What becomes of Hightower...?

[tribeofjudah]

Shanny wants him to re-sign. Not sure what Tim's gonna do....

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan confirmed the team’s interest in re-signing free agent running back Tim Hightower, today.

“We want to have him back, obviously,” Shanahan said at his pre-draft press conference. “We think he’ll be full speed by the first of June, middle of June. Hopefully we’ll get him re-signed.”

Hightower is currently in the process of recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament that he suffered in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers. He has been in contact with the team, and is reportedly recovering quickly.

“Tim is doing a great job on his rehab,” Shanahan said. “Talking to Dr. Anderson, he said that he’s never seen a guy that has worked as hard as Tim has and that doesn’t surprise me at all.”

http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events ... f183b84080

[Chris Luva Luva]

My gut tells me that Shanny is eye-balling someone specific in the draft and if he can get that guy, that'll be the end of Hightower in DC.

His injury is also playing a factor, as well as the penalty imposed upon us. If Mike comes out of this draft without "his guy", I'd like to Hightower to be brought back on board.

[SouthLondonRedskin]

What's he goona do...?

He's gonna be the team's leading rusher, be a major help in blocking for RG3, a top receiver out of the backfield and an experienced guy for Helu and Royster to learn from.

That's what he's gonna do...

[KazooSkinsFan]

My gut tells me that Shanny is eye-balling someone specific in the draft and if he can get that guy, that'll be the end of Hightower in DC.

His injury is also playing a factor, as well as the penalty imposed upon us. If Mike comes out of this draft without "his guy", I'd like to Hightower to be brought back on board.

I agree with all your points, but I think the penalty is the key one. If Shanny has a player in the draft he likes and we get the cap space back, it still would make sense not to need the rookie to step right in. If we don't get it back, it may be one of the sacrifices we're forced to make. Pure speculation but I'm hoping we're asking Hightower to give us until the arbitration hearing.

[tribeofjudah]

My gut tells me that Shanny is eye-balling someone specific in the draft and if he can get that guy, that'll be the end of Hightower in DC.

His injury is also playing a factor, as well as the penalty imposed upon us. If Mike comes out of this draft without "his guy", I'd like to Hightower to be brought back on board.

I agree with all your points, but I think the penalty is the key one. If Shanny has a player in the draft he likes and we get the cap space back, it still would make sense not to need the rookie to step right in. If we don't get it back, it may be one of the sacrifices we're forced to make. Pure speculation but I'm hoping we're asking Hightower to give us until the arbitration hearing.

That's risky business for Tim and it's hoping that he has a level of trust and loyalty to the B&G.

[riggofan]

I hope nobody is taking any of these public comments seriously. In the past two days, I've read reports of Shanny saying positive things about Gaffney, Cooley, Hightower, etc; Regarding pretty much every injured player or any player this any speculation about, he did his best to muddy the waters.

[riggofan]

OH man. I forgot about yesterday's classic comment about Jammal Brown:

“Right now I feel better about Jammal Brown than I have at any time since I’ve been here,” he said. “That hip that he’s had that tear on looks better than it’s ever looked.”

Like Cosby said: "Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight."

[KazooSkinsFan]

OH man. I forgot about yesterday's classic comment about Jammal Brown:

“Right now I feel better about Jammal Brown than I have at any time since I’ve been here,” he said. “That hip that he’s had that tear on looks better than it’s ever looked.”

Like Cosby said: "Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight."

Given our only signing a possible backup to him so far, I think that one's true. At least I hope it is.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Eh, I don't have any reason to not believe him.


Brown was instructed to do more flexibility training with his rehab and all players have a mandatory pilates class. It jives well with the story, his injury history and the problematic symptons that have been reported. #shrug

Mike likes Hightower, I'm sure he does want him back for the right price.

What isn't there to believe about Gafney? Gafney said the Skins were trying to trade him. True. Mike says that he gave Jabbar the chance to sign on somewhere else, so that his career wouldn't suffer. I'm sure that Mike wouldn't mind having his most productive WR back and see how it plays out. But within his plans, Jabbar isnt going to be feature. What isn't there to believe?

In regards to Cooley... Look. What is it that isn't believable about this stuff. His team was decimated by injury and he's looking forward to having productive players back.

[aswas71788]

I do not think that resigning Hightower is that big a deal. The Redskins have two running backs that are as good as or better. Hightower would be nice, but no real loss if he goes somewhere else. If he was that good, there would be several teams trying to sign him. They are not.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I do not think that resigning Hightower is that big a deal. The Redskins have two running backs that are as good as or better. Hightower would be nice, but no real loss if he goes somewhere else. If he was that good, there would be several teams trying to sign him. They are not.

He is that good, but he's still recovering from an injury. That's the only reason he's unsigned.

Also, I think it's a bit of a stretch to say that our two rookies are on his level yet. He's a proven veteran. Helu and Royster have shown flashes but neither has carried the burden of a full work load. The potential is there but potential means nothing until it is applied on the field.

[riggofan]

Eh, I don't have any reason to not believe him.

I see your point. 36 hours before the draft what possible motive could any NFL coach have for obfuscating the needs of his team?

[tribeofjudah]

Eh, I don't have any reason to not believe him.

I see your point. 36 hours before the draft what possible motive could any NFL coach have for obfuscating the needs of his team?

obfuswhat...? that's a big word

[Chris Luva Luva]

Eh, I don't have any reason to not believe him.

