Hightower nearly benched for Torain (1 Viewer)

[Skeletore Eh]

Appearing on ESPN 980 Washington Friday, coach Mike Shanahan said he nearly benched Tim Hightower for Ryan Torain in Monday night's loss to Dallas.

Shanahan nearly made the switch because Hightower couldn't keep his balance, a big problem early in the game. "We can't have the type of slippage we had," said Shanahan, who has a propensity for pulling tailbacks at a moment's notice. "Hopefully, we will have that problem rectified." Added Shanahan, "I got a lot of belief in Ryan Torain." Just keep in mind that Shanahan is also known for using the media as a motivational tool on running backs. Torain can't function in the passing game, so it's not realistic to think Hightower would've been benched. Shanahan's comments do suggest that he envisions Torain as the immediate backup to Hightower, with Roy Helu locked into a change-of-pace role.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

This is a case of people not being able to separate fantasy from reality. Why in the world are you surprised that they thought about benching him? He's averaged above 3ypc in one of his three starts this year.

 

[cvnpoka]

this is pretty standard given shannys history with torain, its like a love affair

 

[Ladsud]

What a mess, so Helu locked into the cop back? Is Torain a must pick up for THT owners at this point? Shanahan.....

 

[Joe Summer]

This is all just a ploy to motivate Tim Hightower.

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

I bet Tatum Bell is fired up.

 

[packersfan]

this is pretty standard given shannys history with running backs.

Fixed.

 

[Chaka]

Why can't Torain function in the passing game?

 

[Thumper]

Why can't Torain function in the passing game?

They were going to bench him for "slipping"?

 

[ourmanflint]

Appearing on ESPN 980 Washington Friday, coach Mike Shanahan said he nearly benched Tim Hightower for Ryan Torain in Monday night's loss to Dallas.Shanahan nearly made the switch because Hightower couldn't keep his balance, a big problem early in the game. "We can't have the type of slippage we had," said Shanahan, who has a propensity for pulling tailbacks at a moment's notice. "Hopefully, we will have that problem rectified." Added Shanahan, "I got a lot of belief in Ryan Torain." Just keep in mind that Shanahan is also known for using the media as a motivational tool on running backs. Torain can't function in the passing game, so it's not realistic to think Hightower would've been benched. Shanahan's comments do suggest that he envisions Torain as the immediate backup to Hightower, with Roy Helu locked into a change-of-pace role.

Wasn't everyone slipping on that field. What is the deal with that field anyway? Seems to be a lot of slipping on the new synthetic fields this year.

 

[C-Bound]

Appearing on ESPN 980 Washington Friday, coach Mike Shanahan said he nearly benched Tim Hightower for Ryan Torain in Monday night's loss to Dallas.Shanahan nearly made the switch because Hightower couldn't keep his balance, a big problem early in the game. "We can't have the type of slippage we had," said Shanahan, who has a propensity for pulling tailbacks at a moment's notice. "Hopefully, we will have that problem rectified." Added Shanahan, "I got a lot of belief in Ryan Torain." Just keep in mind that Shanahan is also known for using the media as a motivational tool on running backs. Torain can't function in the passing game, so it's not realistic to think Hightower would've been benched. Shanahan's comments do suggest that he envisions Torain as the immediate backup to Hightower, with Roy Helu locked into a change-of-pace role.

Wasn't everyone slipping on that field. What is the deal with that field anyway? Seems to be a lot of slipping on the new synthetic fields this year.

Yea, I saw Helu slip at least once as well. Shanahan is nuts...

 

[pantherclub]

From what absolute little I have seen of the Skins (which is not much) and by looking at sheer stats it appears that Helu is a more explosive runner so my question is why isnt he getting more time and opportunity? I am sure I am missing something since I havent seen a lot of the Skins this year.

 

[kencav]

Appearing on ESPN 980 Washington Friday, coach Mike Shanahan said he nearly benched Tim Hightower for Ryan Torain in Monday night's loss to Dallas.Shanahan nearly made the switch because Hightower couldn't keep his balance, a big problem early in the game. "We can't have the type of slippage we had," said Shanahan, who has a propensity for pulling tailbacks at a moment's notice. "Hopefully, we will have that problem rectified." Added Shanahan, "I got a lot of belief in Ryan Torain." Just keep in mind that Shanahan is also known for using the media as a motivational tool on running backs. Torain can't function in the passing game, so it's not realistic to think Hightower would've been benched. Shanahan's comments do suggest that he envisions Torain as the immediate backup to Hightower, with Roy Helu locked into a change-of-pace role.

