Roy Helu - RB

[DarthMonk]

Roy Helu - RB - Redskins

CSN Washington doesn't expect Roy Helu to cut into Alfred Morris' workload in 2014.
Helu had only 62 carries as the Redskins' third-down back this past season. He doesn't project for a major role in the running game behind Morris, though new coach Jay Gruden could get him more involved after using a two-back system with the Bengals last year. Washington is expected to be more of a pass-balanced offense under Gruden, which should increase Helu's snaps. Helu is set to make just $645,000 in the final year of his contract and will return as the clear-cut No. 2 back.

Source: CSN Washington Feb 7 - 7:47 PM

[Chris Luva Luva]

Roy Helu - RB - Redskins

CSN Washington doesn't expect Roy Helu to cut into Alfred Morris' workload in 2014.
Helu had only 62 carries as the Redskins' third-down back this past season. He doesn't project for a major role in the running game behind Morris, though new coach Jay Gruden could get him more involved after using a two-back system with the Bengals last year. Washington is expected to be more of a pass-balanced offense under Gruden, which should increase Helu's snaps. Helu is set to make just $645,000 in the final year of his contract and will return as the clear-cut No. 2 back.

Source: CSN Washington Feb 7 - 7:47 PM

I'm expecting the two rookie RB's to push Helu hard this year. They have a season under their belts, both should be fully healed. They have more explosion to their game than Helu does.

[brad7686]

i thought morris looked really good catching the ball in the pro bowl, even though he couldn't hold on to the ball once he had it. Just leads me to believe there were more things the Shannies coulda done to try and get some O going and didn't take advantage.

[Deadskins]

i thought morris looked really good catching the ball in the pro bowl

+1

[Chris Luva Luva]

i thought morris looked really good catching the ball in the pro bowl, even though he couldn't hold on to the ball once he had it. Just leads me to believe there were more things the Shannies coulda done to try and get some O going and didn't take advantage.

I get your point but for a team that already had massive issues turning the ball over, you don't pass to a RB who isn't gifted at it... You said it yourself, he couldn't hold onto it. IF they had done wut ur suggesting, the complaint would still exist, just worded different.

[brad7686]

i thought morris looked really good catching the ball in the pro bowl, even though he couldn't hold on to the ball once he had it. Just leads me to believe there were more things the Shannies coulda done to try and get some O going and didn't take advantage.

I get your point but for a team that already had massive issues turning the ball over, you don't pass to a RB who isn't gifted at it... You said it yourself, he couldn't hold onto it. IF they had done wut ur suggesting, the complaint would still exist, just worded different.

well i mean he actually caught the ball, he just fumbled. It actually may have just been on carries that he fumbled, I can't remember. He did a decent job catching the ball and it seems like not using him on screens to beat the ridiculous amount of blitzing we endured was a waste.

[Chris Luva Luva]

i thought morris looked really good catching the ball in the pro bowl, even though he couldn't hold on to the ball once he had it. Just leads me to believe there were more things the Shannies coulda done to try and get some O going and didn't take advantage.

I get your point but for a team that already had massive issues turning the ball over, you don't pass to a RB who isn't gifted at it... You said it yourself, he couldn't hold onto it. IF they had done wut ur suggesting, the complaint would still exist, just worded different.

well i mean he actually caught the ball, he just fumbled. It actually may have just been on carries that he fumbled, I can't remember. He did a decent job catching the ball and it seems like not using him on screens to beat the ridiculous amount of blitzing we endured was a waste.

What good is it if can catch but isn't used to carrying the ball in space like that? Obviously it's something he can do but wasn't practiced.

If I were to assign blame, it'd be to the coaching staff for not really focusing in on that during the off-season. I bet Jay will have ALMO doing a lot of it. But it's also room for Thompson to really shine.

[brad7686]

yea im interested to see what thompson can do, could really open some things up. Hope him and jenkins are healthy. And Thomas.

[Chris Luva Luva]

yea im interested to see what thompson can do, could really open some things up. Hope him and jenkins are healthy. And Thomas.

Mike failed at coaching up our speedier players and getting them on the field. To a degree it's a player problem, that then turns into a scouting/player acquisition problem. But it's very much a coaching level on multiple layers. Positional, coordinator and HC.

Chris Thompson and Aldrick Robinson, prolly our fastest players on offense. They barely touched the field.

[Kilmer72]

Roy Helu - RB - Redskins

CSN Washington doesn't expect Roy Helu to cut into Alfred Morris' workload in 2014.
Helu had only 62 carries as the Redskins' third-down back this past season. He doesn't project for a major role in the running game behind Morris, though new coach Jay Gruden could get him more involved after using a two-back system with the Bengals last year. Washington is expected to be more of a pass-balanced offense under Gruden, which should increase Helu's snaps. Helu is set to make just $645,000 in the final year of his contract and will return as the clear-cut No. 2 back.

Source: CSN Washington Feb 7 - 7:47 PM

I'm bringing this back because I want to see what most everyone thinks here. Love Morris as a running back. Helu utilized under Gruden and healthy of course, is going to stretch chains on 3rd downs. Apparently he will figure out what they do best. Am I the onlyone getting excited here?

[Neo]

Roy Helu - RB - Redskins

CSN Washington doesn't expect Roy Helu to cut into Alfred Morris' workload in 2014.
Helu had only 62 carries as the Redskins' third-down back this past season. He doesn't project for a major role in the running game behind Morris, though new coach Jay Gruden could get him more involved after using a two-back system with the Bengals last year. Washington is expected to be more of a pass-balanced offense under Gruden, which should increase Helu's snaps. Helu is set to make just $645,000 in the final year of his contract and will return as the clear-cut No. 2 back.

