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New England Patriots: Dont’a Hightower leading the way

By Michael DeVito

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 15: Adam Butler #70 and Dont'a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots are seen before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 15: Adam Butler #70 and Dont'a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots are seen before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower will be a leader on defense in 2020.

The New England Patriots will be relying on their defense heavily in 2020. In fact, they will be relying on it MORE heavily than at any time since about 2005.

With Tom Brady throwing the football in Tampa Bay, the Patriots defense will have to win games for the team again in 2020.

The secondary is probably the key component. Good thing. They are loaded with talent. They have veteran talent galore and young high draft picks waiting in the wings. If they falter, this will be a very long season in New England. Very. But they won’t.

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The defensive line is less solid though it still possesses a couple of key pieces. They were hard hit by free agency losses in the offseason. Danny Shelton in particular. They will be challenged in 2020, for sure.

Then, there is the linebacker corps. This unit was hit the hardest by free agency and they will be hard-pressed to be as successful in 2020.

They essentially lost two starters and a backup, who was also a captain. That’s a big loss tally. So how do they compensate?

Dont’a Hightower helps lead the New England Patriots defense

The acknowledged leader of the Patriots defense is Devin McCourty. I call him, Mr. Patriot. He’s a sure-fire Patriots Hall of Famer and maybe Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well.

Dev has been a fixture on the New England defense since he was drafted in 2010. Ten years of excellence. Yet, after, Devin, there needs to be another leader on defense.

That guy has to Dont’a Hightower. He’s a big-play guy who shows up at the biggest times with the biggest plays. Hard to believe he has been with the Patriots for 8 seasons. But he’s been a productive player anytime he’s been on the field.

Hightower checks in at 6’3″ tall and about 260 pounds. He’s a prototypical inside linebacker for New England. But, he’s much more than that. Even at his size, he’s a terrific pass rusher.

Who can forget his strip-sack of Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan in the Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons setting the stage for the most dramatic comeback win in Super Bowl history?

So here’s saying that Hightower will step up and assume a leadership role on New England’s defense in 2020. With the departure of former captain Elandon Roberts, Hightower was a terrific candidate to assume that role. I hope it happens.

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Hightower has been a great Patriot during his 8 years in New England. A lot is resting on the defense in 2020 and without Hightower, it’s not likely to happen. He deserves the title of captain and to help lead the defense to success in 2020.

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