership, Pats LB depth, LB market incl. UFA, RFA and trades etc. - all this with view on 2018 not 2017 as Lombardi explained). He will (and most probably already has) lay down the best possible offer considering all that, willing to pay a little extra . but not much.

If competing for High long-term in this years market is not reasonably possible then there are 4 options.
1. Keeping him for 1y under FT: I don' think that will make anyone happy: BB would overpay the tag that is 15M (all LB incl. Von etc.) instead of 10.5M (ILB) for an injury prone player that will be extra careful re playing with injury (since tag carries no insurance in case of injury). Hightower will be happy with the money of course but will live in fear of injury.
2. Transition tag him: While this tag is much cheaper (11M) it gives Pats only little leverage (5 days delay that keeps High out of the first days of FA frenzy that could possibly shy away some suitors - but not likely) and is the only option that could leave them completely empty-handed (not even 2018 comp pick). On the other hand it would be very much BB like: lets see what the market really says when it gets down to sign the paper and then decide if matching that is worth it.
3. FT to trade: If BB&co assess that it is not possible to keep Hightower on their terms the most economic option would be to tag&trade him. The unfairly high cost of his FT might scare suitors as well, but they would be willing to offer him more than the Pats long-term so it shouldn't be too scary. There are ways to “reduce“ his tag cost in trades by taking in account cap-hit players from trade partners (similar to Cooper in CJ deal) - more about this in today's Patspulpit article here: Patriots should tag-and-trade LB Dont'a Hightower
4. Let him walk for a probable 2018 3rd round comp pick.

In the end, only Pats FO (and BB in particular) know how much Hightower is worth to them - also in light of roster building beyond 2017.

And while Id love to see him signed long-term - Id be very much curious to see how they go about it by letting him go. (bc as we've learned so many times - this team doesn't stand or fall on Hightower)

In any case: most exciting team building couple of years are ahead of us.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Yes

 

[TBR]

Are they really about to lose Collins, Jones and Hightower in the span of 12 months?

************.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Well no tag for DH...testing market...let's just hope we can match what he gets offered.

Won't hold my breath but man this would be a big loss....JUST KEEP HIM

 

[BobDigital]

At this point I have just about accepted him being gone. It is very unfortunate cause now they are in for a big time rebuild when they are on the verge of winning 3 of 4 and with the AFC being weak.

This would be a great time to keep your team together and win another one.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

At this point I have just about accepted him being gone. It is very unfortunate cause now they are in for a big time rebuild when they are on the verge of winning 3 of 4 and with the AFC being weak.

This would be a great time to keep your team together and win another one.

I am not banking on him leaving...but my mood has changed on him in the past 3-4 months that's for sure as in him staying in NE. He is going to get paid. By us..or another team

 

[strngplyr]

At this point I have just about accepted him being gone. It is very unfortunate cause now they are in for a big time rebuild when they are on the verge of winning 3 of 4 and with the AFC being weak.

This would be a great time to keep your team together and win another one.

Well BB firmly believes you do that by playing X player X price, and if not, move on and replace as best as possible.

See:
Welker -> DA
Collins -> trio of role players
RB X -> RB Y

It's just the nature of this franchise, it sucks losing great players that we like a lot but it does end up working out most of the time.

 

[fgssand]

Are they really about to lose Collins, Jones and Hightower in the span of 12 months?

************.

And be looking at 3/4 superbowl wins at the same time.........

 

[BadMoFo]

At this point I have just about accepted him being gone. It is very unfortunate cause now they are in for a big time rebuild when they are on the verge of winning 3 of 4 and with the AFC being weak.

This would be a great time to keep your team together and win another one.

How are they in a big-time rebuild? He's one player.

 

[BobDigital]

How are they in a big-time rebuild? He's one player.

Ryan is probably gone too and frankly they lack a starting LB on the team.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Girardi tweeted that they talked a long term deal but couldn't get anything done

 

[BadMoFo]

Ryan is probably gone too and frankly they lack a starting LB on the team.

You should know how this goes. If he leaves, we'll get a LB to fill his spot and if Ryan leaves, we'll get a CB to fill his spot. We'll be successful, with or without them.

I hope he stays, but his departure would not signal the start of rebuilding the team.

 

[BobDigital]

You should know how this goes. If he leaves, we'll get a LB to fill his spot and if Ryan leaves, we'll get a CB to fill his spot. We'll be successful, with or without them.

I hope he stays, but his departure would not signal the start of rebuilding the team.

Harmon is gone too. Forgot to mention it. The roster movement will be enormous. Expect growing pains early IMO particularly at LB.

 

[supafly]

With all due respect, that's delusional.

1. They have 15 FA's this year and 7 picks + 5 guys they will probably tender. Brady/BB plus the depth of this team is the main reason they always win. That's why guys like Vollmer and Gronk being placed on IR list is not that big deal.
2. They have only have 2 FA's next year: Solder and Edelman. So there is no need to carry that amount of money.

Carrying over money to next year (something they just did this year) is "delusional?" Have you been paying attention to the amount of available cap space most teams have these days?

You honestly and truly think the team who's won the SB in 2/3 last year suddenly has so many holes that 65m dollars and 10 draft picks are needed? And I'm the one who's "delusional?"