Thoughts on Dont'a Hightower/Jamie Collins positions

[patsfaninpa]

I've seen a lot of speculation that Collins will backup Ninko and eventually take over that role. Is there a chance Hightower ends up in Ninko's role? And play Collins at WOLB. Hightower is the bigger, stronger and it looks like tougher player. While Collins is the faster, more athletic player. More capable of covering someone and playing in space. Thinking out loud.

 

[manxman2601]

I've seen a lot of speculation that Collins will backup Ninko and eventually take over that role. Is there a chance Hightower ends up in Ninko's role? And play Collins at WOLB. Hightower is the bigger, stronger and it looks like tougher player. While Collins is the faster, more athletic player. More capable of covering someone and playing in space. Thinking out loud.

I don't know about this year, but the sensible option for me long term is to put Hightower in Spikes' role and have Collins play in Hightower's. Hopefully with more pass-rush obligations.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I don't know about this year, but the sensible option for me long term is to put Hightower in Spikes' role and have Collins play in Hightower's. Hopefully with more pass-rush obligations.

It could end up that way too. Just not sure what BB thinks of Spikes long term. I was thinking of Ogletree during the season when I thought of Hightower playing there. But, his off-field issues lowered him IMO. Just seems to me that Donta is better the closer he is to the line of scrimmage. Might not hurt him to lose 5-7 lbs if he's going to play OLB.

 

[manxman2601]

Re: Thoughts on Donta Hightower/Jamie Collins positions

It could end up that way too. Just not sure what BB thinks of Spikes long term. I was thinking of Ogletree during the season when I thought of Hightower playing there. But, his off-field issues lowered him IMO. Just seems to me that Donta is better the closer he is to the line of scrimmage. Might not hurt him to lose 5-7 lbs if he's going to play OLB.

The way I see it, his contract is due for renewal and BB has drafted two players in the first/second rounds that play LB and 3 DEs. In 2014, I can see something like:


Armstead/Bequette - Wilfork - Kelly - Jones

Collins - Hightower - Mayo

with Hightower dropping out on passing downs and maybe Buchanan moving to DE with Armstead inside. Collins could play DE but I think his athleticism suits the LB role where he could drop into coverage or blitz.

 

[Coach42]

I still believe Spikes is in the long term picture as well as Ninko. Both players allow for flexibility and we all know BB loves that. I also expect Hightower to make the biggest leap of all our 2nd year players. He is known for having an excellent football IQ and with one year of experience under his belt I would anticipate his reaction time increasing and better overall coverage ability.

This might be a bit off topic but I really believe that this particular draft was a direct response to the the game plan that has knocked this team out of the playoffs the last 4 years.

1.) "Jam the crap out of our receivers and flood the middle of the field between 5-15 yards."

Dobson and Boyce are both strong physical receivers that should be able to make the opposing D's respect our offense outside of the hashes. I think that its important to remember that its not ONLY a vertical threat this team has been lacking. We have literally had no one who can consistently get open on 10 yard comebacks or outs. So even if Dobson doesn't burn down the field like Moss if he can run some of these 10-15 yard routes like a David Givens our offense is gong to be better off for it.

2. "Throw the ball up to big receivers and TE's in the slot "

While the Pats passing D consistently gets burned its not usually the over the top of the D throws that have been killing them. Its the mid range pass on 3rd down. I think Collins, Ryan, Wilson, and Hightower are BB's response. I think the flexibility in coverage and Rush is not going to allow teams to matchup their TE's and backs against a particular LB or slot corner and automatically assume win. I think the reason we ended up with Hightower and Collins rather than say Lavonte David and Arthur Brown is that while both Brown and David are superior cover men their lack of size/pass rush ability would hinder BB's flexibility and tip the hand of the D.

Sorry this was a crazy rant I hope some of it made sense. My main point was in the past BB has always coveted flexibility and depth thats why I would anticipate both Ninko and Spikes sticking around.