Hightower staying, talks winning in DC

ATX_Skins · Post by **ATX_Skins** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:59 pm

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ning-team/

"Redskins running back Tim Hightower says his decision to re-sign with the Redskins in free agency came down to one factor more than any other: He wants to win, and he believes the Redskins are going to win.

That might sound a little strange considering that in Hightower’s one season with the Redskins, they were a last place, 5-11 team. But Hightower said on ESPN’s NFL 32 that he believes strongly that Mike Shanahan and his staff are putting together a football team that is going to win.

“The coaching staff, they’re committed — they’ve let it be known that they’re committed to winning,” Hightower said. “I want to be in a winning program. You want to be in a winning program, with coaches who are dedicated to winning.”

Hightower may also have a more favorable view of the Redskins because when Hightower was playing, the Redskins were actually pretty good: The Redskins won three of their first four games in 2011. Unfortunately, Hightower suffered a shoulder injury in that fourth game, missed the Redskins’ fifth game and then suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the Redskins’ sixth game. Overall the Redskins went 3-2 in games Hightower played and 2-9 in games Hightower missed.

Those early games gave Hightower a positive feeling about the Redskins’ offense.

“I felt embraced, I felt like this was where I was supposed to be,” Hightower said. “It fit me well. I’m a downhill runner, I’m an aggressive runner, and it fit very well with my skill set.”

A healthy Hightower splitting carries with last year’s two promising rookie running backs, Roy Helu and Evan Royster, could give the Redskins a strong backfield. Throw in the talent the Redskins acquired at quarterback in Robert Griffin III, and Hightower may be right to say he’s part of a winning offense."

This kind of confidence in what the coaching staff and team is doing is what I like to hear.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:42 pm

thanks for that ATX and I hope that Hightower is able to earn a spot on the roster

there is absolutely no corelation between Hightower's being a part of the offense and the team's record however

the team does well or the team does not do well - Hightower is not the cause of either

love to see this player back on the field though - it's great to hear that he's enthused about being a part of what's going down here

riggofan · Post by **riggofan** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 10:59 pm

Kilmer72 · Post by **Kilmer72** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:27 pm

He kept those legs going but he didn't impress me much. He runs hard but didn't really get any where. His pass blocking is what gets him a roster spot.

rskin72 · Post by **rskin72** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:24 am

Kilmer72 wrote:He kept those legs going but he didn't impress me much. He runs hard but didn't really get any where. His pass blocking is what gets him a roster spot.

Agree with you about Hightower. I expected a more explosive back, but i was a bit underwhelmed. Now with coming back from an ACL repair, he may not be at 100 per cent until next season......

I am not against him, just want to see a bigger sampling of his running ability in this offense.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:51 am

Through Trying Times, Tim Hightower Focused On Redskins Return
By ZAC BOYER

ASHBURN – Tim Hightower had never experienced a significant injury before tearing his ACL midway through last season, and in the weeks that followed, he proclaimed a belief in himself and a confidence in his rehabilitation that he would return not only stronger than ever, but ahead of schedule.

His first conviction is uncertain. The second one, now eight months later, was untrue.

“I never lost focus,” Hightower, the Washington Redskins’ running back, said Tuesday. “This thing is a lot more mental than I thought it was.”

Hightower, who tore the ligament in the third quarter of the Redskins’ loss at Carolina on Oct. 23, returned to individual drills for the first time since sustaining the injury during the team’s first mandatory mini-camp session on Tuesday.

Even then, Hightower was limited. Though contact is not permitted during offseason workouts, the running back didn’t participate in organized team drills and his carries, even in individual drills, were limited.

Regardless of how meaningless the carries were, the 6-foot, 222-pound Hightower still showed pride in his work. When he hit “the hole” – in reality, merely the line of scrimmage – his steps quickened and he showed a burst that his coaches no doubt were hoping to see.

“I’m trying to be smart, I guess, is what they call it, and also listen, be obedient to what the trainers are telling me to do,” Hightower said. “But for me, I’ve only known one gear, so I’m working on that, but we’ll see how that goes.”