Source: CSN Washington Feb 7 - 7:47 PM

I'm bringing this back because I want to see what most everyone thinks here. Love Morris as a running back. Helu utilized under Gruden and healthy of course, is going to stretch chains on 3rd downs. Apparently he will figure out what they do best. Am I the onlyone getting excited here?

Heck no brother...this is the most excited I've been since we won the East in 2012! I'd love to see more of Helu coming out the back field for quick routes.

Helu is still fast, and we haven't truly seen what C. Thompson can do yet coming out of the back field (short passes). So if, per say, we get a resurgence of Helu, I'd like for Gruden to make Thompson Helu's successor (never know what Helu's value might go up to after this season).

[Countertrey]

Does anyone else see irony in a discussion that questions ALMO's ability to hold on to the ball... then talks up Chris Thompson, who actually DOES have trouble holding onto the ball?????

[markshark84]

Does anyone else see irony in a discussion that questions ALMO's ability to hold on to the ball... then talks up Chris Thompson, who actually DOES have trouble holding onto the ball?????

I think there are more flaws in Brad's reasoning than merely the Thompson statement.

[CanesSkins26]

From Rotoworld:

Redskins coach Jay Gruden admitted at the NFL meetings that he does not see Alfred Morris as a player who possesses "natural hands," and envisions only "20-25 catches" for Morris in his offense.

[DarthMonk]

The Washington Post's Mike Jones believes the Redskins' third-down back position is "unsettled."

Roy Helu is the clear favorite, but Jones' tone suggests there is a real chance Chris Thompson beats him out in camp. Thompson is more dynamic than Helu, but has not stayed healthy since his sophomore college season and has yet to prove he has the pass protection skills to survive as a third-down back.

Rookie Lache Seastrunk is also in the mix, but would have to show vast improvement both as a blocker and receiver.

The odds are still squarely in Helu's favor, and he is worth a late-round flier as the passing-down back in Jay Gruden's offense.

Source: Washington Post Jul 3 - 6:56 PM

[crazyhorse1]

Roy Helu - RB - Redskins

CSN Washington doesn't expect Roy Helu to cut into Alfred Morris' workload in 2014.
Helu had only 62 carries as the Redskins' third-down back this past season. He doesn't project for a major role in the running game behind Morris, though new coach Jay Gruden could get him more involved after using a two-back system with the Bengals last year. Washington is expected to be more of a pass-balanced offense under Gruden, which should increase Helu's snaps. Helu is set to make just $645,000 in the final year of his contract and will return as the clear-cut No. 2 back.

Source: CSN Washington Feb 7 - 7:47 PM

I'm bringing this back because I want to see what most everyone thinks here. Love Morris as a running back. Helu utilized under Gruden and healthy of course, is going to stretch chains on 3rd downs. Apparently he will figure out what they do best. Am I the onlyone getting excited here?

Heck no brother...this is the most excited I've been since we won the East in 2012! I'd love to see more of Helu coming out the back field for quick routes.

Helu is still fast, and we haven't truly seen what C. Thompson can do yet coming out of the back field (short passes). So if, per say, we get a resurgence of Helu, I'd like for Gruden to make Thompson Helu's successor (never know what Helu's value might go up to after this season).

C. Thompson did nothing last year to impress anyone. He deserved to be benched. Doesn't have anything but speed and that's not enough.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

In his defense he didn't get a whole lot of opportunities, and when he was in it was an obvious run situation. I think he muffed a punt too? But that's to be expected from a rook.
We all know how Shanny and his dog house works, maybe he impresses the new staff and we can get something for Helu. I like Helu but it's obvious he isn't as durable as Morris.. he can however carry the load. A team in need might make us a deal, in which case we could have little to no drop off w Thompson and Seastrunk as the change of page/ 3rd down back role.

[Countertrey]

In his defense he didn't get a whole lot of opportunities, and when he was in it was an obvious run situation. I think he muffed a punt too? But that's to be expected from a rook.
We all know how Shanny and his dog house works, maybe he impresses the new staff and we can get something for Helu. I like Helu but it's obvious he isn't as durable as Morris.. he can however carry the load. A team in need might make us a deal, in which case we could have little to no drop off w Thompson and Seastrunk as the change of page/ 3rd down back role.

Seriously? I think Thompson handled the ball about 5 times, and put it on the ground 3 times. I'll have no confidence until he proves it.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Was it that bad?? Daaayum.. I thought he did well in preseason than muffed a punt or two... don't recall really seeing much of him tho

[DarthMonk]

The Washington Post expects Roy Helu to remain the Redskins' third-down back.

Reporter Mike Jones had previously called the position "unsettled," but now believes Helu will hold off Chris Thompson, Evan Royster and Lache Seastrunk.
This has been our expectation all along.

An all-purpose back who has settled in as one of the league's better backups, Helu is worth a late fantasy pick.

Source: Washington Post Aug 5 - 9:51 PM

Let's not forget that Helu runs a 4.42, has good burst through the hole, is elusive, and does not go down on first contact:

[DarthMonk]

Coach Jay Gruden confirmed Roy Helu is the favorite to remain Washington's third-down back.

Helu was PFF's No. 3 running back in pass protection last season, and a top-five pass-protecting back in 2011 as a rookie.

"I feel most confident with him on third down other than Alfred," Gruden said. "[Lache] Seastrunk has got a little way to go and Silas Redd's doing a much better job coming in here."

Source: ESPN.com Aug 16 - 2:20 PM

[KazooSkinsFan]

Helu does seem like the best of a mediocre bunch of backups we've had the last few years, but he can't stay healthy. It would be nice if Seastrunk is the next Morris, but we're a long, long way from being able to believe that.