by Kent Somers - Aug. 9, 2008 05:29 PM
The Arizona Republic
Cardinals rookie running back Tim Hightower stood in the middle of locker room Thursday night, telling reporters how there were plenty of people around him who would keep him grounded.
Just then, running backs coach Maurice Carthon walked by and smiled when he saw Hightower was the center of attention.
"Like an old coach used to say, 'Don't put him in Canton yet,' " Carthon said, referring to the Ohio city where the Pro Football Hall of Fame is located.
"See what I mean?" said Hightower, smiling.
Carthon was quoting an old line from his mentor, Bill Parcells.
Though no one is commissioning a Hall of Fame bust of Hightower just yet, the fifth-round draft choice out of Richmond made an impressive debut in the preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.
He gained 23 yards on five carries, including a nifty, 1-yard touchdown run, a play designed to go inside that Hightower bounced to the edge.
"I was supposed to keep the ball so I could give it to my mother," he said, "but, you know, maybe next week."
Hightower wasn't carried away with himself after the game.
Though excited about the touchdown run, he pointed out that he allowed a sack in the second half.
"I don't like mediocrity," Hightower said. "They talk about young running backs in blitz protection, and that's something I've got to improve."
That reaction didn't surprise coach Ken Whisenhunt.
"I think Tim's a focused young man," he said. "I think he has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, coming from Richmond and maybe not getting the attention that he feels he deserves. Just by his work ethic in the off-season, he's a guy who wants to get it right. Some of the better players I've been around in the league seem to have that quality."
Hightower, who is 6 feet and 216 pounds, didn't go higher in the draft because he supposedly lacked speed, running the 40-yard dash in around 4.6 seconds. But he appears to have other attributes. He reads blocks well, shows good patience and has a nice burst when he sees an opening.
"I think he's a combination of some guys I've been around," said Whisenhunt, who compared him to some Pittsburgh Steelers running backs. "He doesn't have quite the speed of a Willie Parker but he reminds me a little bit of Jerome (Bettis) in the way he can see the holes and the way he picks his feet up in the holes.
"He's a different player. He's got a different skill set, but it was good to see him do some things in live game action at this level."
Like Cardinals starter Edgerrin James, Hightower appears to be a solid inside runner, Whisenhunt said. James is more of a hunt-and-peck type of runner, but Hightower's strength is seeing the hole and making a quick cut that takes him through it.
James remains entrenched as the starter, but Hightower appears to have the ability to make an impact. His development in training camp played a part in the team's decision to release veteran Marcel Shipp last week.
James is serving as a mentor to Hightower, and the two conferred often on the sideline of Thursday's 24-10 loss to the Saints.
"He's always helping me out," Hightower said of James. "He's taught me how to take care of my body and how to watch film and how to study. Just small things about the game that you only learn from experience. I can kind of learn through his experience."
Why is it that the Coaching staff didn't feel that the kid needed more work? Are they happy with what they saw?
Why is it that the Coaching staff didn't feel that the kid needed more work? Are they happy with what they saw?
I think we have similar thinking here I was just trying to play devil's advocate against just looking at the stats. You got to see the game, so you had a first had view on if he passed the eye test. From those of you that saw it, it looks like he did.
This is getting outright ridiculous.No matter what he's not starting for Arizona unless Edge gets hurt. Also there is a very very good chance they draft a RB high next year.A few camp practices and 5 carries in a preseason game from a 5th rounder (or 6th don't remember for sure) has all of a sudden made him worth a mid-first round rookie pick.WHOA, SLOW DOWN FELLAS. I like hightower and think hes a decent prospect, but people are getting far too carried away here.
This hype is just crazy after 5 carries and a couple of weeks of camp.
on this thread for the coming preseason games. I still have a month to sit on the fence on this one, thankfully.
. Man, I don't who is more overrated him or colt brennan
. Man, I don't who is more overrated him or colt brennan
. Man, I don't who is more overrated him or colt brennan
This has been a fun thread so far....
need to mark this one
