Hightower wants to rush to the quarterback

[Brady6]

Hightower talks a lot about his desire to be used more as a pass rusher in this article. I like the idea; I think he could be very effective with his unique blend of size and speed.

Dont'a Hightower: I'd Rather Rush Quarterback For Patriots Than Cover | NESN.com

 

[Kontradiction]

I'd like to see him used more as a pass rusher too. He has a very effective bull rush and might be better served with his hand on the ground. Further, he's a massive liability in coverage. Draft a LB like Jordan Tripp or Christian Jones and put Hightower on the LOS.

 

[signbabybrady]

Could be a nice way to get more use out of him as a 3 down player and add a 3rd guy to edge rush group. But I think we need more LB depth before we could do this.

 

[Brady6]

I'd like to see him used more as a pass rusher too. He has a very effective bull rush and might be better served with his hand on the ground. Further, he's a massive liability in coverage. Draft a LB like Jordan Tripp or Christian Jones and put Hightower on the LOS.

Entering the NFL I likened Hightower to Ahmad Brooks, I thought they both had similar builds and athletic ability. Since entering the NFL, the Patriots have used him more off the line especially last season after Mayo went down.

 

[Brady6]

Could be a nice way to get more use out of him as a 3 down player and add a 3rd guy to edge rush group. But I think we need more LB depth before we could do this.

I may be in the minority here but I actually would like to see them rush Hightower from the DT position, I think his strength and speed would be very effective against interior offensive linemen.

 

[Galeb]

Hard to imagine a LB who doesn't want to rush the QB.

 

[Big-T]

With the secondary looking very good (on paper) letting an extra player or 2 rush the passer is more feasible.

 

[everlong]

I'd love to see them put him in the DE rotation. He has the size and speed to be effective against the run and still get to the QB.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

With the secondary looking very good (on paper) letting an extra player or 2 rush the passer is more feasible.

This goes back to your thoughts earlier in the draft forum about using a 5-2 as the starting point for a "base" set, which can easily morph into a 4-3 under, a 3-4, and even a traditional 4-3. Lack of quality depth behind the starters at DE and LB is a real issue right now. This kills two birds with one stone as it creates the depth by essentially only having 4 of those players on the field at one time instead of 5, and it allows Hightower the chance to expand his skills into pass rushing, which many folks here believe he will be able to do well. Will be interesting to see if the Pats do choose to go in this direction.

 

[Jrik83]

Slightly OT: I think this really validates those articles arguing for Ryan Shazier in the first round. He seems like a safer pick than any Defensive lineman that will be available at that point. I'm also not sure there is a better way to make the defense more dynamic than adding Shazier's sub 4.4 speed, while having Hightower put his hand in the dirt in the sub packages.

It also wouldn't hurt having such a nice four-guy rotation in the base defense. It will keep everyone well rested.

 

[Snake Eyes]

I like the idea of him playing DT. Apparently it's tough for him to stay at a light weight, might as well go with it, let him put on weight and use him as a DT.

 

[Big-T]

This goes back to your thoughts earlier in the draft forum about using a 5-2 as the starting point for a "base" set, which can easly morph into a 4-3 under, a 3-4, and even a traditional 4-3. Lack of quality depth behind the starters at DE and LB is a real issue right now. This kills two birds with one stone as it creates the depth by essentially only having 4 of those players on the field at one time instead of 5, and it allows Hightower the chance to expand his skills into pass rushing, which many folks here believe he will be able to do well. Will be interesting to see if the Pats do choose to go in this direction.

Yep, drafting on the DL for depth would have made 5-2-4 viable, using Hightower as a hybrid makes it more possible even without the draft.

Having both Hightower and Ninkovich as hybrid LB/DE types can give you these 2 potential front 5s:

Hightower-Kelly-Wilfork-Armstead-Cha. Jones
or
Ninkovich-Kelly-Wilfork-Armstead-Cha. Jones

From there you can easily stay with 5 down, go 3-4, 4-3. In fact, Collins can put a hand in the dirt too which makes the 5-2-4 truly the most diverse and multiple defense you can put out - especially in no huddle situations.

Hageman, Tuitt, Shazier, Tripp & Kirksey would all be solid additions to the defense if a 5-2 front 7 was used because of the flexibility they provide across formations.

 

[mmasterkillah]

I was really hoping we'd work with him to change his training regimen in order to improve his agility, pass coverage ball-skills and awareness.

I do want to see him used in a variety of roles, including rushing the passer, but I don't want to see his coverage skills and pass defensive development abandoned. He has the capability if he's guided.

 

[SalemPats]

I think with the fact that we can play man on the outside with little help means that Hightower could get his wish because BB can use him more of a pass rusher than dropping back into coverage.

But saying that Collins is better than Hightower and might be utilized more in blitzes than Hightower. If we draft a LB early, Hightower might find it hard to get on the field consistently

 

[patchick]

Yet another reason why LB, not DL or even TE, is my #1 draft priority.

Alas, I don't think Ryan Shazier will last anywhere near the Patriots' pick, but there should be solid options later. Christian Kirksey as well as as Jones and Tripp who have already been mentioned, plus the Pats are rumored to be very high on Kyle Van Noy.

 

[lurker1965]

I liked Andy Hart of PFW's response. During the interview he got a text from BB: STFU

 

[lurker1965]

I like the idea of him playing DT. Apparently it's tough for him to stay at a light weight, might as well go with it, let him put on weight and use him as a DT.

Oddly enough the MLB used to be a NT. (I mean in the 1950s) The position moved further back over time so he could react to the developing play.
Back then the play was usually a run. Knowing what gap to fill without being pushed aside by a guard was key.
Now the run is not as much of a concern... Would BB re-invent a defense used by Paul Brown's Cleveland Browns?

Oh, I'm sure a case can be made against a 5-2 as well.

 

[james87654]

I dont think he will ever be a great passrusher, although maybe a good blitzer. He just isnt fast twitchy enough or powerful enough to do it on a regular basis as a DE. He's not James Harrison, never will be. just my opinion, i could be wrong

 

[Brady6]

I dont think he will ever be a great passrusher, although maybe a good blitzer. He just isnt fast twitchy enough or powerful enough to do it on a regular basis as a DE. He's not James Harrison, never will be. just my opinion, i could be wrong

In 2012 when he was used closer to the line of scrimmage he was actually a very effective pass rusher, he rushed the QB a total of 65 times and had 14 pressures, which is a pressure every 4.6 times. Last season he was forced to play the WILL in the absence of Jerod Mayo and was not used as a pass rusher very often.

I do agree he is not James Harrison but we do not need him to be, he had 3.5 sacks as a rookie, if he could improve on that with 6-7 sacks that would be huge.

 

[JMC00]

If Hightower was turned into a pass rusher, I see him easily having 9-10 sacks a season. While he might not be a better complete DE than Ninkovich, I think he could be a better pass rusher.