Better Rookie Season - Hightower or Jones?

[WhiZa]

I agree completely. Jones needs to put on some weight so it'll take time.

I would find it hard to believe that BB would draft a player in the first round who he don't think could contribute at a first string level year 1.

 

[WhiZa]

Don't be surprised if Bequette or even Wilson has a better rookie season than either of those 2

This is where you have to declare what your measurables. If it's straight stats then Bequette and Hightower will probably do better than Jones. If you are measuring who does the bet job overall to help the team win it will be Jones. The expectations I have for Jones are the same I had for Ty Warren. He's not going to put up flashy stats and make any probowls, but he'll be a starter here for a long time.

 

[treeclimber]

This is where you have to declare what your measurables. If it's straight stats then Bequette and Hightower will probably do better than Jones. If you are measuring who does the bet job overall to help the team win it will be Jones. The expectations I have for Jones are the same I had for Ty Warren. He's not going to put up flashy stats and make any probowls, but he'll be a starter here for a long time.

This defense doesn't need a Ty Warren. They need flash. We have enough blue collar players in Wilfork, Mayo, and McCourty, etc. I want someone that actually strikes fear into opponents from the defensive side of the ball. This defense is severely lacking with an on the field intimidator, in your face type of presence that you see on Baltimore (Reed, Lewis) or Pittsburgh (Harrison, Troy P.). The closest they have to it is Spikes, but he's not at that point nor am I sure of his ceiling. Hopefully Jones / Hightower fix this problem.

 

[Mainefan]

I said Hightower, but I have no really good reason for saying so, except that I like his name better.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

If Tully Banta Cain can get 10 sacks in a Belichick defense, I think Jones will be a monster.

Just depends how long it takes for him to "get it" and know the playbook

 

[PatsBoy12]

I think Hightower only because they will use him in more different ways which will mean more opportunities for him to make big plays. I look at Jones right now as just an edge rusher. However, I also admit that I haven't seen many Syracuse games in recent years, so I don't know all the places he may have lined up there. In watching his Youtube highlights, it looked like he was just an edge rusher.

Maybe BB will stand him up as a linebacker in the 3-4, or maybe he'll simply be used in the 4-3, nickel, and dime. Hightower projects to be an every down player no matter what formation the Pats use. He'll have more opportunities to shine than Jones, and I think that will equal a better output (in this case).

 

[Kontradiction]

This defense doesn't need a Ty Warren. They need flash. We have enough blue collar players in Wilfork, Mayo, and McCourty, etc. I want someone that actually strikes fear into opponents from the defensive side of the ball. This defense is severely lacking with an on the field intimidator, in your face type of presence that you see on Baltimore (Reed, Lewis) or Pittsburgh (Harrison, Troy P.). The closest they have to it is Spikes, but he's not at that point nor am I sure of his ceiling. Hopefully Jones / Hightower fix this problem.

So you didn't see Hightower play in college then? He'll, without a doubt, strike fear into the heart of the opponent. And I would absolutely argue that this defense needs a Ty Warren type at DE.

 

[PatsBoy12]

So you didn't see Hightower play in college then? He'll, without a doubt, strike fear into the heart of the opponent. And I would absolutely argue that this defense needs a Ty Warren type at DE.

I agree with both points. Upshaw and Hightower were monsters.

I was disappointed to see Ty Warren's career end here the way it did. I am not quite sure how he would fit in our defense as it is today, but he was a very good (and sometimes underrated) player on that front.