Dont’a Hightower wanted to have more fun in 2014, and so far it looks like he’s getting his wish.
The New England Patriots’ starting linebacker has taken a major leap in 2014, and he’s been the team’s best defensive player through three games. Hightower has been spectacular as a pass rusher, in coverage and with stout run defense. He had another stellar game Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, recording a quarterback hit and two hurries as a pass rusher, allowing four catches for zero yards on five targets in coverage and making seven tackles.
Check out some of his top plays as we go position by position in our Patriots-Raiders film review:
QUARTERBACK
It’s difficult to gauge Tom Brady’s performance this season since his offensive line has been so bad (more on that later). Brady missed some throws Sunday, including a second quarter incompletion to tight end Rob Gronkowski, and a fourth quarter pass wide in the end zone to wide receiver Danny Amendola.
Any worries that Brady is locked in on Gronkowski or wide receiver Julian Edelman can be put to rest after the Patriots QB passed both players up while they were open to throw to other receivers, including wideout Brandon LaFell and tight end Tim Wright.
I thought this pass from Brady to Edelman was especially impressive. Brady put the ball in the perfect spot where only Edelman could go up and snatch it out of the air.
RUNNING BACKS
The Patriots’ running backs look horrible on paper, averaging just 2.4 yards per carry against the Raiders, but that doesn’t tell the whole story of their performance.
Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen weren’t able to break many tackles, but they also weren’t given any room to run by their offensive line.
Ridley is getting more involved in the passing game this season. He caught a designed pass for seven yards. Vereen had just 17 yards through the air on four catches, but that included a 5-yard loss on a blown play where Edelman and Amendola faked a jet sweep and reverse.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Edelman is far and away the Patriots’ best offensive player so far — Brady included. Edelman criticized his own run blocking after the game, and that might have been warranted, as he wasn’t springing many big runs for his backs and missed a couple blocks.
LaFell was able to get open frequently, and he was targeted eight times by Brady. He caught four passes for 46 yards.
Amendola had another long completion called back by a penalty when LaFell was flagged for pass interference on a pick play.
TIGHT ENDS
Gronkowski is getting closer to 100 percent, but he still looks like he’s around 75 to 80 percent. He had a costly drop in the end zone after Brady’s pass deflected off Raiders safety Charles Woodson’s hands. A healthy Gronk would go a long way toward the Patriots’ offense clicking.
Michael Hoomanawanui missed a couple blocks. Vereen had to completely reverse course on one run after Hooman tripped and fell.
Wright only saw five snaps. He might start to see more playing time as Gronk gets back to full health.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Patriots’ offensive line is a mess, and it doesn’t appear to be getting any better. Brady is being forced to get rid of the ball quickly, not only because pressure is bearing down, but also because he doesn’t trust them.
They also can’t open holes in the running game, which was a huge issue against the Raiders. As the Patriots drove to the goal line, running the ball became out of the question as the offensive line couldn’t get any push.
To highlight the line’s issues, let’s go through two of their worst plays.
Right guard Jordan Devey had a choice here on this fourth quarter run to block No. 56 Miles Burris or No. 50 Kaluka Maiava. Who did he choose?
Neither. Maiava made the tackle, and Ridley only got 2 yards on this play.
Antonio Smith is the Raider circled in blue being double teamed, and C.J. Wilson is in red being blocked by Marcus Cannon. Somehow both of these players sacked Brady. Devey also gave up a sack earlier in the game.
Franchise left tackle Nate Solder had a tough game, allowing Brady to get hit three times. Rookie Bryan Stork replaced Devey in the fourth quarter, sliding Dan Connolly over to right guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Vince Wilfork had a great game, holding his ground and disrupting the backfield against the Raiders’ run game. He also clinched the game with a fourth quarter interception.
Sealver Siliga hurt his foot in the first quarter, and Joe Vellano and Chris Jones filled his role. Vellano had a solid game stuffing the run.
Rookie defensive tackle Dominique Easley recorded one pass rush pressure. He’ll be better once he fully recovers from offseason knee surgery.
Chandler Jones bounced between outside linebacker and defensive end in the Patriots’ 3-4, 4-3 and 4-3 over alignments. He recorded two pass-rush pressures and two deflections at the line of scrimmage. He also stopped running back Darren McFadden for no gain after putting a swim move on tight end Brian Leonhardt, throwing him to the ground.
Rob Ninkovich was solid against the run and recorded three pressures in pass rush.
LINEBACKERS
Hightower has shown major improvements in pass coverage, and plays like this are now commonplace for the 265-pound linebacker.
Hightower has been stout against the run and makes the most of his pass-rush snaps.
Jerod Mayo quietly racked up 11 tackles. He recorded two pressures in just eight pass rush snaps, and he was filling his gaps well in the run game.
Second-year Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins was limited in his return from a thigh injury.
CORNERBACKS
Darrelle Revis had a rare “off” day, allowing five receptions on six targets for 63 yards. The Patriots used zone and man concepts against rookie QB Derek Carr.
Logan Ryan allowed four catches for 60 yards on five targets. It wasn’t the second-year pro’s best game after a solid effort against the Minnesota Vikings.
Slot cornerback Kyle Arrington didn’t allow a reception and made an impressive pass breakup.
SAFETIES
The Patriots used five safeties on Sunday, and all of them played well. Free safety Devin McCourty and reserve Duron Harmon manned the back half of the field well. Starting strong safety Patrick Chung was targeted twice in man coverage and didn’t allow a catch. He’s being allowed to play to his strengths this time around with the Patriots.
In his first tenure, Chung was forced to cover deep. Now he stays near the line of scrimmage, where he can cover 1-on-1 and defend the run.
Photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