Hightower was on his way to a career year in his first season with the Redskins since arriving via trade from Arizona. He had 321 yards on 84 carries – a mark that was below his career per-game average, but only because he was, for the first time, an every-down back – and had 88 yards on 17 carries against the Panthers before sustaining the injury.

Months of uncertainty followed, which only bred doubt and self-pity. He considered himself fortunate to be in the Washington area, where he grew up, where he could rely upon his family and other close friends for emotional support.

“In times like that, it’s important to have people that know how to talk to you, who know how to motivate you, who encourage you – not just people who are telling you words,” Hightower said.

“I mean, you appreciate people who reach out to you and patting your back, but there are people who know you, know the road that you’ve gone through and they know how to pray for you, how to support you.”

Adding to Hightower’s misery was his status with the Redskins. An unrestricted free agent after the season, Hightower was without a contract – a disconcerting place for a running back coming off a major knee injury.

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan and general manager Bruce Allen each professed their desires for Hightower to return, though with the team’s salary cap situation – it was docked $18 million this season for transgressions dating to 2010 – finding the money to bring Hightower back was complicated.

“I know I wanted to be here,” Hightower said. “I’ll say that. This is a great fit for me. The coach, the staff, the team, the general manager, the owner, the city, the style of football – this was me. … As far as did I know? I would be lying if I said I knew this was where I was going to be.

“You never know in this business. There were days where I was like, ‘This is where I’m going to be,’ and then there were days like, ‘I don’t know. What’s taking so long? What’s the deal? What’s the dilemma?’ It was a learning process.”

Hightower eventually agreed to a one-year contract with the Redskins on May 13, which eased some of the pressure. He reported to Redskins Park, and has, over the past month, been limited to rehabilitation – until Tuesday.

SouthLondonRedskin · Post by **SouthLondonRedskin** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:40 am

I can't believe how often I have to defend Hightower on here!

The guy is a talented RB with the perfect skill set for Shanny's offense, good cut runner, great hands, excellent blocker. He is experienced which is great to have around the camp with Helu, Royster and now Morris in the fold (I believe Morris will make the practice squad at least).

He has a great attitude, is hungry for success and is a local guy.

What's there not to like...????

If he stays injury free then he'll be a fans favourite by the end of the season as he'll be one of RG3's go-to guys.

FanofallthatisGibbs · Post by **FanofallthatisGibbs** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:00 am

What SLR said +1

skinsfan#33 · Post by **skinsfan#33** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:41 am

SouthLondonRedskin wrote:I can't believe how often I have to defend Hightower on here!

The guy is a talented RB with the perfect skill set for Shanny's offense, good cut runner, great hands, excellent blocker. He is experienced which is great to have around the camp with Helu, Royster and now Morris in the fold (I believe Morris will make the practice squad at least).

He has a great attitude, is hungry for success and is a local guy.

What's there not to like...????

If he stays injury free then he'll be a fans favourite by the end of the season as he'll be one of RG3's go-to guys.

I like Hightower, but I would prefer our two, more productive, second year RBs get many more carries than HT.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:30 am

SouthLondonRedskin wrote:I can't believe how often I have to defend Hightower on here!

The guy is a talented RB with the perfect skill set for Shanny's offense, good cut runner, great hands, excellent blocker. He is experienced which is great to have around the camp with Helu, Royster and now Morris in the fold (I believe Morris will make the practice squad at least).

He has a great attitude, is hungry for success and is a local guy.

What's there not to like...????

If he stays injury free then he'll be a fans favourite by the end of the season as he'll be one of RG3's go-to guys.

<-- Hightower fan

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:35 am

Count me in as a Hightower fan too

the guy seems to be really focused on making this roster and I think he's an asset to the team

he's a helluva blocker and that alone will put him in good standing with the other players and coaches

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:27 pm

Something that was not mentioned in all of the stuff about Hightower is that no on else was interested in him. He had no other offers but the Redskins. I watched him in Arizona. There is a reason he lost his job. He adds nothing to the Redskins.

skinsfan#33 · Post by **skinsfan#33** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:00 pm

aswas71788 wrote:Something that was not mentioned in all of the stuff about Hightower is that no on else was interested in him. He had no other offers but the Redskins. I watched him in Arizona. There is a reason he lost his job. He adds nothing to the Redskins.

