Is Dont' a Hightower the next Ray Lewis? - Dallas Cowboys Forum

AMERICAS_FAN · 04-08-2012

This offseason has been interesting. Early draft talk centered around DeCastro, who would be a fantastic pick. Now talk centers around Mark Barron who could shore up Dallas' defensive backfield. But the guy nobody is talking about is OLB/DE Dont' a Hightower.

I'm posting about Hightower because this is the player I want Dallas to draft. This guy is such a game changer that he'll be a great value in the draft. And he's a leader, with the kind of leadership ability that guys Dlike Ray Lewis command.

I think Hightower is the kind of guy that can come into this Defense and take it over as a rookie, and become the team leader as the season unfolds.

What do you guys think?

JPostSam · 04-08-2012

isn't he considered an ILB?

Eskimo · 04-08-2012

Hightower is a funny player in that he has been projected at ILB, OLB and even DE.

I know some are down on him right now because he did very poorly on agility testing and in the linebacking drills on his pro day. Some feel that he has never recovered from his knee injury back in 2009.

He is an intriguing player if you are looking for an ILB with some blitzing ability and can live with the poor coverage skills he is likely to have.

He is probably not a good pick for us because we are full at ILB now (too full for a first rounder anyway) and I don't think he is ideal for our SOLB opening.

The Realist · 04-08-2012

I think Hightower Ray Lewis the same way Bradie James is.

CowboyHawg2012 · 04-08-2012

he's my choice too. DeCastro, Barron, Hightower and i'd be happy. those guys or its a gonna be a lousy lousy day for me

VICTOR710 · 04-08-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CowboyHawg2012

he's my choice too. DeCastro, Barron, Hightower and i'd be happy. those guys or its a gonna be a lousy lousy day for me

This.

CowboyHawg2012 · 04-08-2012

Day 2 for me needs to be one of V. Curry, Hosley, Jenkins, Zietler, Konz, Silatolu, Osemele. based on what we do in the first of course

texbumthelife · 04-08-2012

I don't think he gets enough credit for how fase a pick he would be. I think he is the second safest pick behind Decastro. He may not turn out to be elite, pro-bowl material but, I think you have a day one 10 year starter who wouldn't be any drop-off from James at the very least. He doesn't have the athletic ability of some of the other guys but he is such a pure football player and so versatile that the possibility for him to have some elite years is there.

cdewsxzaq · 04-08-2012

I would love the Hightower pick. He brings so much versatility to the defense. He could play inside (on running downs for sure), he could rush the passer from the outside, spell Spencer/Ware, or even put his hand on the ground in 4-man fronts at DE. I think he would be an amazing addition to Rob's defense, you could line him up in 6 of the front 7 positions at any given time.

...Also, we could probably trade down to the 18-21 range and still land him.

casmith07 · 04-08-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo

Hightower is a funny player in that he has been projected at ILB, OLB and even DE.

I know some are down on him right now because he did very poorly on agility testing and in the linebacking drills on his pro day. Some feel that he has never recovered from his knee injury back in 2009.

He is an intriguing player if you are looking for an ILB with some blitzing ability and can live with the poor coverage skills he is likely to have.

He is probably not a good pick for us because we are full at ILB now (too full for a first rounder anyway) and I don't think he is ideal for our SOLB opening.

I think you're thinking of Courtney Upshaw.

Gaede · 04-08-2012

I wanna like him.

But I don't. Don't like the way he moves. I see Bradie James.

Macnalty · 04-08-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdewsxzaq

I would love the Hightower pick. He brings so much versatility to the defense. He could play inside (on running downs for sure), he could rush the passer from the outside, spell Spencer/Ware, or even put his hand on the ground in 4-man fronts at DE. I think he would be an amazing addition to Rob's defense, you could line him up in 6 of the front 7 positions at any given time.

...Also, we could probably trade down to the 18-21 range and still land him.

I hope he is our first pick but this board has already made up its mind on DeCastro and Barron(I think we will take Cox which is a good second choice). This guy may be available in the low twenties and I think he will be one of the better defensive players of this years draft. He is the Tyson Chandler on defense, come his way as long as you can pay the toll and everyone walks with a little more swagger.
"His linebacker skills are lacking maturity because, he has changed positions just about every year he has played. At this point his impact position is as a OLB/DE in a 3-4 defense, but he will also impact as a OLB in a 4-3 or DE in a 4-3. Dont'a should impact right away as a pass rusher and if you keep his assignments simple for awhile, he should impact as an OLB also. Think Derrick Thomas (former LB/DE Kansas City Chiefs)" Huddlereport

Wish I could find that article about his tears curing cancer but I seem to have misplaced that report.

Eskimo · 04-08-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by casmith07

I think you're thinking of Courtney Upshaw.

No, I never wanted Upshaw.

It is what I remember hearing from his Pro day that the scouts thought he lacked the mobility to play LB. This was surprising to me because I thought he moved really well on the football field. However, if he is as slow and stiff as they claim him to be he would be a major liability in pass defense in this system. His short shuttle was only 4.64 and 3-cone drill was 7.55 that is too slow for a good edge rusher and pretty slow for an ILB. Lots of people complain that Dan Connor was too slow for an ILB but he ran the same 40 (4.68) as Hightower but had a short shuttle of 4.25 and a 3-cone drill of 6.78.

I could see him following the path of Brandon Spikes who went into the draft process as a mid first rounder but ended up being a late 2nd rounder to the Pats.

I just don't think he fits with us due to limited athletic ability/stiffness.

Eskimo · 04-08-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaede

I wanna like him.

But I don't. Don't like the way he moves. I see Bradie James.

He had the mobility skills of a DE, not a LB.

He may be best off bulking up a bit to play DE in a 4-3 defense which plays some 3-4 where he flexes out as an OLB. I just think he will get eaten up in coverage here and doesn't have enough burst/agility to be an effective edge rusher.

cdewsxzaq · 04-08-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macnalty

I hope he is our first pick but this board has already made up its mind on DeCastro and Barron(I think we will take Cox which is a good second choice). This guy may be available in the low twenties and I think he will be one of the better defensive players of this years draft. He is the Tyson Chandler on defense, come his way as long as you can pay the toll and everyone walks with a little more swagger.
"His linebacker skills are lacking maturity because, he has changed positions just about every year he has played. At this point his impact position is as a OLB/DE in a 3-4 defense, but he will also impact as a OLB in a 4-3 or DE in a 4-3. Dont'a should impact right away as a pass rusher and if you keep his assignments simple for awhile, he should impact as an OLB also. Think Derrick Thomas (former LB/DE Kansas City Chiefs)" Huddlereport

Wish I could find that article about his tears curing cancer but I seem to have misplaced that report.

... Too bad nothing can make him cry.