Hightower looked good today

[supercowboy8]

Hightower had a great pro day in the drills today and looked better than Upshaw.

Barron also had a good day. best 40 time was 4.53 which Kirkpatrick was 4.51 at the combine.

[SDogo]

Hightower had a great pro day in the drills today and looked better than Upshaw.

Barron also had a good day. best 40 time was 4.53 which Kirkpatrick was 4.51 at the combine.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-path-to-the-draft/09000d5d82773585/Alabama-pro-day-report

Rating the Bama prospects IMO....

1. Hightower
3. Barron
5. Kirpatrick
5. Upshaw

[Woods]

from gbnreport.com,

March 29
(11:15 AM): Early numbers from Tide workout ... The early, unofficial numbers from the Alabama workout today include 40 times in the low 4.5 range for RB Trent Richardson, 4.55 for Mark Barron and something in the low 4.8 range for OLB Courtney Upshaw. Given the rule of thumb that hand-timed, pro day numbers can be as much as a tenth lower than comparable numbers from the combine, none of these times can be considered more than average. In fact, Upshaw's time is somewhat slow for an edge rusher.



I posted this on another thread as well . . . .

[Woods]

Hightower had a great pro day in the drills today and looked better than Upshaw.

Barron also had a good day. best 40 time was 4.53 which Kirkpatrick was 4.51 at the combine.

What was Hightower's time out of curiousity?

[Woods]

Rating the Bama prospects IMO....

1. Hightower
3. Barron
5. Kirpatrick
5. Upshaw

I'm thinking more and more I like your first pick in your mock.

Try and trade back a few spots and target Konz. Or maybe Gilmore is still there.

If no trade back, I'm happy enough with DeCastro or Cox.

[woods74]

SDogo right there with you with Hightower...

when I was watching tape of Upshaw I kept seeing #30 blow up the line, or make a TFL, or force a big play..especialy in the National title game against LSU...

I just don't see the boys going after Hightower early, but he is a very interesting player to watch...he seems to have "it"

[woods74]

Josh Norris‏@JoshNorris

Courtney Upshaw 27.5" vertical, 7.41 cone, 4.97 short shuttle. Once again, he's not an elite athlete. Tenacious with loads of power and tech

[reddyuta]

Hightower is going to be a stud in the nfl,he is the kind force we need at MLB.

[InmanRoshi]

Hightower has always been the Bama defender who stood out to me. The guy is a football player. The question has always been if you're getting a 3 down linebacker or if you're getting a younger Bradie James.

[Noryb]

What was Hightower's time out of curiousity?

He didn't run it, he sat on his combine time which was 4.68.

[InmanRoshi]

Josh Norris‏@JoshNorris

Courtney Upshaw 27.5" vertical, 7.41 cone, 4.97 short shuttle. Once again, he's not an elite athlete. Tenacious with loads of power and tech

It's generally always hyperbole and internet messageboard braggadocio to say you could so what any of these players do, but I'm not so sure I couldn't run a 4.97 short shuttle.

[supercowboy8]

What was Hightower's time out of curiousity?

Hightower didn't run just did drills, he stood on his combine time of 4.68

[robert70x7]

Add .1-.2 for hand times and that's how you can compare them to FAT used at the Combine.

[casmith07]

Both Hightower and Upshaw are mean, hard-hitting football players.

You really probably can't go wrong with any of those guys off that defense. Sure, some aren't going to be Pro Bowlers, but any four of those guys will be able to contribute.

I wish I had paid more attention to Mark Barron this year and last year. Strong Safety is one of our biggest holes.

[cowboysooner]

Hightower has always been the Bama defender who stood out to me. The guy is a football player. The question has always been if you're getting a 3 down linebacker or if you're getting a younger Bradie James.

He is not a great 3rd down linebacker in coverage but he is a great stand up blitzer that can put his hand in the dirt and rush. Coverage is not his long suit. All of these Alabama defenders are big strong Marcus Spears/ Brady James type guys. None of them are sudden athletes for their position. Julio Jones, sure. Richardson yep. But the defenders just maul guys and they generally can;t maul guys in the NFL.

[28 Joker]

When I watched Hightower, the thing that stood out to me was his closing burst when blitzing up the middle. Hightower appeared to have more closing burst to the QB than any of Dallas' front seven players, except for Ware. Hightower had the burst to finish the deal and deal out some punishment when bringing heat up the middle.

I like Mark Barron the best out of all the Alabama defenders. I hope that Barron is on Dallas' short list.

[Zimmy Lives]

I've been saying for a month to keep an eye on Hightower. He would eventually become Spencer's replacement at outside LB. He has played on the outside in college and was very good at it. He is also, tough, smart and a hard worker; key ingredients for a Garrett player.

