Matt Jones - RB

[oj]

Matt Jones - RB - Redskins

Coach Jay Gruden said the Redskins let Alfred Morris go in free agency because they are "very excited" about Matt Jones.

"He’s a big, strong, powerful back that I think can handle the workload; time will tell on that," Gruden said. "We’re taking a bit of a gamble here, but based on our professional opinion, we believe he can handle it and be very, very effective at it, toting the rock."

Washington still may add to the backfield late in free agency or the draft, but all signs are pointing to Jones as the clear-cut lead back despite his bouts with inconsistency and fumbling as a rookie. Jones underwent surgery to repair the hip injury which sidelined him late last season, but he is expected to be ready for OTAs.

Source: CSN Washington Mar 26 - 10:15 AM

I recall Gruden saying about the same thing about RGIII this time last spring.

[DarthMonk]

Matt Jones - RB - Redskins

Coach Jay Gruden said the Redskins let Alfred Morris go in free agency because they are "very excited" about Matt Jones.

"He’s a big, strong, powerful back that I think can handle the workload; time will tell on that," Gruden said. "We’re taking a bit of a gamble here, but based on our professional opinion, we believe he can handle it and be very, very effective at it, toting the rock."

Washington still may add to the backfield late in free agency or the draft, but all signs are pointing to Jones as the clear-cut lead back despite his bouts with inconsistency and fumbling as a rookie. Jones underwent surgery to repair the hip injury which sidelined him late last season, but he is expected to be ready for OTAs.

Source: CSN Washington Mar 26 - 10:15 AM

I recall Gruden saying about the same thing about RGIII this time last spring.

love it

[HEROHAMO]

The better our Oline gets so to does our running game. Matt Jones will be fine. With the emergence of Jordan Reed and Capt along with the progress our Oline is showing. We should have a balanced offense.

[oj]

The better our Oline gets so to does our running game. Matt Jones will be fine. With the emergence of Jordan Reed and Capt along with the progress our Oline is showing. We should have a balanced offense.

Agreed, seeing the RB take a hit or dodge before he gets to the line of scrimmage is a killer. It looks to me that Scott will to get get 3 new offensive linemen, most for the right side. We need to see an improvement in Moses' play, he needs to be as solid an anchor as Trent.

[riggofan]

The better our Oline gets so to does our running game. Matt Jones will be fine. With the emergence of Jordan Reed and Capt along with the progress our Oline is showing. We should have a balanced offense.

Man, if we can just get the running game going this season it could be a fun offense to watch. After the way the RBs started the first two or three games, that was probably one of the most disappointing things about the team last season IMO. I'm not football smart enough to know why exactly they had so much trouble running the ball, but I'm sure you're right that improved o-line play should help.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

The better our Oline gets so to does our running game. Matt Jones will be fine. With the emergence of Jordan Reed and Capt along with the progress our Oline is showing. We should have a balanced offense.

Man, if we can just get the running game going this season it could be a fun offense to watch. After the way the RBs started the first two or three games, that was probably one of the most disappointing things about the team last season IMO. I'm not football smart enough to know why exactly they had so much trouble running the ball, but I'm sure you're right that improved o-line play should help.

Allow me to answer that one. The center sucked. So they re-signed him. Brilliant. The primary back was a one cut zone back. He's gone. The blocking scheme was a power blocking scheme. It still is. Instead of using a lead blocker they used an extra tackle. The pro bowl lead blocker is also gone. The entire scheme was garbage from top to bottom. Keeping LeRibeus, losing Young and making a player who can't hold onto the football the primary back isn't going to improve things.

They're either signing an insurance back in free agency or they're drafting one. Professional teams don't "take a bit of a gamble" with a primary back who hasn't proven anything except that he can't average 4.0 yards a carry and can't hold onto the football in a blocking scheme that actually fits him without a backup plan.

[SkinsJock]

This FO will find a way to improve both lines and have quality depth at these positions - this has started and will take time

being able to effectively run the ball and effectively stop the other team from running the ball is priority one

Matt Jones is a good RB, but he's not going to be the primary back here

[riggofan]

Allow me to answer that one. The center sucked. So they re-signed him. Brilliant. The primary back was a one cut zone back. He's gone. The blocking scheme was a power blocking scheme. It still is. Instead of using a lead blocker they used an extra tackle. The pro bowl lead blocker is also gone. The entire scheme was garbage from top to bottom. Keeping LeRibeus, losing Young and making a player who can't hold onto the football the primary back isn't going to improve things.

