Hightower Regression

[JPsPats]

Dont'a has definitely not made the leap this year. He flashed his rookie year with some plays, in which I thought he would carry into this season while transitioning into a solid player. He is sooo slow, and a major liability in coverage.

As a first round pick is he doing anything that an UDFA couldn't do?

 

[Batman]

Dont'a has definitely not made the leap this year. He flashed his rookie year with some plays, in which I thought he would carry into this season while transitioning into a solid player. He is sooo slow, and a major liability in coverage.

As a first round pick is he doing anything that an UDFA couldn't do?

He doesn't have mayo next to Hindi has a lot more to do.

 

[PatriotsInGA]

While I don't think he's a complete bust, but he is underwhelming. I think we all knew that he was a liability in coverage coming into the season, but he's had some struggles in the run game which is concerning. I'd prefer to see more of a 4-3 defense with Fletcher and Collins as the OLB and Spikes at MLB; at least until Hightower can one part of his game fully cemented.

 

[Dingleberry]

Yup.

Mayo, IR = Hightower, exposed

 

[primetime]

I think Fletcher's a much better player. Collins is still learning, and Hightower is a decent thumper, but he's slow and gets exposed in coverage way too often. He would have been a good investment with a 3rd round pick - he's not terrible by any means, but he's limited - but as a 1st rounder he's unfortunately disappointing.

 

[jsull87]

One bad play does not a Hightower regression make.

I am as dissapointed as anyone about his weakness against the pass that has come out. But he was having a good game with 9 tackles 8 solo before that play.

Is it frustraiting that he seems to keep making coverage mistakes? Yep.

But i do not think he is regressing. I just think we are all seeing that his Ceiling might be lower than we thought. He is still a very solid run stopping RB. But it looks like we will be wanting Mayo and Collins as coverage LB's next year not Spikes and Hightower like is the case currently.

 

[PatriotsInGA]

One bad play does not a Hightower regression make.

I am as dissapointed as anyone about his weakness against the pass that has come out. But he was having a good game with 9 tackles 8 solo before that play.

Is it frustraiting that he seems to keep making coverage mistakes? Yep.

But i do not think he is regressing. I just think we are all seeing that his Ceiling might be lower than we thought. He is still a very solid run stopping RB. But it looks like we will be wanting Mayo and Collins as coverage LB's next year not Spikes and Hightower like is the case currently.

This is the main problem. As a 3rd/4th round pick he would be playing perfectly fine, but he's not. He's a 1st round pick and the team needs him to play like one.

 

[jsull87]

I think Fletcher's a much better player. Collins is still learning, and Hightower is a decent thumper, but he's slow and gets exposed in coverage way too often. He would have been a good investment with a 3rd round pick - he's not terrible by any means, but he's limited - but as a 1st rounder he's unfortunately disappointing.

Sorry but the Narritive that Fletcher is a better player doesn't fly on a down by down basis. Fletcher has made some big plays and yes i would put him higher in pass defense currently.

But if you look at the past 4 games. Fletcher has been dominated on a play by play basis in the run game. Yes there will be a flash here and there. But if you have a look at the whole sample Fletcher is a liability vs the run.

 

[jsull87]

This is the main problem. As a 3rd/4th round pick he would be playing perfectly fine, but he's not. He's a 1st round pick and the team needs him to play like one.

I disagree there slightly. As a 1st round pick he is "fine". He starts for his team, plays 75%+ of the snaps e.t.c to the outside observer he has pretty good stats.

That is fine for a 1st round pick, he is by no means a bust.

It's just that we here (myself included) thought he was going to be dominant and really take a leap in his second year. That hasn't been the case.

 

[Big-T]

He's 15-20lbs too heavy? That's the only thing other than Mayo is not there I can think of.

 

[dizi24]

I think his biggest problem is his weight. He's too big and slow to play on coverage, but for a guy 270 lbs., he seems soft. He doesn't shed blocks particularly well, he often gets dragged down with the runner, and he just isn't physical enough.

 

[Fencer]

He doesn't have mayo next to Hindi has a lot more to do.

Please tell me you typed that from a mobile phone with hyperactive spellcheck.

 

[JPsPats]

One bad play does not a Hightower regression make.

I am as dissapointed as anyone about his weakness against the pass that has come out. But he was having a good game with 9 tackles 8 solo before that play.

Is it frustraiting that he seems to keep making coverage mistakes? Yep.

But i do not think he is regressing. I just think we are all seeing that his Ceiling might be lower than we thought. He is still a very solid run stopping RB. But it looks like we will be wanting Mayo and Collins as coverage LB's next year not Spikes and Hightower like is the case currently.

I'm not basing this off 1 play, it's been like this all season. You look at chandler jones and his progression it leaves much to be desired from Hightower. If this is who BB thought he was getting I'd bet my money he wouldn't trade back INTO the first round to grab him.

I remember how shocked we were when bb traded back into the first cuz he never does that, it's usually always a trade down.

 

[Betterthanmost]

All he needs is consistent play in front of him. He is struggling no doubt.
I will rather want to talk about Gregory. What is the difference between him and chung? What does BB see in Gregory? Is he the one calling the plays on the field?

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I'm not fan of his plays. Our draft picks on defense hasn't been stellar lately, part of it may be the downside of winning too much.

 

[Batman]

Please tell me you typed that from a mobile phone with hyperactive spellcheck.

I did indeed type it on a mobile and have been drinking for the last 7 hours.

 

[Bhelmet]

Our draft picks on defense hasn't been stellar lately, part of it may be the downside of winning too much.

What does that even mean?

 

[Sticky Caulk]

What does that even mean?

Is it really that confusing? Winning = lower picks in the draft = less talent.

 

[Bhelmet]

Is it really that confusing? Winning = lower picks in the draft = less talent.

Talent is ALWAYS there in the 1st round - our "winning too much" has nothing to do with not drafting talented players.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I think the fact that Alabama always seems to have a great defense hides the weaknesses of these defensive players. We are seeing it with Hightower, and in NY, CB Dee Miliner looks horrendous after being the top rated DB to come out of the 2013 draft. Miliner looks so awful, his play makes Hightower's play look like Lawrence Taylor's.