The emergence of Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy over the past couple seasons has been one of the better storylines in New England. The former Detroit Lion has positively rejuvenated his career under Bill Belichick’s tutelage, and he’s now an important piece in a Pats defense that just set records in last February’s Super Bowl win – and could be even better this coming season.
As good as Van Noy has been though, even he knows who the true heart, soul, and sometime savior is of this Patriots defense: none other than Dont’a Hightower.
Hightower has spent his entire seven-year career in New England with the team that drafted him, and over that timespan, he’s established himself as one of the clear-cut standouts at the outside linebacker position in the NFL.