PatsPropaganda

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The biggest thing is [Hightower] knows the defense, and we expect him to,” safety Devin McCourty said. “I don’t even look at him like a rookie anymore. When he’s on the field, you talk to him just like he’s a veteran linebacker out there. He really has, I think, turned into a veteran on this defense.

Dont’a Hightower fits in on defense – BostonHerald.com

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-donta-hightower/

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I think it’s going to be New England and Denver,” Lombardi said. “I think Houston’s problems defensively will creep up on them. I think Denver and New England are the two better teams because of the quarterback. And the team that I would be worried about, and I know this is going to sound completely ridiculous … the team is Pittsburgh. When [Ben] Roethlisberger comes back and if he’s healthy, and if he can come back, and they can get in … their defense is playing well enough that they’re going to cause some trouble for some people.

It Is What It Is » Mike Lombardi on D&C: ‘I think it’s going to be New England and Denver’ in AFC

I’m in  agreement with Mike here, I think it comes down to the Pats and Denver. Where the game is played will be huge, the Pats must keep pace over the Broncos.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-broncos/

Down 2 DEs, do you think the Pats employ more of a 3-4, with Ninko and Hightower as outside backers, or stick with 4-3? – @MattMorrison

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Good question, and I think you’re right, especially against a team like the Dolphins where shutting down Reggie Bush will be a big key.

However I think a lot of people tend to get confused about the 3-4 and 4-3. Just because one of the defense stands up doesn’t necessarily mean they’re suddenly in a 3-4. The real 3-4 basically features a 0-technique nose tackle, and two 5-technique over the tackles. We’ve seen a little bit of this in 2012, but more often you’ll see them in a 4-3 and the strong side defensive end might stand up to give him better leverage for setting the edge.

So yes, we’ll see a combination of both this weekend, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some more of the traditional 3-4 featuring Deaderick/Wilfork/Love or Brace up front and Nink/Hightower at the OLB slots.

I also wonder if we might see Hightower as an interior rusher in place of Cunningham in the sub package.

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/pick-up-one-of-our-belichick-do-your-job-tees/