Was this the same Ryan Torain that was going to be cut until Royster was concussed before last preseason game .....the man is nuts.

 

[sj_bennett]

Appearing on ESPN 980 Washington Friday, coach Mike Shanahan said he nearly benched Tim Hightower for Ryan Torain in Monday night's loss to Dallas.Shanahan nearly made the switch because Hightower couldn't keep his balance, a big problem early in the game. "We can't have the type of slippage we had," said Shanahan, who has a propensity for pulling tailbacks at a moment's notice. "Hopefully, we will have that problem rectified." Added Shanahan, "I got a lot of belief in Ryan Torain." Just keep in mind that Shanahan is also known for using the media as a motivational tool on running backs. Torain can't function in the passing game, so it's not realistic to think Hightower would've been benched. Shanahan's comments do suggest that he envisions Torain as the immediate backup to Hightower, with Roy Helu locked into a change-of-pace role.

I think this is to motivate Hightower. Helu is the longer term solution here. Torain will be awesome, at least for the 2 games he plays until he is injured (don't wish this on anyone, but look at his history). Love the comment about bringing back Tatum Bell too.

 

[cr8f]

Shanahan using the press to motivate players (and scare fantasy owners) again?

 

[Thumper]

Shanahan using the press to motivate players (and scare fantasy owners) again?

I wouldn't want to work for a guy like Shanahan. He seems completely unreasonable.

 

[NatronIsMean]

Rotoworld's take is pretty accurate to me, aside from the "Torain can't function in the passing game" part. I don't think it's THAT drastic. Torain does catch out of the backfield. That said, Torain is simply too brittle and Shanny would have to be a little nuts to inject chaos into what is a working combo of THT and Helu.

As a THT and Helu owner, I could see Torain being the lead back instead of Helu if there was a major injury to THT. Bottom line though is THT does too many things well for this to switch soon in my opinion.

By season's end? I'm under no illusions about Shannanana's craziness with RBs.

 

[ArcticEdge]

I bet Tatum Bell is fired up.

Mike Bell just climaxed.

 

[eaglesfan7]

From what absolute little I have seen of the Skins (which is not much) and by looking at sheer stats it appears that Helu is a more explosive runner so my question is why isnt he getting more time and opportunity? I am sure I am missing something since I havent seen a lot of the Skins this year.

I hear ya about Helu but I watched every single play of the Monday night game and Hightower and Helu almost rotated every other series. So Helu is getting plenty of time and opportunity and he's doing well with what touches he receives. Not sure why shanahan says he almost brought in torrain when he clearly favors Helu over him. Just motivation I guess.

 

[atcdav]

Helu was slipping as was Witten, something with the field. ESPN also said Washington change of pace. Hightower is fine, but I do nor doubt for a second Shanny considered pulling him. Torain was drop i one of my league but I am not buying.

 

[nkowal]

From what absolute little I have seen of the Skins (which is not much) and by looking at sheer stats it appears that Helu is a more explosive runner so my question is why isnt he getting more time and opportunity? I am sure I am missing something since I havent seen a lot of the Skins this year.

I hear ya about Helu but I watched every single play of the Monday night game and Hightower and Helu almost rotated every other series

. So Helu is getting plenty of time and opportunity and he's doing well with what touches he receives. Not sure why shanahan says he almost brought in torrain when he clearly favors Helu over him. Just motivation I guess.

On MNF they went 2 series Hightower, 2 series Helu, 2 series Hightower, etc.As a Hightower owner I am looking to move him though, ugh. Just can't deal with this.

 

[Hairy Snowman]

Come on man.

This is just motivation for Tatum Bell. I mean Ryan Torain.

Seriously, this is just regular Shanny tactics. Its par for the course.

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. ~Macbeth Act 5, scene 5, 19–28.

 

[Teef]

From what absolute little I have seen of the Skins (which is not much) and by looking at sheer stats it appears that Helu is a more explosive runner so my question is why isnt he getting more time and opportunity? I am sure I am missing something since I havent seen a lot of the Skins this year.