Hold on der one cottin pickin minute! You can't judge any RB by their time in AZ! That is death Valley for RBs. RBs go there to die a slow unproductive death!

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:15 pm

aswas71788 wrote:Something that was not mentioned in all of the stuff about Hightower is that no on else was interested in him. He had no other offers but the Redskins. I watched him in Arizona. There is a reason he lost his job. He adds nothing to the Redskins.

Hightower will win a job here based on what he can and will do for this offense this year not based on what he did or did not do elsewhere

this is a new thing here - the players have to win their roster spots based on what they do

the old ways of bringing in players and paying them to play based on what they did in the past didn't work out to well

SouthLondonRedskin · Post by **SouthLondonRedskin** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 3:51 pm

aswas71788 wrote:Something that was not mentioned in all of the stuff about Hightower is that no on else was interested in him. He had no other offers but the Redskins. I watched him in Arizona. There is a reason he lost his job. He adds nothing to the Redskins.

Errr, that was because he was injured!!!!

Forget this BS, I'm not going to continue repeating myself.

Come back and talk to me next season and tell me then 'he adds nothing to the Redskins'.

If he's injury free, then he'll be our leading rusher. I'll stake my reputation on it...

(Yeah, I know that means FA!)

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:35 pm

Tim Hightower Stats

2008 AZ 16 games 399 yards rushing
2009 AZ 16 games 598 yards rushing
2010 AZ 16 games 736 yards rushing
2011 WASH 5 games 321 yards rushing

These are not the stats of a game changing running back.

I have to admit though that at least Redskin fans stick by their favorite. I admit he is a great blocking back. That is his only redeeming characteristic. I do sincerely hope he blossoms into the next Adrian Peterson but he is more likely to go the way of Skip Hicks.

the poster · Post by **the poster** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:50 pm

SouthLondonRedskin wrote: Errr, that was because he was injured!!!!

Forget this BS, I'm not going to continue repeating myself.

Come back and talk to me next season and tell me then 'he adds nothing to the Redskins'.

If he's injury free, then he'll be our leading rusher. I'll stake my reputation on it...

that's not the point. who cares if hes the redskins leader rusher. the point is, does he make the redskins offense good or not. he never has in the past, anywhere he's been....whether he was healthy or not.

he'll lead the skins in rushing......pfft.......who cares......u know who led the redskins in rushing touchdowns last year?

John beck.

the redskins suck.

can he make them not suck is the question. answer: no.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:13 pm

aswas71788 wrote:Tim Hightower Stats

2008 AZ 16 games 399 yards rushing
2009 AZ 16 games 598 yards rushing
2010 AZ 16 games 736 yards rushing
2011 WASH 5 games 321 yards rushing

These are not the stats of a game changing running back.

I have to admit though that at least Redskin fans stick by their favorite. I admit he is a great blocking back. That is his only redeeming characteristic. I do sincerely hope he blossoms into the next Adrian Peterson but he is more likely to go the way of Skip Hicks.

There are a lot of grades between Peterson and Hicks. We don't have an allstar back right now, but of the ones we have Helu and Royster have the potential to become solid full-time starters. I don't put Hightower in that same camp, but at the same time he could still serve extremely well as a second/third running back. His pass blocking skills alone, plus his ability to run, make him a nice fit for 3rd down situations.

And if we lose one of the other two backs this year to injury, it will be nice to have Hightower stepping into a greater role.

cowboykillerzRGiii · Post by **cowboykillerzRGiii** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:44 pm

aswas71788 wrote:Tim Hightower Stats

2008 AZ 16 games 399 yards rushing
2009 AZ 16 games 598 yards rushing
2010 AZ 16 games 736 yards rushing
2011 WASH 5 games 321 yards rushing

These are not the stats of a game changing running back.

