Alf Mo likely done in DC

[tribeofjudah]

I'm sad to see ya go. You were a homegrown RB, very humble and reserve. Hope you land a good gig with a good team.

Redskins not expected to re-up Alfred Morris
CSN Washington's Rich Tandler believes the Redskins are unlikely to re-sign free agent Alfred Morris.
Morris wants to return to D.C., but the feeling doesn't appear mutual. Alf's production has fallen dramatically on an annual basis since his rookie year, and at age 27 his best years are probably behind him. Matt Jones struggled with fumbles during his rookie season, but his upside is enough to make Morris expendable. Chris Thompson should be back in his normal third-down role.

[StorminMormon86]

This sucks...I was hoping that they would resign him because I love the guy, but IMO, because of this seasons production, I can see the argument that he is "expendable".

[Irn-Bru]

If Tandler's info is correct, this could mean one of two things: (1) Morris wants to return to DC, and will even do so for not much money, but the Redskins think he's replaceable with minimum-wage nobodies, or (2) Morris wants to return to DC, but the Redskins would only sign him for not much money, and he's likely to get a few million extra by moving on.

I was assuming that (2) was going to be the case, but the way Tandler phrases it, it kinda sounds like the Redskins think he's got almost no value over whatever UDFAs they pick up.

[SkinsJock]

Not sure that Alfred is not able to produce and I think he will not want a lot of money to play ... IMO, he could use a decent O line

be a shame, but these guys know a lot more about him than I do

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

If it was only one running back who struggled this season, and if that one running back was Alfred Morris then I could see making him the scapegoat for that reason. As it stands, he's being made expendable for salary cap purposes and for age reasons. Chris Thompson and Silas Redd are both younger and if they want experience Pierre Thomas wants to return.

[SkinsJock]

If it was only one running back who struggled this season, and if that one running back was Alfred Morris then I could see making him the scapegoat for that reason. As it stands, he's being made expendable for salary cap purposes and for age reasons. Chris Thompson and Silas Redd are both younger and if they want experience Pierre Thomas wants to return.

I'll buy that - I just think that Alfred has some gas left and will not cost much at all

[riggofan]

I like Tandler a lot but it doesn't seem like he's doing much more here than offering his best guess. There's no "My sources tell me..." in here.

I don't believe the team will overpay for Morris, but I kind of think they value him more than what's been written about him this year. There were a lot of times this year that the media was speculating he'd be benched or some other player would start ahead of him, but the team just kept plugging away with Morris. It would not surprise me if they're holding the o-line more accountable for the running game than the RBs.

I wouldn't count Morris out yet.

[SkinsJock]

I like Tandler a lot but it doesn't seem like he's doing much more here than offering his best guess. There's no "My sources tell me..." in here.

I don't believe the team will overpay for Morris, but I kind of think they value him more than what's been written about him this year. There were a lot of times this year that the media was speculating he'd be benched or some other player would start ahead of him, but the team just kept plugging away with Morris. It would not surprise me if they're holding the o-line more accountable for the running game than the RBs.

I wouldn't count Morris out yet.

THANX - I agree about the o-line - it was better at pass pro than run blocking and I doubt that Morris is going to want a lot to stay

[Countertrey]

I don't see alf here next year... he was soft at the point of contact, went down at that point most of the time... could not move the pile... this was not our alf... Reminded me of George Rogers at the end of his career... seemed unable to summon the kind of violent hits at the point of contact that were so much part of his game in his first two years...

[oj]

I hate to see Alf go, he is valuable. I think Matt Jones is more expendable really, bring in a stud and let Morris back him up.

[Hooligan]

Am I the only one who feels like Morris was much better in Shanahan's zone blocking system? Watching Thomas burst through the middle of the line a few times the past few games made Morris look like a turtle in comparison.

[Deadskins]

Am I the only one who feels like Morris was much better in Shanahan's zone blocking system? Watching Thomas burst through the middle of the line a few times the past few games made Morris look like a turtle in comparison.

He was never too speedy. His game was being tough to bring down. If he doesn't have that, then he probably won't be here.

[Irn-Bru]

Am I the only one who feels like Morris was much better in Shanahan's zone blocking system? Watching Thomas burst through the middle of the line a few times the past few games made Morris look like a turtle in comparison.

Morris was definitely a good fit for ZBS — very good at reading and then making one cutback at just the right time.

But he was also very, very good at making yards after contact, something that he has since really struggled with. I'm not sure why time and the change in scheme would have made such a difference there, but without the ability to break a tackle he's never going to be a good starter for us again.

