Mike Shanahan Does It Again: Where Does Tim Hightower Fit with Redskins Now?

Nothing new from the ordinary with the way Mike Shanahan handles his running backs.

Numerous backs have supplanted feature backs without Shanahan flinching one bit in the coach's career. Mike Bell, Olandis Gary, Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell, Mike Anderson and, of course, Terrell Davis. System benefits of Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme seems to perpetuate constant success. Is Roy Helu or Ryan Torain next?

After a stout preseason, it looked as if Tim Hightower was becoming the favorite fantasy running back sleeper. Signs of that being likely seemed doubtful based upon Hightower’s track record. Inconsistency throughout his Cardinals career led to him being fumble-prone and a liability as an every-down back. Lacking the big play punch with his legs is glaring as well. What he does do is plow forward for short yardage gains, and is a decent pass catching back out on the flat. Arizona felt he was disposable for a reason.

Carries began dwindling for Hightower as Roy Helu was showing more of an upside with his limited touches the past few weeks. Hightower’s yards per average kept declining as he is now down to just 3.5 yards per carry.

One thing Shanahan always enforces is a duel running back committee, and with his system he expects his backs to have a high per carry average. The name on the back of the jersey does not matter, as long as production is there.

Ryan Torain’s performance Sunday, may have completely re-shifted the Redskins depth chart. Similar to a baseball team witnessing a pitcher soar with a masterful performance. Rushing for over 130 yards on 20 carries. This after not having one attempt all season.

Shanahan does have a favoritism toward Torain, dating back to his Broncos days and even last year as a Redskin. This makes for a very interesting fantasy football conundrum. Clearly going forward the true top ball carrier is yet to be determined. As the season stretches on, I anticipate Roy Helu will become the higher percentage ball carrier.

Where does Tim Hightower fit in for a role? It’s looking like Hightower will probably be relegated back to his complementary role that he was in with the Arizona Cardinals. His carries per game will drop drastically from the first few games of this season. Red-zone fantasy goal-line touchdowns are his strength. He smells the end zone, and has shown that he can punch the football in with regularity, tallying 10 touchdowns in 2008 and eight in 2009 with an average of 400 yards rushing in those seasons.

So do not ditch Hightower in your fantasy leagues. He still has relevancy. The lingering question is who becomes the new replacement fantasy booster—pick up Torain off waivers and ride him out until Shanahan gets antsy yet again.