Is Dont’a Hightower Done?

[Joey007]

Nothing alarms me more right now than seeing the erosion of his play. He was someone we were really counting on this year.

 

[archstanton543]

Yeah, he looks slow and disinterested.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

I’d put him on the market. See if any offers come in.

 

[mcmurtry86]

He's started slowly before but he's looking worrisomely awful out there. The D is sunk if he can't pull it together

 

[Jangles]

I’d put him on the market. See if any offers come in.

Jackie Moon might give up a washing machine for him

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Jackie Moon might give up a washing machine for him

Can we place that washing machine in the middle of the line?

 

[Pessimistic Pete]

I’d put him on the market. See if any offers come in.

If the Patriots are putting a linebacker on the market, then the rest of the league knows that linebacker must really, really suck

 

[Jangles]

Can we place that washing machine in the middle of the line?

Can’t hurt

 

[BelichickFan]

Looks like we'd save $5,375,000 by cutting him this offseason, unless something changes that's what I expect.

Dont'a Hightower Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

 

[BradyFTW!]

It's definitely a concern. He's not just failing to live up to his contract, through three weeks he's been outright bad. Looks like he's lost a step and he didn't really have a step to lose to begin with.

Hopefully he'll improve as the season goes along and not just get hurt again.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

If the Patriots are putting a linebacker on the market, then the rest of the league knows that linebacker must really, really suck

The tape is already out there. At this point just hope there are teams desperate for lb help.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

It's definitely a concern. He's not just failing to live up to his contract, through three weeks he's been outright bad. Looks like he's lost a step and he didn't really have a step to lose to begin with.

Hopefully he'll improve as the season goes along and not just get hurt again.

A step? We were playing Roberts over him in passing downs. Brandon spikes never looked that slow.

 

[Jangles]

The tape is already out there. At this point just hope there are teams desperate for lb help.

Is it possible anybody out there is more desperate for linebackers than us?

Doesn’t seem possible

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Is it possible anybody out there is more desperate for linebackers than us?

Doesn’t seem possible

Maybe pitt? I’m to the point of moving on and finding help through the nfl practice squad (Eric lee last year)

 

[BradyFTW!]

The tape is already out there. At this point just hope there are teams desperate for lb help.

The only team that desperate for LBs is is us. Based on his play so far I don't think even the Steelers would be interested in his contract. This is what happens when you have the worst LBs in the league, watch them torpedo your team in the Super Bowl, then don't meaningfully address the situation in the offseason

 

[holyredeemer]

It's not even that he looks slow (which he has) but he looks physically weak, and scared. Harrison last year looked slow, but at least you got strength and effort from that man.

 

[PatsFan2]

It's definitely a concern. He's not just failing to live up to his contract, through three weeks he's been outright bad. Looks like he's lost a step and he didn't really have a step to lose to begin with.

Hopefully he'll improve as the season goes along and not just get hurt again.

Roberts looked a lot better maybe that's why BB kept him yikes.

 

[supafly]

This is what happens when you have the worst LBs in the league, watch them torpedo your team in the Super Bowl, then don't meaningfully address the situation in the offseason

Unfortunately, I think there could be a lot of truth in this statement.

 

[Flash]

I believe in Hightower's talent but I'm not sure if his body can still keep up given the amount of injuries he sustained over the years. I'd just keep him because I don't think anyone is touching his contract with his current play and the fact that our LBs are among the worst in the NFL. If he doesn't improve we might just have to cut him in the offseason.

We have bigger problems to worry about though.

 

[catent]

I do, unfortunately, think Hightower may be done. D. McCourty, too. It's perfectly possible both of them round into form but they haven't given us any reason to be optimistic. If they are in fact done for, that's a mighty big blow to this defense to have two of their better players and leaders fall off a cliff in the same season.

I think a trade for a competent LB and/or S is borderline essential at this point. I'm more optimistic about the DL because I think Shelton and Brown are talented but under-performing, not to mention the possibility of promoting Valentine to the active roster; Flowers should be returning soon, too.

But, yeah, LB and S is worrisome. I want to see (a) trade(s) there. Tyrann Mathieu would've been a good signing this past offseason and he didn't command much money, iirc.