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Indefinite New England Patriots Thread (6 Viewers)

captain_amazing said:
Also think BB potentially retires and McDaniels takes the reigns.  I feel very confident that either BB or TB will be retiring this offseason.
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Kraft said BB will be back and the team is prepping for TB to play at least 3 more years. Rumors swirling that BB will call it a day after the 2019 season. 

 
With the qb competition in that division, why not play 4 more years? Must be nice to gear up for the playoffs week 6 every year. I'm so jealous. I'd be happy if my lions make back to back playoff appearances...

 
Anarchy99 said:
Kraft said BB will be back and the team is prepping for TB to play at least 3 more years. Rumors swirling that BB will call it a day after the 2019 season. 
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Ah - good to know.  He has seemed to have had a little different demeanor this year with his interactions with the media, looking a little more loose, so I wondered if that might hint to something, along with McDaniels having not received/taken another job for next year.  

I still think TB could call it quits after this win.  As much as he has talked about loving the game, he has started building his post-QB life with TB12, some of the endorsement deals he's now doing, and I imagine spending more time with his family will all weigh heavily on his mind over the next few weeks, after this win.  If they did not win, I wouldn't think he'd strongly consider hanging it up, but I do think he will now.  If he does, I'm sure we'll find out sooner than later.

On that subject, assuming he is considering retirement following the win (which I know many disagree with), what would be the most likely timetable for an announcement?  Would we hear this month, in March, or possibly later?

 
Anarchy99 said:
Kraft said BB will be back and the team is prepping for TB to play at least 3 more years. Rumors swirling that BB will call it a day after the 2019 season. 
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I do believe that BB's fate will be tied to Brady's. I think both of them will fade off into the sunset together. Maybe get side by side condos on a beach somewhere. Sit next to each other and count their rings all day. 

McDaniels will probably take over but I would be shocked if he wasn't interviewed for more HC jobs this offseason. When McCarthy was on the hot seat earlier this year I was hoping GB would just move on from that chapter and bring in McDaniels. I think he will be a fantastic HC. If NE can keep him around and have him step in... wow... 

One thing that most fans don't realize, because they're too busy disliking a team that wins all the time, is how rare this kind of play is. A coach of this talent and a QB this good is just very rare to see. The rest of us are too busy just wishing they would lose because, let's face it, no one but that team's fans like seeing any team win consistently at anything. We all like parity, unless it's our team doing the winning. What NE has had the last decade is quite remarkable. I haven't watched a lot of NE games ever, but after seeing what they did last night... not many teams can do that, and I realize how special of a game that really was. 

I am just relieved that it wasn't the Packers in the Super Bowl. We've seen the Pack lose a lot like that, but in the Super Bowl would just be crushing and I wouldn't be here congratulating the Patriots this morning. 

 
Tom Brady in the 4th quarters and OT against SEA and ATL in the Super Bowl:
34 for 42 (81%), 370 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT 130.1 passer rating (plus throwing a 2 point conversion)
New England outscored the two sets of birds 39-0 in the 4th Q and OT.

Hey Max Kellerman, how's that cliff coming? I guess that's what bums do.

Prior to yesterday, the Pats highest scoring in a single quarter this year had been 17 points (scored 19 in the 4th last night).
James White SB record with 20 points scored.
New England WITHOUT Gronk averaged 36 ppg in their last 5 games (including 4 playoff teams). Makes you wonder what they could have done with him.

 
GREAT stats, I was wondering what the totals were.... thought there might be 4 TD's but I thing one last night was late 3rd..... those stats alone are off the charts, re-writing the record books, best ever. 

 
Deflategate could end up having helped NE. Brady got more rest, looked fresher later in the year, and did not cost the Pats much in terms of wins / losses / seeding in 2016. And trading Jimmy G could net the Pats the same haul as what the league took away. Had Brady played those first 4 games, JG would have stayed on the bench and have little to no trade value. So it's possible the Pats could have two 1st round picks for a change (or they could move JG to move up to snag who they want).

 
What sticks out to me is seeing all of these great players, like Moss, Young, Saturday, etc. speechless, with chills, etc.  That resonates more than hearing Berman or some other non-athlete go on and on about whatever.

The guys who have been there, played at a high level for years.  Those guys know what it takes to win, let alone claw back from 25 points down with basically a quarter left in the game.

 
Anarchy99 said:
Deflategate could end up having helped NE. Brady got more rest, looked fresher later in the year, and did not cost the Pats much in terms of wins / losses / seeding in 2016. And trading Jimmy G could net the Pats the same haul as what the league took away. Had Brady played those first 4 games, JG would have stayed on the bench and have little to no trade value. So it's possible the Pats could have two 1st round picks for a change (or they could move JG to move up to snag who they want).
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Brady looks younger the last year or two, like facially. It's crazy. He's looked like he was 26 all week. Not 39. Not sure if deflate gate helped that at all, but just an observation. 

