Playbook - Hightower Sacks Sanchez

On the first Defensive snap of the game, Dont'a Hightower registered a sack on Mark Sanchez. As the play happened, Cris Collinsworth praised Hightower for his awareness. He basically said that Hightower doesn't get fooled by fakes or gimmicks. Certainly that is true on this play. Hightower has a couple of trick choices: jam the TE or pinch on the run fake. Both options would give Sanchez time to make a throw, but as it was Hightower didn't hesitate for an instant, and Sanchez never had a chance.

As you can see, The Jets are in a 2TE/2RB/1WR set, and The Patriots counter with a base 3-4 or 4-3 hybrid with Ninkovich in the standing position. This looks more like a 3-4 with Hightower and Ninkovich creeping up to the line. Vince Wilfork and Jermaine Cunningham play 5-technique with Kyle Love on the nose, shaded slightly left.

The Jets run a play action to Ninkovich's side, and he sets the edge and pinches the gap. On the backside, Hightower is able to get a free rush at Sanchez because #37 Dennard is in man coverage on the TE. Dennard was drawn into the inside by a pre-snap motion, but he does well to stick close to the quick pattern. Regardless though, Sanchez has no time to look, let alone throw. This has to be on Sanchez and the O-line for not communicating that no one is going to block Hightower.

Still, its a nice play by Hightower to secure the sack on Sanchez. They don't get much easier than this, but credit the Rookie's awareness. Everybody plays their techniques soundly, and Hightower gets an opportunity. Belchick preaches about doing your job, but he also relies on players to make plays when The Offense messes up. That's just what Nick Saban taught him at Alabama, and its just what he's doing in the NFL.

Way to set the tone with a sack on the first play! I definitely want to see more edge rush from Hightower. I think we'll see more 3-4 schematics without Jones in the lineup. We'll need to do something to generate pass rush without him.