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During Sunday's game, an altercation broke out in the first quarter between a Washington Redskin and a couple of Cardinals players. Tim Hightower and linebacker Paris Lenon got into a bit of a tussle after Hightower pushed Lenon after a play was over.
What we did not know at the time, however, is that this may have been something prearranged. According to the Washington Post, Hightower not only started the fight, but he may have done so on purpose.
In case you missed it, here's a really shaky and bad video that I found on YouTube. Sorry, it's all I could find.
Here's the quote Hightower gave to Rick Maese of the Washington Post:
"I practiced with those guys for three years, so I know exactly who I can press what buttons on. I got the outcome that I needed. I got the penalty for us."
Well, Tim, mission accomplished. Hightower drew one of the ten penalties called against the Cardinals on Sunday, giving life to a first quarter drive by Washington. Kerry Rhodes incurred an unnecessary roughness penalty, which gave the Redskins a new set of downs after what seemed to be a drive that was all but dead.
Luckily for Rhodes and Lenon, no harm was done because Adrian Wilson was able to intercept a pass thrown by Rex Grossman. The only damage done was showing that the Cardinals are easily agitated.
Personally, I don't believe what Hightower did was 'bush league' at all. Whether the referees should be so quick to throw the flag is another story, but it was a savvy veteran move, one that I would love to see any of the Cardinals players utilize. It helped his team and it gave them an opportunity to put points on the board. That is what the game is about, no matter which way you get there.
So well done, Mr. Hightower. Hopefully the next time the Cardinals face off against one of their former teammates (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Antrel Rolle, etc.) they don't become subject to the same type of maneuver.