Let's talk about the Hightower situation.

[RobertWeathers]

Belichick gave Mayo a 5yr/$51M deal in 2011. This was back when the cap was $12oM. The salary cap will be 33% higher in 2017. Proportionally speaking, if Hightower is Mayo's equal, he should be worth 5yr/$67M.

IMO, Hightower is not Mayo's equal, he is a far superior player. He has proven his worth on the biggest stage, twice. The Brady/Belichick Patriots are 3 - 4 in Super Bowls without Hightower. Without him, there is no GOAT, instead, a legacy of unfulfilled promise.

Think that's replaceable? Ask Monty Beisel. Pay the man.

Based on his injury history and hindsight I bet the NEP regret the Mayo contract.

Mayo was better than High.

 

[condon84]

Based on his injury history and hindsight I bet the NEP regret the Mayo contract.

Mayo was better than High.

I respect Mayo, but hell no.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I respect Mayo, but hell no.

People forget how good Mayo was when healthy.

Without him the 09-12 defenses allow 28ppg and not 20.

 

[slash83]

HT is the absolute heart of the defense. Guy plays all over the field and comes through in the biggest and most clutch situations. No way Bill let's him go, guy is a true Patriot.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

HT is the absolute heart of the defense. Guy plays all over the field and comes through in the biggest and most clutch situations. No way Bill let's him go, guy is a true Patriot.

I don't know about that. He can play multiple positions but he isn't Lawrence Taylor out there.

Bottom line is he is our best linebacker and a playmaker, but he is not the savior of the defense.

I think bb will tag him, but also look to groom a replacement to take his spot in 2018.

 

[slash83]

I don't know about that. He can play multiple positions but he isn't Lawrence Taylor out there.

Bottom line is he is our best linebacker and a playmaker, but he is not the savior of the defense.

I think bb will tag him, but also look to groom a replacement to take his spot in 2018.

I never mentioned him with LT, does he play all over the front 7 yes, impact of LT, no. Is he the heart of the defense, yes imo.

 

[Pats1989]

Hightower on not going to the parade:



Going through Reiss's Twitter feed, it seems like he's quoting Hightower speaking to Wendi Nix.

Also, a quote from Hightower in this article in the ProJo:

Caserio needs to lock him up. He's vital to winning the division and repeating as Champs.

 

[Le Numéro Douze]

I can't blame any player from the south, the weather here really does suck big time.. maybe not Wisconsin bad, but its pretty horrible during the winter

You guys do not know what an horrible winter is. We got one foot of snow last night in Quebec City and... it happens 3-4 times a year. We call a 6-inch storm "Tuesday".

I think we will franchise HT and try to work a deal out. Hopefully they reach a reasonable deal.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

Maybe he just doesn't like those types of events.

Anyway, it's obvious what to do. Tag him, then trade him to the Steelers for a 2nd round pick. Then have him punch Tomln in the face, get cut, be back with the team in week 5.

 

[JMC00]

Maybe he just doesn't like those types of events.

Jeff Howe said he didn't attend the parade after SB 49 either.

 

[JMC00]

But they didn't pay McCourty outrageously.

5/$47.5m/$28.5mgtd

Was the largest contract for a Safety at the time.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well we have the cap space to resign Hightower.

The question is what percentage of it do we allocate to him. He's 1 of 53 players. And important player on the defense. To me he's Mayo but more versatile. A real leader in the middle.

The thing is that the cap has gone up, so free agents will expect more money. Hopefully we can come to an agreement that satisfies the Pats and Hightower.

I'd say a 4 year deal on fair market could be good for both sides as Hightower could still hit free agency again in his near prime and sign another lucrative deal, whether it be from the Pats or someone else.

Brady's window is maybe 3-4 more years. So that would be great in terms of timing as well.

Sportrac has calculated his FMV contract to be 4 years 40m with an average of 10m per year.

Dont'a Hightower

If this is indeed a fair offer, the wrangling might be over the bonus money, escalator clauses for performance that could increase his earnings, etc.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

You guys do not know what an horrible winter is. We got one foot of snow last night in Quebec City and... it happens 3-4 times a year. We call a 6-inch storm "Tuesday".

I think we will franchise HT and try to work a deal out. Hopefully they reach a reasonable deal.

We got 7 inches 2 days ago, and tomorrow we're getting over a foot... so I'm not playing a violin for any Quebecers at the moment

 

[The Gr8est]

Truth : the incredible win % and the number of SBs (rightly) gives BB lots of leaway here. I am confident he'll figure it out.

The next game thread will prove you wrong.

 

[Pats1989]

I think he will command top dollar. In other words, I think he's gone. Hope we don't see the 2011 Defense next season.

 

[thecore762]

Anyone got some names of true middle linebackers that are in this years draft that are prospected in the 1st round? If we do trade JG I'd like us to invest in a top flight linebacker that can stop the run and occasionally rush. Without a good LB in there the team will suck, linebackers are what makes defenses great.

But we should get HT tagged for another year. Groom the new guy for a year and get him ready for 2019.

 

[slash83]

I also think BB will treat HTs contact situation similar to DMCs, maybe go a little above your offer and pay more that you'd like to keep him around.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

Anyone got some names of true middle linebackers that are in this years draft that are prospected in the 1st round? If we do trade JG I'd like us to invest in a top flight linebacker that can stop the run and occasionally rush. Without a good LB in there the team will suck, linebackers are what makes defenses great.

But we should get HT tagged for another year. Groom the new guy for a year and get him ready for 2019.

Reuben Foster if we get the number 12 pick maybe he falls. McMillan is a reach with our own pick

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

HT said it when he was asked about it on Sports Center. He did not elaborate either, just said he didn't "partake"

Could be posturing on his part but doesn't sound very good he'll be back

Can someone confirm where we heard Hightower skipped the parade?

Dont'a Hightower on not attending parade: "I had enough cold, snow, rain, sleet during the season."

"Been there, done that," Dont'a Hightower said, also noting he didn't go to White House in 2014 w/ Pats. Had previously been with Alabama.

He said that on Sports Center according to Reiss

 

[luuked]

Based on his injury history and hindsight I bet the NEP regret the Mayo contract.

Using hindsight every team regrets every contract that didn't work out ever.

Mayo had no real injury history apart from missing 3-4 weeks with a MCL injury in 2009. The only two major injuries he had were the pec in 2013 and the patellar tendon in 2014. I don't see how anyone could anticipate this. If you are proposing to put in injury offsets into every contract you will soon have an issue signing anyone to an extension.

I don't really get your point.