Patriots Gridiron News 10/18: Dont’a Hightower Delivers Dominance
New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower continues to be the anchor on defense when healthy.
When Dont’a Hightower is healthy, there is no doubt who leads the New England Patriots’ defense. On Sunday, the Alabama alum made the game-changing play that helped lead the Patriots to a 35-17 victory.
With the team down 14-10 in the third quarter, Hightower delivered a sack of quarterback Andy Dalton in the end zone. An obvious turning point in the game, the fourth-year linebacker scored his second safety in as many game, which is a rare feat in the NFL.
"More from New England PatriotsFormer Patriot Stevan Ridley Put Kevin Hart in a Wheelchair3 Patriots Who Can Clinch a Roster Spot in Final Preseason GamePatriots Get Win Over Division Rivals Before Season Even BeginsNew Massachusetts Sportsbook Promos: $450 Bonus to Bet on Your Patriots at Caesars + DraftKingsEzekiel Elliott Reveals 3 Reasons Why He Signed With Patriots“He kind of delayed and came on a blitz and made a good play,” Dalton said via ESPN. “I tried to get out of it and couldn’t. Obviously you’re going to lose a little bit of the energy when you get a sack for a safety.”"
That play alone was the kind of dominance Hightower is capable in any given game. It was not only a momentum shift in the game, but helped rallied the rest of the defense to step up and play inspired football the rest of the way.
Overall, Hightower recorded 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The performance earned continuing praise from head coach Bill Belichick.
"“(Hightower) can handle a lot of different assignments and not only just knowing what to do but instinctively handles he handles those well,” said Belichick. “He’s a good player, and he had some big plays for us today; no question.”"
Cover boy: Wide receiver Danny Amendola is not seeing a ton of playing time on the field, but fans can catch Amendola on the fall issue of Scene Magazine. In the issue he opens up living in New England and endorses his Catches for Kids Foundation.
"“Boston is an unbelievable city, and for any athlete looking to become involved in the community, this is the perfect place,” Amendola said in the issue."
Amendola also graces the cover of the October issue of Men’s Health.
Practice squad: Two new faces return to the practice squad on Monday. According to WEEI, fullback Glenn Gronkowski and running back Tyler Gaffney were signed back to the practice squad. Both players were spotted in the Patriots locker room Monday.
Gaffney is interesting. The Stanford product was released with an injury settlement right after training camp. Both Gronkowski and Gaffney fill the two roster spots left open by the promotions of Anthony Johnson and Geneo Grissom.
Next: Boston Celtics to Watch: Veteran Guard Avery Bradley
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