High Price For Hightower

It wasn't a big surprise to hear a report that the Pats will not be placing the franchise tag on Donta Hightower. It looks like they are willing to let him test free agency and find his value on the open market.

The Pats have many free agents and won't be able to keep all of them. Hightower was a very critical part of the defense, but everyone is replaceable on the Pats. Tom Brady might find that out someday.

Combine 2017

The NFL Scouting Combine starts this week. Over 300 players were invited. Some will never get drafted. Others will never make a roster. There will be many players on rosters in September who were not invited.

The process is far from perfect. There is no way to measure the intangibles of an individual. The NFL Network loves to show excerpts of Tom Brady's time there.

Draft guru Mike Mayock was shown on a clip from 2000 saying that Brady would be a good player to draft and try to develop. Teams picked six other quarterbacks before him. Everyone was wrong.

Nick Mangold Jets Away

Jets center Nick Mangold was the heart and soul of their offensive line until he got older and carried a $6.07 million cap hit. The team released him early to allow him to pursue offers from other teams.

The former first round pick in 2006 was seen as an endangered species due to his age and salary. He is one of many around the league who will met a similar fate.

Will he play again in 2017? It remains to be seen. There are cheaper and younger alternatives out there.

Gronk At 27

Rob Gronkowski claims that he will be ready for the season opener after having his second back surgery.

At 27, he has a lot of miles on his body. His injuries have caused him to miss 22 games in his career. His first back procedure wiped out his 2009 college season. He had four surgeries for his broken arm and one for his torn ACL.

He wants to play as long as he can. Will he be in the league in five years at the age of 32? That seems to be a lofty goal, considering his history of injuries.

Tom The Fool

Tom Brady gets the Fool of the Year award for posting a video of himself wiping out on a ski jump. He made it into a big joke, but his actions disrespected his fans, the Krafts and coaches.

Why would he engage in such risky behavior? Apparently, he gave up cliff diving a few years ago after a stunt sparked outrage.

He makes a big deal about taking care of his body and wanting to play until he is 45. He has become delusional. He is one play away from a career ending injury. I think he feels that he is invincible.

He will never leave the game on his own terms.

Who Takes Less Money?

Fans really need to pump the brakes when it comes to telling TE Martellus Bennett to take a discount in order to stay with the Pats. Why would he do that?

He has been quite active on social media asking fans if they would take a pay cut on their job. Fans need to realize that the NFL is a business with players who have short careers. They deserve to make every dollar they can.

Winning games and championships is nice, but players are doing it for a living. Bennett's market value might surprise himself and the fans. Where he ends up is anyone's guess.

Take A Chance With Floyd

The Pats have nothing to lose if they try to sign WR Michael Floyd. He began a prison sentence for his drunk driving charge and will probably face a suspension from the league.

They should try to get him on a one year contract for cheap money. He has no leverage to get a long term one. If he has a good year, he can cash in after the 2017 season. He won't count much against the salary cap.

Days of Martie

Pats TE Martellus Bennett will test free agency. He has a Super Bowl ring with the Pats, so now he can play for the big contract and money.

He will get the dollars, wherever it is. Careers are short. He knows that the window to earn big money is real small.

Can't blame him for trying to get the last dollar

Season of Cyrus

Rookie DB Cyrus Jones will get his Super Bowl ring, but it's a season he would like to forget for many reasons.

The second round pick saw his playing time ended after his dismal performance returning punts. He fumbled five of them and returned 10 for just 42 yards. This was after leading the NCAA in returns for a TD (four) while a senior at Alabama.

Jones took to social media to discuss his performance for 2016. He can only improve or the team will release him. He has a lot to prove as a returner if he ever gets another chance.

Young No Longer Young

Some players never know when it's over. Former QB Vince Young was a big bust during his short time in the NFL. His agent has talked to the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League about a possible return to action.

The Roughriders have excusive rights to Young, but that might be a moot point. Young will turn 34 in May and has not been on an NFL roster since 2014 when he was with the Browns for two weeks in training camp. His last regular season game was with the Eagles in 2011.

Young was the third overall pick by the Titans in the 2006 draft. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year, but never lived up to his hype. It's a real reach to think that he could make it in the CFL at this point.

Joe Is Right

There is way too much talk about Tom Brady being the greatest quarterback and player of all time. His accomplishments can never be discounted, but Joe Montana had one of the best comments.

I agree with him that you cannot compare players from different eras. The game and rules have changed over the years. There are things on both sides of the ball that cannot be done now.

It might take decades, but there might be another Tom Brady out there. We just don't know where or when.

Signing Brady

The Pats and Tom Brady are talking about a contract extension after the 2019 season. He will be 40 this year and in uncharted waters. He needs to keep staying healthy and not get injured.

Brady wants to play until he is 45. It's hard to imagine how he made it this far and still be productive.

I have no doubt that they will put together a contract that pays him and protects the team in every way.