I have to admit though that at least Redskin fans stick by their favorite. I admit he is a great blocking back. That is his only redeeming characteristic. I do sincerely hope he blossoms into the next Adrian Peterson but he is more likely to go the way of Skip Hicks.

Ahhhh the statistical debate! Love the confusing and often betraying light that numbers shine down on players.
Ahem so you did leave out an important number in those stats didn't ya? Or were his number of carries the exact same every year- riiiiiggghht.

I did a quick number punch in, and while his avg yard per game w the skins wasn't ground breaking last year, it was in FACT an improvement on his years w AZ. How you ask? I'll explain: 321/5= 64.2... You multiply that by 16 (the number of games used in each of his Az years; regardless of carries per game) and you get 1027.2. Do I need to explain why that is better then in Az?

Now ill be the first to agree just over one k rush yards is nothing to write home about, BUT if we can have more then one player break a thousand yards, ill take it. His roll will not be everydown work horse with guys like helu and Royster as Irnbru pointed out. He will be the third down/spell/change of pace back. He has flashed some great downhill running ability and looked great in preseason. I believe if we had ran the ball more (if we weren't down by three scores [ if rex wasn't our qb] and had we not turned the ball over five times {and actually stuck with the run}) that his stats would be even better. I was on the Torain train last year but that didn't work.
I support Hightower and hope he flourishes in his NEW role. Gotta love the local guys who WANT to be here.

HTTR

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:44 pm

Irn-Bru wrote:
aswas71788 wrote:Tim Hightower Stats

2008 AZ 16 games 399 yards rushing
2009 AZ 16 games 598 yards rushing
2010 AZ 16 games 736 yards rushing
2011 WASH 5 games 321 yards rushing

These are not the stats of a game changing running back.

I have to admit though that at least Redskin fans stick by their favorite. I admit he is a great blocking back. That is his only redeeming characteristic. I do sincerely hope he blossoms into the next Adrian Peterson but he is more likely to go the way of Skip Hicks.
There are a lot of grades between Peterson and Hicks. We don't have an allstar back right now, but of the ones we have Helu and Royster have the potential to become solid full-time starters. I don't put Hightower in that same camp, but at the same time he could still serve extremely well as a second/third running back. His pass blocking skills alone, plus his ability to run, make him a nice fit for 3rd down situations.

And if we lose one of the other two backs this year to injury, it will be nice to have Hightower stepping into a greater role.

I agree with you completely!!

cowboykillerzRGiii · Post by **cowboykillerzRGiii** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:04 pm

Oops I thought u said "improving" back not game changing.

Although averaging 4.8 yards per carry his last year w Az and 3.9 over his career DOES tell me, he also ain't no slouch.

Link
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/i ... -hightower

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:28 pm

aswas71788 wrote:Tim Hightower Stats

2008 AZ 16 games 399 yards rushing
2009 AZ 16 games 598 yards rushing
2010 AZ 16 games 736 yards rushing
2011 WASH 5 games 321 yards rushing

These are not the stats of a game changing running back.

I have to admit though that at least Redskin fans stick by their favorite. I admit he is a great blocking back. That is his only redeeming characteristic. I do sincerely hope he blossoms into the next Adrian Peterson but he is more likely to go the way of Skip Hicks.

I don't think anyone expects him to be a game changer, but if healthy, we will be a useful guy to have around.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:34 am

I just purchased the NFL "All-22" package. Basically, you can purchase the coaches film from every game.

If Tim can come back healthy, it'll be awesome. He ran really well so far in this game. It's easy to forget these things.

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:18 pm

SouthLondonRedskin wrote:If he's injury free, then he'll be our leading rusher. I'll stake my reputation on it...

I thought you were trying to get rid of that reputation.

So what does that mean for Hightower?

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:25 pm

Chris Luva Luva wrote:I just purchased the NFL "All-22" package. Basically, you can purchase the coaches film from every game.

All-22? Or is that supposed to be All-32? From whom did you purchase this package? How is it delivered?

Edit: Nevermind, I just saw the thread you started about this.