Rookie’s work ethic gets high marks

From a distance, he looks a little like Edgerrin James.

He even has the same patient, powerful running style.

Meet Tim Hightower, who seems likely to win the job as the Cardinals' backup running back, a guy who seems to add to - rather than complement - the strengths of the team's famous starter.

Come to think of it, that's where the two diverge.

Hightower is about as obscure as "Edge" - the No. 13 rusher in NFL history - is well known.

Playing at smallish Richmond, he didn't get much attention even though he put up huge numbers. He wasn't even invited to the combine for draft prospects in Indianapolis.

That didn't dissuade the Cardinals from picking him in the fifth round.

Hightower doesn't want to get caught in comparing himself to James, saying, "I just want to serve my role on this team: play physical, play hard."

More specifically, he could be the short-yardage runner. With the departure of Marcel Shipp, the Cards can use somebody in that role.

If so, he got off to a good start. He scored the team's only touchdown last week vs. New Orleans on a 1-yard burst.

Moreover, he looked poised and polished in running five times for 23 yards.

Coming into the game, "I had no expectations. You can envision and get mental pictures. But I tried to kind of push that to the side and just focus on my assignments and put myself in the best position to succeed."

Yet, afterward, Hightower spent more time lamenting that he'd missed a block that led to a sack than talking about his touchdown.

"To me that's not acceptable," he said. "I don't like mediocrity."

"Tim is a focused young man," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "He has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, coming from Richmond and not getting the attention he feels he deserved."

Hightower, Whisenhunt said, reminds him a little bit of Jerome Bettis, the former great Pittsburgh running back, "in the way he sees the holes and picks his feet in the holes."

Then, too, "He's similar to Edge as ... a strong inside runner who is always going to get you four yards."

In addition, "He has the ability to make a sharp cut, see the hole with very good vision. That's an impressive quality in a young running back."

Less tangibly, Whisenhunt praised Hightower's get-it-right work ethic.

"When you talk about a younger player, being very professional and businesslike, those are the qualities I see in Tim. Some of the better players I've been around have that."

One of the NFL's better players the past decade, of course, has been James.

Said Hightower, "I'm just starting out. He's had a successful career. By no stretch of the imagination I should be comparing myself to him.

"At the same time, when you got a lot of wisdom, knowledge and experience... you want to learn as much, study as much and get as much help as you can."

He credits James with giving him tips on everything from "how to take care of my body ... how to practice, how to mentally prepare myself."

James is a voracious note taker in meetings, something Hightower has picked up on.

"He writes down everything," Hightower said. "His success shows by his work ethic off the field."

Maybe they really are near-mirror images of each other.

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Kurt Warner is likely to start at quarterback today at Kansas City in the Cardinals' second preseason game, coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

Whisenhunt wants Warner to get some time with the starters, and he indicated the best way to assure that is to put him in at the start.

A few players will miss the game with non-serious injuries.

Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett has a mild pectoral strain and will sit out.

Also sitting out will be safety Antrel Rolle with a sore foot. Rookie receiver Early Doucet is doubtful with a hamstring injury. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who has a sore ankle, seems likely to play.

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