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I know what you’re thinking. There really isn’t a running back in the league that  you could trust with Mike Shanahan calling the shots. Humor me a second and put aside Shanahan’s history with rotating running backs and look at Tim Hightower from a fantasy perspective.
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He does bring some things to the table. For starters, he can catch the ball out of the backfield. He has averaged 39.3 receptions in his three years in the league, with a career high 63 in 2009. He has reputation of being a two yards and a cloud of dust guy after averaging 2.8 yard per carry in his rookie year, but he has averaged 4.2 and 4.8 the past two years. It’s hard not to be impressed with a guy that averaged nearly five yards per carry in Arizona’s dysfunctional offense last year.
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Hightower also has the size (6’0″, 222) and the ability to get in the end zone. He has 23 rushing touchdowns in his three seasons despite only carrying the ball 439 career times. Even if he loses the starter gig eventually, he’ll likely still be counted on in passing situations, and possibly goal line work. Hightower’s ability to pick up the blitz assures that barring injury he’ll have a significant role with the Redskins. Can it be enough?
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There are a couple of things working against him. For starters, he has a fumbling history. He has put the ball on the carpet ten times in the past two years, losing four each season. That’s a high number considering how few carries he had (296 total). Fumbling is one of the quickest ways to get into the doghouse.
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The other thing working against him is Shanahan’s madness. Sure, things are peachy right now, but what happens when they start losing again? Shanahan has long had a thing for Ryan Torain so he could get a shot. As could rookie Roy Helu, who was a popular sleeper pick until Hightower’s arrival.
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I wouldn’t build my foundation around Hightower, but I would consider using him as a RB3 or RB4 depending on how the rest of my team shaped out. What’s your take on Tim Hightower?
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings - PPR
• 2011 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football IDP Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football K Rankings

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About the only stable running back scene in the NFC East belongs to the Philadelphia Eagles. LeSean McCoy ran for 1080 yards and seven touchdowns. He added to his totals with a ridiculous 78 catches for 592 yards and two more scores. Sure, he’ll lose some touchdowns to Michael Vick, but he doesn’t have much competition from other running backs. McCoy is a solid RB1.
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Felix Jones is the lead back in Dallas, but the Cowboys fully expect to share the workload. Tashard Choice and rookie DeMarco Murray will be in the mix, but they probably won’t do enough for fantasy teams barring injury. Jones is best suited as an RB3 at this point. Marion Barber III is unlikely to return gone.
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Ahmad Bradshaw is in limbo until the lockout is settled. If he become a restricted free agent he will likely remain with the Giants. If he is unrestricted he’ll go to the highest bidder. I like his prospects better if he stays with the G-Men, but I wouldn’t shy away from him if he bolts. Bradshaw is a solid RB2 regardless. Brandon Jacobs is also in limbo. The Giants could ask him to take a paycut. Whether or not he’ll be willing to do so will determine his fantasy worth. Like Bradshaw I like Jacobs better if he returns to the Giants. He’s a solid RB3 that would get a boost in value if Bradshaw leaves.
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Then there’s Washington. Ryan Torain had some moments last year, but he can’t seem to stay healthy. He’s a big risk that should probably be no better than a RB4. Torain will have to share the load with rookie Roy Helu, who has a good chance of becoming the most productive of his class this year. Clinton Portis is unlikely to return.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Running Back Situations
• AFC North Running Back Situations
• AFC South Running Back Situations
• AFC West Running Back Situations

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The NFC East has three established quarterbacks and one messy situation.
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Michael Vick is the number one fantasy quarterback in the division. He’s a bit of a risk in part because of injuries and in part because he’s never had a season like last year. He has the tools to succeed and the weapons around him to flourish, but we won’t know if he still has the drive to be a better quarterback. He’s easily a top tier QB1, but he has more risk than the likes of Rodgers, Brees, Brady, and Manning. Kevin Kolb is one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league. He could find himself traded, possibly to Arizona. He makes a decent QB2 if he’s a starter.
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Tony Romo put up big numbers when he is healthy. Dez Bryant is immature, but he gives Romo another quality weapon. He’s averaged 2699.5 yards and 1.9 touchdown passes per game over the past four years (51 games). His lack of playoff success keeps him from the Brady, Peyton, and Brees discussions, but he is possibly the best value among fantasy quarterbacks because of it.
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Eli Manning reached 4000 yards for the second straight season. Not bad for a team that historically likes to run the football. His career high of 31 touchdowns gives him an average of 29 over the past two years and 25 over the past six. He really formed a nice rapport with Hakeem Nicks and remains a solid QB1 if you want to address other needs or a high-end QB2.
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Then there is Washington. Donovan McNabb is as good as gone, which marks the second straight season he’s been sent packing. I don’t know if he’s a starting caliber quarterback anymore. Even if he finds a new gig, his fantasy days are most likely behind him. Rex Grossman could be brought back, but it appears John Beck could get a chance to show what he can do. This is a situation to avoid. Not only are the QB options mediocre at best, but they are running thin in the playmaker department.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Quarterback Situations
• AFC North Quarterback Situations
• AFC South Quarterback Situations
• AFC West Quarterback Situations

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Clinton Portis was released by the Redskins as expected. Portis was limited to just 54 carries last year as he ran for just 277 yards with two touchdowns. After running for 9202 yards and 72 touchdowns in his first seven years, Portis has totaled just 721 yards and three touchdowns the past two years. Portis will turn 30 in September, but he has a lot of mileage on those tires. Clinton has 2230 carries for 9923 yards.
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He will likely find work somewhere, so he had top the 10K yardage mark, but his days of fantasy greatness are long behind him. He still could have some value depending upon where he lands.
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Right now Ryan Torain and Keiland Williams would likely handle the load, but don’t be surprised if they add some new blood to compete for the carries.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI
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I was asked to participate in the FantasyPros.com Featured Pros segment this week. Click here to see the full article and the responses from from The Scores Report, Chet Gresham from Razzball.
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Question 1
Give us 2 or 3 players that might be available off of waivers that you would target to stash away now for the playoffs (weeks 14-16), and tell us why.
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My Response:
Beanie Wells’ knee concerns me. Even if he’s able to go this week, I’m not convinced he comes away Monday without swelling. If they lose as expected to Kansas City this week, they will be 3-7. With nothing to play for, Arizona’s front office could shut down Beanie Wells, meaning Tim Hightower could get some starts down the stretch. They have a favorable schedule ahead with St. Louis, Denver, Carolina, and Dallas looming in Weeks 13-16.
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Arrelious Benn has scored in consecutive weeks and is finally showing up on the fantasy radar. He too has a nice stretch of games in Weeks 13-16 as he faces Atlanta, Washington, Detroit, and Seattle. If you aren’t able to get his teammate Mike Williams, Benn may be a sneaky force down the stretch.