Redskins Insider: (via Twitter): Redskins add RB Shawnbrey McNeal to practice squad

[Dukes and Skins]

Now we just need our OC to actually attempt to run the ball.

Kyle gets away from the run quicker then Mike Martz.

And we'll never know what we got until we actually give a RB a meaningful amount of carries.

I think we would run the ball more if we had a competent OL who could block somewhat. In Houston Kyle had an above average OL and they did decent running the ball. Don't let the 30th ranked rushing offense make you think that he's not a running guy. When he had Slaton playing well in 2008 his team was ranked 13th in rushing but in 2009 the Running backs weren't that good and they were also forced to pass more which led to a top notch passing team last year. He'll run the ball more when he has an OL that can consistently open up holes

[Champskins]

Agreed. Especially in close games :doh:

That's the only way to reliably control the clock, with McNabb's inaccuracy and our WR's drops killing drops.

and Mcnabbs drops (way more then id like to see) as well or just plain falling on his butt when the center and his feet are locked together

[wilco_holland]

Shanahan wil always be Shanahan...we will probally see a lot more RB´s come and go.

[Dukes and Skins]

Shanahan wil always be Shanahan...we will probally see a lot more RB´s come and go.

We could or we could also see him find that guy and then he'll be the guy like he found with Terrell Davis and with Clinton Portis. Shanahan can plug in guys to be successful but he also wants to find that one guy to be his #1 for a while

[TSO]

Goodness, there's a quote of him saying he "has no problem being a Redskin" but "I'll always be a Cowboy fan"... bad first impression, man.

[BurgundyBlog]

He sure does scamper through the hole pretty quickly, particularly on the runs around 1:25 and 1:50 in that highlight vid. I respect it.

Is he sturdy, like Sproles? That's the key to being a tiny running back... gotta be able to take a licking. Sproles broke all kinds of weight-based lifting records at K-State.

This guy is interesting, but I hope he doesn't turn into Anthony Alridge.

[VRIEL1]

HBnotBlades, I don't know why but I just get fascinated with your sig everytime I see it. Weird.

[Popeman38]

4.55 speed. Not exactly a burner but not a sloth either.

[Dan T.]

McNeal looks to be a third down receiving-type back, though the scouting reports say he was a poor pass blocker coming out of SMU. More quick than flat out fast, and a good initial burst.

[darrelgreenie]

I think we would run the ball more if we had a competent OL who could block somewhat.

Maybe.

But, regardless of the reason why, wouldn't you agree that thus far Kyle has been quick to get away from the run?

And i'm right there with you I know our OL isn't great.

But, we didn't even try and that's what bothers me.

Keiland had a nice run.

Davis had a run where me made a nice cut back into an open lane and got tripped up.

It could have been a big gain, but that was one of the last runs of the game.

We don't know what might have happened if we stuck with the running game.

It might have opened up.

It not like we were lighting things up in the passing game to compensate.

In Houston Kyle had an above average OL and they did decent running the ball. Don't let the 30th ranked rushing offense make you think that he's not a running guy.

I'm not using the Texans as a measuring stick, rather i'm looking at what he's doing here.

And he's been quick to get away from the run and seldom calls back to back runs.

(And the games when he sticks with the run and does for example call back to back runs have been our better rushing days).

And if you look at Houston now they're having much more success with Dennison then Kyle.

Foster gets a lot of the credit but Foster was on the squad last year too they just didn't use him til the end of the season.

I'm not saying Kyle is a bad OC, just saying that compared to someone like Mike Shanahan Kyle is not as commited to the run.

[Dukes and Skins]

Maybe.

But, regardless of the reason why, wouldn't you agree that thus far Kyle has been quick to get away from the run?

And i'm right there with you I know our OL isn't great.

But, we didn't even try and that's what bothers me.

Keiland had a nice run.

Davis had a run where me made a nice cut back into an open lane and got tripped up.

It could have been a big gain, but that was one of the last runs of the game.

We don't know what might have happened if we stuck with the running game.

It might have opened up.

It not like we were lighting things up in the passing game to compensate.

I'm not using the Texans as a measuring stick, rather i'm looking at what he's doing here.

And he's been quick to get away from the run and seldom calls back to back runs.

(And the games when he sticks with the run and does for example call back to back runs have been our better rushing days).

And if you look at Houston now they're having much more success with Dennison then Kyle.

Foster gets a lot of the credit but Foster was on the squad last year too they just didn't use him til the end of the season.

I'm not saying Kyle is a bad OC, just saying that compared to someone like Mike Shanahan Kyle is not as commited to the run.

No I totally understand were you are coming from DG, I get your points but all I am saying is that I think Kyle would be a lot more committed to the run if he had a half decent OL outside of a potential All Pro LT in Trent Williams and a guy who's now proving he was worth the trade Jamaal Brown. Outside of those 2 guys we have no holes opening up in the middle and its showing and that's probably leading to Kyle having to throw the ball more than he probably wants to. I know this is just speculation on my part but its something that I've tended to notice in games.

