With Deadline Looming, Things Are About To Get Interesting With Hightower

[jimnance]

Von Miller got 19 million a year for 6 years with 70 mill guaranteed in the first 3.
And Hightower is a better football player.

They play different positions but I agree 100% High is a better player than Miller. Among all lbs,inside or out, the only 2 I think are as good or better than High are kuechly and Wagner. All 3 of those guys are very versatile and do all the many different things they do at a high level.

I disagree about the ft tho. I think High loses a lot of incentive to work out a long-term deal with Pats if he's getting paid that much for one season. I think he'd just play under the ft in 2017 and then redo the whole process next year.

If he's healthy most of the year then he cashes in big-time in 2018 with the Pats or someone else. Yes he assumes some risk if he is hurt for a large portion of the season,lowering his value next year. But I think it's a small risk he'd gladly take to make around 15 mill this year- an amount NO one is going to pay on a longer term deal. I'm not usually a big fan of the TT, but in this case I think it makes more sense for the Pats than the ft. I believe the Pats will match any offers.

 

[SalemPats]

Hightower has developed into a great all-around LB who is a very smart player.

The one negative is injury. He typically plays 12-13 games a year.

I hope like DM he gets signed

 

[Ring 6]

They play different positions but I agree 100% High is a better player than Miller. Among all lbs,inside or out, the only 2 I think are as good or better than High are kuechly and Wagner. All 3 of those guys are very versatile and do all the many different things they do at a high level.

But Hightower is a 270 lb beast who can bull rush an OT.
Kuechly is a classic MLB who is mobile and great in coverage, but he doesn't bring the power or rush ability that HT does. I'd rather have Kuechly in Carolinas D, but no question I'd rather have HT in BBs without any doubt.
Wagner is also a mobile sideline to sideline guy good in coverage, but again, not the physical beast HT is.

I disagree about the ft tho. I think High loses a lot of incentive to work out a long-term deal with Pats if he's getting paid that much for one season. I think he'd just play under the ft in 2017 and then redo the whole process next year.

Well you have to tag him.
The alternative is transitioning him at 11 mill, which will them make him go negotiate with other teams. The exclusivity is the key. I really don't think HT will sit around a year waiting for the big guaranteed money, risking injury.

If he's healthy most of the year then he cashes in big-time in 2018 with the Pats or someone else. Yes he assumes some risk if he is hurt for a large portion of the season,lowering his value next year. But I think it's a small risk he'd gladly take to make around 15 mill this year- an amount NO one is going to pay on a longer term deal. I'm not usually a big fan of the TT, but in this case I think it makes more sense for the Pats than the ft. I believe the Pats will match any offers.

If they will match any offers, then they are letting the league negotiate for them, and letting someone else control their cap discipline.
Lets say he gets the mid point of Collins and Miller. That would be 5 years, at 15.75 mill per year with 48 mill guaranteed.
We agree he is good enough to be paid in that range (hell we believe he is better than Miller)
Why would he be happy playing for 15 mill? Would BB match that? Someone probably will offer it.

I don't know if teams will be in hurry to sign anyone on a TT because of the pick you have to give up, but he will be out there getting those kind of offers. I'd rather have him here for 14 mill, deciding whether to accept 5/65 with 30 guaranteed instead of out trolling for more.

 

[jimnance]

Yeah it's interesting comparing those 3 guys. High is the most unique IMO due to his size. All 3 are beasts vs. the run. All 3 excellent passrushers- tho High is clearly superior rushing inside while those other 2 are better in coverage.All 3 highly intelligent players who do a lot.

 

[Ring 6]

I have to add, I still cannot believe what the Broncos paid Von Miller. Leave Elway in charge for another 3 years or so, and the Broncos of 2020-2032 will become the Raiders of 2003-2015

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Do what needs to be done to sign Hightower. Pats can afford it.
The goal is IMPROVING the 2017 53+, not recovering from loss of their clutch playoff productive, star player.

 

[shmessy]

I think the 3 must haves for re-signing are Hightower/Butler/Branch. The Pats have the space. Any reason not to will rest with whether the player simply wants to go elsewhere for family/friends reasons.

 

[long distance]

Do what needs to be done to sign Hightower. Pats can afford it.
The goal is IMPROVING the 2017 53+, not recovering from loss of their clutch playoff productive, star player.

Id think the goal is to CONTINUE the success of the past 16 years for as long as possible. Breaking the bank for a single player is not what made this unlikely success possible. And while BB is here - I don't believe it would happen. He doesn't shy to pay big contracts - but within reason - and certainly not caring about what “needs to be done“.

At the end it will be very simple for BB . and this tweet sums it up perfectly:



I think @patscap says it best — player and team need to agree on value. If HT and BB don’t agree on value he’s gone even if we had $100m.

 

[varjao]

Do what needs to be done to sign Hightower. Pats can afford it.
The goal is IMPROVING the 2017 53+, not recovering from loss of their clutch playoff productive, star player.

Agreed, it may be one case Belichick will have to make an exception and pay a little extra, we could afford losing Jones, Collins was a big queation mark but it did paid off, now losing High would be too much turnover on the defense considering they were our top 3 players one less than a year ago.

This off season should be all about strengthening an already strong team, you lose HT its going to have a direct effect on the draft and the possible 1st round pick we get from JimmyG.

Sign the beast.

 

[Ring 6]

I think the 3 must haves for re-signing are Hightower/Butler/Branch. The Pats have the space. Any reason not to will rest with whether the player simply wants to go elsewhere for family/friends reasons.

But it comes down to what is best to do with the money. BB is not in any way a guy who thinks we HAVE TO keep someone.
If what it costs to keep any of the 3 is more than the value he could otherwise add with the money, they will be gone. Its about the whole roster, not who plays LB if HT leaves. BB is very cold, calculating and disciplined in this.
Its a great plan, providing his value assessments are correct, and there is a big enough pool of talent available at costs that equal value.