Analyzing the Redskins Running Backs heading into 2013

 

For once, Redskins Nation can breathe a sigh of relief at the running back position. We one of the best running backs in the league, second only to Adrian Peterson. Yes I am speaking of none other than Alfred Morris. Nobody expected the sixth round pick out of Florida Atlantic University to storm onto the scene the way he did. He is a great downfield runner and has the awareness to hit the hole in the O-Line at just the right time. He gained 1,613 yards on the ground and scored 13 touchdowns. Not bad for his first year in the NFL. I am so glad we have Alfred on our side and he looks like a promising young running back for the future.

 

Now, with all that said, we aren't so deep at the running back position. Sure, Alfred Morris gives us the starting talent, but who is behind him on the depth chart? This is definitely an area that the Redskins focused on with this past draft and I like the guys that we brought onto the team. Lets take a look at each one of the running backs who have/will play key roles in the offense.

 

Roy Helu Jr. - Helu showed some promise in 2011 with split time at running back. He never really served as our number one guy, though. He won't feel any pressure to come in and start for the offense, that is Morris' job. However, Helu suffered toe injuries on both of his feet in the preseason last year. Recent reports have indicated that he can sprint now, without feeling any pain in either big toes. Hopefully, Helu can come back in and be a key contributor on offense like he was in 2011. If he can stay healthy, he has a very good chance of making it on the final 53-man roster.

2011 Stats - 151 Attempts/640 Yards - 4.2 Yards Average - 2 Touchdowns

 

Evan Royster - There isn't as much hope for Royster as there is for Helu. I don't really see any fire from his play. I have no doubt that he goes out there and tries to help the team in every way that he can. I respect him for that, but it just isn't working out for him in Washington. I want him to succeed on this football team, though, and maybe this extra pressure will help him put on a better performance in 2013.

2012 Stats - 23 Attempts/88 Yards - 3.8 Yards Average - 2 Touchdowns

 

Chris Thompson - I am very excited to see what Thompson has to offer this team in 2013. He is a speed back that can be the lightning to Morris' thunder. He has had an unfortunate history of injuries at Florida State University and, hopefully, can recover from those and come back to be an impact player. He was one of our 5th round picks in this years draft and he should be able to come out and contribute by the start of the season. He injured his knee in 2012 and broke his back in 2011. It amazes me that he can still play at a high level. I think Thompson will be ready to go by preseason and will be able to showcase his ability. He can run, he can catch, and he can take some of the load off of Alfred Morris. I can't wait to see what this guy can do as a Washington Redskin.

2012 Stats - 91 Attempts/687 Yards - 7.5 Yards Average - 5 Touchdowns

 

Jawan Jamison - Jamison hasn't played a down of NFL football yet and is already deemed by some Redskins fans "Alfred 2.0". He has also earned comparisons to Ravens running back Ray Rice, also from Rutgers. Jamison is an interesting story. He left Rutgers as a Sophomore to come to the NFL, in hopes of helping his mother in her struggle with breast cancer. That was very mature of him and I think he has the skillset to earn that big payday somewhere down the line, to help his mother out. I think Jamison has the talent to be a number one back, its even better that we have him as depth. This way, everyone can stay pretty well rested during a game, while we are still getting the same caliber of play from everyone. Jamison's running style is similar to Morris'. He isn't the fastest running back but he has got some good moves and his spin move is killer. I think he will succeed with this offense. I hope for nothing but the best for the 7th round pick out of Rutgers!

2012 Stats - 255 Attempts/1,075 Yards - 4.2 Yards Average - 4 Touchdowns

 

I think it is safe to say that Mike Shanahan knows what he is doing when it comes to Running Backs. He can find diamonds in the rough and I believe this will be the case with Jawan Jamison and Chris Thompson. This group of guys will definitely be fun to watch during preseason. The competition is going to be intense. Helu will be battling both of these rookies for his roster spot, and the rookies have to prove they are worthy of a spot on the team, also. We will definitely have one of the best Running Back groups in the NFL in 2013.

 

 



Predicting and Analyzing the Redskins 2013 Wide Receivers

 

The Redskins are in a pretty decent position at Wide Receiver going into this season. I think the depth chart will look pretty much identical to the one we saw last year. Unless, of course, someone really impresses during the preseason. We didn't add anyone new through the draft and we only signed Undrafted Free Agents. Lets take a look at some of these guys, shall we?

