Redskins.com: Alfred Morris: An Improbable Redskins Hero

[themurf]

(photos by Brian Murphy)

[Editor's note: This season, the Washington Redskins have asked me to occasionally write feature stories for the team's official website, Redskins.com. This article is my first contribution, so please check it out.]

No rookie has had a more improbable start to his professional career this season than Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris.

Seemingly overnight, the unheralded Florida Atlantic product went from fighting for a roster spot during training camp to becoming one of the most productive ball carriers in football.

But if there is anyone who has the right mindset to handle this newfound attention and publicity, it’s arguably Morris thanks to his upbringing.

The Pensacola, Florida, native was one of seven boys growing up, which he admits kept things very competitive.

"We all loved each other, but we would compete over everything. It was just part of our nature," he said. "You couldn't pay us to stay inside. We'd always be outside playing basketball, playing foursquare, playing football or running through the woods. We were always playing something and always competing. If you were an only child, man, I feel sorry for you. You missed out on a lot of good times with siblings."

While he's always been competitive, Morris believes there is a time and a place for that mindset.

"On the football field or when I'm playing a game, I'm a competitor," he said. "But at the same time, I have a heart for other people. Like if I'm playing someone in Madden and I know I can beat this person, I'll run a few bad plays or something to keep them in the game and make them feel better. I've just always been that way. I'd much rather make someone smile or lift their spirits up than just beat someone."

Local fans were thrilled to learn that Morris grew up rooting for the burgundy and gold as well. But how does a 23-year-old from Florida end up supporting the Redskins?

Well, when Washington acquired running back Clinton Portis from Mike Shanahan’s Denver Broncos, not only did they land one of the most productive rushers in franchise history – they also gained a new fan.

“I took a liking to the Broncos and the talented running backs they had,” Morris said. “And I really liked Clinton Portis because he had done such a good job for them, so when they traded him for [cornerback] Champ Bailey, I just followed him to Washington.”

Which makes it all the more impressive that Morris would go on to one day play for Shanahan as a member of the Redskins.

When Morris was selected by Washington in the sixth round (173rd overall), he was the 12th running back taken in the 2012 NFL Draft. And yet, after five games, Morris ranks fourth in the league with 491 rushing yards and is tied for second in the NFL with four rushing touchdowns.

"Most of the players who are successful under Coach Shanahan are free agents and low-round picks," said fullback Darrel Young. "It just goes to show that if you play hard, it doesn't matter where you're drafted."

That sentiment has served Morris well during his brief time in Washington. Rather than worrying about who was drafted ahead of him or which teams passed him up, he’s simply chosen to focus on becoming the best running back he can be.

“If you have talent and work hard, they’ll find you,” Morris said. “Coach Shanahan found me in the middle of nowhere, so I’m definitely thankful that he did draft me and that I’m with the Washington Redskins. They were my dream team, so I was glad when they picked me.

“From where I came from, it definitely seemed impossible for me to get drafted and impossible for me to be a starter in the NFL,” he continued. “The entire draft process was nerve-wracking, but all of this is like a reward for all of the hard work.”

While Morris knows he took a roundabout way to get to the NFL, he is quick to say he wouldn’t change a thing about his journey.

Click here for the full article.

[tibbidoe]

Well done, as always, Sir.

HTTR

[buckeyeG]

Nice write up as usual Murf........the team can use many more like this kid on it for sure.

[skinsmarydu]

Great read. HTTR!

[BeefJerky]

Great article murf. I always look forward to reading these. Hail.

[MR2Drift]

If your a Shanny RB you will be given a chance.

[LetThePointsSoar]

Congrats Murf, on getting the opportunity. Great work as always!!

[repo_4]

Great read and congrats. The more I hear about Morris the more I like him. It would be impossible to root against this guy.

[E-Dog Night]

Well done sir. Great guy. I'll take as Many Alfred Morris' on the Redskins as we can get.

"I’m just demanding my respect".

Awesome, keep 'em coming Murf.

[themurf]

Great read and congrats. The more I hear about Morris the more I like him. It would be impossible to root against this guy.

That was what I walked away from this interview thinking -- this guy is impossible to root against. Hearing him talk about how guys at smaller schools aren't pampered and have to fight for everything that comes their way made me think that it's not a bad idea to maybe look a little deeper at those kids. It's something I hadn't really thought of before, but it made complete sense to me.

Well done sir. Great guy. I'll take as Many Alfred Morris' on the Redskins as we can get.

"I’m just demanding my respect".

Awesome, keep 'em coming Murf.

Personally, I loved Darrel Young's quote about the first guy to get to him hasn't brought Morris down yet this season.

[MLSKINS]

I think the first carry I saw Alfred Morris have was the 2nd game against the Bears this pre-season. He ran right over Lance Briggs for a big gain. Right there, I knew he was special dude. But then you hear all of this stuff about him and how he acts off the field, you know he is a special person.

That is why I like this team now. Yeah the players have gotten good on the field, but I like that the team is bringing in more players with good characters....

Props to Murf for writing an Alfred Morris piece and not using anything about his 91 Mazda.

[Riggo-toni]

That was what I walked away from this interview thinking -- this guy is impossible to root against. Hearing him talk about how guys at smaller schools aren't pampered and have to fight for everything that comes their way made me think that it's not a bad idea to maybe look a little deeper at those kids. It's something I hadn't really thought of before, but it made complete sense to me.

This was Beathard's strategy (along with gambling on players who were injured their senior year). One reason why Gibbs was so awful at drafting when he got full control was he overvalued championship teams (cough*Auburn*cough) and their players. Fortunately there was noone at Auburn or the U who could play H-Back, which forced him to look deeper and find his only successful offensive draft pick - Cooley...who came from a pissant sized school.

[tone_dubbz]

As of right now, Alfred Morris is 4th in the league in rushing yards and tied for 2nd with rushing TDs.

This week against the Vikings will be good test for our rushing attack. Hopefully AM will get his third straight 100 yard game.

[CaptChaos86]

Good stuff. Im loving everything about Morris. If he keeps playing this way he'll def need to upgrade from that Mazda he's driving.

[WhoRUSupposed2Be]

Rooting hard for this kid... I may even be getting his jersey one day along with RG3s... imagine that... "A homegrown Backfield"