The Hightower Question

[OmeneX]

Man when Timmy first started trucking ppl last season I really jumped on board the train, thinking we had found a way out of having to leave everything up to Edge.

We all know that he finally got to start and had an exceptional game against the Rams. We all know he has a nose for the goal line and good initial burst acceleration and impact.

Unfortunately we also know that for the most part he didn't carry the starting roll very well. Now to me, I didn't lose confidence in him per say, but it did make me back a bit down from my zeal for him being the #1 guy. I became a bit wary. Course, he's still was clutch when we needed him most and that speaks volumes for him in my eyes.

But what I'm getting at here, is now that we are officially taking him on as the most likely starter what do we expect, what would we like to see and what happens if he doesn't produce like we want him to? What if that average YPC he has isn't some random stat?

In a cruel world in where Beanie gets injured (again) and Timmy is the man, and he really doesn't do better then Edge, then what? We are a Pass First team with an even worse running system?

But I'm hearing he looks darn good in training camp, which is encouraging, but I can't help but wonder, and wonder what fellow fans think about this, or if there is any cause for concern here?

Do this Together!

Oh sorry if I'm missing things, still newish round here, since I'm not lurking anymore.

 

[SuperSpck]

I think being a 5th round rookie, even at the rook friendly position of HB, is probably a steep learning curve in terms of 'seeing the field'.

He'll do better this year just for having more experience. Gauging his ability to carry the load, for better or worse, isn't something we should be doing right now.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I know, most dont do this, but look at the progression in Steve Breaston's game from his rook season to last year.

 

[Metcalf Rules]

Hopefully, the drafting of Beanie fired him up even more. I hate to see Wells get hurt, but I'm hoping that Hightower, with a year uner his belt, really takes advantage of the reps. Then when Wells recovers, he'll have to go through Hightower to get the starting job.

 

[Cody]

I know, most dont do this, but look at the progression in Steve Breaston's game from his rook season to last year.

a lot of that was because of q n fitz playing in front of him and them getting most of the attention, not to mention our mvp caliber quarterback.

 

[az jam]

Like most rookies Hightower hit the wall in the later part of last season. Edge, with fresh legs, came back and did well. Hightower appears to be in much better shape now understanding the importance of year round conditioning.
However, I think that the Cards drafted Wells to be the #1 RB with Hightower as his backup. That probably will happen later this season if Wells can stay healthy.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

a lot of that was because of q n fitz playing in front of him and them getting most of the attention, not to mention our mvp caliber quarterback.

Well, Bryant Johnson, a first round pick, couldn't do it as no. 3 with the same advantages. Breaston almost doubled the catches and yards from Johnson's best season.

 

[cardsfanmd]

a lot of that was because of q n fitz playing in front of him and them getting most of the attention, not to mention our mvp caliber quarterback.

Except that all three of those players were there the year before as well. As usual, your post makes zero sense.

 

[Brighteyes]

Apparently Breaston's season last year became a legend to last year's rookies. The feeling is that if you really work hard, study and take full advantage of the off season, anything is truly possible in your second year. (The first year you're too busy trying to figure out where the locker is and what to do without college classes.)

Word is Hightower is absolutely determined to have a 'Breaston' season this year. I hope he does -- NOT due to a Beanie injury, but due to sheer gut determination.

I hope Beanie does fantastic as well.

Midseason, I'd love to see the pundits arguing over who is more valuable to the Cards -- their fantastic receiving corps, or their fantastic running corps.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Apparently Breaston's season last year became a legend to last year's rookies. The feeling is that if you really work hard, study and take full advantage of the off season, anything is truly possible in your second year. (The first year you're too busy trying to figure out where the locker is and what to do without college classes.)

Word is Hightower is absolutely determined to have a 'Breaston' season this year. I hope he does -- NOT due to a Beanie injury, but due to sheer gut determination.

I hope Beanie does fantastic as well.

Midseason, I'd love to see the pundits arguing over who is more valuable to the Cards -- their fantastic receiving corps, or their fantastic running corps.

I like the way you think.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I know, most dont do this, but look at the progression in Steve Breaston's game from his rook season to last year.

The voice of reason. He speaks for me.

 

[Cody]

Except that all three of those players were there the year before as well. As usual, your post makes zero sense.

all 3 of them had a better year than the previous year. as usual your post makes zero sense

 

[cardsfanmd]

I know, most dont do this, but look at the progression in Steve Breaston's game from his rook season to last year.

a lot of that was because of q n fitz playing in front of him and them getting most of the attention, not to mention our mvp caliber quarterback.

Except that all three of those players were there the year before as well. As usual, your post makes zero sense.

all 3 of them had a better year than the previous year. as usual your post makes zero sense

Not really bud. http://www.nfl.com/players/larryfitzgerald/profile?id=FIT437493 http://www.nfl.com/players/kurtwarner/profile?id=WAR492511 http://www.nfl.com/players/anquanboldin/profile?id=BOL283010

Considering that Breaston had 61 more receptions and more than a 900yd increase, I would have to say that your argument holds no water.

Are you ever going to concede that maybe occasionally, you just type without thinking and make no sense???

 

[187]

a lot of that was because of q n fitz playing in front of him and them getting most of the attention, not to mention our mvp caliber quarterback.

I dunno man, he stepped up big time when Q was out of the lineup:

Week 5: 7 rec, 77 yards
Week 6: 8 rec, 102 yards, 1 TD
Week 16 was the disaster in NE, 1 catch for 6 yards. Game was a train wreck.
Week 17: 5 rec, 91 yards, 1 TD

 

[TJ]

A lot of Timmy's success (and Beanies for that matter) are co-dependent on how the O-Line matures. They excelled in pass blocking, but could improve substantially in the run block department. I trust that with the continuity of the starters on the line and the new "run game" coordinator, it should improve.

I just don't want us to be as predictable as we were last season in the passing game.

 

[slanidrac16]

NEWSFLASH!!!Warner,Fitz,Boldin, Breaston.....we ARE a pass first team.
We will continue to bea pass first team and that is exactly what we want our opposition to believe. In turn , that should (and in the playoff run, did), help our running game.

The last thing I want to see is for us to TRY to be a smashmouth , running team. There is a time in the game where you would like to be able to run the ball. That's in the 4th quarter, up by 7 or 10pts.

 

[DieHardCardFan]

Personally I think Hightower hit the rookie wall. He admitted that he had started to see each run as a game changer and had forgotten to take what the D was giving him. He wanted a home run with every carry. After Edge took back over I remember thinking how much more confident Hightower did look when he was given the rock. I expect a great season from Hightower. The guy was a HUGE part of why we made it to the Super Bowl. His play decided the NFC Championship game. This guy is a gamer and I think a one two punch of him and Wells is going to make most teams have there hands full. I would personally like to see Hightower as the starter going into the season and then see a pretty close to equal work load for both if possisble.

 

[Cody]

if the cards didn't have q and fitz last year and breaston was the #1 guy...his numbers would not be as good, although there is no way to prove that...i do not think they would be