 
I was on the sign Revis bandwagon, I was on the lock up our key defensive pieces wagon also, Collins, Hightower, Butler, Jones, Sheard.

I'll say one thing for sure, Dont'a Hightower has been critical in this teams success, including multiple key plays in both superbowl 49 and 51, plays that literally changed the outcomes of those games - he deserves to be paid this offseason, by us. Very few Patriots like him.

 
After the Pick-6 before halftime, apparently there was talk among reporters in the press box that Brady was the one that should be traded.

 
Holding up the 5 Lombardi trophies and a million people screaming WE WANT SIX at the parade was a Kodak moment. As was Belichick leading a chant of No Days Off.

 
Anarchy99 said:
Holding up the 5 Lombardi trophies and a million people screaming WE WANT SIX at the parade was a Kodak moment. As was Belichick leading a chant of No Days Off.
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Anyone seen any videos of this?  I havent been able to see any coverage at work.

 
Anarchy99 said:
Holding up the 5 Lombardi trophies and a million people screaming WE WANT SIX at the parade was a Kodak moment. As was Belichick leading a chant of No Days Off.
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Ironic because most of those at the parade were taking days off.

 
nightmare said:
The article doesn't mention that the Pats have a lot of free agents to re-sign.
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But most of them are not top tier free agents. The two most important ones are Hightower and Butler.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
TE Martellus Bennett
RB LeGarrette Blount
RB Brandon Bolden
DT Alan Branch
FB James Develin
WR Michael Floyd
FS Duron Harmon
LB Dont’a Hightower
DE Chris Long
LB Barkevious Mingo
CB Logan Ryan
TE Greg Scruggs
DE Jabaal Sheard

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
CB Malcolm Butler
OT Cameron Fleming

EXCLUSIVE-RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
CB Justin Coleman
DE Geneo Grissom
LB Brandon King
TE Matt Lengel

 

 
No, they are not, but as much as N.E has success with some plug n play free agents they have had
a few failures. I wouldn't guess what BB's plan is, you just have to trust him.
  

 
Anarchy99 said:
But most of them are not top tier free agents. The two most important ones are Hightower and Butler.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
TE Martellus Bennett
RB LeGarrette Blount
RB Brandon Bolden
DT Alan Branch
FB James Develin
WR Michael Floyd
FS Duron Harmon
LB Dont’a Hightower
DE Chris Long
LB Barkevious Mingo
CB Logan Ryan
TE Greg Scruggs
DE Jabaal Sheard

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
CB Malcolm Butler
OT Cameron Fleming

EXCLUSIVE-RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
CB Justin Coleman
DE Geneo Grissom
LB Brandon King
TE Matt Lengel

 
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Obviously Butler and Hightower are the big ones...not gonna doubt BB but I can't see these two not being back in 2017...hopefully on long deals because they are two of the most important players on this team (and they are young, will make big-plays and both have great attitudes)...they would be incredibly difficult to replace...as for the other names the two I am real interested in are Ryan and Harmon...Ryan is playing at a high-level and I would love to see him back but he could get a silly deal and walk if he hits free agency as CBs tend to be a hot commodity...Harmon is another guy who could get more than the Pats are willing to give...he has turned into a nice solid player but not a guy you overpay for...Branch is a guy I would like to see back as he has settled into a nice role with this team...as long as they can give him short-years he should be in play to come back...Bennett is a guy I would let walk unless he wants to play on a pretty team-friendly deal (which I don't think he will)...he was a huge addition for them but there's a side of me that says you may want to cash in your chips while you are on top with him...as for the other guys there's a few I would like to see come-back but if they don't I am very confident Bill and Caserio can find their replacement...

The more I look at this cape-space the more intrigued I am by this off-season...they are set-up so they can take on a big short-term or two like they did with Revis and Browner...not sure who they would be eying but I gotta believe there will be some rumors soon... 

 
Anarchy99 said:
NE expected to franchise Hightower if they can't come to an agreement. 
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I would really like to see both Hightower and Butler locked up long-term...the good news is that Butler is restricted and they have the franchise tag available for Hightower so neither one is going anywhere in 2017 and they have time to figure this out...

 
Being a restricted free agent does not automatically mean Butler would be back. If the Pats don't reach an agreement with Butler and slap him with a first round tender tag, another team could offer him the moon and their first round pick and NE would have to match the contract offer. If no one made a qualifying offer (very unlikely), then NE would have get Butler for roughly $4 million this year.

