Dont’a Hightower’s influence on the New England Patriots’ defense can’t be understated. The sixth-year linebacker has been a monster for the Patriots since arriving in 2012, and he’s since become the leader of New England’s defense. With this in mind, Hightower’s activation off the physically unable to perform list Tuesday provided a major lift for the Pats. Newcomer David Harris especially is excited for Hightower to be back, as the veteran LB has used Hightower as a mentor heading into his first season with the Patriots. To hear NESN’s Matt Chatham break down the importance of Hightower within New England’s defense, check out ... NESN.com
Tag: Hightower
NFL Rumors: Patriots, Jets ‘Leading The Pack’ Of Dont’a Hightower Suitors
Share this: A classic AFC East rivalry might spill over into free agency. The New England Patriots and New York Jets are the front-runners to sign linebacker Dont’a Hightower in free agency, CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora reported Sunday. Jets and Pats appear to be leading the pack to sign LB Dont'a Hightower but several others monitoring closely as well — Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 12, 2017 The Patriots have remained in the mix to re-sign their 2016 defensive captain — a report surfaced Saturday that one NFL team is “convinced” Hightower will return to New England, and Hightower reportedly is open to staying with the Pats. But the Pro Bowl linebacker, who turned 27 on Sunday, has plenty of other suitors, including the Tennessee Titans and
Top 25 NFL Free Agents: Ranking Best Players Available This Offeason
by Zack Cox on Mon, Mar 6, 2017 at 10:56AM 1,842 Share this: With free agency set to open this Thursday, NESN.com took a look at the top players expected to be available on the open market. Note: This list does not include restricted free agents or players who have been franchise-tagged. 1. Dont’a Hightower, linebacker, New England PatriotsA well-rounded linebacker with a penchant for making game-changing plays, Hightower is the crown jewel of this year’s free-agent crop. 2. Alshon Jeffery, wide receiver, Chicago BearsJeffery would be the No. 1 wideout on most teams around the league, but his availability is a concern after he missed 11 games over the past two seasons (seven for injury, four for suspension). 3. Calais Campbell, defensive end, Arizona CardinalsThough he’ll
Deadline For Patriots To Tag Dont’a Hightower Is Quickly Approaching
Share this: The New England Patriots cannot to meet with Patrick Dye, Dont’a Hightower’s agent, at the NFL Scouting Combine before determining whether to franchise or transition tag the free-agent linebacker. That’s because the deadline to tag a free agent is Wednesday at 4 p.m., the same day the combine opens in Indianapolis, and Bill Belichick doesn’t exactly come off as a procrastinator or spur-of-the-moment type guy. The Patriots undoubtedly have been deep in thought on this matter since they failed to reach a contract extension with Hightower before the 2016 season began. If the Patriots still can’t extend Hightower before Wednesday, they must make a decision whether or not to franchise or transition tag the linebacker by 4 p.m. If the Patriots choose not to
LeGarrette Blount Joins List Of Patriots Players Skipping White House Visit
by Zack Cox on Thu, Feb 9, 2017 at 3:02PM 2,407 Share this: Martellus Bennett. Devin McCourty. Dont’a Hightower. Chris Long. Maybe James White. Now, add LeGarrette Blount to that list. Blount said Thursday on “The Rich Eisen Show” he will not be attending the New England Patriots’ upcoming Super Bowl LI celebration at the White House. "I will NOT be going to the White House. I don't feel welcome in that house. I'll leave it at that." –@LG_Blount — Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 9, 2017 Bennett, McCourty, Hightower and Long all have said they do not plan on visiting President Donald Trump’s White House. White, who scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons and set a Super Bowl record with 14 catches, said
Dont’a Hightower Has Simple Explanation For Super Bowl-Changing Strip Sack
by Zack Cox on Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 1:08AM 1,626 Share this: HOUSTON — Amid the euphoria surrounding the New England Patriots’ historic victory Sunday night, linebacker Dont’a Hightower was cool, calm and collected as he relived the play that changed the course of arguably the greatest Super Bowl ever played. Said play came midway through the fourth quarter with the Atlanta Falcons leading by 16 points. On a third-and-1 from the Atlanta 35-yard line, Hightower came on an outside blitz, blew past running back Devonta Freeman and smacked the ball out of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan’s hand. Defensive tackle Alan Branch pounced on the loose ball, giving the Patriots’ possession deep in Falcons territory. New England never looked back, scoring two touchdowns over the final six minutes
How Patriots Are Blocking Out Hype Ahead Of Playoff Vs. Underdog Texans
by Zack Cox on Wed, Jan 11, 2017 at 5:36PM 2,035 Share this: FOXBORO, Mass. — Three of this weekend’s divisional-round playoff games should be hotly contested affairs. The New England Patriots are playing in the fourth. The Patriots enter Saturday night’s matchup with the Houston Texans as massive 16-point favorites. If that line holds, it would be the largest for an NFL playoff game since 1998 and the fourth-largest postseason spread in league history. And it makes sense. The Patriots finished the regular season an NFL-best 14-2, while the Texans were able to sneak into the playoffs at 9-7 by winning the league’s weakest division. New England also has beaten Houston once already this season, rolling to a 27-0 victory in Week 3 with