Highly doubt itBryan Cox was fired as Atlanta's DL coach - would be interesting to bring him in if the Pats have a coaching staff vacancy.
They thought enough of Justin Coleman to keep him on the roster all year even though he didn't play much down the stretch. And they did just draft Cyrus Jones in the second, and maybe they think Jonathan Jones can take a bigger role.If Logan Ryan leaves, I imagine they'll look to replace him by signing someone? Here is a list of UFA CBs. I don't follow players on other teams closely enough to comment, but I'll put it out there for reference.
I realize the cap has escalated a lot but that deal makes him the highest paid ILB in history, which seems excessive for a guy who provides a lot on the field but doesn't make a ton of splash plays, doesn't really tackle sideline to sideline, and isn't an upper tier coverage guy. I love High but I don't think he is close to as good as players like Luke Kuechly or Bobby Wagner.Miguel took a stab at a fair market contract for Hightower.
5 yr $65M with $28.5M guaranteed.
Huh?I realize the cap has escalated a lot but that deal makes him the highest paid ILB in history, which seems excessive for a guy who provides a lot on the field but doesn't make a ton of splash plays, doesn't really tackle sideline to sideline, and isn't an upper tier coverage guy. I love High but I don't think he is close to as good as players like Luke Kuechly or Bobby Wagner.
Considering how much the cap is expanding on a regular basis, almost every player who is in the top half of his position should be getting "highest paid in history" money.I realize the cap has escalated a lot but that deal makes him the highest paid ILB in history, which seems excessive for a guy who provides a lot on the field but doesn't make a ton of splash plays, doesn't really tackle sideline to sideline, and isn't an upper tier coverage guy. I love High but I don't think he is close to as good as players like Luke Kuechly or Bobby Wagner.
Kuechly is far better and was much younger when signing that deal. Miguel's proposal looks awful to me, especially him being effectively uncuttable until year four (at 30, ancient for an ILB that has taken a lot of pounding over the years) and even then with lots of pain. I would much rather franchise him then move on.Huh?
Keuchly is on a 5/$62/$34 deal signed two years ago.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/luke-kuechly-9819/
Depending on the structure I'd give Hightower that in a heartbeat.
Keuchly was two years out from free agency when he signed the extension. It's not comparable.Kuechly is far better and was much younger when signing that deal. Miguel's proposal looks awful to me, especially him being effectively uncuttable until year four (at 30, ancient for an ILB that has taken a lot of pounding over the years) and even then with lots of pain. I would much rather franchise him then move on.
He screams "surprise offseason cut" to me--he's just at an age where it's hard to keep up.nink looked terrible in the SB. I specifically watched him during the replay and was decidedly unimpressed. I have been off the Nink bandwagon for a couple years now and will love to see an upgrade of some type come in.
If cheap enough and they can't bring back Ryan, maybeEagles cut CB Leodis McKelvin. He'll be 32 later this year, and I'm pretty sure he's never even played in a postseason game.
Ring chaser?
Worth it?
That's true. My point is less about Kuechly specifically and more simply that Miguel's proposed deal looks bad to me. The history of NFL teams signing ILBs to big contracts circa age 27 is really bad and this contract has so much bonus money that it's very hard to get out of until year four at the earliest. If it's a choice between that deal and the franchise tag, I take the latter any day.Keuchly was two years out from free agency when he signed the extension. It's not comparable.
Without knowing the specifics of the offer, that doesn't mean anything. They could have had issues regarding years or guaranteed money. If they are serious in their discussions regarding the franchise tag, projected at $14.75M, they are willing to go higher than $10M.http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2017/02/08/donta-hightower-reportedly-turned-down-more-than-10-million-per-year-offer-from-patriots-before-2016-season/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Hightower reportedly turned down $10mm a year before the season, so long Dont'a, nice knowing you.
Tagging him for one season at $14.5mm is very different than paying him $12mm to $13mm a year over 5 years.Without knowing the specifics of the offer, that doesn't mean anything. They could have had issues regarding years or guaranteed money. If they are serious in their discussions regarding the franchise tag, projected at $14.75M, they are willing to go higher than $10M.
This.Tagging him for one season at $14.5mm is very different than paying him $12mm to $13mm a year over 5 years.
BelichickWho thought a year ago, they'd go into 2017 without Collins, Hightower, and Jones?
No. He didn't go to the parade or WH after 49.Is anyone else getting the feeling that Hightower skipping the parade AND White House is a sign that he's heading out of town to the highest bidder?