I see your point. 36 hours before the draft what possible motive could any NFL coach have for obfuscating the needs of his team?

I see your point too.

I also dont see a need to hide the obvious... The thing to hide would be a desire for RGIII but that's a done deal. Everyone knows we need a RT. Everyone knows Davis is one puff away from a ban. I don't see how saying that he'd welcome Jabbar back is hiding anything... If anything, maybe he's trying to mend a broken bridge, dude seemed to take the trade to heart. I just dont see how any of his comments will really mask what he's trying to do.

[Countertrey]

Bidnizzz...

[riggofan]

Eh, I don't have any reason to not believe him.

I see your point. 36 hours before the draft what possible motive could any NFL coach have for obfuscating the needs of his team?

I see your point too.

I also dont see a need to hide the obvious... The thing to hide would be a desire for RGIII but that's a done deal. Everyone knows we need a RT. Everyone knows Davis is one puff away from a ban. I don't see how saying that he'd welcome Jabbar back is hiding anything... If anything, maybe he's trying to mend a broken bridge, dude seemed to take the trade to heart. I just dont see how any of his comments will really mask what he's trying to do.

I'm not saying he's doing an especially good job at it! I'm just saying when the coach comes out 36 hours before the draft and starts volunteering all of this information about his players, its part of the draft day game whether any of the information is true or not. I'll put more stock into what he says next week.

[riggofan]

Eh, I don't have any reason to not believe him.

I see your point. 36 hours before the draft what possible motive could any NFL coach have for obfuscating the needs of his team?

obfuswhat...? that's a big word

LOL sorry bro. I'm a programmer by trade, and we use that one a lot. I've been known to ask my kids who obfuscated the freaking remote control.

[KazooSkinsFan]

I also dont see a need to hide the obvious... The thing to hide would be a desire for RGIII but that's a done deal. Everyone knows we need a RT. Everyone knows Davis is one puff away from a ban. I don't see how saying that he'd welcome Jabbar back is hiding anything... If anything, maybe he's trying to mend a broken bridge, dude seemed to take the trade to heart. I just dont see how any of his comments will really mask what he's trying to do.

This is what I was thinking, Chris. I'm having a hard time as seeing any major moves behind this. No reason for Mikey to be specific, but there are no big secrets in here either.

[KazooSkinsFan]

I'm just saying when the coach comes out 36 hours before the draft and starts volunteering all of this information about his players, its part of the draft day game whether any of the information is true or not

What did he "volunteer?" He said they all are welcome to come to camp and try for a job. Gaffney can be yours for a glass of lemonade, if not he can come to camp and try to not get cut. Doesn't seem he said anything.

[SouthLondonRedskin]

I do not think that resigning Hightower is that big a deal. The Redskins have two running backs that are as good as or better. Hightower would be nice, but no real loss if he goes somewhere else. If he was that good, there would be several teams trying to sign him. They are not.

He is that good, but he's still recovering from an injury. That's the only reason he's unsigned.

Also, I think it's a bit of a stretch to say that our two rookies are on his level yet. He's a proven veteran. Helu and Royster have shown flashes but neither has carried the burden of a full work load. The potential is there but potential means nothing until it is applied on the field.

Chris is bang on, if he wasn't recovering from injury he'd be getting offers from elsewhere.

I've got a feeling that he's going to be our main man as far as RBs go next season, I really do. His attitude off the field is spot-on, and he's the kind of guy Shanny would want around Helu and Royster as they develop.

He's also an excellent blocker, which with our OL unlikely to be anyhere near perfect is important with a rookie QB next season.

He's also a good receiver out of the backfield (as is Helu I know, but we're not depending on just one for the season) which again is a bonus for a rookie QB.

And he REALLY wants to be a Redskin.

I see people talking about drafting a RB, why..????? We already have two exciting young prospects, they need to develop alongside a seasoned pro. We have other needs far more important than RB, and with Hightower available and up for it we'd be foolish to ignore those needs for another exciting prospect to add to the two we have already.

If he doesn't return, and it's not down to his injury, then I'll actually have serious issues with Shanny's judgement...

[1niksder]

Shanny doesn't to just bring him back, he says he wants him to start

[riggofan]

I'm just saying when the coach comes out 36 hours before the draft and starts volunteering all of this information about his players, its part of the draft day game whether any of the information is true or not

What did he "volunteer?" He said they all are welcome to come to camp and try for a job. Gaffney can be yours for a glass of lemonade, if not he can come to camp and try to not get cut. Doesn't seem he said anything.

Ok you're right. Good to know we can believe everything Shanahan said this week. I was kind of worried about Jammal Brown up to this point, but sounds like he is 100% and we have no need at right tackle.

[KazooSkinsFan]

Shanny doesn't to just bring him back, he says he wants him to start

Hightower is a heck of a back. Helu or Royster would be lucky to ever be as good as he is now. Those saying they are already there are just tripping.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Ok you're right. Good to know we can believe everything Shanahan said this week. I was kind of worried about Jammal Brown up to this point, but sounds like he is 100% and we have no need at right tackle.

There most definitely a need for a PLAN at RT. There isn't particulary a DIRE NEED to find his immediate replacement. Mike could very well be pleased with Browns progress AND still draft a RT. I guess what we're saying is that we don't see how his comments mean anything but face value.

[Deadskins]

“Right now I feel better about Jammal Brown than I have at any time since I’ve been here,” he said. “That hip that he’s had that tear on looks better than it’s ever looked.”

Not a very high bar to get over.