The thought occurred to me that maybe the Jets are trying really hard to sign people but hardly anyone wants to play for the Jets. Ron
It's not unusual for FAs not to want to join rebuilding teams. The rebuilding teams have to vastly overpay, something Mac doesn't seem to be willing to do.
why not? There is hardly ever any reason to believe a player would take a shot at a ring over money. Its almost always about the money. Especially since he ha2 rings already
Because even if the Jets offer more money, it's probably not going to me much more than what he signs for. And signing with a team that can win makes up for the difference in pay. Unless the Jets are offering like 5 years, $75 million and everyone else is offering 5 years, $50 million.
Probably true. Anyway, Hightower is probably another one of those players who is good for the Pats but not anybody else. He's injured a lot, and would make a nice piece if you already have a steady MLB he could sub with, but not at some exorbitant price. Ron
There is very little reason for me to believe that DH is doing anything else other than driving his price up. If reports are true and the 3 teams that are interested in him are the Pats, Steelers and Jets - he would have to be an absolute glutton for punishment to choose a team that is perennially in search of direction over 2 teams that are built to win today, tomorrow and the foreseeable future. Sorry, but this is leverage being applied by his agent(s), nothing more. If I'm wrong I will happily come back and eat crow because DH is a high calibre player that would be a great get for this team...
Mac should know this as well, he should put a good, take it or leave it contract on the table, similar to what the Steelers did and move on from negotiations if the player doesn't accept.
I think the Jets will probably offer the most money, but their standing as one of the lower end franchises in the NFL that hasn't gone to the playoffs since 2011 is not attractive. The reality is that due to the lack of success the Jets probably have to overpay certain free agents to come here. Who knows if we will end up with Hightower, I would say though that I think it ends up between Pats and Jets. I don't think Hightower likes the fact that the Steelers were threatening to pull their offer if he got on the plane to leave.
Ian Rapoport 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.
It all comes down to guaranteed money. If the Jets offer substantially more guaranteed money, then I can't see him leaving it on the table.
They dont need to overpay,There all ready contenders with or without him.We are the joke of the league who needs all the help we can get.Plus David Harris is on the downside of his carrer and needs to be replaced.
Davis Harris lead the team in tackles last year by a mile. 62 tackles to Darron Lee's 42. For what its worth, Hightower had 31 tackles. So I'm not sure you get rid of Harris even if you land Hightower.
It does not mean the Jets have to overpay, that's why the jets are a joke, because they don't employ the strategy of the winning organizations. Yes David Harris is on the downside of his career, guess what, that position could have been addressed last year with their 2nd round pick, instead Mac reached for a QB who might not see the field for another 2 years while TB is HC. That's the problem with selecting players that are projects with high round picks, winning organizations don't do that. Bad decisions lead to bad consequences, Mac is on the verge of becoming Idzik jr, he needs to kill this draft and select players in the first 3 rounds that are going to see the field. If he doesn't, the consequences of that will be he and TB losing their jobs and the cycle will continue. I'm gonna start calling him Captain Ahab, stop chasing the Whale Mac, stick to selecting BPA and build the team, the FQB will come, don't let good players that can be used as building blocks pass you by because of the elusive FQB.
Harris is a liability in coverage and Hightower would be an immediate upgrade in that department. Not to mention, he is an excellent blitzer. I would say that Jets can look to cut Harris and Gilchrist to create an addition 9+ million in cap space if needed. I would love if Harris retired a Jet but if by some miracle Hightower does sign with the Jets, I would not be surprised if Harris is cut.
