The New England Patriots have gotten off to a slow start this season on both sides of the ball. First and foremost, their defense has not been playing up to par throughout the first three weeks. Dont'a Hightower knows his unit needs to step up for the Patriots to get back on track.
Hightower is without question the quarterback of New England's defense. He also knows the Patriots need to get better at communication, per Kevin Duffy of the Boston Herald.
“It’s real important. Not that we’re lacking it, but it’s something that we’ve really taken more a hands-on (approach) and we’re trying be a lot more detailed in it. We put it upon ourselves to kind of split up and spend more time on it — and it kind of went on a little longer than we wanted to — but it’s really just trying to get everything down pat. When everybody knows exactly what everybody else is doing, we’re able to play faster.”
New England is currently ranked as the No. 26 overall defense by ESPN. That number isn't going to get the job done if the Patriots want to win another Super Bowl. Tom Brady and the offense can only do so much, though they have been struggling as well.
While the defense has not been playing up to the level they would like, Hightower also hasn't performed as well as he would like individually. He hasn't been bad, but there is certainly room for improvement.
In three weeks so far this season, Hightower has recorded 11 total tackles to go along with a fumble recovery. Taking his game to a new level would immediately take the Patriots to a new level as well.
There is no question New England has the potential to have a solid all-around defense. They don't need to have a top-five defense, but being in the top 15 would give Brady and the offense the support they need.
Improved communication is key for the Patriots, and Hightower is ready to help lead the charge.
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