What Kind of Contract will Redskins Offer UFA Tim Hightower?
by Kevin Ewoldt on Feb 10, 2012 3:16 PM EST
in NFL Draft 2012
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PrintWith the heavy focus of Redskins' free agent attention on London Fletcher Rex Grossman and Laron Landry, one key guy that has been over-looked is Tim Hightower. Immediately after the trade with Arizona, Redskins fans were instantly juiced to see Hightower run. Personally, (like everyone) I had become numb to all of Clinton Portis' "fall forwards" when the 1-in-a-million holes opened up. Sadly, Hightower tore his ACL and the Redskins pass-protection and running game seemed to have met the knife too.
Of course, rookies Roy Helu and Evan Royster stepped up admirably, but it's clear they are not the final solution. Here's where we are with Hightower:
- Last season he had a 1-year, $1.2 million contract.
- Earlier this week, Hightower was CRYSTAL clear he wants to stay in D.C. (He was born in Alexandria, VA and went to University of Richmond).
- In 2011, averaged a modest 3.8 yards per carry. He never broke 100, but Skins were 3-2 including the game he went down in.
Personally, I think it will be a low offer for low years. Somewhere in the range of $2mil a year for 2 years. The Redskins have too many bargaining chips on the table with Helu, Royster, and the next RB they plan to draft to risk getting stuck with a salary hit for 2013 if for some reason Hightower doesn't return to his original form.
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Before I got past the jump I was going to say 2 years, $2.5 mil
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
2 years 3 mil
three reasons why we should re-sign him
1- hes still the best pass blocking back we have
2-he gives 100 % every down and is a great role model for helu and royster
3- he imeadietly took on the role of leader even after only being here for a few months he actually wants to win with the redskins not just another guy looking for a paycheck
I think he would play for free if we asked him too but we should def try to resign him
I definitely agree with point 3
he stepped right into a leadership role on that offense and he visibility cared about winning. Those types of players are important, especially when they’re relatively young.
As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.
*Socrates*
A leader who can no longer play is called an Assistant Coach
Giving away $3million dollars for an assistant coach is foolish
can no longer play?
he was injured, a lot of players come back from injuries…look at terry allen with 2 separate ACL tears and still produces…no one’s saying give him starter money, but he can still play
As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.
*Socrates*
by atark001 on Feb 11, 2012 7:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Camp invite..
He wasn’t exactly tearing it up before he tore up his ACL. Good preseason, bad regular season (3.8 ypc, long of 22). 2 year contract? C’mon guys..
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
he would be the most valuable 3rd down back given his blocking abilities
so i don’t think two years is unreasonable
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
He's good in pass pro but that's it..
Helu’s pass pro improved as the season progressed and he’s a threat out of the back field, Hightower is not. If Tower was a step slow before the injury, what would he be after?
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
I can't agree with you b/c of his connections to Richmond.
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
I have no problem going multiple years on the guy as long as the guarantee is minimal
before last year he’s never been injured. He good in pass protection, and decent catching the ball out of the backfield.He can help on some ST’s as well.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
Hightower is a pass catcher look at him before he came here
We are taught from an early age how to deal with failure not success. (If at first you don't succeed try try again, if at first you succeed then what....) -Charlie Sheen
I come ready, when I came out the womb I was ready, tell them mama that's why you had me, you knew I was ready. -Moss
Dominating your opposition physically is great and all, but confounding them mentally is sooo much more fun.
2-15-DEN 44(14:36) (Shotgun) K.Moreno up the middle to DEN 47 for 3 yards (N.Suh). FUMBLES (N.Suh), RECOVERED by DET-N.Suh at DEN 47. N.Suh to DEN 47 for no gain (K.Moreno). FUMBLES (K.Moreno), recovered by DET-C.Houston at DEN 47. C.Houston to DEN 47 for no gain (O.Franklin). Denver challenged the fumble ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) K.Moreno up the middle to DEN 49 for 5 yards (S.Tulloch).
He averages 6.8 Yds per rec. Again, he's good in pass pro but not a threat out of the backfield.
Btw, your sig…really?
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
4 yrs. - $12 mil, $3 mil signing bonus...
salaries – 12 – $ 500,000
13 – 1,500,000
14 – 2,500.000
15 – 2,500,000
He is still very young, would only cost the salary cap in ’12 $1.25 mil.
if you do something like that I'd make the signing bonus far less since you don't know how he comes back from the injury
I’d say no more than a $1 million
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
I've got no problem with your lower projections (I have no idea, I am no expert)...
but I liked him AALLOOTT!!
