NE linebackers (1 Viewer)

[georg013]

Once Mayo returns who is the odd man out? Collins or Hightower? Who sees the greatest dip in production?

 

[tones]

Hightower. Collins can rush, cover, and tackle. Hightower is more limited in coverage but does have the green dot. Although NE played around with Hightower with his hand on the ground some in preseason. Trying to get what NYG called their NASCAR package. I think it was more BB seeing if NE was short a DE in a game could he make it work. No chance of position change for Hightower.

 

[ThanosX]

Agreed. Collins looks semi-elite, Hightower looks more like "just a guy"

 

[georg013]

Any chance Mayo doesn't return?

 

[Flying Elvis]

Mayo could be the odd man out, tbh. He comes back to a contract that is a pretty serious overpay for his position & production. $6.25M, 7.25, then 8.75 plus whatever the additional cap hit will be for bonus/incentive pay over the next 3 years is far too expensive. He's very likely to face pay cut discussions upon his return, especially given the success the team saw without him.

It will be interesting to see what happens.

EDIT: His cap hit appears to be $10 million per year, give or take. I'd be shocked if that stays as is.

 

[msommer]

Mayo could be the odd man out, tbh. He comes back to a contract that is a pretty serious overpay for his position & production. $6.25M, 7.25, then 8.75 plus whatever the additional cap hit will be for bonus/incentive pay over the next 3 years is far too expensive. He's very likely to face pay cut discussions upon his return, especially given the success the team saw without him.

It will be interesting to see what happens.

EDIT: His cap hit appears to be $10 million per year, give or take. I'd be shocked if that stays as is.

If he is cut before beginning of the next season his hit it only $6m and if designated post june 1 cut only $3.6m. Both numbers far below hos cap value if he stays. When this happens the opportunity for a restructure is there...

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

The tackle completed a fine season for Hightower that was made more impressive by the fact that Hightower played the final portion of it with a torn labrum in his shoulder. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Hightower will have surgery to repair the injury this offseason. Hightower has been on the injury report with a shoulder issue since Week 14 of the regular season, but only missed a meaningless Week 17 game

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/02/report-donta-hightower-to-have-shoulder-surgery/

 

[msommer]

http://www.prestigesportsmedicine.com/labrum-tear/

Recovery from Labrum Surgery
For most repairs, typing on a computer and waist level activities are allowed immediately after arthroscopic repairs, allowing many patients to return to work within two days. Laborers and athletes obviously will take longer to get back to work as it takes at least four to six weeks for the labrum to heal back to the socket. It is during this time that the repair needs to be protected the most. Once the labrum is healed, a physical therapist will help you get range of motion and strength back over the next few months. Because of the variability in the injury and the type of repair done, it is difficult to predict how soon someone can to return to sports after the repair, but most patients are back to golf and regular activities fully at 3 months. Throwing is usually not started until 4-6 months, but we often will determine this by a strength test. The vast majority of patients have full function of the shoulder after labrum repair, and most patients can return to their previous level of sports with no restrictions.

3 months before he can really train. Would he not be fit for beginning of camp? (i.e. the surgery is not concerning)

ETA 2015 will be Hightower's last under his rookie contract. His salary is $1.4m and there is a $1m cap charge from the signing bonus. So about 2.5m too keep and $1m to cut.

ETA2: I believe there is a fifth year team option as he was drafted in the 1st in 2012

 

[voiceofunreason]

Hightower is better, younger and way cheaper. Just can't see Mayo being back.

 

[msommer]

Jabaal Sheard to NE on a two year deal. To be used in 'sub packages'.

Impact on the (other) linebackers?

 

[12punch]

Jabaal Sheard to NE on a two year deal. To be used in 'sub packages'.

Impact on the (other) linebackers?

I wouldn't expect much impact because he's an edge guy

I suppose one thing that might be a ripple is when they opened the season they actually had hightower on the edge a lot with a then healthy mayo and collins as the inside guys, so maybe hightower plays a more traditional lb role as he was after mayo got hurt.

I suppose he could eat into ninky's snaps, or maybe push chandler inside in some packages, but those guys are typically classified as ends.