Quote By Donta Hightower

[In_ozzie_we_trust]

[b] Potential 1st-rounder Dont'a Hightower said playing with Lewis & Suggs "would be a dream come true."[/b]


Source: http://www.facebook.com/baltimoreravens

[Jamal]

He'd be an excellent 1st round pick.

[Ravenslifer]

I'd like him if I didn't think fixing the offensive line was priority number 1.

[admartian]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1330564908' post='1007795']
I'd like him if I didn't think fixing the offensive line was priority number 1.
[/quote]
Pretty much how I feel at this point.

I would LOVE Hightower. But I think our OL is priority number 1. Even with the best case scenario of Grubbs being signed; we stil need to draft fairly high for a Tackle and/or Centre.

But, if he were to fall to us in the 2nd or 3rd; or we get (unlikely) some decent FA linemen, then yeah, I would be totally on-board with this pick.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1330564908' post='1007795']
I'd like him if I didn't think fixing the offensive line was priority number 1.
[/quote]

Yup. That's how I feel.
But given the depth of OL in this class, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if we drafted this stud, even if we had to trade up for him

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1330565550' post='1007812']

Yup. That's how I feel.
But given the depth of OL in this class, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if we drafted this stud, even if we had to trade up for him
[/quote]

Yeah, I could see us moving up in the second round for him if he were to fall. That I wouldn't mind. But no way is this guy our first round pick if a guy like Konz is still on the board.

[admartian]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1330565706' post='1007818']

Yeah, I could see us moving up in the second round for him if he were to fall. That I wouldn't mind. But no way is this guy our first round pick if a guy like Konz is still on the board.
[/quote]
Yeah, I put Konz or any of the top 5 tackles ahead of Hightower.

I really wish we were solid at O-line, because I think Alshon Jeffrey would be a real steal that low in the first.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1330565706' post='1007818']

Yeah, I could see us moving up in the second round for him if he were to fall. That I wouldn't mind. But no way is this guy our first round pick if a guy like Konz is still on the board.
[/quote]

I beg to differ, sir. I think if Konz and Hightower are both there, we'd take Hightower!

Main reason for that is -- there's still a buttload of centers in rounds 2 & 3

[Bltravens]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1330566298' post='1007835']

I beg to differ, sir. I think if Konz and Hightower are both there, we'd take Hightower!

Main reason for that is -- there's still a buttload of centers in rounds 2 & 3
[/quote]
This. Unless one of the top rated LTs is on the board still, Hightower ,I think, will take priority over Konz as the more accomplished and higher rated player on the board.

[CapoRocky]

I've wanted Hightower but thought that he would go by the 20th pick.

[hawkprey]

Pretty sure every ILB in the draft wants to play next to Ray Lewis.

[flynismo]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1330567230' post='1007856']
I've wanted Hightower but thought that he would go by the 20th pick.
[/quote]

Most likely. But don't look too much into mocks -- they don't account for trades and the inevitable reachs that result in other players dropping

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1330567230' post='1007856']
I've wanted Hightower but thought that he would go by the 20th pick.
[/quote]

I think he could be gone as well.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1330565706' post='1007818']


Yeah, I could see us moving up in the second round for him if he were to fall. That I wouldn't mind. But no way is this guy our first round pick if a guy like Konz is still on the board.
[/quote]

Hightower won't make it past Pittsburgh IMO

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1330567760' post='1007866']
Pretty sure every ILB in the draft wants to play next to Ray Lewis.
[/quote]

Lol. I was thinking the same thing. Every safety wants to play with Ed. We are so damn fortunate. Go Ravens.

[scrock]

We usually take the best player available at our pick, so it depends on how the draft unfolds. Last year they freaked out on QBs in the 1st round....and guys dropped, someone always drops

[VJax83]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1330570075' post='1007923']
We usually take the best player available at our pick, so it depends on how the draft unfolds. Last year they freaked out on QBs in the 1st round....and guys dropped, someone always drops
[/quote]

Jimmy Smith fell into the Ravens lap and Dez Bryant almost fell into the Ravens, damn you Jerry Jones LOL.

