Hightower returning to Patriots

[Rock Strongo]

Dont’a Hightower stays with the Patriots

 

[Rock Strongo]

and then there was one...

 

[Rock Strongo]

no word on if any cupcakes were offered.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

A neccessary signing for the Patriots. No way they could let the Steelers get their hands on him.

 

[Carnzo]

Yipee!

 

[Rock Strongo]

A neccessary signing for the Patriots. No way they could let the Steelers get their hands on him.

the steelers rarely make big FA moves. the league is going away from 260lb linebackers. he would be a square peg in most other systems.

sucks for him. LBers are all lumped together under the CBA...OLB and are viewed the same, and its really not fair.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

the steelers rarely make big FA moves. the league is going away from 260lb linebackers. he would be a square peg in most other systems.

sucks for him. LBers are all lumped together under the CBA...OLB and are viewed the same, and its really not fair.

Yeah, it gets frustrating with franchise tags. Since the Chiefs run a 3-4 OLB's getting huge money doesn't strike me as strange or unusual like Justin Houston or Tamba Hali before him. Different players from 4-3 OLB's or ILB's. Or 3-4 ILB's too for that matter. And then there's subpackages but that's going into the weeds right now.

 

[PatsFan2003]

43 million. 19 guaranteed. Sounds like a decent deal.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

43 million. 19 guaranteed. Sounds like a decent deal.

Set for life.

 

[PatsFan2003]

Yet another case where Belichick nails the current market for a player and position. The other few offers for Hightower were in the same ballpark. I just hope Hightower (unlike Butler) didn't get upset with the market.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Set for life.

According to my personal financial adviser, your statement is correct so long as you stick with one rule.


"When you're rich you don't write checks. Straight cash Homie!"

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

no word on if any cupcakes were offered.

Maybe BB offered up a double layer cake.

 

[cdumler7]

Good signing. I am interested to see if he can stay healthy. Seems like he has been dinged up quite a bit the last couple of years. He is a key piece though in that defense and with the money they have and the price they got him at yeah makes sense for him to come home.

 

[tducey]

Good keep for the Pats. Hightower's a good 1 for them.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Eh I think it's an average signing. It's a lot of money and a decent chunk of guaranteed (they're pretty much stuck with him for 2 years) for a guy who hasn't played a complete season the last 3 years.

That said, he's a good part of their defense, a great talent, will be 30 when the contract ends, and knows the system. But I get the feeling the Jets rumors and his talks with the Jets cause the Patriots to inflate their price a little more. I'm sure he would've been paid more in NY but prob. took a $1-2M per year discount to stay with a winner, makes sense to me.

Still can't give it anymore than a B-.

 

[soxfan1468927]

Eh I think it's an average signing. It's a lot of money and a decent chunk of guaranteed (they're pretty much stuck with him for 2 years) for a guy who hasn't played a complete season the last 3 years.

That said, he's a good part of their defense, a great talent, will be 30 when the contract ends, and knows the system. But I get the feeling the Jets rumors and his talks with the Jets cause the Patriots to inflate their price a little more. I'm sure he would've been paid more in NY but prob. took a $1-2M per year discount to stay with a winner, makes sense to me.

Still can't give it anymore than a B-.

Yeah he's going to miss 3-4 games per year. Seems they are fine being careful with him throughout the year so he's ready for the playoffs. He has yet to miss a playoff game.

Also should mention that he was voted a team captain this year and PFF had him as the 4th best free agent this offseason.

As for the money, $8 million of the $43.5 million is in incentives, $3.5 million is in roster bonuses. So his cap hit goes from $4.46 this year to $11.375 in his final year but the dead cap in his final two years is only $5 and $2 million.

 

[jarntt]

Interesting:

Jets were 'out' on Dont'a Hightower after troubling physical, source says

 

[Danny Noonan]

Interesting:

Jets were 'out' on Dont'a Hightower after troubling physical, source says

How long before "tampering" charges will be levied on the Patriots?

 

[cdumler7]

Interesting:

Jets were 'out' on Dont'a Hightower after troubling physical, source says

Said this a couple of weeks ago that he is one of those "proceed with caution" type players because of the nagging injuries that show up every year. Hasn't had the season ending stuff but those nagging injuries don't usually just all of a sudden get better.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Said this a couple of weeks ago that he is one of those "proceed with caution" type players because of the nagging injuries that show up every year. Hasn't had the season ending stuff but those nagging injuries don't usually just all of a sudden get better.

So you fell for the current garbage media on him. Nice.