Regardless of who the Washington Redskins
starting quarterback is week one, week eight or in
the end – they must run the ball even better than
last year. Otherwise, Washington has very little
chance of success.
In 2018, the Redskins rushing offense, generated
1,774 net rushing yards, an average of 110.9 yards
per game and 4.29 yards per attempt. That success
on the ground was way above the 2017 mark of 90.
rushing yards per game and 3.61 per rushing at-
tempt. And, they did it without second-round pick,
Derrius Guice, who tore his ACL just a few carries
into his NFL career in his first preseason game.
Chris Thompson wasn’t right last year after re-
turning from a broken leg in 2017 and Samaje Per-
ine was a complete non-factor for coach Jay
Gruden’s offense. If not for Adrian Peterson, the
Redskins would have been completely grounded by
their ground attack.
This year – if the Redskins could somehow get
over 1,800 yards – Gruden’s offense might have the
chance they need to not win just seven games, but
make the playoffs.
For that to happen, there must be much more of
a reliance on those not named Adrian. It means
Guice must be healthy and produce what the Red-
skins envisioned in the late second-rounder last year
when they couldn’t pass on his value. Guice was
present at Redskins mini-camp practices in June,
but still not practicing with the team.
Gruden has said several times he believes Guice
will be ready for training camp. While that remains
to be seen, it’s hard to see Guice playing a lot in the
preseason, if at all, which makes him a complete un-
known for the opening of the season in Philadel-
phia.
Peterson would be the first choice to carry the
load if Guice is not cleared or ready. The two figure
to split carries early in the year either way.
The ageless wonder and future hall-of-famer
racked up more than 1,
rushing yards and 1,250 all-
purpose yards in his first sea-
son in Washington despite
signed right before the third
preseason game.
Still, Peterson’s 34-years
old and has had years of bril-
liance followed by years of
significant injury so the Red-
skins are playing with fire if
they count on A.P. again to
save the season.
If not Guice or Peterson- presumably Perine would
be next in line. Even if on
the 53-man roster, the 2017 fourth-round pick out
of Oklahoma has been a huge disappointment over-
12 Warpath AUGUST 6, 2019
Is it running by committee?
By Chris RussellALL DAY
AGAIN?
Aging Adrian Peter-
son was able to save
an injured running
back corp in 2018.
Will he be able to
bring another
1,000+ yard per-
formance in 2019?USA TODAY Sports/GEOFF BURKE.
.
.