 

Pierre Garcon - You can tell by the picture above, this guy is an absolute beast. Don't just take my word for it. You can watch his highlights from 2012 and see for yourself. Garcon missed half the season and still managed to put up 600+ yards on the year, more than any other receiver on the roster. He is still in his prime at the age of 26. He will be RG3's number one guy in 2013 and, hopefully, he can stay healthy for the duration of the season. He suffered a toe injury last year at the beginning of the season but decided to play through the pain. Garcon chose not to go undergo surgery this offseason hoping that the injury will heal naturally. I have a good feeling about Garcon in 2013 and I think he can easily top 1,000 yards, if healthy.

 

Joshua Morgan - Morgan probably isn't too popular with most fans after what he did at the Rams game in week two. I don't really think any less of him for throwing the ball at Courtland Finnegan, he is a jerk anyways. I kind of like Morgan as our number two guy right now. He isn't a very flashy receiver like Garcon. But he is a good blocker and has pretty reliable hands. He is also pretty young at 27. He is the best option we have at number two right now and I don't see anyone taking that spot away from him this season.

 

Santana Moss - Tana Man is the second most talented receiver on the roster and can still get it done. He has served the Burgundy and Gold well and he deserves his spot on the team. We proved himself as a nice security blanket for RG3 while Garcon was absent in 2012. He topped 500 yards and scored 8 touchdowns last year. I think that is pretty darn good for the 33 year old receiver. This will most likely be his last year with Washington, as he is in the last year of his contract. I hope we give him a great season. He certainly deserves it for sticking with us through thick and thin.

 

Leonard Hankerson - The 3rd round pick from the 2011 draft hasn't really panned out like we expected. Although Hankerson has shown improvement, he hasn't really been putting up great numbers since we drafted him. I think he just needs to realize his potential. He has got good speed, good size, and the ability to go up and get the ball. He also needs to work on getting YAC. I notice that he tends to fall down a lot after the catch, even when he has enough room to turn his hips and run downfield for some more yards. He was, however, one of the receivers to top 500 yards on the depth chart. He also hauled in 3 touchdown passes in 2012 so there has been improvement. If he can manage around 600-800 yards this year, his job will be safe temporarily. I like Hankerson and I want to see him succeed on this team. He is still young and I think he deserves a couple more shots before we call it quits. Hopefully he gets more playing time in 2013 so he can show us what he's got.

 

Aldrick Robinson - I don't think a lot of people recognize Robinson's abilities in the passing game. He can really stretch the field and leave defenders in the dust. Some people call him a one trick pony. Even if he is, so what? The guy can score touchdowns and the last time I checked, the goal of the game is to do just that. He plays with fire and is a potential replacement for Santana Moss in the slot. We haven't given him that much playing time thus far and I hope we see him a lot more in 2013.

 

Dezmon Briscoe - Briscoe is another unheralded guy with a lot of potential. I think he deserves a roster spot in 2013. He impressed during the preseason in 2012 but, when given a shot in the regular season, he came up short. Briscoe can turn into a real threat to defenses if we just give him a couple more shots and let him learn with more playing time on the field. If he doesn't make progress this year, though, I think he will be on his way out of Washington.

 

Lance Lewis, Skye Dawson, Chip Reeves, and Nick Williams are all guys that we signed as Undrafted Free Agents. Skye Dawson and Lance Lewis have a pretty decent chance on making the roster. Redskins Nation seems to like them and I wouldn't mind having another young Wide Receiver on the roster. Here are the details on these guys:

 

Lance Lewis - 6'2" - 207 lbs. - College: East Carolina - 2010 Stats: 89 Receptions/1,116 Yards - 12.5 Yards Per Reception - 14 Touchdowns - From what I can gather from stats, it seems like he had a pretty productive career at Eastern Carolina until suffering an injury in 2011.

 

Skye Dawson - 5'9" - 183 lbs. - Texas Christian University - 2012 Stats: 34 Receptions/455 Yards - 13.4 Yards Per Reception - 1 Touchdown - Doesn't seem like Dawson has a great chance of making the roster with these kinds of numbers but maybe I will be wrong. He may be able to serve as a punt returner somewhere down the line.

 

Chip Reeves - 5'11" - 175 lbs. - Troy - 2012 Stats: 65 Receptions/1,050 Yards - 16.2 Yards Per Reception - 6 Touchdowns - Reeves is an interesting prospect. He may have the best chance to make this roster as a 7th Wide Receiver.

 

Nick Williams - 5'10" - 184 lbs. - Connecticut - 2012 Stats: 30 Receptions/334 Yards - 11.1 Yards Per Reception - 0 Touchdowns - Probably wont be making the roster and is just a camp body. He may surprise though.

 

Overall, I think we have a decent receiving squad going into 2013. I really want to see what some of the younger guys can do during preseason, though. It should be exciting to watch for all Redskins fans! Hail to the Redskins!