A Case For Dont'a Hightower

by Zachary Beard on Dec 21, 2011 1:47 PM EST

I know it's probably a little early to be thinking about the draft, but seeing as it's a slow news week, let me spark your curiosity. As we all know, Ray Lewis's days left in this league are quickly deteriorating, and we need to face that fact. I never believed all of the nay-sayers that he's dropped off, but in our last game against the Chargers, it was starting to become quite evident that his time is almost up. He's still very helpful in the run-game, but when it comes to chasing a guy down or ANY coverage assignment, he's beat. This game left me thinking,"What are we going to do?"

Well I believe the answer to that question is quite simple: Dont'a Hightower. This stud is coming out of Alabama (Which we all know Ozzie Newsome has very strong ties to) this year, and looks to be one of the top linebackers in the draft. This guy really reminds me of Ray Lewis in the sense that he has a motor that never stops going. He's in on almost every defensive play in some way, and seems to swarm to the ball. Oh yeah, he can lay a pretty good lick too. He's a very instinctive player, and I think he could be the next MLB for the Baltimore Ravens. Put him next to Ray Lewis as a mentor for a year or two, and we could have a very capable replacement. So when you're watching the National Championship this New Year, look for Alabama's #30.

The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!

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I never believed all of the nay-sayers that he’s dropped off, but in our last game against the Chargers, it was starting to become quite evident that his time is almost up.

I saw on baltimoreravens.com that Ray Lewis had his foot in ice when he went to the sideline so he his toe wasnt 100 percent healthy. Ray look slow and I never saw him look that slow so i suspect his toe was still giving him problems but he play better moving forward

I like Donta Hightower as well I think he could be perfect as a raven also I have taking by the ravens in the first round

by jazz20 on Dec 21, 2011 1:57 PM EST reply actions

Hightower is definitely one of my favorites. I would be thrilled to get him. I also am still on the Burfict bandwagon. He’s got some discipline issues and definitely needs work on self control, but athletically he’s the closest thing to Ray in this draft. He can run sideline to sideline, has the ability to shed blocks (does need some work), BIG time hitter and can drop in coverage a bit. Prior to this season many had him as a top 5 even a top 3 player and while this season has hurt his stock a lot, I think his potential is too much to pass and I think we have the leadership on D to settle him down.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Dec 21, 2011 2:04 PM EST reply actions

with you there

Definitely on the Burfict Bandwagon. Dude is a stud and seeks out ballcarriers like it’s no one’s business. Would love to see him fall to us in the first round!

Bulger/Smith 2011 :)

by burds358 on Dec 21, 2011 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

i like Dont'a

and im only now figuring out that Beard is apparently the artist formerly known as BW. Count me as a ass-tard.

TO BILL BRASKY!!!

by jackmca on Dec 21, 2011 4:18 PM EST reply actions

Hahahaha better late than never

Editor at Baltimore Beatdown - SB Nation Baltimore Ravens Blog
A.K.A "Baltimore Warrior"

by Zachary Beard on Dec 21, 2011 6:43 PM EST up reply actions

Hightower reminds me of Beason

I’d be happy with him but I’m with the rest of you on the Vontaze Burfict bandwagon. He’s going to be an All-Pro and he may end up falling to us after all.

by oriolekid on Dec 21, 2011 5:14 PM EST reply actions

Hold your horses!

I have one weird ass word for you, S-E-R-G-I-O

by mhrobitaille8320 on Dec 21, 2011 7:00 PM EST reply actions

by mhrobitaille8320 on Dec 21, 2011 7:01 PM EST up reply actions

Um, that’s Orakpo…..

Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.

Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang

by Mr MaLoR on Dec 22, 2011 9:12 AM EST up reply actions

i laughed

TO BILL BRASKY!!!

by jackmca on Dec 22, 2011 9:38 PM EST up reply actions

Sergio plays OLB.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Dec 21, 2011 8:32 PM EST up reply actions

Sergio plays

really outside, like on the sidelines outside!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Dec 21, 2011 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

Not outside the field but outside his kit.

When the dude starts suiting up and playing snaps every game I’ll get back on the bandwagon, unfortunately he seems to be an example of a supremely unlucky young man. Doubt he’ll ever be a star.

Jones, Krugar, and McPhee serve similar roles in our defense and are much better right now.

by Roa on Dec 22, 2011 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

SB Nation did a two-round Mock Draft

that I am posting a story on in the next day or so. They have Hightower going 18th to the Giants and Berfict going 41st to the Bucs in the 2nd round and the Ravens taking a center in round one and UNC’s MLB, Kevin Reddick, in the 2nd round. Anybody know anything about these two picks they’re projecting?

Wait for the story to post tomorrow (Thursday) night at 8p.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Dec 21, 2011 9:35 PM EST reply actions

Since Te'o is staying in school

That pushes Burfict’s and Hightower’s stock up, likely taking them off the board before a Ravens pick.

by CharmCity55 on Dec 21, 2011 11:23 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Luke Kuechly is an option as well, but he will go top 20 easy.

by Mr MaLoR on Dec 22, 2011 9:13 AM EST up reply actions

I’m not really a fan of him. Great instincts and motor, but I think a little undersized for our D and doesn’t have the athleticism to make up for it. I just think he will have a tough time shedding blocks.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Dec 22, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions