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Patriots Gridiron News: Dont’a Hightower is a big time, big game performer

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Dont'a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots celebrates a third quarter sack against the Los Angeles Rams performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Dont'a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots celebrates a third quarter sack against the Los Angeles Rams performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower played his healthiest season in 2018 and it led to another Super Bowl championship.

When Dont’a Hightower is healthy and available in New England Patriots Super Bowl appearances, the team is 3-0.  Yes, they are undefeated when the product of Alabama is on the field.

In all those victories Hightower made clutch defensive plays that helped the Patriots be victorious.  In Super Bowl XLIX, it was the shoe string tackle on Marshawn Lynch at the goal line prior to Malcolm Butler’s memorable touchdown that gave the defense a chance to make that miraculous Super Bowl saving play against the Seattle Seahawks.

Then, there was Super Bowl LI where Hightower had a key strip sack against Matt Ryan that enabled the Patriots to complete a historic comeback victory against the Atlanta Falcons.

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In Super Bowl LIII, well, it was just his toughness and communication on the field that helped orchestrate one of Bill Belichick’s most masterful coaching performances.  One could argue that Dont’a Hightower should’ve been the Super Bowl MVP.  If he had held on to a sure interception thrown by Jared Goff, he probably would’ve been.  He also had two key sacks in that game coming at just the right time.

So, just imagine if he was healthy for Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles.  It is a sure bet Hightower would’ve made that one key defensive play that would’ve led the New England Patriots to Super Bowl victory.  That’s what both his presence and absence has meant to the defense.

Simply put, when Dont’a Hightower is healthy and, on the field, he typically rises up in big moments and make plays.  That’s what makes 2018 a unique year for the 29-year-old linebacker.  For the first season in a while, he was healthy all season and it felt good.

"“It was awesome,” Hightower said about his durability this season.  “I hadn’t played as many games in a season as this year [in a while].  Going into the offseason last year, that was big, big emphasis of mine.  I am glad to be where I am at, blessed to be where I am at.  Hard work pays off.”"

Overcoming early season struggles

That hard work did play off in 2018, especially since his lack of playmaking was noticed and criticized during the early part of the season.  As the New England Patriots defense struggled, it was highly noted how slow Dont’a Hightower looked on the field.

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In fact, he looked so slow in the open field that there were considerable thoughts about the Patriots switching his role to an edge rusher only in the game on passing downs.  One has to wonder if rookie linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley had not been sidelined for the remainder of the season would that switch had eventually happened.

Even it if it did, it is clear that Hightower would’ve eventually went back to his old role during the Super Bowl run.  That is where his experience and versatility really paid off.  Despite only recording one sack in the regular season, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick still had faith in the ability of his veteran linebacker and that faith paid off.

"“Dont’a had a real good year for us,” Belichick said prior to the AFC Championship Game.  “His personal versatility is good because of the number of things we face defensively that we have to adjust to.  It allows us to do other things defensively.  He’s a very good communicator at all levels.  Whether he’s an inside linebacker, outside linebacker if you will, part of the defensive line, pass-rush, he’s very good in all those areas.”"

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Besides staying healthy, what Dont’a Hightower proved in 2018 and through the playoffs is that he is still the leader on defense.  He leads with a physicality and versatility that puts him in position to rise up and make big plays in big moments. That is his true value and a value that Belichick will lean to in 2019 when he inserts new players into the defense of the defending Super Bowl champions.

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