Has Alfred Morris been Disrespected?
In 2012, the Washington Redskins drafted big names
like quarterbacks Robert Griffin III out of Baylor (2nd pick
overall) and Kirk Cousins out of Michigan State (4th round pick). In the 6th round of the 2012
draft, the Redskins drafted little known running back Alfred Morris out of
Florida Atlantic. On the depth chart, Morris
was behind Roy Helu, Tim Hightower, and Evan Royster. Many people thought Royster would start
because he played well during the end of the 2011 season. Morris did what he always does; he worked
hard and became the starting running back for the team. That
season Morris ran for 1,613 yards, finishing second behind Minnesota Vikings
running back Adrian Peterson in rushing yardage. It is easy to forget about Morris’ magical
season because everybody saw the greatness of rookie of the year RGIII. But you can make the argument that Alfred
Morris was the dude that kept that team together and led the Redskins to the
2012 NFC East crown.
Since coming into the NFL, Morris has been one of
the best running backs. Morris has
reached 1,000 plus yards every season while being in the NFL. Statistically he has been up there with
running backs like LeSean McCoy (then Philadelphia Eagles), Peterson, and
Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs). Over the last three seasons Morris has had
more rushing yards (3,962) than McCoy, Peterson and Charles. Yet, this running back is still on his rookie
deal (4 years $2.22 million) Why? Is it
because the Redskins don’t like humble and hardworking players? Or is it because they are taking advantage of
Morris’ humility? During his rookie year
Morris drove a 1991 Mazda 626 to Redskins Park. Come on man, for an athlete
that’s humility at its finest. I have a regular nine to five and I would never
push that to the office. The Redskins have a Clark Kent off the field but an on
Superman on it. He is able to run
through defenders and sacrifice for the team.
While the Redskins were worrying about how they could move the football
with inconsistent quarterback play Morris was there carrying the load. However it seems like the Redskins won’t take
care of him like other teams would do their own.
Adrian Peterson was suspended for pretty much the
whole season last year for beating his child.
The Minnesota Vikings knew his value.
They didn’t cut him or trade him.
The Vikings honored his past, present and future by reconstructing his
contract (3yrs approx. 44 million). Arguably, Peterson is the best running back
in the game, but statistically Morris is very comparable within his production
over the last three seasons (which I stated earlier). I believe that Peterson is more important to
the Vikings than say Morris however Morris like Peterson has been the guy
leading the offense. Pay the man! How about paying someone who has done right
by your organization? How about paying a
guy who has been one of the premiere running backs over the last 3
seasons? Crazy idea, right? I know.
In the offseason the Redskins drafted running back
Matt Jones out of the University of Florida (3rd round pick). Jones is a power back with promise. It
made me think. Why would the Redskins
draft a similar style of running back? Why
not draft a shifty speed running back? I
stopped questioning the draft pick after Redskins’ head coach Jay Gruden stated
that Alfred Morris is the featured running back on the team. In
training camp, there were reports stating that Jones looked good but you barely
heard anything about the progression of Morris.
Preseason starts and Morris looks shifty and good. You saw flashes of Jones but nothing
special. Again, I just dismissed the
thought that Alfred Morris was being low balled.
Then the regular season starts Morris plays well in
a loss against the Miami Dolphins. Morris had 121 yards within 25 carries compared
to Jones who had 28 yards on only 6 carries.
In game two against the St. Louis Rams Morris and Jones split
carries. Morris had 59 yards on 18 carries
and Jones had 123 yards on 19 carries. After
the game, Gruden was asked about the limited carries for Morris and Gruden said
“the plan was to keep both backs fresh, so I intend on them both getting plenty
of touches. I don’t really care who is
in there.” I don’t care who is really in there? Have you ever seen McCoy, or
Peterson treated that way? I haven’t,
but hey the team won so it was all good.
I spoke to Morris in the locker about the split in carries and he said
“I just want to win”; showing that he is willing to sacrifice for the
betterment of the team. Again pay this
man his money please!
Here comes primetime Redskins vs. Giants on Thursday
Night football. Morris, who is 5th
all-time on the Redskins rushing yards list, only carried the ball 6 times
compared to Jones who carried the ball 11 times. Add in that Jones got the first carry of the
game. Morris deserves more respect from
the coaching staff and organization. The
organization needs to pay him for his service to this team. Fans always argue that players are handed too
much. Well here is a player that is
humble and is willing to work for his reward and the organization chooses not
to bless him with the “love.” This disgusts
me as an individual that believes that a man who puts it all on the line should
be fairly compensated. As for the
coaching staff, don’t embarrass this man on national TV. Jones didn’t show you anything special
against the Giants. He didn’t prove to
be the hot hand. Morris has done too much
for this organization for coaches or whoever to not let him showcase his
talents on Thursday night. We are not
talking about a bum; we are talking about statistically a top tier running
back. Hopefully the team smartens up and
understands that they have a special athlete on their hands and decides to
treat him right before they regret it.
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