Dont’a Hightower confident in a defensive turnaround
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| Jamie Squire | Getty Images |
Dont’a Hightower spoke to reporters on Monday for the first time since his knee injury in Week 1, and of course questions came flooding in about the New England Patriots’ defensive struggles.
Being the veteran that he is, the sixth-year linebacker shook off any doubt and responded with confidence in the fact that he believes the defense will get it figured out.
“Absolutely,” Hightower said.
“We’ve got to hold each other to a higher standard than that. That starts today. We know where we have to be at and what we have to do. The time is now. There’s no more next week or any other s---. We have to get going.”
He’s exactly right. The defense has to take action now and show what they’re worth.
The Patriots’ defensive unit has allowed 128 points through four games – which is the most through the first four games of the season in team history. Hightower believes that focusing on the small things is what will put a stop to that.
The #Patriots defense has allowed 128 points through 4 games. The most through the first 4 games of the season in team history.— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) October 1, 2017
“Getting that little bit of extra pressure on the quarterback, that extra knock back on the line of scrimmage,” he said. “All the little things matter right now. I think what we need to do, and what we’re going to start doing, is going at that. Don’t take things for granted, you know? Appreciate every little thing and be knowledgeable of each small detail. We’ll start from there and see where it goes.”
New England’s defense is going to have to act fast – as they are currently preparing for a Thursday night contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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