Fansided

Here’s some good news for Pats fans worried about a lack of defense

By Rucker Haringey

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 22: Dont'a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 22: Dont'a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

There’s no question the New England Patriots have enough offense to win a Super Bowl. The defense, however, needs a healthy Dont’a Hightower to hold up.

When a defense only plays two classic linebackers on most downs, it’s fair to say they need them both to be pretty good. That’s just one reason the New England Patriots need Dont’a Hightower back on the field. He will be the key to Bill Belichick’s defense this season if the Pats are going to win another Super Bowl.

Hightower went out with a torn pectoral muscle during Week 7 and the Patriots defense never recovered. They finished the year 31st against the run. Belichick and the coaching staff clearly identified stopping the opponent’s’ ground game as a key priority for the offseason.

It’s precisely why the Patriots chose to take Danny Shelton off the Browns’ hands. He never developed into the disruptive force that Cleveland envisioned, but that’s not going to be his role in New England. The Patriots will want Shelton to take up space in the middle. His job will be to occupy two offensive lineman on as many downs as possible.

Step two in the team’s rushing defense recovery is to get Hightower healthy. There’s good news on that front. He isn’t a full participant in OTAs but he is doing some light work on the side. That means he’s right on schedule to be a full participant once training camp begins. The Patriots would be wise to give him some additional rest once things get going in earnest, but having him back out on the field will be crucial.

Hightower isn’t just brawn for the Patriots defense. He’s also the unit’s brain. The physical linebacker typically calls the plays for his unit. When he’s out of the lineup, it causes quite a few players to take on extra responsibilities. That, predictably, has a negative impact on the New England defense.

Hightower’s absence also causes the Patriots’ pass rush to suffer. Unlike a lot of three down linebackers, he’s perfectly capable of getting after the quarterback on the edge. When he’s on the sideline, Belichick loses a valuable run stopper and pass rusher.

Next: Should the Patriots be worried about Tom Brady?

Dont’a Hightower isn’t New England’s biggest name, but he is their most important defender. His athleticism and versatility is required for the unit to succeed. Patriots fans should hope for a healthy, productive season from their star linebacker if they want to make a deep playoff run in 2018.

Home/New England Patriots