FOXBORO — Expectations might not be high for the Patriots this season, but new linebacker Sione Takitaki is excited to be playing under head coach Jerod Mayo and inside linebackers coach Dont’a Hightower.
“I’m just happy to be here,” Takitaki said Thursday. “I know it’s new times here. I’m new. Just from the last couple days here, excited. Really excited. You guys should be pumped, because I am.”
One of the reasons for that is because Takitaki grew up watching Mayo and Hightower patrolling the Patriots’ defense for years at his position. Takitaki, at 6-foot-1, 238 pounds, was an obvious fit for the Patriots as a bigger, versatile linebacker in the mold the team typically values in that role.
“Always watched them, just their style of play, so aggressive, linebackers moving around,” Takitaki said. “The versatility they have. So yeah, real familiar with those guys. It’s cool to be coached by Hightower. A great, and to learn from him, be a sponge from him and even Mayo, being a head coach. Excited for him too. For me just to come and learn from these guys.”
Hightower, 34, hasn’t played since the 2021 season. He’ll be a first-time assistant coach under Mayo.
Takitaki, who signed a two-year, $6.645 million contract with the Patriots this offseason, described Hightower’s coaching style early on in the first week of the offseason workout program.
“These last few days, we’ve had meetings. Just to be there and be a sponge to (Hightower),” Takitaki said. “With Hightower, man, he’s played the game at such a high level — Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and he’s done it for a long time. A good, great player. Just to see how smart he is in the classroom when he breaks down tape. He knows. He’s been in that position as a player. So, he can really relate from the sidelines, on the field. As players learning, that’s really good for us. He knows. He sees a play. He’s like, ‘I see what you’re seeing right here. I understand.’ He definitely makes it really good for players learning from him, just because he’s been in those positions. And a good leader. He knows how to relate to the guys. He’s been in the locker room. He can joke with us, but also when it’s time to work, it’s time to work.”