[CaptainAmerica]

I've been saying for a month to keep an eye on Hightower. He would eventually become Spencer's replacement at outside LB. He has played on the outside in college and was very good at it. He is also, tough, smart and a hard worker; key ingredients for a Garrett player.

Agree. I've posted on here before that he's one of the most versatile defensive players of all the front 7 guys. He can play inside and outside and line up at DE with his hand down on 3rd down.

When he was a freshman before his knee injury Saban said he was the best young lber he ever had and was the key to their defense. That was a defense that had Rolando McClain on it.

Today on the ESPNU coverage they spoke to John Copeland, the former Bama DL and first round pick of the Bengals and asked him who out of all the defensive guys working out would have the most success in the NFL and he said Hightower. Said he will be a GREAT NFL LBer.

I would love for us to pick him.

[Zimmy Lives]

Agree. I've posted on here before that he's one of the most versatile defensive players of all the front 7 guys. He can play inside and outside and line up at DE with his hand down on 3rd down.

When he was a freshman before his knee injury Saban said he was the best young lber he ever had and was the key to their defense. That was a defense that had Rolando McClain on it.

Today on the ESPNU coverage they spoke to John Copeland, the former Bama DL and first round pick of the Bengals and asked him who out of all the defensive guys working out would have the most success in the NFL and he said Hightower. Said he will be a GREAT NFL LBer.

I would love for us to pick him.

I would not be disappointed either! I really like the guy and think the Cowboys do too!

[ddh33]

I feel pretty good about two things:
1. Jason Garrett will absolutely know these players.
2. Nick Saban will be brutally honest in his personal opinion of these players toward Garrett.

I still think Dallas drafts one of them, and I think it will be the one that Saban recommends over all the others.

[CaptainAmerica]

I feel pretty good about two things:
1. Jason Garrett will absolutely know these players.
2. Nick Saban will be brutally honest in his personal opinion of these players toward Garrett.

I still think Dallas drafts one of them, and I think it will be the one that Saban recommends over all the others.

Agree. ESPN3 showed several shots of Garrett and Saban standing together smiling and talking.

[CowboyHawg2012]

I've been saying for a month to keep an eye on Hightower. He would eventually become Spencer's replacement at outside LB. He has played on the outside in college and was very good at it. He is also, tough, smart and a hard worker; key ingredients for a Garrett player.


Go back and look at my posts. I've been saying since i first got on here that Hightower is the best of the Bama kids and would/should be our #1 priority out of all of them. Especially if he starts falling in the draft by some miracle and the Giants or eagles snag him. Even more impressive, go look at his 2009 tape before he had knee surgery, moves even better then.

[Chocolate Lab]

Josh Norris‏@JoshNorris

Courtney Upshaw 27.5" vertical, 7.41 cone, 4.97 short shuttle. Once again, he's not an elite athlete. Tenacious with loads of power and tech

Wow. A 27.5 vertical? That's pathetic.

[boysfanindc]

I agree Hightower will be a great OLB in the pros.

[Zimmy Lives]

Go back and look at my posts. I've been saying since i first got on here that Hightower is the best of the Bama kids and would/should be our #1 priority out of all of them. Especially if he starts falling in the draft by some miracle and the Giants or eagles snag him. Even more impressive, go look at his 2009 tape before he had knee surgery, moves even better then.

I believe you. I know there is a small minority here that see his potential in Dallas' defense and in Garrett's program overall. I think he is the excat type of player Garrett is looking for on his team: A player who will push others to compete; a player who will show leadership and toughness; and, a player who can play multiple LB positions.

Now I'm not going to say that I prefer Hightower over Cox, DeCastro or Claiborne but I am saying that I would be pleased to see him in a Cowboys uniform! :D

[supercowboy8]

Agree. ESPN3 showed several shots of Garrett and Saban standing together smiling and talking.

Saban and Garrett are close friends. Saben was the Head Coach in Miami when Garrett was the QB coach in Miami.

I think that Saban and Garrett will talk about these players and Garrett really trust what Saban has to say. Saban is a very good secondary coach and still coaches those players now. If Saban is telling Garrett that Barron and Kirkpatrick are the legit players and will be stars in the NFL I bet Garrett listens to Saban.

[Sasquatch]

Saban and Garrett are close friends. Saben was the Head Coach in Miami when Garrett was the QB coach in Miami.

I think that Saban and Garrett will talk about these players and Garrett really trust what Saban has to say. Saban is a very good secondary coach and still coaches those players now. If Saban is telling Garrett that Barron and Kirkpatrick are the legit players and will be stars in the NFL I bet Garrett listens to Saban.