And since we are all so quick to comment on the problems the OL is, I think an improved OL will let him tear it up (not his knee)…IMO
I'd guess three years is more likely $750K signing bonus
prob. $4.5 million total
something like:
$750k (plus $250k) in 2012
$1.250 (plus $250k) in 2013
$1.750 (plus $250k) in 2014.
If Reed Doughty can get a 3 year deal last year (though even less guaranteed) Hightower can get a 3 year deal this year.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
Reed is an above average special teamer and solid backup at S (marginal starter)
Hightower is a marginal starter and below average special teamer…comparison does not compute.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
And running backs are the cheapest commodity
Other than specialist.
Don’t you think Minnesota and Tennessee would like to rethink what they pay their running backs?
It is also not very hard relatively to be a running back, but being a safety is not the easiest position on defense.
The world looks mighty different when you're peeking out your belly button
by Skins Fan '77 on Feb 10, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
thats why the Skins should sign cheap players like Hightower
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
I think we should give him a chance
To earn a spot during training camp.
Running backs don’t come back to 100% pre-injury from ACL tears in the first year–year and a half. Healing is only half of the equation, confidence in the joint is the other half.
This team cannot afford to have roster spots taken up by players who cannot produce effectively. We have too many already, no reason to sign another one without making them prove they deserve it.
The world looks mighty different when you're peeking out your belly button
by Skins Fan '77 on Feb 11, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
As far as I'm concerned..
Royster and Helu are both better options than Hightower. Better YPC and better receivers.
They are also not very durable and we need some sort of insurance
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
As long as that insurance policy doesnt cost too much...
He could definitely be a valuable member of the running back crew, but I’d rather Helu and Royster get the bulk.
by NittanyBlueHen on Feb 10, 2012 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
You don't know if Royster is durable!?!?!?
He started 2 games. That isn’t enough to base durability on. He was a true feature back at PSU and seemed to hold up well!
Can we please get a mother f***ing QB we can be proud of?!?!?!?!?!?!
+1
if no hightower do we consider richardson if hes the best left on the board at 6?(if there isnt a trade back option available ) and reiff is gone
If anyone was to make that suggestion to ShanAllen then they should be held back like this:
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
NO!
Don’t force us in to a scenario like that… c’mon man. I mean TR is one hell of a talent but someone of need will be there for us if we stay. You aren’t forced to take him just because he is the BPA on your board.
May be goodbye Hightower...
…Hello Forte. Hightower makes the RB corp good, Forte would make it great. Not sure why this hasn’t been floated yet.
Can't imagine the Bears letting him walk
He accounted for, what, like 40% of their total yardage on offense?
for 2 reasons
1. the Bears are almost assured to franchise Forte
2. He would cost a ton, almost what A.P got last year.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
It hasn't been floated around b/c its not 2003
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
He will be less than one year removed from an ACL injury
Invitation to camp seems about right to me
The world looks mighty different when you're peeking out your belly button
Whoops, I see what I did there
The world looks mighty different when you're peeking out your belly button
by Skins Fan '77 on Feb 10, 2012 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
I'd say offer him something similar to his 1 year 1.2 mil contract.
I would love to see the guy stay here and blossom into a powerhouse, but the injury requires some thought on longevity. If he wants to play here then I’m sure he wont put up too much of a fuss about a similar contract. Be great to see him back on the field. Great character and motivation.
what happened to all the excitement TH brought...
I wasn’t on this site last year, preseason, but I remember many were euophoric with acquiring him for practically nothing. He demonstrated an immediate take to the stretch run plays Shanny loves, blocked like a mother, then got hurt….
So, again, I ask, what happened to all the excitement? I for one, would love to have him back, for a bunch of years…
He got injured
And a ACL tear is not the greatest injury for a running back to have.
Redskins fans tend to get over exuberant about anyone who can play at an average level… and I can’t blame them because this roster has been full of a hot mess for a very long time.
But we are trying to turn that around, and we as fans have to up our expectations of the players.
The world looks mighty different when you're peeking out your belly button
by Skins Fan '77 on Feb 10, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions
okay, but this is no risk to the Skins if he can't come back healthy
Washington has viable starting options, it wouldn’t cost us much, and he actually wants to be here and be a leader.