[HBnotBlades]

Yup, I remember specifically going back and forth with you talking about Shawnbrey earlier in the season, possibly in a different thread than the one you posted. Would be sweet if he impressed.

.

Yea, I'm pretty sure you're right. It was just much easier for me to find the thread I started rather than the mystery thread we talked about him in.

HBnotBlades, I don't know why but I just get fascinated with your sig everytime I see it. Weird.

It kills me too, which is why I keep it. It's always sunny cracks me up.

[TheLongshot]

Maybe.

But, regardless of the reason why, wouldn't you agree that thus far Kyle has been quick to get away from the run?

And i'm right there with you I know our OL isn't great.

But, we didn't even try and that's what bothers me.

Keiland had a nice run.

Davis had a run where me made a nice cut back into an open lane and got tripped up.

It could have been a big gain, but that was one of the last runs of the game.

We don't know what might have happened if we stuck with the running game.

It might have opened up.

It not like we were lighting things up in the passing game to compensate.

Fact is, even Mike Shanahan didn't have a whole lot of confidence in the guys running the ball and didn't expect them to do much. Given what I've seen of Williams, I can second that. He's just not that good. Given the struggles the OL have had all season long and the DL that the Vikings have a mediocre back isn't going to do much.

[darrelgreenie]

Fact is, even Mike Shanahan didn't have a whole lot of confidence in the guys running the ball and didn't expect them to do much. Given what I've seen of Williams, I can second that. He's just not that good. Given the struggles the OL have had all season long and the DL that the Vikings have a mediocre back isn't going to do much.

Mike S said something to the extent that he knew we'd have a hard time running the ball.

But, that was after the fact.

Its not like he would admit to getting away from the run to early.

When a team gives up on the run that's what they're gonna say.

And you gotta take everything Mike S. with a heaping of salt.

Allow me to ask you this question: do you think Kyle gave the running game a chance in that game?

Also i don't understand what's not to like about Keiland?

(And if they don't think enough of Keiland to try to run the ball with him they should cut him.)

But, it sounds like your making excuses for them giving up in the running game.

I'm not saying Keiland or Davis are world beaters but we just needed some semblance of a running game and we didn't even try.

I don't hold a high opinion of RBs as there are few special backs.

All we needed was an effort and Keiland/Davis could have given us that, heck Cartwright and Ganther could have given us that.

edit:

This year's Redskins team is averaging 22.5 carries per game. Shanahan's Denver teams averaged 30.6 carries per game.....The Redskins' worst game on the ground this season came in Week 2 against Houston, when their backs had just 18 yards on 17 carries.

^^That game was w/ a healthy Clinton Portis and a lead.

[holmester]

From watching his highlights I would say that he is almost as qucik as Sproles but not nearly as fast. Doesn't seem to have that extra gear once he gets out in space and gets on angles alot. Not that thats a bad thing, he can still move.

It seems to me that Shanahan is trying his hardest to put together a stable of young RB's and WR's through FA in order to have some decent talent going into next year so that all of our picks in next years draft can be spent on either the OL or defense.

[HBnotBlades]

From watching his highlights I would say that he is almost as qucik as Sproles but not nearly as fast. Doesn't seem to have that extra gear once he gets out in space and gets on angles alot. Not that thats a bad thing, he can still move.

To be fair, Sproles doesn't really have that gear either. He was a guy that ran 4.5 forty just like McNeal, and was thought to lack the top end speed to be a true big play back, but enough quickness to be a role player. Sproles and McNeal are actually VERY similar in terms of skill sets. Hence, the rumors that he would replace Sproles in SD during the offseason.

From an old article:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/don_banks/07/22/snap.judgments.smith/1.html

You probably haven't heard much about Shawnbrey McNeal yet, but I'm told that first-round pick Ryan Mathews isn't the only rookie running back worth paying attention to in San Diego this season. McNeal, an undrafted free agent out of SMU, made people notice him during the Chargers' offseason workouts and there's a belief within the organization that he could wind up being the guy who replaces third-down back Darren Sproles in 2011.

The Chargers franchised Sproles in 2009 and protected him via a one-year, $7.28-million restricted free-agent tender this spring (first and third-round compensation level), a move they had to make after giving Tomlinson his freedom. But while Mathews, the draft's 12th overall pick out of Fresno State, is expected to get No. 1 back duties this season, San Diego is eager to see if McNeal can prove to be a more affordable third-down specialist in the role Sproles has owned in recent years.

Like Sproles, McNeal is small (5-9, 190) but quick, he runs with power and has good hands. After transferring from the University of Miami, he played for throw-happy head coach June Jones at SMU, so he knows how to catch the ball out of the backfield and get upfield with a sense of fluidity. McNeal left college a year early in order to help support and care for his mother's medical concerns, so he might need a redshirt season of sorts as an NFL rookie. But keep an eye on him in the Chargers' third running back competition this summer.

