HTTR24-7: Roster Review: Redskins Running Backs

[Lavarleap56]

The Redskins entered the NFL draft last April expecting to select a franchise QB with the second pick of the first round. Nobody expected them to find their franchise Running Back in the sixth round when they selected Alfred Morris.

Alfred just didn't have some success, he set the league on fire and broke records while powering the Redskins to the #1 ranked rushing offense in the NFL. His 1,614 rushing yards are a single season Redskins record, and 3rd on the all-time list for rushing yards by a rookie, trailing only Eric Dickerson and George Rogers.

Alfred is a complete running back who has a skill set that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. Running Backs are typically classified as front side runners or cut back runners, and a defense needs to deal with both in a different way.


Read More: http://httr24-7.com/blog/roster-revi...running-backs/

[PilarVIRUS]

Morris has alot gotten better, for instant I see him running outside of the system a lot more, creating for himself. That's how you can tell you have a good back.

[More Complete]

Great write up, as always. I have to say the thing that impresses me most about Morris is his character. Seems like such a humble, stand up guy. It's pretty weird because he runs like he's angry as hell and then you see him in interviews and he seems soft spoken and kind of shy.

Riddick looks intriguing. One thing is for sure, competition will be brought in and it wouldn’t surprise me if both Royster and Helu didn’t make the squad this year.

[Warpath11]

I like Theo Riddick as well for that 3rd down role and alot of our zone read stuff from the full backfield but I think I'd like Dennard Robinson in that role a bit more than Riddick. I'd say they would both be available 4th round on (though tbh i would not pick a player for that role eariler than the 6th round). Anyway I just think Dennard is a bit faster and a more explosive athlete than Riddick and in that backfield role he could be a nightmare (like I said I would be happy with either as long as it is in the 6th round).

[Rypien1191]

http://httr24-7.com/wp-content/uploa...Untitled14.jpg

Leap you don't think Helu will be back healthy next year?

[Lavarleap56]

I like Theo Riddick as well for that 3rd down role and alot of our zone read stuff from the full backfield but I think I'd like Dennard Robinson in that role a bit more than Riddick. I'd say they would both be available 4th round on (though tbh i would not pick a player for that role eariler than the 6th round). Anyway I just think Dennard is a bit faster and a more explosive athlete than Riddick and in that backfield role he could be a nightmare (like I said I would be happy with either as long as it is in the 6th round).

I like Dennard but don't like him enough as a 3rd down back over a season. Talented kid but see him more as a pure gadget guy in the NFL.

---------- Post added January-17th-2013 at 04:42 PM ----------

Leap you don't think Helu will be back healthy next year?

I hope he is but I have a hard time seeing it right now.

[Warpath11]

I like Dennard but don't like him enough as a 3rd down back over a season. Talented kid but see him more as a pure gadget guy in the NFL

Yeah that is the knock on Robinson can he do it over a season having to pickup more WR concepts and possibly KO duties...he may wear down physically. IMO, I think he can handle those things at a slow rate and he is downright scary with the ball in his hands...I envision Robinson a poor-mans Percy Harvin. I would think as a rookei initially he'll see more backfield responsibility (more comfort there) rather than WR responsibility. However as he gets comfy with his WR duties/routes in year 2/3 he can be put in all sort of positions on the field causing mis-matches all over the field.

[Mr. Sinister]

I was expecting him to break down this season, not hoping it wouldn't happen, but expecting it. I've never seen a rookie come in, and log that many carries, run the way he runs, and perform at an All Pro leve like he did, week after a week after week, and not come up visibly hobbled, once. Never seen anything like it. The guy was a monster this year.

[thesubmittedone]

My favorite thing about Morris is durability. His compact style when running with the football makes it hard for guys to get damaging hits on him. I've noticed a surprisingly amount of times his helmet being grabbed because he's so low to the ground that's all there is to hold on to. They can't even find his torso or his legs, lol.

---------- Post added January-17th-2013 at 10:05 AM ----------

I was expecting him to break down this season, not hoping it wouldn't happen, but expecting it. I've never seen a rookie come in, and log that many carries, run the way he runs, and perform at an All Pro leve like he did, week after a week after week, and not come up visibly hobbled, once. Never seen anything like it. The guy was a monster this year.

Exactly, he wasn't lying when he said "I was built for this". That is his most impressive trait in my mind.

But, yeah, I agree with LL in that we need to find a true third down back who can take a screen pass all the way. In this offense, it would be absolutely devastating for defense's. Imagine on third and short we line up in the pistol with Young on one side of Robert, this scat back we're talking about on the other side, and Morris behind them. Defend that. All our WRs would have to do is run behind the Linebackers for an automatic conversion as well since the LBs would be so busy dealing with that combination in the backfield.

[Riggo-toni]

Nice to see I'm not the only guy who thinks we absolutely must draft another RB this year.

[Mr. Sinister]

Nice to see I'm not the only guy who thinks we absolutely must draft another RB this year.

I always thought it was a forgone conclusion. Shanahan has drafted a ton of running backs over the years, and even since he's been with us, he's acquired/drafted different running backs every year, regardless of production. Out of all of the positions on the team, that's probably the one position that he gets complacent at the least. He doesn't screw around.

[Riggo-toni]

Quite true - he drafted Portis in the 2nd round despite having 2 1000yd rushers on the roster.

[Phat Hog]

I would actually be OK with Helu as a 3rd down back if he could stay healthy. Just going to trust the Shanahi in the off-season.

[richmond_skins]

Most importantly, will he be getting the Mazda back in working order?

[Lavarleap56]

My favorite thing about Morris is durability. His compact style when running with the football makes it hard for guys to get damaging hits on him. I've noticed a surprisingly amount of times his helmet being grabbed because he's so low to the ground that's all there is to hold on to. They can't even find his torso or his legs, lol.

---------- Post added January-17th-2013 at 10:05 AM ----------



Exactly, he wasn't lying when he said "I was built for this". That is his most impressive trait in my mind.

But, yeah, I agree with LL in that we need to find a true third down back who can take a screen pass all the way. In this offense, it would be absolutely devastating for defense's. Imagine on third and short we line up in the pistol with Young on one side of Robert, this scat back we're talking about on the other side, and Morris behind them. Defend that. All our WRs would have to do is run behind the Linebackers for an automatic conversion as well since the LBs would be so busy dealing with that combination in the backfield.

For as good as Alfred is he won't see a second contract from the Redskins.. Redskins need a change of pace/ 3rd down guy to help the offense , and spell Morris. 335 carries over the season isn't bad but not ideal imo.

When Helu went down the RB pass game took a hit.. Morris was targeted once a game, Royster about 1.5..