I hear ya about Helu but I watched every single play of the Monday night game and Hightower and Helu almost rotated every other series

. So Helu is getting plenty of time and opportunity and he's doing well with what touches he receives. Not sure why shanahan says he almost brought in torrain when he clearly favors Helu over him. Just motivation I guess.

On MNF they went 2 series Hightower, 2 series Helu, 2 series Hightower, etc.As a Hightower owner I am looking to move him though, ugh. Just can't deal with this.

Here's the breakdown of THT/Helu by series. I went back and re-watched the game. Seemed like Washington ran PA or pass plays the majority of the time Helu was in. One thing for sure, Helu's assignment is seldom, if ever, to block. He's usually releasing into a route, or making a chip block on his way to doing so. Touches:

Hightower 19

Helu: 7

(I didn't count # of plays for each)

Quarter 1:

1: THT

2: THT

3: THT

Quarter 2:

1: Helu (1 play - INT)

2: Helu

3: Helu

4: THT/Helu

Quarter 3:

1: THT

2: THT (TD)

Quarter 4:

1: Helu

2: THT

 

[AmosMoses]

From what absolute little I have seen of the Skins (which is not much) and by looking at sheer stats it appears that Helu is a more explosive runner so my question is why isnt he getting more time and opportunity? I am sure I am missing something since I havent seen a lot of the Skins this year.

I hear ya about Helu but I watched every single play of the Monday night game and Hightower and Helu almost rotated every other series

. So Helu is getting plenty of time and opportunity and he's doing well with what touches he receives. Not sure why shanahan says he almost brought in torrain when he clearly favors Helu over him. Just motivation I guess.

On MNF they went 2 series Hightower, 2 series Helu, 2 series Hightower, etc.As a Hightower owner I am looking to move him though, ugh. Just can't deal with this.

Here's the breakdown of THT/Helu by series. I went back and re-watched the game. Seemed like Washington ran PA or pass plays the majority of the time Helu was in. One thing for sure, Helu's assignment is seldom, if ever, to block. He's usually releasing into a route, or making a chip block on his way to doing so.Quarter 1:

1: THT

2: THT

3: THT

Quarter 2:

1: Helu (1 play - INT)

2: Helu

3: Helu

4: THT/Helu

Quarter 3:

1: THT

2: THT (TD)

Quarter 4:

1: Helu

2: THT

The board agreed to not use "THT" any longer. Thanks.

 

[Hairy Snowman]

From what absolute little I have seen of the Skins (which is not much) and by looking at sheer stats it appears that Helu is a more explosive runner so my question is why isnt he getting more time and opportunity? I am sure I am missing something since I havent seen a lot of the Skins this year.

I hear ya about Helu but I watched every single play of the Monday night game and Hightower and Helu almost rotated every other series

. So Helu is getting plenty of time and opportunity and he's doing well with what touches he receives. Not sure why shanahan says he almost brought in torrain when he clearly favors Helu over him. Just motivation I guess.

On MNF they went 2 series Hightower, 2 series Helu, 2 series Hightower, etc.As a Hightower owner I am looking to move him though, ugh. Just can't deal with this.

Here's the breakdown of THT/Helu by series. I went back and re-watched the game. Seemed like Washington ran PA or pass plays the majority of the time Helu was in. One thing for sure, Helu's assignment is seldom, if ever, to block. He's usually releasing into a route, or making a chip block on his way to doing so.Quarter 1:

1: THT

2: THT

3: THT

Quarter 2:

1: Helu (1 play - INT)

2: Helu

3: Helu

4: THT/Helu

Quarter 3:

1: THT

2: THT (TD)

Quarter 4:

1: Helu

2: THT

The board agreed to not use "THT" any longer. Thanks.

The "board agreed"? I didnt even know I had voted. I guess its pretty hard to discern that he meant Tim Hightower there.

 

[jon_mx]

I bet Tatum Bell is fired up.

Mike Bell just climaxed.

No, that was Tatum O'Neal. I will tell her to keep it quiet next time.

 

[dgreen]

Uh oh, here comes Torain.

 

[nkowal]

Uh oh, here comes Torain.

Ugh... a massive 1 pt from Hightower today. Not looking good.

 

[Deaddawg]

Good god! The Redskins have become the ultimate Shanny nightmare! I am never picking up a Shanahan back again!!!!

 

[nkowal]

At least Hightower (I'm anti-"THT") is still getting carries. I don't know why I expected anything less from Shanny.

 

[Hang 10]

Hes baaaaacccckkkk...

