ASHBURN - As the Washington Redskins prepare to take on their next opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, the week will also continue an early season theme: current Redskins going against their former team. Last week it was nose tackle Barry Cofield against the Giants. Next week, it will be defensive end Stephen Bowen against the Cowboys. This week, it's running back Tim Hightower squaring off against his former team in the Cardinals.
Arizona traded Hightower to Washington after drafting running backs high in the draft two out of the last three seasons. In 2009, they selected Beanie Wells out of Ohio State, and this past April they selected Ryan Williams out of Virginia Tech. Those moves alone were a sign to Hightower that his days in Arizona were coming to a close.
"I'm not sure [why they didn't buy into me]," he said Wednesday. "I'm not the one who makes that decision. For whatever reason, that's kinda how it is in this league. One guy fits a scheme a certain way, another guy doesn't."
"I think my role there was what it was supposed to be. I fit for what they needed me to do and that's the plan they had for me. They used me in the capacity that they needed, but I just felt like I wanted my role to be a bit different."
But he's found that role in Washington, as he's now being used as the primary tailback. That was evident Sunday against the GIants when Hightower carried the ball a career-high number of times, shouldering the load for the Redskins running game.
"I want that kind of responsibility," he said of his new role with the Redskins. "I want that target on my chest. They gave it to me enough and I got to make some more things happen with it"
It's pretty understandable if Hightower chooses to go into this game with a little extra motivation, hoping to show his old team what their missing. But as he puts it, winning is the only thing that matters.
"I'm a Redskin now," he said. "I want to win, I want to win a Super Bowl. That's my one goal. I don't care if I rush for 400 yards and we lose, I'm going to be upset. If I rush for five yards and we win, personally I can deal with that. To be 2-0, that's my focus right now."
We'll have more on the this game throughout the week in this StoryStream. For more on the Redskins check out Hogs Haven. For more on the Cardinals, head over to Revenge Of the Birds and SB Nation Arizona.