Donte Hightower?

[eric5577x]

Thoughts on him? I think he is a bust. I was sure he was going to take over for Spikes next yr, and was going to be a major player. However, I think not anymore. I might get killed for saying this, but Spikes is better in the passing game then HT is. He was terrible again last night. Once he went out of the game, this def was much better. Fletcher played a great game last night, and Collins looked great as well. Just curious as to what other thing of him. Is it me, or what??

 

[GreenNickle]

 

[MrMoJoRisin63]

I think it won't hurt to take a look at a FA LB

 

[#1BostonFan]

Not in love with what he's shown so far, but he's far from a bust in my mind.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Not in love with what he's shown so far, but he's far from a bust in my mind.

+1.

Sophmore slump.

 

[eric5577x]

Not in love with what he's shown so far, but he's far from a bust in my mind.

Hope you are right.....

 

[JDM]

I think it's pretty unlikely we sign anyone. Linebacker is a strength and we have much greater priorities.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I think it's pretty unlikely we sign anyone. Linebacker is a strength and we have much greater priorities.

OL, DL and DB.
In whichever order you see fit.

 

[eric5577x]

OL, DL and DB.
In whichever order you see fit.

I think the DL will be good next yr. Wilfork, Kelly, Spag, Jones, Vellano, Armstead. If we want to look to replace Vince and Kelly for the future, that I agree with. I think OL, maybe C an RG can be on the list. I would still like to see a solid S back there, and if we are not going to keep Ridley, we have to look RB. Sure is going to be interesting to see what route BB takes this yr.

 

[Drawmeomg]

Dont'a Hightower is just being asked to do too much. I predicted as much when Mayo went down - that Hightower would look mediocre the rest of the year. He's just not physically capable of doing the things in coverage that Mayo does.

Now, if Jamie Collins can keep playing well and develop into a Mayo Jr. type role, then Hightower might be able to get back to doing what he does best.

Incidentally, I just watched that game and their defense was actually pretty strong from start to finish, especially considering the offense they were playing. That huge lead the Broncos built didn't come off sustained drives or anything.

 

[JDM]

I don't think it's even as much he'll never be able to cover as it's not a role he had been practicing to be utilized in. Yes, BB stresses versatility and will make sure his players develop to be relatively capable of a wide variety of roles, but first he fits them soundly into their primary role. Hightower was still in this stage and the loss of Mayo put him into a much more coverage-heavy role than he was intended to serve.

 

[eric5577x]

Was he an ILB at Bama? Maybe he is suited for that instead. Maybe he was Spikes replacement and I was all for Spikes leaving. However, he has been huge this yr, esp vs the run and the best tackler on this team. IDK anymore..LOL

 

[Drawmeomg]

Was he an ILB at Bama? Maybe he is suited for that instead. Maybe he was Spikes replacement and I was all for Spikes leaving. However, he has been huge this yr, esp vs the run and the best tackler on this team. IDK anymore..LOL

He was an everythingLB at Bama. He even played DE.

Not worried. Hightower has strengths and weaknesses to his game, he has plenty of time to correct the weaknesses and meanwhile they don't have to have him on the field all the time.

 

[JDM]

I think spikes, mayo, Hightower will be the best LB trio in the league in two to three years if they keep spikes around. They are all great talents.

 

[Drawmeomg]

If Collins builds on this game, 3-4 again?

 

[JDM]

I'd be OK with that, but I think all three are better fits in 4-3 or as 3-4 ILB and am not sure which plays outside in a 3-4.

 

[Drawmeomg]

Actually if they went 3-4 then Nink would be a LB and they'd still have 1 more than spots. Mayo as a 3 down LB and the other 3 as situational players it is.

 

[JDM]

Actually if they went 3-4 then Nink would be a LB and they'd still have 1 more than spots. Mayo as a 3 down LB and the other 3 as situational players it is.

I think all three should be every down backers, though. You can't afford to pay spikes and not play him every down. If that's all he would be used for, I'd rather let him walk, and I don't like that.

 

[Drawmeomg]

Truthfully, they don't play with 7 DL/LB three downs anyway, they go to a sub package, so someone's coming off the field regardless.

 

[JDM]

Of course, but those three should be on the field pretty damn consistently to be worth the contract spikes will demand this year and Hightower will most likely draw when his rookie contract is up. If they're not consistently seeing the field they'll be overpaid, because elsewhere, they likely would.