Hungry Hightower will make Mark Ingram crave more

Throw out all of the things that may make Mark Ingram the better running back. This is one time that common sense does not equate with this quandry that the Saints have at the running back position. There is simply one thing that separates the two. It’s hunger.

“Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way” -Les Brown

There is no way to replicate hunger. No possible way to inject hunger into someone. Someone either is hungry or not. That being said, there is a way that hunger can inspire others. Being around someone else that is hungrier than you can drive a person to do super human things.

Tim Hightower may be older than Mark Ingram. Perhaps he’s a bit slower as well. But there is no way anyone can say the man left any gas in the tank. Hightower is running like his life depends on it. Not long ago, Hightower was simply forgotten about.

He was on the NFL long list of running backs that had a few good years, to go on to fall victim to injury. Hightower was fortunate to get a break from the New Orleans Saints. He got the call last year when Mark Ingram went down with injury. After a three year hiatus, Hightower performed beyond anyone’s expectations except his.

“Last year and the past three years, if they’ve taught me anything, it’s to never to get complacent. Not to be cliche, but this team has so much to prove, and I feel like I still have a lot to prove. I think for the rest of my life, I’ll always kind of have a chip on my shoulder and have a focus that if not getting any better, somebody else is.”

Hightower was referring to his family when he was talking about the “they” in his quote. Furthermore, Hightower knows that family includes his Saints’ family. There is no doubt that Hightower feels that any game or play could be his last. For not many teams were vying for his services after his injuries.

This is no knock on Mark Ingram either. Ingram still has the necessary tools to be a great running back. I think his best teacher will be simply observing Tim Hightower. Hightower is running like a lion is chasing him. That lion may be the past, but I guarantee it won’t catch him this time around.