2017 All Along the Hightower: Princes Kept Their View

Stitch01

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Hard to judge the offseason until its over, but agreed, difficult to figure out a better use of resources than bringing Hightower back at this point. Especially since it seems like the over the top offer isnt coming elsewhere.
 

dcmissle

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Never appear anxious, but again it's time to get this done. I'm sure there's a plan B, and maybe C, D and E. but would not want to fill this void with anyone still there or via the draft.
 

E5 Yaz

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tims4wins

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Garaffolo tweeted Steelers offer off table if DH leaves, but Post Gazette beat writer tweeted he left. Conflicting info
 

Mystic Merlin

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Garaffolo tweeted Steelers offer off table if DH leaves, but Post Gazette beat writer tweeted he left. Conflicting info
And another NFLN reporter suggests that 'leaving' means 'getting on a plane'.

So if Hightower shops the PIT offer to the Pats from a Pittsburgh hotel room, the offer is...still on the table?

Whatever, you guys.
 

Red Averages

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Gotta be like 90% odds Hightower returns at this point after shopping around and not signing this week.
 

Van Everyman

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I know everyone thinks the Steelers are being idiots based on the Kinkhabwala tweet, but it doesn't sound like they're exactly out yet.
 

chief1

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Or maybe it says they don't want to be used to drive the price up when they have other needs to tend to.
as opposed to the patriots who said, get the best deal you can get and you can decide what is best for you after weighing both offers.
 

RedOctober3829

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The New York Jets remain in the hunt for coveted linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who has narrowed his choices to the Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported.

It would be a stunner if the Jets pry him away from the Patriots. Only five weeks ago, Hightower was celebrating his second Super Bowl title with New England. But we've seen this before. It happened two years ago with the Jets, Patriots and Darrelle Revis, who returned to the Jets after winning a ring in New England.

Hightower is thought to be seeking $12 million per year, which would make him the second highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL, behind Luke Kuechly ($12.4 million).

The Jets have taken a low-key approach in free agency, but they really want Hightower and they're willing to give him a blockbuster contract. They'd probably have to offer considerably more than the Patriots, who negotiate with the arrogance of a organization that has won five Super Bowl titles. When they set a value on a player, they rarely budge. If the player is all about the money ... adios.

If Hightower is looking for the biggest financial score, the Jets will win the bidding war.

Hightower, who turned 27 on Sunday, is one of the better inside linebackers in the league. His arrival could prompt the Jets to release longtime middle linebacker David Harris, 33, who is due to count $6.5 million in the final year of his contract. Harris is a future Ring-of-Honor member, but the Jets are in the midst of a youth movement.

The Patriots raised eyebrows by letting Hightower hit the open market, declining to use the franchise or transition tag. The Jets see this as a unique opportunity to upgrade the roster, and they're going for it.

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/67508/jets-making-all-out-blitz-for-free-agent-lb-donta-hightower
 

dcdrew10

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Not exactly the same but this is what BB supposedly said to Patricia when he interviewed him for DC. Job is open only until you leave the room.
It was when BB interviewed him for hist first coaching assistant job with the Pats. Patricia had offers in the aerospace industry and wanted to talk it over with his wife. BB was not impressed. It took a phone call from a mutual friend/former Patriots staffer to get the job offer back on the table. http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/11/28/nfl-matt-patricia-bill-belichick-patriots-defense
 

Super Nomario

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And then caving and continuing contact once he leaves.
Except they're still talking to him, apparently.
This is one of those "Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement" situations, right? Pittsburgh can use that threat, but they have to then have a plan B, or else they're full of shit.

Not exactly the same but this is what BB supposedly said to Patricia when he interviewed him for DC. Job is open only until you leave the room.
And in this case, where Patricia was just some 24-year-old (as dcdrew pointed out, it was his first assistant gig, not DC), Belichick had a clear BATNA - pick any of dozens of smart football-obsessed kids who would have taken the gig.
 

bigq

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Or maybe it says they don't want to be used to drive the price up when they have other needs to tend to.
All part of the game. Hightower is taking his time and going through the paces to do what is best for him. A patient,disciplined and very intelligent approach in my view. He may never get a chance like this again so why not make the most of it.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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Per Rapsh*t:

@RapSheet
LB Dont'a Hightower is slated to make a call today: #Patriots, #Steelers or #Jets. Those involved expect he'll head home to NE. Stay tuned.

Per Reiss:

@MikeReiss
Patriots still in mix for Dont'a Hightower after his visits with Jets, Steelers; decision could come today.
 

wilked

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Jul 17, 2005
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Would love to see this wrapped up today... Everything has gone so well to date I can't help but be nervous

Retaining Hightower was my key to the offseason, losing him could quickly reverse a lot of the progress they have made thus far
 

bsj

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I dont understand, is Hightower in a Pittsburgh hotel? He clearly didnt get on a plane if Pitt still has their offer on the table, right? ;)

Seriously though, I know its not their style, but I'd love the Pats to call him and say, Donta, we'll up our offer, even if a token amount like $500K a year....I think that show of goodwill would make this a done deal if its not already.