[Cappster]

I like personally like Morris, but business is business. He wasn't too effective last year and I am with everyone else who said pretty much said that he doesn't have that *pop* when he hits someone. He almost always gets tackled by the first guy who puts hands on him when he didn't always sue to be like that. Matt Jones is the gang buster that can carry the load as long as he stays healthy and solves his fumbling issue.

[SkinsJock]

I agree that Alfred is likely gone - no worries - but no RB that has an issue with holding onto the ball is worth keeping ...

there should be an inordinate amount of time spent on trying to get the ball out of his hands before the season begins

Hopefully RBs with fumbling issues are not wearing B&G

[mastdark81]

I don't see alf here next year... he was soft at the point of contact, went down at that point most of the time... could not move the pile... this was not our alf... Reminded me of George Rogers at the end of his career... seemed unable to summon the kind of violent hits at the point of contact that were so much part of his game in his first two years...

I agree. I remember Alf prior to the season talking about how he would go workout a few weeks after the season and this year he laid off a few months to preserve his body. I can recall Santana Moss saying the same thing. Typically when a guy start talking about conserving his body he's on the downslope.

Maybe he can go back to his old regimen and be better than he was the 2015 year, because he did not take as much a pounding as in years past. But everybody gotta keep into account, even during those read option days Alfred was still taking hits whether or not he actually had the ball or not. It adds up!

[riggofan]

I agree. I remember Alf prior to the season talking about how he would go workout a few weeks after the season and this year he laid off a few months to preserve his body. I can recall Santana Moss saying the same thing. Typically when a guy start talking about conserving his body he's on the downslope.

I don't know. The guy just turned 27 like two months ago, right? And I don't believe he's had any major injuries since he's been here. I know he racked up some mileage, but I'd kind of expect him to be just hitting his peak right now.

Read some comments from Bruce yesterday on Morris where he said:

“Free agency is going to be a great test for him,” Allen said of Morris, 27. “If he gets a great contract, we’re going to applaud him. If not, we’ll see what happens with us.”

Allen praised the running back as both a person and player but seemed prepared to let the two-time Pro Bowl honoree depart.

That seems about right to me. Would be nice to bring him back, but they're not going to break the bank to make it happen. I'd add too that this is the right starting point for any potential negotiation. Don't tip your hand.

[SkinsJock]

It should be clear to all of us by now that this FO and the Redskins are very different from anything we've seen here since Dan Snyder bought the franchise - this franchise is not making the mistakes that we've come to accept and the players now know that everyone is accountable

I really like that we're most likely not seeing any free agents come in here and that where you were drafted means ZERO

Morris could be here but he certainly did not help himself a great deal this past season

[OldSchool]

Am I the only one who feels like Morris was much better in Shanahan's zone blocking system? Watching Thomas burst through the middle of the line a few times the past few games made Morris look like a turtle in comparison.

I agree with you and he did his best with Griffin giving defenses pause in the zone read play.

Alfred did a great job of the Skins and was by all reports a good hard worker and asset on and off the field. Alf will probably perform better in different offense and the Skins will probably better served by a running back who is a better receiver than Alf.

[PulpExposure]

I agree that Alfred is likely gone - no worries - but no RB that has an issue with holding onto the ball is worth keeping ...

there should be an inordinate amount of time spent on trying to get the ball out of his hands before the season begins

Hopefully RBs with fumbling issues are not wearing B&G

So, you don't want Matt Jones here next year?

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

If they let Alf walk as expected perhaps they should see if Matt Forte will take a one year deal. Not sold on Matt Jones as the primary back.

[DarthMonk]

If they let Alf walk as expected perhaps they should see if Matt Forte will take a one year deal. Not sold on Matt Jones as the primary back.

He could be excellent. For the right number he might be a good signing.

[Irn-Bru]

If they let Alf walk as expected perhaps they should see if Matt Forte will take a one year deal. Not sold on Matt Jones as the primary back.

He could be excellent. For the right number he might be a good signing.

There are about 20 other teams in the league thinking the same thing right now. I doubt anyone's going to get him without putting a little extra on the table.

[Countertrey]

If they let Alf walk as expected perhaps they should see if Matt Forte will take a one year deal. Not sold on Matt Jones as the primary back.

He could be excellent. For the right number he might be a good signing.

There are about 20 other teams in the league thinking the same thing right now. I doubt anyone's going to get him without putting a little extra on the table.

Yeah... that's not happening.

[SkinsJock]

If they let Alf walk as expected perhaps they should see if Matt Forte will take a one year deal. I'm not sold on Matt Jones as the primary back.

There are about 20 other teams in the league thinking the same thing right now. I doubt anyone's going to get him without putting a little extra on the table.

Yeah ... that's not happening.

+1