It's human nature to think this way... and it could be accurate. But as soon as the Pats decide to do something like this some agent will do/say something like this: "Wait, the Patriots never do something like this. They must be desperate for you to come back. If they are offering $500K, they must be willing to go more - let's ask/wait for another $2M."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.
The reality is this stuff could approach the theater of the absurd really quickly. I think the best approach is to just be honest with people up front - even if they call you a horses ass. "This is our number, if it doesn't work for you we'll find someone who it does work for." In the end, it reduces the gamesmanship to a degree. You might find some asshole agents who just won't work in that scenario - but you put the word out, we won't work with agent Smith. In the end, people may not like this approach but it is predictable. It removes a certain amount of ego, on both sides. It removes the Lucky Lucchino I have to win every deal factor. I think to a degree it is why the Pats tend not to use the franchise tags as much any more - it just complicates things.