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Post by vinniemack84 on Nov 28, 2013 2:50:48 GMT -5
Was Hightower absent from the entire second half of the Broncos game? With the emergence of COllins in this game and Fletcher taking over Hightower's duties....is Belichick tapping the brakes on Hightower? Not necessarily giving u on him, but it isn't too soon to start thinking Hightower is a bust. He is getting killed in coverage and looked as bad as he's ever looked in the first half against the broncos, getting beat on that brutal third down screen pass conversion. I want to love the guy. He is a monster in stature, but Fletcher-Spikes-Collins may be the best bet. they did hold the Broncos to 7 points in the second half.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Nov 28, 2013 3:03:41 GMT -5
Hightower left the game with an injury, or at least that is how it was reported at the time. He appears to be fine as he is not on the injury report today. I dont really think the defense played any differant in the second half. 7 points were giving up on a defensive td, another quick 7 were the result in a fumble that put denver inside our 20, and 3 more were the result of a fumble. The defense only deserves credit for giving up 7 in the first half, and 7 in the second.
Hightower has played well against the run, but he isnt consistant against the pass. He is playing at 270 pounds which is about 15 pounds bigger than the average OLB. He was a 4.65 guy at the combine, so he isnt slow by any means. If he drops 10 pounds he could still be effective against the run and keep up with some faster guys.
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Post by vinniemack84 on Nov 29, 2013 14:35:25 GMT -5
Belichick said the hightower switch at half was, "a change that needed to be made". Fletcher graded out as the 4th best Patriot in cover during the second half, while Hightower was being eaten alive. The more I see of Fletcher the more I think he is going to be a big part of this D in the future / present. Hightower seems to be a less effective version of Spikes against the run...and unreliable in coverage. Maybe he can shed some weight in the off season and improve on his quickness...but for now he has not lived up to his draft status IMO.
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Post by patriotsk1d on Nov 29, 2013 21:09:20 GMT -5
Belichick said the hightower switch at half was, "a change that needed to be made". Fletcher graded out as the 4th best Patriot in cover during the second half, while Hightower was being eaten alive. The more I see of Fletcher the more I think he is going to be a big part of this D in the future / present. Hightower seems to be a less effective version of Spikes against the run...and unreliable in coverage. Maybe he can shed some weight in the off season and improve on his quickness...but for now he has not lived up to his draft status IMO. You are right, Hightower was pulled because of his play, not injury like originally reported. I like Hightower, I think he will get a lot better. Hightower has taken on a much bigger role this season with Mayo out. 270 pounds is probably too big for a LB. I have always been a big Dane Fletcher fan. 2 years ago he had a very big preseason, but then he tore his acl and that set him back. I said going into this season that he might be our best coverage lb. At the very least he should have a good future as a 3rd down sub LB. I bet Fletcher secures the OLB position on the otherside of Hightower. Jamie Collins has had some snaps over on that side, but I think Fletcher has secured that spot with his recent play.
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