SteelersMongol
11-09-2008, 04:21 AM
Hightower bursts onto scene
In case you didn't notice, former fifth-round pick Tim Hightower rushed for 109 yards in his debut as the Cardinals' new starting running back last week, basically insuring Edgerrin James' days are numbered in Arizona.
"He gives their offense a little more juice," said an NFC personnel director. "He is a hard-nosed runner who flashes some explosiveness between the tackles. He finishes runs well, and has a knack for getting into the end zone on goal line situations."
Though the Cardinals' pass offense has ranked in the top 10 the past three seasons, the running game has been a bit of a disappointment with James carrying the load. The 10-year veteran has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but the team has never ranked higher than 29th during his tenure. He has only seven 100-yard games and just four runs over 20 yards in 769 rushing attempts as the Cardinals' starter.
"James has become more of a grinder at this stage of his career," said an NFC personnel director. "The young guy brings a bit of a big play dimension to their offense."
Hightower, who ran for 3,712 yards at Richmond and who leads all rookies with seven rushing touchdowns, had thrived as a short yardage/third down back prior to getting the starting nod. Though he lacks elite top-end speed, his quickness in and out of the hole allows him to get to the second level quickly. With defense playing softer to guard against the Cards' explosive passing game, it is important for Arizona to have a runner with the potential to exploit the big seams in the defense. Hightower displayed that potential in his debut by breaking off four runs over 15 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown run.
During coach Ken Whisenhunt's time as offensive coordinator for the Steelers, he witnessed a similar move (Willie Parker over Jerome Bettis) spark the team to a Super Bowl run. He can only hope his decision to put Hightower into the starting lineup produces comparable results.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/bucky_brooks/11/07/buzz/index.html?eref=sircrc
I wonder how long is it going 2 take Arizona 2 have a team like Pittsburgh? :coffee:
In case you didn't notice, former fifth-round pick Tim Hightower rushed for 109 yards in his debut as the Cardinals' new starting running back last week, basically insuring Edgerrin James' days are numbered in Arizona.
"He gives their offense a little more juice," said an NFC personnel director. "He is a hard-nosed runner who flashes some explosiveness between the tackles. He finishes runs well, and has a knack for getting into the end zone on goal line situations."
Though the Cardinals' pass offense has ranked in the top 10 the past three seasons, the running game has been a bit of a disappointment with James carrying the load. The 10-year veteran has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but the team has never ranked higher than 29th during his tenure. He has only seven 100-yard games and just four runs over 20 yards in 769 rushing attempts as the Cardinals' starter.
"James has become more of a grinder at this stage of his career," said an NFC personnel director. "The young guy brings a bit of a big play dimension to their offense."
Hightower, who ran for 3,712 yards at Richmond and who leads all rookies with seven rushing touchdowns, had thrived as a short yardage/third down back prior to getting the starting nod. Though he lacks elite top-end speed, his quickness in and out of the hole allows him to get to the second level quickly. With defense playing softer to guard against the Cards' explosive passing game, it is important for Arizona to have a runner with the potential to exploit the big seams in the defense. Hightower displayed that potential in his debut by breaking off four runs over 15 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown run.
During coach Ken Whisenhunt's time as offensive coordinator for the Steelers, he witnessed a similar move (Willie Parker over Jerome Bettis) spark the team to a Super Bowl run. He can only hope his decision to put Hightower into the starting lineup produces comparable results.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/bucky_brooks/11/07/buzz/index.html?eref=sircrc
I wonder how long is it going 2 take Arizona 2 have a team like Pittsburgh? :coffee: