Donta Hightower: modern linebacker superstar

[tuckeverlasting]

AFC defensive player of the week!

after the fine and no suspension i'm a little surprised that in this crap-ass league with this crap-ass commissioner that burfict didn't get afc defensive player of the week.

 

[aluminum seats]

Pretty hard not to think that he will be the top defensive priority for the pats to re-up.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I remember back in 2013 the consensus was that Chandler Jones was the better player. Hightower has really grown into a top-notch LB. I think people who say it's easier to find another Hightower-type of LB than a Collins-type are underestimating how rare that combination of size and speed of Hightower is. In the combine he weighed 265, that's 99th percentile for all LBs (including OLBs). Really hope we can keep both Collins and Hightower. They make for a great LB combo.

Hightower is 99th percentile in weight and 70th percentile in 40 time for all LBs. Collins is 84th percentile in weight, 91st percentile in arm length, 84th percentile in 10 yard dash, 67th percentile in 40 time, 100th percentile in broad jump, and 96th percentile in vertical jump. If I had to venture a guess as to which is more replaceable, I guess I'd say Hightower, but the simple truth of it is that they're both irreplaceable.

 

[deroc5050]

Hightower is 99th percentile in weight and 70th percentile in 40 time for all LBs. Collins is 84th percentile in weight, 91st percentile in arm length, 84th percentile in 10 yard dash, 67th percentile in 40 time, 100th percentile in broad jump, and 96th percentile in vertical jump. If I had to venture a guess as to which is more replaceable, I guess I'd say Hightower, but the simple truth of it is that they're both irreplaceable.

Problem is I dont think we can afford to keep them both, Unless we sign Butler, Hightower and Collins and then fill in jags around them. I heard the list of free agents at the end of season, Belichick is going to have to work miracles to have a good team in 2017. I don't think Hightower or Collins are taking a home town discount.

 

[Wheelman]

Nice plays by Ninkovich and Sheard on two plays. Ninko tossed that fullback aside like he was nothing. And Sheard who has been beating o-lineman a few times beat his lineman and created the sack.

I love watching the way Hightower blitzed for that safety. What a beast!

 

[supafly]

Problem is I dont think we can afford to keep them both, Unless we sign Butler, Hightower and Collins and then fill in jags around them. I heard the list of free agents at the end of season, Belichick is going to have to work miracles to have a good team in 2017. I don't think Hightower or Collins are taking a home town discount.

This is obviously an extremely unpopular thought around here, particularly with the amount of cap space that we'll have, but I fully agree with you. I just don't see Belichick as the type of guy to increase his offers by that much just because there's more cap space available this year vs. most.

I see him as the type of coach/GM who makes an assessment based on talent, team need and market value--with an obvious preference to re-up in the draft on the cheap. Will he see the position of LB as one that deserves a double digit, major pact, long-term extension? Possibly, but I'm skeptical as to whether or not he'll see that with both of them. Obviously, I hope they both stay, like anyone else.

I do respectfully disagree with the idea that the list of free agents is so long and important that "Belichick is going to have to work miracles to have a good team in 2017." As a matter of fact, I think that idea is borderline ridiculous. If anything, he may attempt to focus more on some of those less talented players to keep the team building philosophy alive and well, which actually helps your argument that only one or the other will be given long-term extensions.

 

[strngplyr]

Hightower is the best player on our D, and that was true when Chandler Jones was still here. Yet nationally, he is the 3rd, 4th, or 5th most valuable behind Jones, McCourty, Collins, and sometimes Butler, depending on who you ask one what day of the week,

HT is and has been the best for 2 seasons and 6 games.

I hope his agent's listen to the media and he comes back to us for what they think he's worth. The only ILB in the league who is better is Kuechly, and they are not far apart.

There is no more noticeably single-player drop off in defensive effectiveness on our team, and probably more than half the NFL, than when HT doesn't suit up for us (eye-test, not statistically proven). But I'd say we look worse without HT than the Texans do without Watt.

 

[Uptown]

Yep, HT is definitely the heart of our Defense. That's actually what "HT" stands for; not Hightower

 

[IcyPatriot]

I just wanted to throw in that in several conversations with people friendly with Collins they don't see him staying here ... he's not really fond of the area .... IF THAT'S TRUE and talk is cheap then I guess Hightower will be the one to get paid.