 

[BigTex]

Time to sell THT!!!!

 

[Hang 10]

Time to sell THT!!!!

Signed yesterday.

 

[maul52]

Here we go again. Early 3rd qtr:

Torain: 5 carries for 75 yds

Helu: 6 carries for 28 yds

Hightower: 7 carries for 22 yds

I HATE Shanahan!

 

[AmosMoses]

At least Hightower (I'm anti-"THT") is still getting carries. I don't know why I expected anything less from Shanny.

all around here. People should be more like you.

 

[Dez]

A little big of news I could have used before Friday 9 PM when waivers closed.

Did I mention I hate Shanny ? I should have seen it coming but I thought it would have been Helu.

 

[Kenny Powers]

 

[AcerFC]

Time to sell THT!!!!

Signed yesterday.

Ive been offering both in a package all week and no one was interested including the Helu owner. In sure there will be less interest now since its such a murky situation

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Picked up Torain a half hour before kickoff. Just a speculatory add. I don't trust Shanny. Maybe I can sell high?

 

[AmosMoses]

This was Torain's job. If you guys didn't see this coming, I don't know what to tell you. It's Shannahan, n00bs.

 

[Hang 10]

Wow, Torain looks great out there. Skins could have really used him last week.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Can't blame Shanahan on this one, folks. You need to look inward.

Hightower was a below average back tentatively holding onto a job who was performing extremely poorly from an NFL standpoint. Torain came in and immediately on his first 5 carries looked better than Hightower has all season.

Hightower never had a stranglehold on this job anyway and his poor play should have clued you in that this was coming. If you didn't see it coming it's because you made the typical mistake of not noticing how poorly he was playing because his fantasy numbers were still decent.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I cant believe Torain is actually rostered in both my leagues.

Oh well, he'll sprain or tear something within a couple weeks anyway

 

[BigTex]

This was Torain's job. If you guys didn't see this coming, I don't know what to tell you. It's Shannahan, n00bs.

If you "saw" this coming you would have said something instead of posting after today.

 

[NatronIsMean]

Boy was I wrong. Wow....

 

[Raiderfan32904]

This was Torain's job. If you guys didn't see this coming, I don't know what to tell you. It's Shannahan, n00bs.

If you "saw" this coming you would have said something instead of posting after today.

He's rostered in my leagues, and was a hot late waiver wire add in many others. A lot of people saw enough to not let him go to blind bid waivers. It's not as much a surprise as you think. Did anyone start Torain? Now that would take some brass balls.

 

[BigTex]

Can't blame Shanahan on this one, folks. You need to look inward.

Hightower was a below average back tentatively holding onto a job who was performing extremely poorly from an NFL standpoint. Torain came in and immediately on his first 5 carries looked better than Hightower has all season.

Hightower never had a stranglehold on this job anyway and his poor play should have clued you in that this was coming. If you didn't see it coming it's because you made the typical mistake of not noticing how poorly he was playing because his fantasy numbers were still decent.

Coach Mike Shanahan said that Tim Hightower's usage going forward will "depend on the game plan."

So far, the plan is to use Hightower exclusively. The ex-Cardinal received 25-of-26 rushing attempts in Week 1 and Ryan Torain didn't even play. As the Redskins' most reliable pass protector and early-down runner, Hightower can expect massive workloads to continue. Shanahan is prepared to run him into the ground.

Coach Mike Shanahan has no plans to monitor Tim Hightower's workload this season.

Hightower had a career-high 25 carries in Week 1, the biggest workload of any NFL back. "Most coaches, you're never thinking he has too many carries and it's halfway through the game and I don't want him to be tired a month from now,: Shanahan said. "You'll do whatever you can do win the game." Hightower's fumbling tendencies could lead to more Roy Helu in clock-killing mode, but the starter still looks like a good bet for 300 touches. Source: Washington Examiner

Coach Mike Shanahan likes "everything about" Tim Hightower.

"He's a good blocker, excellent runner," said Shanahan. "He's been very productive." Coordinator Kyle Shanahan is just as excited, adding, "He's the exact type of runner we look for, and when he puts that foot down, he's violent, and when someone's in his way he's trying to run him over." There's no sign of Ryan Torain in Hightower's rear-view mirror on the doorstep of the 2011 season. Related: Ryan TorainSource: Washington Examiner

The Redskins have "all but anointed" Tim Hightower as their Week 1 starting running back.