[Blex64]

Lol at the people who think were going to draft by need in the first.

If he's the best player on the board when we pick, we'll take him. Even if Peter Konz is still on the board. Konz is likely to be on the board to mid-second or so anyway.

[sflegend89]

I like hightower and would welcome him as a Raven, I just think his lateral quickness isn't up to par and he wouldn't be the potential MLB a guy like Burfict could be. Burfict is a high risk pick in the 1st, I'd only take him if he falls to us the 2nd. As we get closer to draft day I'm starting to think we should go OL 1st round. A Center like Konz from Wisconsin would be a great pick.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Not a sexy pick, but I think were going for a OL for 1st round: Peter Konz

1. OL
2. Pass Rusher
3. WR

[Alexir]

I'll always welcome anyone who wants to come be a raven, give it their all and learn from the best. We will see if we get Hightower or not.

[Ravens1991]

I like hightower, he reminds me a lot of Johnson. A guy who can put his hand in the dirt can stuff the run and play OLB in a 34. The problem is him trying to play man against these freak TEs will be painful to watch. I won't complain if we take him but he isnt my dream pick here

[Tyler]

I would LOVE to get this guy. I know Ozzie has ties to Bama players and honestly I think players from Alabama are the safest picks because they are coached up so well and have quality football IQ to go along with work ethic and talent.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I think whether we take Konz or Hightower depends on the situation. If Grubbs leaves in FA and we don't feel really confident that we've replaced him and Konz is sitting there, I could easily see us taking Konz.

However this isn't taking into account that someone will obviously fall on draft day due to reaches from QB needy teams, it always happens.

[BloodRaven]

Why do we need a middle linebacker? we did give up the least YPC last season.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1330609701' post='1008144']
Why do we need a middle linebacker? we did give up the least YPC last season.
[/quote]

That's sort of my thought process as well. If we resign Jameel, I'd rather draft an o-lineman if a good one is available. I felt like the New England game, the Pittsburgh game in Pittsburgh this year, and last year in Atlanta, the same thing happened. For at least half the game, the offensive line could not do anything, and we struggled to move the ball. Then late, they did a better job, and all of a sudden our offense actually moved the ball and scored efficiently. People keep complaining that the defense carries the offense, but if we had an offensive line that could protect more I think we'd see better offensive output and hence less need for a great defense.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1330609701' post='1008144']
Why do we need a middle linebacker? we did give up the least YPC last season.
[/quote]

Ray turns 37 in MAy and Jameel could easily leave in free agency. There aren't any starter-worthy players behind them.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1330610128' post='1008151']

Ray turns 37 in MAy and Jameel could easily leave in free agency. There aren't any starter-worthy players behind them.
[/quote]

True. But I'd rather see if we can land Konz in the first and grab Ronnell Lewis in the second. I like Lewis as a second round pick more than I like Hightower as a first round pick.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1330610317' post='1008153']
True. But I'd rather see if we can land Konz in the first and grab Ronnell Lewis in the second. I like Lewis as a second round pick more than I like Hightower as a first round pick.
[/quote]

I'm not sure Lewis will still be available in the late second though. I'm not against Konz in the first and there're few intriguing 3-4 ILBs to be had in the mid-rounds, but Hightower is too appealing.

On a related note, with Birk coming back, I wonder if Konz could play LG and then slide to center in 2013 when Matt probably retires...

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1330610128' post='1008151']

Ray turns 37 in MAy and Jameel could easily leave in free agency. There aren't any starter-worthy players behind them.
[/quote]

When Ellerbe stepped in he did a solid job and there wasn't any noticeable dropoff. Things are different to when Ray ruled the NFL, it's a passing league and we need a 1st round middle linebacker who can't cover about as much as we need Brett Favre.