Local Take on Hightower's performance

Just stumbled across this article, which is a local take on Hightower's NFL Debut as the Lewisburg native played in his first game:

http://www.marshalltribune.com/story/1892998.html

Some good photos as well. Just thought I'd pass it along

Hightower is a BEAST.

Here's to a 12-year Patriot career for Dont'a Hightower.

Yeah i have been waiting for a thread to praise his performance. I went back and watched the game on all 22 and just the normal replay. I am just very very impressed with this guy. I didn't look at him much pre draft but the guy is surprisingly quick for someone with his bulk and really made some great plays out there. Sound tackling, but also made impact plays in the back field (have a look at the play before Jones's sack where he takes on the TE/Fb in the backfield then with one arm brings down the back.

I know it's early and i am by no means crowning the kid, but after watching the games again, color me impressed with him and very optimistic about our front 7 if it can stay healthy.

Anyone have the ability to post (or simply find a link to) the video clip of Hightower taking on 2 blockers and then dragging down CJ with 1 hand?

Ian said:

Just stumbled across this article, which is a local take on Hightower's NFL Debut as the Lewisburg native played in his first game:

http://www.marshalltribune.com/story/1892998.html

Some good photos as well. Just thought I'd pass it along

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I love looking at pictures like the first one, for example, at the top of this article, and try to see the fans reaction. Obviously there are a few Pats fans cheering, especially the guy in the front row, left, who has turned, with a big cheer, facing all the Titan fans) but if you look at the top right quadrant you can see a couple of Titans fans (one in light blue and the other in red) with their hands folded on top of their heads probably yelling out loud or thinking..... "oh ****"

That is good stuff...Hometown paper..Marshall County High School grad; first game in the NFL!. The pride shines thru n thru

Sign the beast!

Oh, that's right... we already did!

ForThoseAboutToRock said:

Anyone have the ability to post (or simply find a link to) the video clip of Hightower taking on 2 blockers and then dragging down CJ with 1 hand?

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THAT was my favorite play of the game....and really very little mention was made of it at the time or afterward.

He literally threw C. Johnson down behind the line of scrimmage with one arm while a Tenn OL was perched on that arm.

It was superhuman.

BTW, anyone for a little in-stadium video of the sack/fumble/TD play?

Dont'a Hightower touchdown.AVI - YouTube

I have to tell you, that I was so psyched when the Patriots drafted Hightower.

I've been a "Bama fan for some time, and watching him there... he just stood out as fast and powerful.

Every time I see him line up I'm ready to holler "Roll Tide! :rocker:

IMO,Hightower will end up in the finals for ROTY if he remains healthy.

I like Jones too,but I think Jones will be going up and down in his rookie year,I see Hightower as a rookie who doesn't look like a rookie,doesn't play like one and doesnt show signs of being one,he is a player built for the NFL and has not dissapointed from the minute he put on an NFL helmet.

This guy is going to be a special player for the next decade folks.......even if I weren't a Pats fan,I would say the same.

If you liked Jarod Mayo's rookie campaign,you will love Dont'as.

PATRIOTSFANINPA said:

I
I like Jones too,but I think Jones will be going up and down in his rookie year

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Why do you think he'll be going up and down? Don't tell me you still believe that "he's a raw project" stuff.

Marqui said:

Why do you think he'll be going up and down? Don't tell me you still believe that "he's a raw project" stuff.

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IMHO Hightower is more physically prepared than Jones @ 270, plus you have the "he's an old soul" comments by his teammate(s). Jones is still skinny. He's got the same body as JPP (minus a few exceptions) and JPP plays at 278, while Jones is 265. So his body isn't quite where it needs to be. I think 270-275 will be his ultimate playing weight. But you can't just slam down big macs to put the weight on. It was to be muscle mass that doesn't increase his fat % in order to maintain his agility.

TheBaronPatriot said:

IMHO Hightower is more physically prepared than Jones @ 270, plus you have the "he's an old soul" comments by his teammate(s). Jones is still skinny. He's got the same body as JPP (minus a few exceptions) and JPP plays at 278, while Jones is 265. So his body isn't quite where it needs to be. I think 270-275 will be his ultimate playing weight. But you can't just slam down big macs to put the weight on. It was to be muscle mass that doesn't increase his fat % in order to maintain his agility.

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I believe Jones is a lot closer to JPP's weight right now than you think. He weighed in at 266 at the combine, but...

NFL scouts said it was widely known that Jones cut weight in the lead-up to the draft because he didn’t know what position he would play in the NFL. He wanted to be attractive to both 3-4 (at outside linebacker) and 4-3 (at end) teams. So he played the tweener role to the extreme.

Once the Patriots drafted Jones, he knew he would be playing end. So the weight and strength went back on, big time.

Jones makes quite a first impressions for Patriots - The Boston Globe

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patchick said:

I believe Jones is a lot closer to JPP's weight right now than you think. He weighed in at 266 at the combine, but...

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I would agree. Certainly I have no idea if he is closer to 260 or 270 but based on the game vs TN, he seemed to do just fine standing his ground vs OLmen and TEs which tells me he plays with outstanding leverage, good strength and uses his hands well to manage blockers.

He'll have his ups and downs this year for sure and there may come a point in November when he hits the proverbial "rookie wall" and to keep him as fresh as possible for the playoffs, they may put him on a "pitch count" for a couple of games. Especially if he can't keep his weight on.

As it pretains to Hightower, same thing could apply to him. Who knows.

Reckedtrek said:

Sign the beast!

Oh, that's right... we already did!

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Extend the beast!!!

too soon?

TheBaronPatriot said:

IMHO Hightower is more physically prepared than Jones @ 270, plus you have the "he's an old soul" comments by his teammate(s). Jones is still skinny. He's got the same body as JPP (minus a few exceptions) and JPP plays at 278, while Jones is 265. So his body isn't quite where it needs to be. I think 270-275 will be his ultimate playing weight. But you can't just slam down big macs to put the weight on. It was to be muscle mass that doesn't increase his fat % in order to maintain his agility.

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agreed... its surprising how so many playuers eat mickey Ds in the NFL lol

shmessy said:

THAT was my favorite play of the game....and really very little mention was made of it at the time or afterward.

He literally threw C. Johnson down behind the line of scrimmage with one arm while a Tenn OL was perched on that arm.

It was superhuman.

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That got me hooting and howling, he is a really big kid and very quick.

He may be a keeper

WhiZa said:

Extend the beast!!!

too soon?

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To ask for it? No.

To do it? Yes—the new CBA doesn't allow rookies to renegotiate their deals until after their third season. GRONKnandez were in the last class that could renegotiate after two seasons.