Who will emerge in Redskins backfield? 

August, 4, 2011
08/04/11
3:21
PM ET
Perhaps I was a bit harsh in referring to new Washington Redskins running back Tim Hightower as a "wasted pick" in my mock draft reaction blog Wednesday. I do think it was a smart move by the beleaguered Redskins -- it really might be a wasted season for them -- to acquire the former Arizona Cardinals back on the cheap (if you view a late draft pick and defensive end Vonnie Holliday as cheap) and add to their questionable depth. After all, in his three seasons in the NFL, Hightower has produced a double-digit touchdown season, had another season with 63 receptions and last season averaged 4.8 yards per carry. Wow, if only all three of those things could have happened in one glorious campaign!

In truth, the reason why I could see myself not sticking with Hightower in a fantasy league is the uncertainty surrounding him, given Mike Shanahan's "go-with-your-gut" system of choosing whom he trusts to run the football. Honestly, it's been tough to tell in recent (all ?) seasons what the guy is thinking. In his Denver Broncos days, Shanahan seemed to go with a different running back each season after the Terrell Davis era ended (Mike Anderson, Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell and Mike Bell), and his first season in Washington was no different. Former Bronco Ryan Torain was the surprise choice after Clinton Portis flamed out, Keiland Williams blew his chance and … remember when people thought James Davis was also in the mix?

To read Eric's thoughts on such Redskins backs as Tim Hightower and Roy Helu, you must be an ESPN Insider.

Eric Karabell | email

ESPN.com Senior Writer
  • ESPN contributor on TV, radio, podcasts, blogs, Magazine
  • Charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame
  • Author of "The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments"

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Eric Karabell
Eric Karabell

Eric Karabell is an ESPN.com senior writer. He has worked at ESPN since 1997 and covered fantasy sports for ESPN since 2001, specializing in baseball and football. Eric appears several times per week on SportsCenter, NFL Live and other ESPN shows, contributes to ESPN Radio and ESPN The Magazine and is the host of the Baseball Today Podcast. He has been honored twice as fantasy sports writer of the year by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, his blog was named best fantasy baseball series for 2007 and he was inducted into the inaugural FSWA Hall of Fame class in 2010.

Eric grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, and accordingly, favors Philly teams first, his fantasy teams second. He previously served as ESPN.com's lead NBA editor, and is a former Washington Post and Philadelphia Inquirer sports writer. Eric is also the author of "The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments," published by Source Books and available in bookstores and online.

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