Jones, Hightower and Dennard make second year leap.

[VrabelJr]

Jones played great in the first half tonight against Sam Baker. Getting that holding call and personal foul. He did struggle a bit with the backup though once Baker went out. He still got some pressure but nothing game changing.

Hightower did good chipping Gonzalez at the line but that just isn't enough for a guy of Gonzalez's skill. Having a smaller LB/bigger Safety that can cover a guy like Gonzalez is crucial. Gonzalez victimized Hightower, Mayo, Collins and Gregory. I think there's hope for a guy of Collins physical abilities but when it comes to Mayo and Gregory they are what they are at this point in their careers.

Dennard looked good. I hope he's OK. He did good against Julio Jones. What a vote of confidence to put him on a guy like that from time to time. I expected Dennard to do better against Roddy White. Dennard plays with a mean streak but I guess Roddy was just too physical for him.

 

[upstater1]

Hightower is showing me a level of play at OLB that I can't remember the Patriots ever having.

We've had gutty LBs like Bruschi, great coverage LBs like Phifer, big play LBs who could rush the passer like McGinest, jack of all trades guys with good athleticism like Mayo, run stuffers like Ted Johnson, Vincent Brown, Spikes and Cox, but I can't recall a guy like Hightower going back as far as Andre Tippett. He is not in Tippett's class of course as a pass rusher, but Hightower looks great out there. Not only because of his versatility, but because he has real impact in many facets as well.

Vrabel was like him but he didn' have the thump that Hightower does. If he continues to improve, he can become one of the best LBs in football.

 

[Rob0729]

Jones played great in the first half tonight against Sam Baker. Getting that holding call and personal foul. He did struggle a bit with the backup though once Baker went out. He still got some pressure but nothing game changing.

Hightower did good chipping Gonzalez at the line but that just isn't enough for a guy of Gonzalez's skill. Having a smaller LB/bigger Safety that can cover a guy like Gonzalez is crucial. Gonzalez victimized Hightower, Mayo, Collins and Gregory. I think there's hope for a guy of Collins physical abilities but when it comes to Mayo and Gregory they are what they are at this point in their careers.

Dennard looked good. I hope he's OK. He did good against Julio Jones. What a vote of confidence to put him on a guy like that from time to time. I expected Dennard to do better against Roddy White. Dennard plays with a mean streak but I guess Roddy was just too physical for him.

I watched Jones after Baker went out. They doubled him all the time. It was quite clear that after Baker's replacement got killed last week against the Dolphins, they were not going to let Jones destroy Ryan. They assigned the LT and the #2 TE to pick up Jones on most plays.