REDSKINS 101

The Washington Redskins injuries are starting to pile up…already. One key player down is Tim Hightower, who many expected to be the starting running back, week one. After the first few days of training camp, Mike Shanahan was asked who will start the season and he replied, "I don’t know who’s going to be the tailback.” Those words are music to Evan Royster's ears.

Royster, who set the all-time rushing record at Penn State University, lead all Redskins' backs in yards per carry last season (5.9 ypc) and had back-to-back 100 yard rushing performances in his only two starts. Now, he's receiving a chunk of the starting reps in practices. And he looks good!

Many around the team believe that Roy Helu Jr. is the most talented runner on the team, but at 5'11", 195 pounds, they don't think he can sustain production as a primary back.

Can Even Royster rise up in the mold of Terrell Davis or other late round backs Shanahan has groomed? We'll have a better idea after the preseason begins.

The sophomore back has been critiqued for not having the breakaway speed the Shanahan's are looking for in a starting rusher, but elite speed is more of a luxury than a necessity. Take Curtis Martin for example—in 2004, Martin ran for 1,697 yards with a season long rush of just 22 yards.

No one would complain about Evan Royster's speed if he rushed for 1000-plus yards in his second season. If anything, they'll start referring to him as 'Evan Roy-Star."

Tags: Evan Roy-Star, Evan Royster, Football, NFL, Roy Helu Jr. Tim Hightower, Washington, Washington Redskins

Related Videos

Returning Soon!!!!

No related posts.