The emergence of Dont'a Hightower

Dont'a Hightower versus Oakland Raiders week 3 (Photo by New England Patriots team photographer Keith Nordstrom)

Dont'a Hightower is getting noticed for his good play, a stark contrast to 2013, when he was being noticed for being late to spots allowing gains in both the passing and running games. Bleacher Report’s James Christensen breaks down two of Hightower’s more impressive plays during week 3 against the Raiders. ESPNBoston’s Mike Reiss leads off his second quarter review with Hightower praise. And Doug Kyed of NESN details Hightower’s effectiveness with quotes Bill Belichick.

The common thread in all three articles is the demonstration of Hightower’s versatility as Belichick said

Dont’a’s a very versatile player, he’s played multiple positions for us. He’s done that well. He’s played off the line, inside on the guard, on the tackle — and played on the line on the tight end. He’s played down — did that in college, did some sub rushing in college, played SAM, and then when (Rolando) McClain left, he went inside and played MIKE. He’s a very versatile player.

Jerod Mayo being back, freeing Hightower from the burden of signal caller, has allowed Hightower to begin to emerge as one of the best linebackers in the league. And according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required) he is rated as the number 1 inside linebacker and the number 17 outside linebacker.

Belichick stresses Hightower’s ability to stay on the field on third down as a huge part of his versatility

I think the big thing for a player like Dont’a is his ability to play on third down, and his ability to cover and rush the passer,” Belichick said at Gillette Stadium during a news conference. “He gives your defense a lot of flexibility. He’s a guy that you really want on the field on third down for the number of different things that he can do. I wouldn’t say that’s always the case with linebackers like him — inside linebackers. That’s what makes him a really good player. He’s good on all downs, but he gives you a lot of versatility.

In 2013 Patriots fans wanted Hightower to step up and be the sort of dominant presence he has been so far in 2014. The problem was that he and Devin McCourty were holding the 2013 defense together with chicken wire and duct tape. Having Mayo, Vince Wilfork, Chandler Jones back healthy and adding Darrelle Revis and Patrick Chung has allowed Hightower to emerge as an elite playmaker. Now he just needs to keep it up as opposing teams start to try and account for his explosive ability.

Find me on Twitter @HookingFoul

Check out more of my stuff here!