03-14-2019, 01:55 AM
Interesting take...
Last season Hightower had a nearly 50-50 split of snaps on the defensive line and as a box linebacker. To be exact, he was lined up on the D-line for 427 plays and in a traditional linebacker position on 486 plays.
These numbers are massively different from Barr, who only was used on the D-line 99 times compared to 646 plays from the linebacker position.
In the Super Bowl, Hightower was used on the D-line 29 times and in the box 23 times.
Here are three examples of the Patriots’ veteran linebacker being used in different spots based on the situation. On this first-and-10 play in the first quarter, he’s the middle linebacker.
![[Image: Screen-Shot-2019-03-13-at-10.45.30-AM.png]](https://www.skornorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-13-at-10.45.30-AM.png)
On second-and-10, he rushes off the offense’s right edge
![[Image: Screen-Shot-2019-03-13-at-10.49.54-AM.png]](https://www.skornorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-13-at-10.49.54-AM.png)
On third-and-3, Hightower comes from the left edge.
![[Image: Screen-Shot-2019-03-13-at-10.48.44-AM.png]](https://www.skornorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Screen-Shot-2019-03-13-at-10.48.44-AM.png)
One similarity between the two backers is size. Many of the NFL’s linebackers are under 250 pounds but both Hightower and Barr weigh in around 260 pounds. They have the size to play an edge role and not get demolished in the run game and the quickness to drop back in coverage if needed.
Zimmer has talked about teams needing to “account” for Barr. Moving him to the edges more often might put even more emphasis on his spot for the opposing quarterback, similar to the way QBs get flustered by safety Harrison Smith’s moves between the box and deep safety.
In order to turn Barr into Hightower, the Vikings would have to make some other tweaks. If Everson Griffen remains on the team, he or Danielle Hunter might be bumped inside over the guard in certain situations, as the Patriots did with Trey Flowers.
https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019...ure-usage/
Last season Hightower had a nearly 50-50 split of snaps on the defensive line and as a box linebacker. To be exact, he was lined up on the D-line for 427 plays and in a traditional linebacker position on 486 plays.
These numbers are massively different from Barr, who only was used on the D-line 99 times compared to 646 plays from the linebacker position.
In the Super Bowl, Hightower was used on the D-line 29 times and in the box 23 times.
Here are three examples of the Patriots’ veteran linebacker being used in different spots based on the situation. On this first-and-10 play in the first quarter, he’s the middle linebacker.
On second-and-10, he rushes off the offense’s right edge
On third-and-3, Hightower comes from the left edge.
One similarity between the two backers is size. Many of the NFL’s linebackers are under 250 pounds but both Hightower and Barr weigh in around 260 pounds. They have the size to play an edge role and not get demolished in the run game and the quickness to drop back in coverage if needed.
Zimmer has talked about teams needing to “account” for Barr. Moving him to the edges more often might put even more emphasis on his spot for the opposing quarterback, similar to the way QBs get flustered by safety Harrison Smith’s moves between the box and deep safety.
In order to turn Barr into Hightower, the Vikings would have to make some other tweaks. If Everson Griffen remains on the team, he or Danielle Hunter might be bumped inside over the guard in certain situations, as the Patriots did with Trey Flowers.
https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019...ure-usage/