[Jimbo]

The guy is elusive around the LOS and seems to do a good job finding the hole and hitting it quickly. The key in Shanahan's running game has always been getting to the second level and hoping the receiver's can hold their blocks long enough to spring the back for the long run. I can see why he likes this guy enough to sign him to the PS. He's not a burner but he has a nice initial burst through the hole.

[holmester]

To be fair, Sproles doesn't really have that gear either. He was a guy that ran 4.5 forty just like McNeal, and was thought to lack the top end speed to be a true big play back, but enough quickness to be a role player. Sproles and McNeal are actually VERY similar in terms of skill sets. Hence, the rumors that he would replace Sproles in SD during the offseason.

Similar in terms of skill set, yea. But McNeal is not as fast as Sproles. About as quick like I said. If he was as quick, as fast, and shared the same skill set I don't think the Chargers would have kept the more expensive, older, vet.

[HBnotBlades]

Similar in terms of skill set, yea. But McNeal is not as fast as Sproles. About as quick like I said. If he was as quick, as fast, and shared the same skill set I don't think the Chargers would have kept the more expensive, older, vet.

My point was that Sproles isn't actually all that fast. Just like McNeal, he had a slow(ish) 40 time and lacks elite high end speed, but makes up for it with exceptional quickness and lateral agility.

Sproles 40 time: 4.47

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=55011&draftyear=2005&genpos=RB

McNeal 40 time: 4.47

http://walterfootball.com/proday2010april3.php

I think theirs a few reasons the chargers chose to keep Sproles over McNeal. First, they franchised Sproles so his salary is guaranteed, this means that he can't be replaced until next year. Second, Sproles has actually shown that his skill set, work ethic and ability to digest a playbook translate to success at the NFL level, McNeal hasn't. I'm not confident that McNeal will be a player like Sproles because it takes a lot more than measurables, and measurables aren't what made Sproles a success. I am saying that you can't argue Sproles is fast and McNeal is slow when the numbers say they're virtually identical.

[holmester]

I am saying that you can't argue Sproles is fast and McNeal is slow when the numbers say they're virtually identical.

I haven't even come close to saying McNeal is slow in this thread. I never even said I didn't like McNeal or wasn't glad we got him. I just gave my opinion on what I see in him and why I thought Shanny grabbed him. Seems you're arguing for the sake of arguing.

[Hollywood1127]

Will we ever use one of these running backs? We also have Andre Brown and Chad Simpson on the practice squad. When are we going to use any of them in the run game? Andre Brown is a beast and in my opinion should have been playing on Sunday against the Vikings.

[HBnotBlades]

I haven't even come close to saying McNeal is slow in this thread. I never even said I didn't like McNeal or wasn't glad we got him. I just gave my opinion on what I see in him and why I thought Shanny grabbed him. Seems you're arguing for the sake of arguing.

You're right, you didn't say McNeal was slow, I apologize for putting words in your mouth as those were my words not yours. I was just trying to point out that the following statement wasn't necessarily true:

From watching his highlights I would say that he is almost as qucik as Sproles but not nearly as fast.

So I pointed out that their actually very similar in terms of speed, as their combine numbers showed. To which you replied:

Similar in terms of skill set, yea. But McNeal is not as fast as Sproles.

So I directly posted the actual 40 times to make my point clearer. I didn't mean to be argumentative or testy, I just replied for a second time because it seemed like you skipped over the point I was trying to make.

[Conn]

Will we ever use one of these running backs? We also have Andre Brown and Chad Simpson on the practice squad. When are we going to use any of them in the run game? Andre Brown is a beast and in my opinion should have been playing on Sunday against the Vikings.

Brown is on the 53-man roster. Who knows, he could very well receive carries in the coming weeks. Chad Simpson is on IR, done for the year. They signed Shawnbrey McNeal to the PS and cut another RB they looked at for a week or two, Kestahn Moore.

They're using that last 1 or 2 spots on the PS to cycle through some guys on the market, giving them a few weeks and then either keeping them, or ditching them. I like it. Its a good way to constantly be evaluating under-the-radar talent, especially coming closer to the end of the season.

They did the same thing, cutting Ray Small, a WR on the PS, for another guy they signed from a UFL team. Its a good way to find gems, I'd think.

[holmester]

So I directly posted the actual 40 times to make my point clearer. I didn't mean to be argumentative or testy, I just replied for a second time because it seemed like you skipped over the point I was trying to make.

Yea, I saw that their 40's were the same but I just didn't see McNeal accelerating or gaining much ground on defenders after his initial burst, and that was in college. I just see a different game speed I guess between the two. You know what they say, some guys are just faster when being chased.

I do like the fact that McNeal is 3 inches taller then Sproles though. I think he could bulk up a little bit and still maintain most of his quickness where as Sproles really can't put on any more wieght.

[SkinsTribeVA]

Well he's fast at least. I'm glad to see us constantly trying out new RB's on the practice squad. We don't have anything great at the top of our RB corps, but we're definitely doing everything you can at this point in the season to find some good young RB's.