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Tag number is huge, because it includes pass rushing OLBs.  I'd probably tag him, but I trust BFB.  I wouldn't pay him 4 @ whatever the difference between him and Jones is (4/64?).  Too much.

It's always about the value proposition with him.  I thought McCourty was gone too, but he came back with a number that BFB matched.  Hoping it goes that way with Hightower, but it probably won't.  We'll see, I guess.

This narrative is tired.

BFB pays, he even overpays a little (Wilfork, Mankins, McCourty).  He just won't overpay a LOT, because it fucks the construction of the roster.  There's 52 other guys to pay.

The point that you guys are making that Hightower is "different" is spot-on.  Without question, he is.  I expect BFB to go further for him than most.  There is a hard limit to that though.  That's my point.  53 guys need to be paid

I think Smuck's point is hightower is not stupid and realizes the same exact thing. 

To be fair of the whole 53 guys need to be paid narrative is tired as well. The Patriots spend less real money then 80% of the teams in the league. And we all know that the cap can be manipulated any which way that you want.

He's not a shelf guy.  He does miss some time.  GP: 14 16 12 12 13.  That's not a china doll.

I think that he's worth good money.  I don't think that anyone is worth WAY TOO MUCH money.  Figure out his value, overpay a little, not a lot.  Hopefully it gets done.

This "Jones and Collins were sent packing to afford Hightower/Butler/et al." is also wrong.  Jones was sent packing for howling at the moon during the playoffs, being an edge-rusher only, and having a big payday coming.  Not just the last part.   Collins was traded for freelancing too much and having a big payday coming.  Not just the last part.  DH is a good soldier, presents no other on field or off field problems.  Only hangup with him is whether he fits the value plan.  If someone offers double what he's worth on the field, BFB will spend that money other ways.  Been that way 16 years.

REPORT: PATRIOTS WON'T USE FRANCHISE TAG ON HIGHTOWER
By Phil Perry February 28, 2017 2:38 PM

If the Patriots keep Dont'a Hightower in New England for 2017, it looks like they're going to have to make it a multi-year propsition.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the team has told Hightower's agent Pat Dye that they will not be using the franchise tag to keep him around. The price tag associated with the franchise designation is expected to be just under $15 million.

The free-agency period begins with the start of the new league year on Mar. 9. The Patriots will have exclusive negotiating rights with Hightower until the legal tampering period on Mar. 7, but Schefter's acknowledgement that Hightower is "expected to test [the] market" makes it sound as though a long-term agreement between the two sides is not imminent.

Hightower was a first-time captain in 2016 as he helped the Patriots to their second Super Bowl title in the last three seasons. Just as he did when he tackled Marshawn Lynch short of the goal line at the end of Super Bowl XLIX, Hightower made a game-altering play in Super Bowl LI when he strip-sacked Matt Ryan to help fuel the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history.

The soon-to-be 27-year-old played in 13 games this season and recorded 2.5 sacks en route to being named to his first Pro Bowl. He served as the team's play-caller in the middle of the field and helped to bring along three linebackers in their first season with the Patriots -- rookie Elandon Roberts, Shea McClellin and Kyle Van Noy -- after Jamie Collins was traded mid-season.

Hightower has played through injury at various points during his five seasons with the Patriots, missing 13 games in that span and playing a full 16-game regular season once (2013). However, when he's available, he sees the majority of the playing time. In 2016, he played in 83 percent of the snaps for which he was in uniform.

Asked about playing on the franchise tag earlier this month, Hightower replied, "That's a lot of money." Apparently the Patriots feel the same way.
www.csnne.com/new-england-patriots/report-patriots-wont-use-franchise-tag-hightower

You have a proven commodity that you know works and that you know wins. They have cap space out the fucking dick.

Shame on them if they nickel and dime a player that they know fits and that they know works and that they can get for fair market value.


You bash Jeremy Jacobs for this very behavior.

26th out of 32 teams in actual money spent in 2016. 

Fact, not opinion. 

Argue with Forbes, if you must. 


Nickel and diming Donta Hightower is a cheapskate move. Where are they spending money, Smuck? They have a great QB at a dirt cheap price. They have bargain basement running backs, bargain basement WRs, Gronk and Bennett made some money.. thrift store offensive linemen, bargain basement defensive linemen, retread projects at LB making no money, dirt cheap cornerbacks. And one well paid safety. 

Where are they spending the money, Smuck? Where? You tell me? Where are they spending any money whatsoever? Marcus Cannon and his extension? Marcus Cannon? 



Look dude, I get the whole in Bill we trust... I get it. But at some point? When do we start asking questions at them gutting one lynch pin after another on defense and paying absolutely nobody? They are a fucking cheapskate organization that has nickel and dimed players for every bit of the 16 years you just described. 


Me? I like winning Super Bowls. And they can't afford to let Hightower or Butler go. They can't do it. And shame on them if they do. How big does Kraft's yacht gotta be? 

yep, no distinction between inside/outside LBs. I'm cautiously optimistic they get a deal done though

beat me to it! Bolded part sucks, they have to freaking pay some of these guys or it's right back to the crappy D of a few years ago. I dont get it sometimes, took so long to get back to respectable -find good players and now they either trade them off or try to low ball 'em...