LeRib wasn't re-signed as the starting center. He's on a one year contract with only like $80K guaranteed. That guy was just signed to fight for a backup role. No guarantee he'll even make the team. I don't see any reason to get all worked up about that.

I'll buy the argument that the center hurt the running game last year though.

[DarthMonk]

Allow me to answer that one. The center sucked. So they re-signed him. Brilliant. The primary back was a one cut zone back. He's gone. The blocking scheme was a power blocking scheme. It still is. Instead of using a lead blocker they used an extra tackle. The pro bowl lead blocker is also gone. The entire scheme was garbage from top to bottom. Keeping LeRibeus, losing Young and making a player who can't hold onto the football the primary back isn't going to improve things.

LeRib wasn't re-signed as the starting center. He's on a one year contract with only like $80K guaranteed. That guy was just signed to fight for a backup role. No guarantee he'll even make the team. I don't see any reason to get all worked up about that.

I'll buy the argument that the center hurt the running game last year though.

The running game dropped off significantly when Lavao and Licht got hurt. They aren't Bostic and Grimm but they were very solid while the replacements were bottom half guys.

I disagree that the "entire scheme was garbage from top to bottom." I'd say the scheme is excellent. We ran extremely well against very strong fronts before those injuries. After the injuries the scheme was good enough to make teams honor our run in spite of diminished production. Our patience with the run along with our physicality earned respect and our route combinations with Cousins at the helm got guys open consistently.

Imagine how dynamic we can be with one scary wideout and a little more healthy beef on the line.

Gruden may or may not be top notch head coach material but he is easily top half and maybe top third of the league at scheming offense.

I'm optimistic.

[oj]

Allow me to answer that one. The center sucked. So they re-signed him. Brilliant. The primary back was a one cut zone back. He's gone. The blocking scheme was a power blocking scheme. It still is. Instead of using a lead blocker they used an extra tackle. The pro bowl lead blocker is also gone. The entire scheme was garbage from top to bottom. Keeping LeRibeus, losing Young and making a player who can't hold onto the football the primary back isn't going to improve things.

LeRib wasn't re-signed as the starting center. He's on a one year contract with only like $80K guaranteed. That guy was just signed to fight for a backup role. No guarantee he'll even make the team. I don't see any reason to get all worked up about that.

I'll buy the argument that the center hurt the running game last year though.

The running game dropped off significantly when Lavao and Licht got hurt. They aren't Bostic and Grimm but they were very solid while the replacements were bottom half guys.

I disagree that the "entire scheme was garbage from top to bottom." I'd say the scheme is excellent. We ran extremely well against very strong fronts before those injuries. After the injuries the scheme was good enough to make teams honor our run in spite of diminished production. Our patience with the run along with our physicality earned respect and our route combinations with Cousins at the helm got guys open consistently.

Imagine how dynamic we can be with one scary wideout and a little more healthy beef on the line.

Gruden may or may not be top notch head coach material but he is easily top half and maybe top third of the league at scheming offense.

I'm optimistic.

What about Corey? Is he coming back?

[SkinsJock]

Corey who?

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

The running game dropped off significantly when Lavao and Licht got hurt. They aren't Bostic and Grimm but they were very solid while the replacements were bottom half guys.

I disagree that the "entire scheme was garbage from top to bottom." I'd say the scheme is excellent. We ran extremely well against very strong fronts before those injuries. After the injuries the scheme was good enough to make teams honor our run in spite of diminished production. Our patience with the run along with our physicality earned respect and our route combinations with Cousins at the helm got guys open consistently.

Imagine how dynamic we can be with one scary wideout and a little more healthy beef on the line.

Gruden may or may not be top notch head coach material but he is easily top half and maybe top third of the league at scheming offense.

I'm optimistic.

Lauvao was having a good year, especially compared with his first season in Washington. Lichtensteiger has always been a liability at center. He was simply replaced with a bigger liability. Expect Scot McCloughan to draft a center and cut some dead weight. I still think the line is undersized for what McCloughan and Callahan want and wouldn't be surprised if they continue to look for upgrades. It also wouldn't shock me to see Long at center.

