12thMan
07-31-2011, 06:11 PM
I thought this deserved it's own thread. Per Adam Shefter, Skins traded DE Vonnie Holliday and a late round conditional pick for the 25 yr. old Hightower.
Hightower avg 4.8 yds per carry last season.
SOUL-SKINS
07-31-2011, 06:14 PM
wow, what the hell. Didnt give up much.
12thMan
07-31-2011, 06:16 PM
I just asked Grant Paulsen (local beat reporter) if he liked the deal. He responded: Not sure of his role. But initially, yes. I like getting younger/ more competitive at as many spots as possible.
12thMan
07-31-2011, 06:19 PM
Another interesting factoid: Hightower is respected for pass-protecting skills. Only 13 #NFL RB's stayed in backfield to block more than his 119 times in 2010.
GMScud
07-31-2011, 06:20 PM
I like the move. He immediately becomes our most versatile RB. Vonnie Holiday is a good dude but he's about done. 25 yr old Hightower for a guy with one year left and a late draft pick.
tomsawyer
07-31-2011, 06:20 PM
Bradshaw surely ain't coming for a visit now,is he?
tryfuhl
07-31-2011, 06:20 PM
He can be what Keiland would've been at tailback, but probably better, not sure on his pass pro though
Can probably push for starting role
NC_Skins
07-31-2011, 06:20 PM
Out with the very old, in with the new. I like this trade. We basically get a 25 year old productive RB for peanuts. Thanks Arizona!
GridIron26
07-31-2011, 06:20 PM
Good deal, I gotta say.. I always have liked him, he's not all downs back but he plays good. We probably traded away a pick that we got from Patriots or Vikings. But damn, I wonder who will be man out from the crowd that is already crowded.
SOUL-SKINS
07-31-2011, 06:21 PM
Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a touchdown in each of his first two games with the franchise. Evetually, he whould go on to score 10 regular season touchdowns (13 including the playoffs), setting a cardinals rookie record. He would score the winning touchdown for the Arizona Cardinals in their last drive of the 2008 NFC Championship Game to propel the Arizona Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII (the Arizona Cardinals' first).
In the 2009 regular season, despite exactly the same number of carries (143) he was able to improve his previous 399 yards to 598 yards, an improvement which brought his yards per carry up to a solid 4.2.
Hightower would begin the season well by getting a 80-yard rushing touchdown in a game against the Atlanta Falcons. Hightower would get injured during a game against the Seattle Seahawks and would not be able to play in the following game.
Hightower was traded on July 31, 2011 to the Washington Redskins in exchange for defensive end Vonnie Holliday and a 5th round draft pick in 2012.