Hightower is a talented LB, but is it enough to outweigh an injury history and high cost?
Will the Patriots try to retain Hightower via Free Agency?
The Miami Dolphins are soon to be gearing up for the 2017 off season, and one of the most crucial areas needing attention is Linebacker.
It’s no well kept secret that Miami desperately needs an upgrade at linebacker, despite Kiko Alonso, who will likely be back and a key player to 2017’s success.
Although, no one knows exactly where he’s going to play if he is retained.
The staff has already put it out there that maybe Kiko would be better suited outside — there was a heated argument among the defensive coaches on the topic. Yet, even though he said, ‘ he’ll do whatever to help the team out’, Kiko prefers the MLB spot.
So, would he really be willing to move to a new position?
It’s completely understandable that the F.O. and staff wants to keep their options open…and Kiko should comply wholeheartedly.
This approach allows the scouting department options at all the linebacker positions, instead of forcing them to look solely at outside linebackers. All who understand NFL Football would agree that this is the right approach, due to the Dolphins greater flexibility with more linebacker options.
Truth is, Mike Tannenbaum and Chris Grier will need all the help they can get given the complexity of this off season. So, Kiko darn well better ‘do whatever’ to help the team.
Hightower is a big MLB and would offer a lot if support to the inside run defense
One option that’s a possibility because of this freedom to search all 3 LB spots is the Patriots inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower.
For starters, Hightower understands the 4-3 defense.
While the Patriots run a Fairbanks-Bullough 3–4 defensive system, because of their commitment to flexibility both in personnel skill-sets and scheme designs, they have also used a 4–3 defense.
This would allow a more seamless transition to the Dolphins defense that plans on sticking with the 4-3.
Secondly, if the Dolphins were to sign Hightower, they would immediately be taking a good player away from their division rival New England Patriots. The fact that the Pats would need to fill a new hole on their roster, while also helping to make the Dolphins marginally better adds a nice bonus.
But, their is a nagging that if the Bill Belichick doesn’t want to sign him, then maybe that’s a blaring caution sign that the injury history and high price-tag might bring buyers remorse.
As for Hightowers credentials, he’s a 5 year vet with lots of experience. Again, in-regards to his durability issues, he’s only played one full season in 2013. But, the caveat is that he’s never played less than 12 games.
Hightower could be let go from the Pats due to price or inconsistency
In 2016 he played in 13 games (plus two in Post Season) accumulating a combined 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble in the Regular Season. He doesn’t have outrageous stats, however, he does play sound football and rarely makes mistakes.
Miami mistakes were a big problem in 2016, so leadership in this area might be mitigating factor.
If the Dolphins decide to go after Hightower, this means that Kiko will be expected to move outside to one of the outside linebacking positions — most likely WLB.
I am a little torn about the idea of this, because I do believe that Kiko did a very good job in the middle — despite his blocking shedding weakness, and he is also a known quantity.
However, Hightower is about 30 pounds bigger and is more of a thumper in the middle, so this could help us beef up and get more stout in the middle to defend the run.
This move would allow the faster and quicker Alonso to play on the outside and give him more of an opportunity to provide a pass rush on the QB and not have to battle the clogged up interior.
But, the question of consistency comes back to haunt this decision. It would give Miami two expensive LB’s with a history of missing time. Maybe, the Dolphins would have one too many ‘in and out’ players to be a consistent team? Go Fins!!!