At #14, I have to think it's Barron or Kirkpatrick. Barron is underrated here despite being a very good safety prospect, projecting well to the pros, and it being a position of perennial need for the Dallas Cowboys.

[ddh33]

There are things I like about almost all of those Alabama defenders, but I have concerns about a lot of them too.

I liked Upshaw's nastiness and tenacity. Seemed like a very powerful player. But those numbers were frightening. I don't like him as a 34 OLB at all anymore.

Before Brandon Carr was signed, I had no doubt that Kirkpatrick would have been the guy. After Carr, I really had my doubts. It would still surprise me to see Dallas draft a fourth corner with the other glaring needs on this team.

Barron is a guy that I had been hoping would somehow fall to the second round. Not to wish ill on the young man, but I had sort of hoped his injuries would scare enough teams away that the Cowboys might get a Sean Lee situation. I don't have those same hopes anymore. I need to watch more of him because I think it's really tough to judge a safety in the college game.

Donta Hightower was my favorite player on that defense. The knee scares me some, but the guy just jumps out at you. People have already talked about his strength and burst, and it's obvious. Add to that how he was the QB of that defense and moved all over, and he definitely seems like the "right kind of guy". I was trying to think of an NFL comparison, and I kept thinking of Adalius Thomas or Mike Vrabel? He just seems like he can do a lot of things on the field, but I wonder if he does any of it it well enough to not be more than a thumper? I believe he could play outside, but after Connor was signed, I figured he wasn't someone the Cowboys were targeting, but they could shock me.

[supercowboy8]

At #14, I have to think it's Barron or Kirkpatrick. Barron is underrated here despite being a very good safety prospect, projecting well to the pros, and it being a position of perennial need for the Dallas Cowboys.
I think out of the two Kirkpatrick has the best chance at being a late 1st pick.

I think Gilmore and Jenkins will go before Kirkpatrick.
There are a few teams that need a CB, Cincy, Tennessee, Detroit.
I don't know if Kirkpatrick will make it past 21

[Gaede]

I'm not Hightower's biggest fan, but I could live with him in a trade down

[Dash28]

What would be the target area for Hightower in a trade down?

[Macnalty]

I have seen him linked with the Steelers and Patroits at their picks. Hard to nail it down as all the mocks seem to be in a state of flux after these pro days, working on my mock and trying to take him in the first left me tired with all the trades, I have liked him from the beginning, and the forum has pushed Cox and Brockers into a similar tier for me. Another guy like him is the kid from OK R Lewis both are going to be outstanding players after a year in their new positions. I predict Dont'a moves way down into the teens before the draft.

[ThreeandOut]

If Hightower could eventually play SOLB, then this is a pick that makes a lot of sense. If they keep Spencer this year, then he is a player that could see action this year at both SOLB and ILB. I could see Ryan putting Ware, Spencer and Hightower on the field at the same time on passing downs with Hightower rushing from the ILB position. He also seems to be more explosive than Upshaw so he may have more long-term potential as a pass rusher.

[Zimmy Lives]

If Hightower could eventually play SOLB, then this is a pick that makes a lot of sense. If they keep Spencer this year, then he is a player that could see action this year at both SOLB and ILB. I could see Ryan putting Ware, Spencer and Hightower on the field at the same time on passing downs with Hightower rushing from the ILB position. He also seems to be more explosive than Upshaw so he may have more long-term potential as a pass rusher.

This is exactly how I see the Cowboys using a guy like Hightower.

Yes, I know they have Conner and Carter (sounds like a law firm) but Garrett wants competition at every position. Anyway, it would only be for one year until Hightower can transition into the NFL and to outside LB. I think it would be a great move. The challenge would be whether Dallas thinks he is worth the 14th pick and who is on the board when they are on the clock.

[ThreeandOut]

This is exactly how I see the Cowboys using a guy like Hightower.

Yes, I know they have Conner and Carter (sounds like a law firm) but Garrett wants competition at every position. Anyway, it would only be for one year until Hightower can transition into the NFL and to outside LB. I think it would be a great move. The challenge would be whether Dallas thinks he is worth the 14th pick and who is on the board when they are on the clock.

I don't think he would be the selection at 14 but he could be a consideration in a trade down, which seems to be a real possibility.

[Zimmy Lives]

I don't think he would be the selection at 14 but he could be a consideration in a trade down, which seems to be a real possibility.

Agreed.

Dallas must stay put until their pick if only to see if they can get one of the top- tier players who might happen to slip to 14.