Hightower - slimmer is better or worse?

[Biffins]

Is it better or worse for Hightower to be playing slimmer?

Dont’a Hightower, Down A Few Pounds, Looks Totally Different In This Photo

It says he entered NFL at 270 pounds and has operated at that or 260+ during his time. This offseason he's decided to slim down and is at 250 pounds now. Doesn't sound like much but he looks drastically different in the picture below. Is slimmer better (more speed, better coverage ability) or worse (harder to have momentum when tackling running backs).

Anyone have ideas?

 

[Joey007]

I think it has to be a good thing.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Sounds like he wants to be in more packages ... I think he'll be better at 250.

 

[Uptown]

Is it better or worse for Hightower to be playing slimmer?

Dont’a Hightower, Down A Few Pounds, Looks Totally Different In This Photo

It says he entered NFL at 270 pounds and has operated at that or 260+ during his time. This offseason he's decided to slim down and is at 250 pounds now. Doesn't sound like much but he looks drastically different in the picture below. Is slimmer better (more speed, better coverage ability) or worse (harder to have momentum when tackling running backs).

Anyone have ideas?

A case can be made for either scenario, but in this current NFL climate it’s probably best that he shed a few pounds to improve coverage ability & prevent future knee injuries. 250-255 is nothing to sneeze at. Plus, it’s only April.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

He lost the weight quickly. Could be that he wants to be slimmer (and maybe healthier too) until training camp and can put it back on as it nears.

 

[turkeyneck]

I hope he convinces Bentley that it's better.

 

[Adam Seward]

Can’t wait to see how they use draft capital on the front 7. I am excited to see Hightower all over the place after dropping 20 lbs.

Do they pick someone to keep him clean on the first level?

 

[DropKickFlutie]

4 down player now including Nickel and Dime packages. Defensive co-quarterback alongside Patrick Chung

 

[manxman2601]

I’ve wondered whether HT might be used more as a sub-rusher now that Bentley’s here. Don’t know if this confirms that or not, but somethings different.

 

[jah]

You wear a big shirt one time.....

 

[oldrover]

Awesome! So trim, so sleek! Now he can run faster than Brady!

 

[TBR]

Looks like it might be the shirt he's wearing.

 

[doesntmatter1]

As big as he is, speed has never been an issue for him until last year. Those knee injuries are probably catching up to him and this is his attempt to regain a few of those lost steps. He was lumbering around much like Gronk last year and I questioned how much longer he would remain a Patriot with such a high cap number. This weight loss can only be seen as a positive.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

Jeez. I had to scan the picture 3 times before I figured out which one was High. Interesting. I know one thing. This kid shows up in Grand fashion in SB’s

 

[BlueThunder]

I thought BB usually liked his LB's around 250?

 

[WaterfallJumper]

It's April.

 

[Ivan]

Better, he’s going to be a major part of their pass rush. He’s going to be nasty

 

[holyredeemer]

HT has talked a lot about how conscious he is of losing playing weight every offseason. I wouldn’t read into it. Dude is a seasoned pro.

 

[SBLIII]

I like it. He looked a bit slow to me last year. 250 should help.

 

[Biffins]

Looks like it might be the shirt he's wearing.

Did you follow the link. He tweeted his weight himself. We're not imagining it from the picture.