Patriots Gridiron News 10/22: Dont’a Hightower Needs Jamie Collins

New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower praised fellow linebacker Jamie Collins in lieu of the best game of his career.

Dont’a Hightower was named AFC East Defensive Player of the Week for his dominant performance against the Cincinnati Bengals.  The Patriots linebacker saw his role increase due to the absence of teammate Jamie Collins.

Speaking to the media Wednesday, Hightower praised his fellow teammate.  He said having him on the field makes things much easier for himself.

"“It’s a lot more fluent having Jamie [Collins] out there,” Hightower said on Wednesday via CSNNE.com. “A lot of the times we coordinate things a lot together. I usually take care of the front, he takes care of the secondary. We have our own way of doing things. Sometimes Jamie is just like, ‘No, you go ahead and you just make the calls and I’ll play off of you.’”"

More from New England Patriots

• Former Patriot Stevan Ridley Put Kevin Hart in a Wheelchair
• 3 Patriots Who Can Clinch a Roster Spot in Final Preseason Game
• Patriots Get Win Over Division Rivals Before Season Even Begins
• New Massachusetts Sportsbook Promos: $450 Bonus to Bet on Your Patriots at Caesars + DraftKings
• Ezekiel Elliott Reveals 3 Reasons Why He Signed With Patriots

Hightower went on to say that he can go 100 percent having Collins on the field with him because of how well they compliment each other.  The Patriots certainly benefit when both players on the field, but that hasn’t been often.  Both players have missed games this year and both had injury issues in 2015.  It is also possible the Patriots will only have one of them following the season as both players will enter free agency.

Impending contracts?

Can the Patriots sign both to long-term deals?  The answer to that question will be their value to the team and whether head coach Bill Belichick feels another player can fill the role.

In all, they both make plays and are both important to the success of the defense.  Futhermore,It does appear that the defense runs smoother when Hightower is on the field versus when he is not on the field.  Having both is certainly a luxury but having at least one of them is a necessity.  Hightower, for one, would rather his partner-in-crime be on the field with him.

And that goes beyond the 2016 season.

No clowning around: With Halloween just around the corner, Patriots DE/LB Rob Ninkovich joined the crown hysteria by showing up to the home of defensive end Chris Long wearing a very scary clown mask.  See Long’s response via CSNNE.com.

Brandon Bolden:  Patriots running back Brandon Bolden was the only player not spotted at practice Friday.  The special teams ace injured his knee against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 and has been limited in practice since then.

Bolden has missed the last two games due to the injury and there is a pretty good share he will not be available for Sunday’s showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.

Next: Patriots Injury Report: Bolden Only Player Not At Friday’s Practice

For more news and roster updates on your favorite NFL team, keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions.