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Patriots Gridiron News: Dont’a Hightower Prepared for Le’veon Bell

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (R) talks to outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (R) talks to outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower appeared on WEEI’s Ordway, Merloni & Fauria to discuss Tomlin’s comments and Le’veon Bell.

When it comes to the running style of Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’veon Bell, Dont’a Hightower will not change his approach.  The New England Patriots defensive captain joined the Ordway, Merloni & Fauria show on Monday and talked about the dangerous running back.

Bell, who ran for 81 yards on 21 carries in the previous meeting between the two teams, presents a problem because of his patience and ability to hit the right holes.  Hightower they have to stay pat in their approach against the Steelers running back.

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"“I don’t have to switch to stop it, but he does a really good job with his patience,” the run-stopping linebacker said via WEEI.  “He let’s his linemen do a good job of climbing up over the top of the linebackers and he does a good job of getting those guys to shift in one direction and he takes the gap and he shoots it.”"

The Patriots’ defense will have their hands full with the high-powered Steelers’ offense overall.  As the team prepares for their toughest challenge, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin may have added some extra motivation.  When asked about the Facebook Live video posted by Antonio Brown in which Tomlin is heard calling the Patriots a-holes, Hightower brushed it off.

"“I don’t care,” he said.  “Is that supposed to hurt my feelings?”"

Defense vs. Bell:  As far as the rest of the defense goes, Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia knows tackling will be a key point of emphasis for his team.  Not only is Bell patient, but he has the ability to make people miss.

"“Really, very dynamic in his ability to make people miss in open space from a tackling standpoint, a very patient runner,” Patricia said via the Boston Herald. “It’s kind of a different style of running game where he kind of gets to the line of scrimmage and really just finds that hole or that seam, and he has this incredible burst to be able to get through.”"

The defensive line and linebackers will have to be just as patient as Bell to fill the holes before he can find them.  Not an easy task at all.

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