[oj]

Corey who?

Lichtensteiger - I'm guessing at spelling

[StorminMormon86]

I think Jones will have a decent bounce back season this year...as long as our o-line is healthy.

Glad we resigned Thompson too. He was a beast in our passing game.

[riggofan]

Corey who?

Lichtensteiger - I'm guessing at spelling

He's still under contract.

[Irn-Bru]

I think Jones could very well be ready for a #1 back role. The fumbling doesn't concern me too much unless it happens again this year, and the strength and burst is there. He did better catching the ball than running it last year, but what he showed after the catch seemed to me to indicate that he could be a formidable runner with decent blocking/scheme.

[StorminMormon86]

I think Jones could very well be ready for a #1 back role. The fumbling doesn't concern me too much unless it happens again this year, and the strength and burst is there. He did better catching the ball than running it last year, but what he showed after the catch seemed to me to indicate that he could be a formidable runner with decent blocking/scheme.

The only thing that gives me pause on Jones is the fact that his YPA was actually lower than Morris last year. And C00ley has consistently said that both backs were playing hesitant virtually all year.

[SkinsJock]

The thought that Chris C00ley, who knows nothing, might have more of a clue than some here, strikes me as funny

[riggofan]

The thought that Chris C00ley, who knows nothing, might have more of a clue than some here, strikes me as funny

Yeah, Chris C00ley knows nothing.

[riggofan]

I think Jones could very well be ready for a #1 back role. The fumbling doesn't concern me too much unless it happens again this year, and the strength and burst is there. He did better catching the ball than running it last year, but what he showed after the catch seemed to me to indicate that he could be a formidable runner with decent blocking/scheme.

There's a long list of quality RBs who had fumbling issues their first year or two in the league. It should be a concern but it shouldn't be a disqualifier especially for a guy with the size and potential of Jones. Player and coaches just need to fix the issue.

[Irn-Bru]

Jones' fumbling issues have been a little overstated too, I think. I distinctly remember that two of the fumbles were of the freak accident variety and not something I blame Jones for — or at least, I wouldn't think about them when analyzing his being prone to fumble.

It's a problem but not a really pronounced one. The kind of things that year or two of experience and coaching can very likely fix.

[Countertrey]

Jones' fumbling issues have been a little overstated too, I think. I distinctly remember that two of the fumbles were of the freak accident variety and not something I blame Jones for — or at least, I wouldn't think about them when analyzing his being prone to fumble.

It's a problem but not a really pronounced one. The kind of things that year or two of experience and coaching can very likely fix.

It is also a very correctible problem (see "Tiki Barber")

[oj]

The thing about Jones is that when he turns a corner he is scary as all hell. I think everytime he does it we all think he's gone, we think it, the other team thinks it and the defense back standing in front of him thinks it. You hear a collective 'Oh *sh$t*' when he gets squared up in high gear. He is one powerful dude. I just hope he can learn and move on, we don't have confidence in him and he is the only one that can resolve that.

[SkinsJock]

I agree with C'trey - if they want this kid to be here they'll take steps to help him - it's not that big a deal .... yet

[DarthMonk]

Redskins OC Sean McVay used the term "every-down back" to describe second-year RB Matt Jones' potential.

After the Redskins drafted only Keith Marshall in the seventh round -- and added no running backs in free agency -- Jones is set up for a huge workload if he hangs onto the ball and improves on last year's poor efficiency. "He had some growing pains, but I think, when you look at the things he was able to do both in the run game and in the pass game, he’s got the skills and traits you’re looking for in that every-down back," said McVay. "He’s a violent finisher. I think he’s a little bit more sudden than people give him credit for." Jones fumbled five times as a rookie and averaged 3.40 yards per carry, but his arrow is pointing up for 2016.

Source: redskins.com May 5 - 12:13 AM

CSN Washington's Rich Tandler suggests Matt Jones could see 15-20 carries per game this season.

That seems like a reasonable expectation now that Jones has been installed as the Redskins' every-down back. Jones took his lumps as a rookie, losing four fumbles and averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. On the bright side, Jones offered solid contributions on the receiving end (19 catches for 304 yards) and led the backfield with three rushing touchdowns. With Alfred Morris out of the picture, Jones should have enough volume to flirt with RB2 status in fantasy.

Source: CSN Washington May 8 - 11:27 AM