Redskins to employ true running back-by-committee ground game
The Washington Redskins' running game is one of the muddier situations entering minicamp and full training camps.
The team employs Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, Samaje Perine, Matt Jones, Keith Marshall, and Mack Brown at the position. Kelley is anticipated to be the starter, Thompson is their third-down specialist, and Perine was selected with a fourth-round pick in this year's draft. While that may sound pretty straight forward, new Redskins offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh complicated things with his admission about the team's offensive approach.
"Rob obviously has earned the starting job, and I think really it's a game-to-game evaluation, an in-game evaluation of how well he's doing and how winded he is - 'Does he need a blow?'" Cavanaugh said, according to Rich Tandler of CSN Mid-Atlantic. "We just feel like we've got depth at that position now with a lot of similar-type players: stocky, quick-footed, strong, smart guys that can sub in for each other."
If that wasn't enough insight, Cavanaugh doubled down on the running back-by-committee stance in his next comment.
"I wouldn't put a pitch count on any of them, but obviously if a guy's got a hot hand and he's feeling good and he's not gassed, we'll keep him on the field," he said.
Washington ranked 21st in rushing in 2016 and averaged barely more than 100 yards per game on the ground. It appears it will take a true team effort to improve on that ranking.
The Redskins' running game is officially one to stay away from in fantasy football.
- With h/t to NFL.com