The biggest thing is [Hightower] knows the defense, and we expect him to,” safety Devin McCourty said. “I don’t even look at him like a rookie anymore. When he’s on the field, you talk to him just like he’s a veteran linebacker out there. He really has, I think, turned into a veteran on this defense.
I can’t speak for (Jerod) Mayo and Spikes, but from my standpoint, I’ve just got to do what I was coached,” Hightower said. “I made one mistake and tried to correct it on different techniques and things that didn’t work that I should have known wouldn’t work. But after talking to (linebackers) coach (Pepper) Johnson and looking up to Mayo and Spikes, them talking to me on the sideline and all through this week, they’ve been in my corner. “I definitely feel like this week was a big improvement for me. Whenever I have those two guys and Pepper Johnson in my corner, I can only go up. Those guys have really helped me a lot this week.
I definitely feel honored to be able to wear this number,” Hightower said. “I haven’t spoken to Tedy yet about it, but I’ve read that he didn’t want it to be retired and he hoped another linebacker would come in and be able to wear this number and be able to play as well. Hopefully I’ll be able to live up to the hype of that.

Not gonna lie, I’m excited to see how Hightower wears 54. Anyone who reads this blog is probably not surprised by this.

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: The Blitz» Blog Archive » Dont’a Hightower ‘honored’ to wear Tedy Bruschi’s jersey number