He skipped the parade and White House two years ago per Reiss.Is anyone else getting the feeling that Hightower skipping the parade AND White House is a sign that he's heading out of town to the highest bidder?
He didn't go the White House in 2015 either. Not sure on the parade. I don't think it is an indication of anything other than who he is. Not big on the extra stuff.Is anyone else getting the feeling that Hightower skipping the parade AND White House is a sign that he's heading out of town to the highest bidder?
Pats can franchise him if they truly want to keep himI agree that neither of those things is a sign that he will go to the highest bidder but he will still will probably go to the highest bidder.
In many respects, Chung is the perfect guy for this defense. When they go 4-2-5, Chung gives them a thumper in run support.The Pats play enough 3 safety looks that they could absolutely keep Chung if they brought in someone like Berry. It's just getting the right fit. You want someone who can play a good single-high safety, which allows someone like Chung to matchup against a pass catching TE or RB. If you get two Chung-types, you start exposing yourself to the deep ball.
Over the cap has them 3rd, but with only 2 million of space over the 6th spot. They're in unbelievable shape going into 2017. It's weird hearing people say they can't afford Duron Harmon. I want Eric Berry, never mind Harmon.The WH stuff is very understandable and shouldn't factor into the risk assessment here.
Pats have what -- 6th most cap room of 32 teams? They have the wherewithal, but if some other team thinks he's worth more to them than what the Pats offer, there's not much legitimate complaining to be done.
We all laughed when BB said they are 5 weeks behind, but I'm sure that time would be valuable in planning beyond options 1, 2 and 3 -- to 4, 5, and 6.
Yeah Chung is a great fit and value. I wouldn't be surprised it they extended him.In many respects, Chung is the perfect guy for this defense. When they go 4-2-5, Chung gives them a thumper in run support.
Hightower and Collins together again in Cleveland?If they really don't franchise Hightower he's gone. Too many teams have money under the cap that could use him and will pay him top dollar. They have like 60 million under the cap...
He'd plug in nicely into the Titans' defenseHightower and Collins together again in Cleveland?
That's my concern. All it takes is one team to offer him 35-40 guaranteed. At least if they tag him then the Pats control the situation.They need to tag Hightower and draft LB's high in this draft. It is now a weak area for us (McClennin, Van Noy) but I think Roberts has upside. Hopefully we can work out something long term with Hightower but I am not convinced. So many teams would give him a big time, long term contract.
Van Noy is only 25 and he seemed to get better as the season went on. Not sure what advanced stats say about him, but I thought he had a nice positive impact on the team - much more than expected.They need to tag Hightower and draft LB's high in this draft. It is now a weak area for us (McClennin, Van Noy) but I think Roberts has upside. Hopefully we can work out something long term with Hightower but I am not convinced. So many teams would give him a big time, long term contract.
Dream scenario: use the Browns #12 on Reuben Foster and tag Hightower?They need to tag Hightower and draft LB's high in this draft. It is now a weak area for us (McClennin, Van Noy) but I think Roberts has upside. Hopefully we can work out something long term with Hightower but I am not convinced. So many teams would give him a big time, long term contract.
Never happen. BB does not sign high priced free agents. They need new EDGEs.I want Eric Berry
It could be hard for them to spend it all, or it would at least be very un-Patriots looking. They can give out a lot of front-loaded contracts but I still envision them carrying around 20 million into September. I did the sportrac thing and I gave out above market and front loaded contracts. I signed DHT, Butler, Branch, Sheard, and some other guys. Then redid DA's deal, tagged Bennett, signed some C level UFAs and Eric Berry. They'd need to get a DE, LT, a CB in the draft but I like the team I put together a lot and I was still left with 29 million before the draft. I real life I'd probably sign a few more C level guys, and the draft should cost around 5 million.I agree. I actually think Berry, Campbell, and Pryor are BB kind of guys. Obviously thats completely wishful thinking, but...
I gotta say, if they opt to walk into next season with $30-40 million in cap space, I'm going to be a little pissed. They have a chance to turn a very good defense into an elite one, and they can do it without blowing up the future or losing their depth. You don't get many opportunities like that, especially when you're already the best team in the league. I'm praying that BB was playing the long game with the contracts he's dolled out, and now he's going to cash in.
Gee, thanks a lot. I was just about to go to bed and now I'll be up another 4 hours.I never knew about the "sportrac thing".
Go nuts: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tools/roster/new-england-patriots/2017/