Underrated Season: Dont'a Hightower

Dont'a Hightower Mid-Season Highlights 2012 - YouTube


Statistically, very similar to Chandler Jones. 60 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 2 FR, 3 PD, 6 STF, 1 TD. Not bad considering he only started 13 games, and hasn't gotten as many snaps as Chandler.

Makes a lot of plays near the line of scrimmage. One of the best LB's at shedding blocks in the entire league. Would like to see BB/Patricia unleash him as a blitzer more. He might end up being the best LB on the team, and thats saying a lot with Mayo and Spikes here.

Hightower is just getting started. The Pats really haven't started exploiting his versatility, which was one of his main strengths coming out.

mayoclinic said:

Hightower is just getting started. The Pats really haven't started exploiting his versatility, which was one of his main strengths coming out.

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I've been pleased with Hightower's progress as the season has progressed. He's one of those guys that always seems to find his way to the ball.

ausbacker said:

I've been pleased with Hightower's progress as the season has progressed. He's one of those guys that always seems to find his way to the ball.

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Yeah he seems always around the ball... and he gets less attention than he deserves.

MrNathanDrake said:

Dont'a Hightower Mid-Season Highlights 2012 - YouTube


Statistically, very similar to Chandler Jones. 60 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 2 FR, 3 PD, 6 STF, 1 TD. Not bad considering he only started 13 games, and hasn't gotten as many snaps as Chandler.

Makes a lot of plays near the line of scrimmage. One of the best LB's at shedding blocks in the entire league. Would like to see BB/Patricia unleash him as a blitzer more. He might end up being the best LB on the team, and thats saying a lot with Mayo and Spikes here.

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As much as PFF sucks, one point that did interest me when they were writing about Hightower for the All-Rookie team (Hightower, Jones and Dennard all made it, and Solder and Ridley made the all-Sophomore team) was that he had a ridiculously good ratio of pressures to pass rushes. In essence, he didn't rush the passer often, but he was very, very effective when he did. Anecdotally, I got the same impression from watching him.

Personally, I'd love to see Hightower improve a bit in coverage - he seems like he has the athleticism to, although granted that might be asking too much from someone who weighs 270 pounds. Just can't help but feel that he's only scratching the surface.

As I've said before: on the one hand, I am quite disappointed that the Pats didn't walk out of the 2012 draft with extra picks in 2013.

OTOH, Dont'a Hightower is a very nice consolation prize.

I feel like we're just scratching the surface with this guy. He's been solid, to say the least. Pretty good for a rookie in this system. I think it was Bedard who said somewhere along the line Hightower came to camp a little heavier than the Pats had expected. Excited to see what he can do with a true NFL off-season (starting Feb. 4)

I like him in general and am excited about what he brings as a thumper, but am I alone in thinking he looks *really* slow?

GoWhalers said:

I like him in general and am excited about what he brings as a thumper, but am I alone in thinking he looks *really* slow?

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You may be mixing him up with Spikes.

Nope -- I think Hightower makes Spikes look fast...

I don't think he looks slow, but I do think he looks like the strongest guy on the defense outside of Wilfork (and maybe Love). When he grabs a ball carrier, they stop, in their tracks.

GoWhalers said:

Nope -- I think Hightower makes Spikes look fast...

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If that's the case, we disagree then.

He played a good game last week and helps the front seven, looking like another quality 1st round pick by the Pats.

He's going to be scary next year.

Would like to see him take some snaps at DE

I love how he never misses an opportunity to spin offensive players in the air and then slam them on the ground.

Uncle Rico said:

I feel like we're just scratching the surface with this guy. He's been solid, to say the least. Pretty good for a rookie in this system. I think it was Bedard who said somewhere along the line Hightower came to camp a little heavier than the Pats had expected. Excited to see what he can do with a true NFL off-season (starting Feb. 4)

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Its important to remember that when he was in college, he was a middle linebacker, but we have him playing strongside. So he hasn't been able to "play at full speed" and trust his instincts - he's learning a new position. The fact that he's been productive already speaks to his talent.

BradyFTW! said:

...he had a ridiculously good ratio of pressures to pass rushes. In essence, he didn't rush the passer often, but he was very, very effective when he did.

Personally, I'd love to see Hightower improve a bit in coverage - he seems like he has the athleticism to, although granted that might be asking too much from someone who weighs 270 pounds. Just can't help but feel that he's only scratching the surface.

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Whorod said:

I don't think he looks slow, but I do think he looks like the strongest guy on the defense outside of Wilfork (and maybe Love). When he grabs a ball carrier, they stop, in their tracks.

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DocHoliday said:

Would like to see him take some snaps at DE

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Yes, to all of the above....

Personally? I think Hightower and Ninkovich should rotate more often, or just flat out swap positions. I like Nink at OLB a bit more than DE, because he's good in coverage, too. I like Hightower as a guy to set the edge, and rush the passer because of his strength. But I do think his coverage skills, and open-field pursuit, is a bit lacking. Hightower is the one who is more physical and suited to the edge. Nink is smaller but has better speed and agility - and instincts - in the open field.

The was one play, against Tenn, where Hightower was lined up on the edge and NE was in a 3-4 style front for that particular play. It was a run and Hightower steered his guy, like a wheelbarrow, straight back into the lead blocker and the RB was tackled. Totally blew up the run. It was utter dominance.

Shockt327 said:

Yes, to all of the above....

Personally? I think Hightower and Ninkovich should rotate more often, or just flat out swap positions. I like Nink at OLB a bit more than DE, because he's good in coverage, too. I like Hightower as a guy to set the edge, and rush the passer because of his strength. But I do think his coverage skills, and open-field pursuit, is a bit lacking. Hightower is the one who is more physical and suited to the edge. Nink is smaller but has better speed and agility - and instincts - in the open field.

The was one play, against Tenn, where Hightower was lined up on the edge and NE was in a 3-4 style front for that particular play. It was a run and Hightower steered his guy, like a wheelbarrow, straight back into the lead blocker and the RB was tackled. Totally blew up the run. It was utter dominance.

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Thing is, Ninko's natural position is DE. No coincidence his spike in production came from his position switch

GoWhalers said:

Nope -- I think Hightower makes Spikes look fast...

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And people waste their time arguing with you. Are you serious with this? Dont'a Hightower Mid-Season Highlights 2012 - YouTube

Marqui said:

He's going to be scary next year.

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I'd like him to be scary this Sunday