 
Anarchy99 said:
Being a restricted free agent does not automatically mean Butler would be back. If the Pats don't reach an agreement with Butler and slap him with a first round tender tag, another team could offer him the moon and their first round pick and NE would have to match the contract offer. If no one made a qualifying offer (very unlikely), then NE would have get Butler for roughly $4 million this year.
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I know that...guess I am being a little optimistic that this is not an issue...that no one will give him a major deal that the Pats won't match as well as a #1...I think if the Pats are fair to him this won't be an issue...if not they get a #1 along with the Jimmy G picks and than we can watch BB turn it into 20 third round picks...

 
The Hightower situation does not look to be so rosy. He didn't go to the parade, has already opted out of the White House visit, and the two sides apparently haven't been negotiating. It has been said that he turned down a $10 million a year deal before the season. 

Curran reported that they will let him hit the open market with the thought that they would get a chance to match. 

IMO, not if that gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling that he will be back. 

 
At best the odds of Hightower returning are 50/50...I think they will handle him in a similar fashion to the way they dealt with Devin McCourty. It’s likey they let him hit the open market and counter what ever offer he gets. At this point my best guess is that Hightower will not return.

 
Anarchy99 said:
The Hightower situation does not look to be so rosy. He didn't go to the parade, has already opted out of the White House visit, and the two sides apparently haven't been negotiating. It has been said that he turned down a $10 million a year deal before the season. 

Curran reported that they will let him hit the open market with the thought that they would get a chance to match. 

IMO, not if that gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling that he will be back. 
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While i don't know for sure, i'd highly doubt not going to the parade had anything to do with his contract situation, and i know not going to the white house doesn't.  That said, I wouldn't be shocked if if he wasn't back, maybe i'm an optimist but i'd say 60/40 he's back.

 
I do expect Hightower back...it could be on the franchise tag but I don't think they are in a position to let him go (especially if you get nothing in return)...that being said they could be a little hesitant due to his injury history...he is their best defensive player (and has turned into a leader as well as a big-game player) and he is only 26 but he has only played one full season and injuries are a concern with him...this could be a negotiation kind of like Mankins...I don't think Hightower is gonna give a home-town discount but I do think he will be in a Pats uni next season...I guess I just have faith that this one will get figured out...he would be a huge loss and guys like him are difficult to replace...

 
Here's to hoping for a raucous round of boos from the Pats hating masses at this years draft being heard TWICE in the first round after the upcoming JG trade.

Of course BB will most likely trade back with one of them thus ruining my moment.

 
Tool said:
While i don't know for sure, i'd highly doubt not going to the parade had anything to do with his contract situation, and i know not going to the white house doesn't.  That said, I wouldn't be shocked if if he wasn't back, maybe i'm an optimist but i'd say 60/40 he's back.
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Hightower is not going to the White House because in his words "been there done that", meaning he was there with the Alabama National Championship team. He also skipped the White House (Obama) visit 2 years ago when the Patriots won. So, not going to the White House just looks like indifference, not a political statement. So, i wouldnt be surprised if he skipped the Patriots parade this year for the same "been there done that".

i would be surprised if Hightower was not back next year. Either franchised or signed to a long term deal. He has been described as a leader who was very instrumental in getting the newer linebackers integrated into the Patriots defense. He made game changing plays in both Super Bowls while playing hurt in both games. He made the most underrated play in the win over Seattle when he threw off a blocker and tackled Lynch on the first down play at the end of the game (followed by the Butler play). And in this years game he forced the Ryan fumble. 

 
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medstudent said:
Hightower is not going to the White House because in his words "been there done that", meaning he was there with the Alabama National Championship team. He also skipped the White House (Obama) visit 2 years ago when the Patriots won. So, not going to the White House just looks like indifference, not a political statement. So, i wouldnt be surprised if he skipped the Patriots parade this year for the same "been there done that".

i would be surprised if Hightower was not back next year. Either franchised or signed to a long term deal. He has been described as a leader who was very instrumental in getting the newer linebackers integrated into the Patriots defense. He made game changing plays in both Super Bowls while playing hurt in both games. He made the most underrated play in the win over Seattle when he threw off a blocker and tackled Lynch on the first down play at the end of the game (followed by the Butler play). And in this years game he forced the Ryan fumble. 
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I have a hard time believing that you can skip these kinds of activities for the reason he stated.  I could be completely wrong, but it seems to go against the Pats' culture, which is all about being team-first.  I'm guessing anyone skipping the whitehouse has a reason that's more substantive for not going other than "I've already been there" - I'm sure they don't need much of a reason (e.g. don't agree with elected officials, family matters, etc.), but I'd guess that BB would require something.  Additionally, I have a hard time believing he skipped the parade for no reason.  Did no other team members feel that they had "been there done that" and would have rather done something else?  All of it stinks like someone not happy with the way things are going (or not going) contract-wise.

 
I think they are doing with Hightower what they did with Mccourty and Edelman. I think they do want him but they are okay with him testing the market. I feel like it will probably go down to the 11th hour again.

 
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