This is essentially the exact opposite of the Landry situation
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
Yes, but he did not really produce much before the injury
There are tons of other options. Give him a invitation to training camp and let him earn a contract… anything else seems foolish to me
The world looks mighty different when you're peeking out your belly button
by Skins Fan '77 on Feb 11, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
Have you fogotten about Terry Allen ?
He had the same surgery on both knees , before coming to Washington , and no other team would touch him . The Redskins signed him on the cheap , and he gave them several great years , as a feature back . With Helu , and Royster sharing the load , Hightower would be a great signing , on the cheap .
by EldonD on Feb 11, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Several great years?
His best yards per carry average was 3.9 (first year he was here) it went steadily downward after that
his first two years he scored 10 touchdowns and 21 touchdowns as the feature back
his highest yards in a season happened in those two years at right around 1300 yards total rushing.
He had twoGood years in Washington (the first two) but he achieved these numbers at between 300–340 carries per season.
The only time in his career that he consistently average more than 4 yards per carry was before the surgeries.
Again another example of fans distorted perception of production.
The world looks mighty different when you're peeking out your belly button
by Skins Fan '77 on Feb 11, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
I should also mention
That Terry Allen was a north-south runner and ran behind power blocking.
Tim Hightower is more of a cutback runner and runs behind zone blocking.
There is a a lot more stress put on the knee consistently in the second circumstance.
The world looks mighty different when you're peeking out your belly button
by Skins Fan '77 on Feb 11, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
What happen to the excitement?
Reality. There is a reason we got him for next to nothing.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
WOW, I guess I understand your points...
I just don’t see it that way. I thought we stole him from Arizona, and he was on track to have a great year. I loved what he brought, I hope he works hard to come back, better than ever, and jump right into the rotation. If we get him for cheap, Steve’s projections withstanding, then great, we will have a wonderful player on our roster for very little…
Actually
He wasn’t exactly tearing it up before he got hurt.
Where do they teach you to talk like this? In some Panama City "Sailor wanna hump-hump" bar, or is it getaway day and your last shot at his whiskey? Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here.
It would be a good idea to sign him to a 3 year deal
I doubt he would have averaged 3.8 ypc the whole year had he not gotten hurt, but he is tough and runs tough. I think he has the attitude that this team need he can do it all run hard, block hard, and catch the ball he is a nice versatile back to have.
4 Years, $2M/year with $3M guarenteed.
2012 $1.5M+ $1M Signing Bonus
2013 $1.5M
2014 $2.0M
2015 $2.0M
Seems about right to me.
No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-
1 years- come to camp and earn a roster spot
Sounds even more right
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
Now I see where everyone gets their "holes" in this team
You want to dump a team guy, guy who has the work ethic and leadership skills this team needs and open a hole in this team for another RB? The guy was injured, it wasn’t lack of productivity. The guy got injured in his first year in Shannys system, with no offseason and we could probably expect something like a 3.8 YPC to start off. He wouldn’t have ended that way
by Bryan Black on Feb 10, 2012 7:22 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
How does camp invite equal dumping a average RB?
In case you didn’t know, there isn’t a huge market for RBs coming off of ACL injuries. Camp invite, not a longterm contract. Where talking about Tim Hightower not Adrian Peterson.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
AP tore 3 ligaments, not a good example there
by Bryan Black on Feb 10, 2012 9:24 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
The example is lost on you.
Hightower is a below average RB, AP is elite.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
AP is elite, thus a feature back with more knee damage
Guess they should only give him a camp invite if he was a FA? Hightower with two young guys also sharing carries with less knee damage is less of a concern to me. So yes, bad way to back up your point
by Bryan Black on Feb 10, 2012 11:24 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
I don't usually continue a dialogue with those without a clue but..
The point I’m making is that AP is a top 5 of alltime type of RB while Hightower is a rotational guy coming off of an injury w/o a contract. Therefore why I say he deserves a camp invite…no more, no less. Hightower could be easily replaced. I’m not sure why fans have such a love affair with marginal players..
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
marginal players play their role in winning
I can only speak for myself not other fans, but I love hightower because of the intangibles he brings to the table. A winning attitude, competitive, and the physicality to back it up on the field. No one is saying sign him to starters money, but do bring the guy back. He offers more to the team than just on field performance.
As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.