"I’m not going to say (Hightower is) our starter, but if you were betting in Vegas, you’d probably go in that direction," coach Mike Shanahan conceded. Ryan Torain has finally returned to practice, but it's too little, too late for the oft-injured back. Hightower can be safely drafted as a low-end RB2 while Torain and rookie Roy Helu muddle the handcuff situation behind him. Related: Ryan Torain, Roy HeluSource: Washington

Former NFL scout Bucky Brooks predicts that Tim Hightower will be a "star" in the Redskins' zone-blocking scheme.

"Hightower has shown outstanding speed, quickness and vision," writes Brooks. "He attacks the line of scrimmage quickly, but also has enough patience to identify the soft spot of the defense." It's true that Hightower has looked like a natural in Washington's scheme after three mostly mediocre seasons in Arizona's power-based system. His current ADP is the early seventh round. Source: NFL.com

From the Post, Examiner, NFL.com to Shannyface, all the overtones pointed to THT. Hell, he may blow up next week, next month or be the NFL MVP but he won't be on my team and that's a promise.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

You're not new to this game, surely you know how to read those blurbs. I'll give you a hint. Focus on what the people that actually matter say in them and not what some writer (poorly) speculates based on quotes that weren't in any way leading in that direction.

All Shanahan said there was that Hightower's usage would "depend on the game plan" (which is practically the opposite of saying he's the workhorse going forward) and that he wasn't worried about giving a RB too many carries (which almost implies that he doesn't care about Hightower staying healthy long-term). All the "he's the guy going forward" nonsense was just blurbs from writers poorly analyzing those quotes no different than if you or I said them. There wasn't any inside info there other than the same quotes we had access to, which didn't say any of the stuff they were implying.

Sure, Hightower was the starter week 1, we knew that. The point is that he wasn't some entrenched RB that had a lock on the job regardless of how he played early. He was clearly in a tumultuous situation where he could quickly be replaced based on poor play, and his play was very poor.

What we have is a guy who's widely considered to be a below average NFL running back averaging 2.9ypc in two of his three games while playing for a coach that is known to have a short leash for his RBs. If you didn't see this coming with another poor performance by Hightower (which he was having today) then you weren't paying attention.

 

[BigTex]

You're not new to this game, surely you know how to read those blurbs. I'll give you a hint. Focus on what the people that actually matter say in them and not what some writer (poorly) speculates based on quotes that weren't in any way leading in that direction. All Shanahan said there was that Hightower's usage would "depend on the game plan" (which is practically the opposite of saying he's the workhorse going forward) and that he wasn't worried about giving a RB too many carries (which almost implies that he doesn't care about Hightower staying healthy long-term). All the "he's the guy going forward" nonsense was just blurbs from writers poorly analyzing those quotes no different than if you or I said them. There wasn't any inside info there other than the same quotes we had access to, which didn't say any of the stuff they were implying.Sure, Hightower was the starter week 1, we knew that. The point is that he wasn't some entrenched RB that had a lock on the job regardless of how he played early. He was clearly in a tumultuous situation where he could quickly be replaced based on poor play, and his play was very poor.What we have is a guy who's widely considered to be a below average NFL running back averaging 2.9ypc in two of his three games while playing for a coach that is known to have a short leash for his RBs. If you didn't see this coming with another poor performance by Hightower (which he was having today) then you are blind.

Your statement was TOTALY WRONG, there are many more articles from many other sources which clearly stated that Hightower was THE BALL HOG in this offense. Our, well my only mistake at this point was not trading him two weeks ago or even last week when I started receiving offers which are still on the table. I can and will trade him but his value has clearly dropped.No one is arguing his talent level, it's the "WE ALL KNEW" statements that are ONLY popping up now. Show me a post of yours before this week or after week 1 in which you said beware of THT he'll lose this job and I'll shut up and give you your props otherwise its far too easy and convienant to pop on a thread "AFTER" something has taken place and say "WE ALL KNEW!" I'll await your post. ETA: This is not just for you but other who like to pop up after something happens only to be totally silent before.

 

[nkowal]

So is Torain THE guy going forward (at least the next couple of games) or does Shanny just go with the hot hand from the first half of each game?

I'd suspect if Torain isn't running well other RBs would start getting carries. But I think as of right now you want Torain. Until he gets injured.