Patriots gridiron news: Why Dont’a Hightower is the biggest offseason addition
Coming off a Super Bowl LII loss in which the defense struggled, the return of Dont’a Hightower is the biggest addition for the New England Patriots going into the 2018 NFL season.
It’s been a pretty eventful offseason for the New England Patriots and flying under the radar is the return of the team’s best defensive player, Dont’a Hightower.
After missing the majority of the 2017 NFL season due to injury, Hightower’s return to the defense should help the team in several ways. Not only is he a leader on the field, his versatility allows the team to do many different things on the field.
Hightower on the field also allows players like Kyle Van Noy and Trey Flowers to do what they do best in their natural positions. Most importantly, it gives other players on defense more confidence simply because of his presence.
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"“Having him back with us is huge,” Marquis Flowers said following Tuesday’s practice, via the Boston Herald. “He’s our leader on defense.”"
We saw it last season when he was on the field. Before tearing his torn pectoral muscle, which caused him to miss the remainder of the 2017 season, Hightower’s presence on the field solidified the value in the big contract he signed the offseason prior.
Not only is he a trusted member of the defensive unit, he comes through time and time again in the big games. The New England Patriots certainly could’ve used him in Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles. Void of the big play the team really needed during that game, there is no doubt Dont’a Hightower would’ve made one of them.
So, while the focus is on newcomer Adrian Clayborn and Danny Shelton as well as young players like Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Derek Rivers, keep an eye on the health of Hightower. Simply put, he is the kryptonite to the Patriots defense.
"“He has an amazing I.Q. That doesn’t get talked about enough,” Van Noy said of his teammate. “He knows the adjustments. He puts everyone in the right positions. That’s my guy. He’s like my brother now. I’m glad to have him on my team.”"
With the way he studies the field and comes through in big moments, Hightower will make the players around him better through his leadership and field presence. That’s why his return is the biggest addition of the offseason. We’ll see that once the games start for real.
Team activates remaining three players off PUP
With the first preseason game coming on Thursday night, the New England Patriots have activated defensive backs Cyrus Jones, Jonathan Jones and Nate Ebner off the physically unable to perform list.
All three players have passed physicals after suffering significant injuries before or during the 2017 NFL season.
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While both Jonathan Jones and Nate Ebner are pretty much locks on making the 53-man roster, this is a do or die preseason for 2016 second-round pick Cyrus Jones. Following a disastrous rookie season, Cyrus missed his entire sophomore season with a torn ACL.
This could be his last chance to show the Patriots he is the player they thought he was when they drafted him.