*Socrates*
How do I not have a clue?
You put AP, with 3 ligament tears in a different class than Hightower with one tear? If you don’t know how severe that is please see Daunte Culpepper. Marginal or not you suggest a double standard when you mention AP while having a much more severe injury. Yes, we do tend to gravitate towards marginal players which is almost every member of this team in case you haven’t noticed.
by Bryan Black on Feb 11, 2012 11:36 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Yeah, sorry Mr. Black. A bit harsh on my part.
But my point is that people are acting like he’s indespensable when he is easily the most replaceable opening day starter on the roster. AP would be a guy worth waiting for while Hightower is a dime a dozen.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
Agreed on that
He is replaceable, yes, but everyone always talks about the holes on this team. I don’t think it would be beneficial at this time to let guys with his intangibles go and open up yet another “need”.
by Bryan Black on Feb 11, 2012 4:38 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Do people get resigned before they are rehabbed?
I’d love to see him back with a fair deal. He showed acceleration I haven’t seen in Washington in a long time. When he was running with a healthy OL, we always seemed to be second and two or third and one.
You're never wrong if you argue correctly
by TheSportsManager on Feb 10, 2012 5:55 PM EST reply actions
yes he'll get resigned even before he is fully healthy
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
No offer
move on to the next RB…Hightower wasn’t anything special. We can get a guy at league minimum that can give us close to the same level of protection. We need people who can BLOCK for our RBs.
resigning hightower has no basis on whether or not we can address the o-line
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
A humble one...
…Helu and Royster each did statistically better than Hightower and in this “passing league”, running backs are not the commodity they once were. He has no negotiating leverage. The rookies can do what he did and no one else in the NFL is gonna make a HUGE play for him.
His agent will advise him of this – his demands will be humble.
The Knightwatchman
I think Shanahan likes Hightower a lot
and isn’t going to cut him loose due to an injury. But there is a limit on the money, so Tim has to be realistic.
Tim Hightower
Like Hightower, but Helu is a stud and should be the primary starter with royster spelling him. Save the money you would spend on Hightower and move on.This author obviously did not watch Helu run this season.
Hightower brings leadership and toughness to the table, and he is a better pass blocking back than either Helu or Royster, you need a guy like him in your locker room with a winning type of attitude, you notice after he went down the team went on a 6 game losing streak i believe not saying he would have won 2 or 3 games if he was healthy but he do the little things that count and is worth keeping
its not so much what he has or has not won
its that he truly cares about winning, he’s competitive in that sense and that type of attitude can spread to other teammates
As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.
*Socrates*
winning attitudes dont have to come from winning
You can still strive for winning even if you haven’t “won” which just so happens to be what an attitude, more specifically a winning attitude, is. That’s not difficult to understand
by Bryan Black on Feb 11, 2012 11:47 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
I say we offer him ONE BILLLLLIIIIIOOOOONNNN DOLLARS!!!
I see it as more cushion for the pushin'
by iH8dallas on Feb 11, 2012 11:28 AM EST via mobile reply actions
You are very welcome for the cup of coffe Mr. Hightower
It was a nice visit.
We decided that Mr. Helu and Mr. Royster are better options.
I think we will carry
4 Rbs next year, co if Hightower is fine with being 3rd on the depth chart behind Royster and Helu, then Im fine bringing him back
When I was a kid, my father told me, "Never hit anyone in anger, unless you're absolutely sure you can get away with it." -Russell Ziskey
Give him a decent offer
1-2 million is not going to hurt us. PUP him so he can continue rehabbing and not come back t0o early (and IR him if needed, or basically…not needed).
We have the cap, it will pay back
Is a cheap way to carry 4 running backs. Good for morale. Good for character guys. Will pay off in the end. Plus he is a good blocking back…
yeah he does
look at the PS. We carried four last year.
And we used the PUP to carry an extra corner.
No reason not to do the same with Tim as with the corner last year. means he does not have to come back too soon (that is a year long recovery usually) and may be helpful to us this year. Very cheap and sneaky method of gettin an extra player on the team.
Hightower isn't practice squad eligible.
And you don’t usually PUP FAs and as far as Phillip Buchanan…how many games did he play this year?
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
Hightower
3yrs. for 10 mil. should understand.
oh yeah
you can never have enough dept and im not sold on royster give me a 3 year deal to team with helu a good one two punch
lohaus #54
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