HTTR24-7: Chris Thompson Plugged Into The Redskins Offense

[sportjunkie07]

Imo, the Shanahans have had an idea for an explosive offense for some time, but lacked the players to do so. With the addition of rg3, their plans became a reality and they can now fine tune the offense which is focused on making the defense pick their poison.

I see Ct as an example of this. Explosive runner with good vision and one cut ability and a deadly pass catching rb. I think they envision him as a 3rd down back.

In the event that Morris goes down, i think we'll see someone else step up as the primary back, while ct maintains his role.

Ct doesn't seem to be every down material, but i do think he get a good amounts of snaps overall because i would use him occasionally as a wr and for gadget plays and misdirection.

So if he can stay healthy, i see him in a very productive but supporting role on our team and i think we will see this very early on in the season.

My guess is 380 rush yds, 480 rec yds, 5 tds.

i think royster is gone, helu will be hurt and the other rb we drafted becomes the primary rb should Morris go down.

[Mr. Sinister]

Imo, the Shanahans have had an idea for an explosive offense for some time, but lacked the players to do so. With the addition of rg3, their plans became a reality and they can now fine tune the offense which is focused on making the defense pick their poison.

I see Ct as an example of this. Explosive runner with good vision and one cut ability and a deadly pass catching rb. I think they envision him as a 3rd down back.

In the event that Morris goes down, i think we'll see someone else step up as the primary back, while ct maintains his role.

Ct doesn't seem to be every down material, but i do think he get a good amounts of snaps overall because i would use him occasionally as a wr and for gadget plays and misdirection.

So if he can stay healthy, i see him in a very productive but supporting role on our team and i think we will see this very early on in the season.

My guess is 380 rush yds, 480 rec yds, 5 tds.

i think royster is gone, helu will be hurt and the other rb we drafted becomes the primary rb should Morris go down.

 

I agree. It'll be somewhere in that ballpark. Whether Helu, or CT (or both) make the roster next year, expect to see a lot of 50 + yard runs. Morris ran through some gaping holes last year, but didn't have the top end speed to turn on the jets like those 2 guys do. If a healthy Helu/CT see those same holes, they'll be hitting their heads on the goal post.

[RG3Hunna]

Imo, the Shanahans have had an idea for an explosive offense for some time, but lacked the players to do so. With the addition of rg3, their plans became a reality and they can now fine tune the offense which is focused on making the defense pick their poison.

I see Ct as an example of this. Explosive runner with good vision and one cut ability and a deadly pass catching rb. I think they envision him as a 3rd down back.

In the event that Morris goes down, i think we'll see someone else step up as the primary back, while ct maintains his role.

Ct doesn't seem to be every down material, but i do think he get a good amounts of snaps overall because i would use him occasionally as a wr and for gadget plays and misdirection.

So if he can stay healthy, i see him in a very productive but supporting role on our team and i think we will see this very early on in the season.

My guess is 380 rush yds, 480 rec yds, 5 tds.

i think royster is gone, helu will be hurt and the other rb we drafted becomes the primary rb should Morris go down.

Couldn't have said it better myself, kudos, I agree with this!

[rskin72]

I recall last season where many posters on various boards were debating Helu vs Royster, and along comes a 7th rounder to become our stud RB.  I am not a huge college guy, so other than watching those good videos and breakdowns of CT combined with what I read on various Skins boards... I really haven't seen him in action.  I am sure that our rookies will be given abundant opportunities to show their talents in pre-season, and I am looking forward to seeing CT, and other rookies, at that time....my own eye test. 

 

If CT is what everyone is stating, a one cut runner who can make you miss, and take it to the house....that would give us something that we do not have with Alfred...i.e.....speed to take it the distance from anywhere on the field.  If that is the case, I can't see him being cut unless he is injured or his game just doesn't translate to the NFL level.  Banks was quick, but so tiny that a mild wind would make him go down.

 

Would it be a shock to keep 4 backs....Morris, Royster, Helu and CT (depending on camp, of course).  Personally I am not that impressed with Royster and think if Helu is healthy he is a more dangerous back because of his speed and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

[ArmchairRedskin]

I saw this earlier today.

 

http://www.hogshaven.com/2013/6/11/4419106/redskins-playbook-18-19-bounce-run-series

 

 

It's a nice breakdown of a couple of plays the Redskins ran last year with Morris that the author, UKRedskin, feels could be more dangerous with CT or Helu providing that extra speed. 

[zoony]

He has probably a 1 in 5 chance of being in the league 4 years from now.

Why don't we wait and watch what happens before we declare him a dynamic addition to this offense

He has probably a 1 in 5 chance of being in the league 4 years from now.

Why don't we wait and watch what happens before we declare him a dynamic addition to this offense

[Airyx]

I wish I could share all of the optimism for CT.

 

I tend to discount all of the tape from Florida State, because he's playing against college players.

 

So far, from what we have seen in pre-season, he hasn't looked all that impressive either.

 

I'm not saying he is going to fail, I'm just not ready to declare him a potential big weapon. He hasn't shown me anything yet.

[TheGoodBits]

He's had what, 10 carries since being back from a year + off, in a new scheme? You could tell early he was pressing hard to make an impact, hitting holes way too quickly without letting blocks develop. After a couple reps he seemed to be more patient. You can tell though, that his speed and cutting ability will play at this level. Still think he's a lock for the roster because he's shown enough that he won't last on the PS.

[darrelgreenie]

You think those same 10 carries are enough for another team to make him a one if there 3 top RBs?

[sportjunkie07]

Its aweaome that helu looks great right now, I might have to temper my expectations for CT.

Ct has had the worst showing of our rookies so far, mostly due to the early fumbles which coupled with his size, makes one wonder if he is sturdy enough for this level.

He doesn't look quite comfortable yet though, whether it's due to scheme or injury recovery, I'd assume it's mostly the latter.

On the positive side, there were some flashes. That punt return was ballsy. No one fields a punt like that. The quick moves then jets were impressive. I thought his runs were highly predictable and Kyle prob knows this. A little disguise and he'll be alot more effective, but we'll save that for the regular season.

[Monte51Coleman]

I don't believe we have seen Thompson used once yet like he will be used in the regular season.

[DaGoonie55]

I really hope he pans out.  His college tapes are awesome.

 

I haven't seen it yet.  Like I said in the gameday thread.  Please prove me wrong.

 

HTTR

[TheGoodBits]

You think those same 10 carries are enough for another team to make him a one if there 3 top RBs?

Not all teams have the depth we do. And given Shanahan's reputation for late round RB stars, I could definitely see someone giving him a shot.

[Larry]

Not all teams have the depth we do. And given Shanahan's reputation for late round RB stars, I could definitely see someone giving him a shot.

I could see the "Shanny thought enough to draft him" effect getting him invited to somebody's training camp.

But, some other team getting rid of a player who's been in camp for a month, so they could bring in CT "on spec", so to speak?

Not saying it's impossible. But it sure seems like he's more valuable, to us, than he is to somebody else. Simply because he's been in camp for a month.

That same factor also means that we know a lot more about him (good and bad) than anybody else does.

[shakinaiken]

I don't believe we have seen Thompson used once yet like he will be used in the regular season.

 

This. The shanny's are limiting Thompson's visibility by not only playing him seldomly, but also subjecting him to the most vanilla, predictable run plays. I fully expect, once the season starts, for Thompson to not only be on the 53 man roster, but net 10-12 plays a game, utilizing his skill-set in space. 

[Year_of_The_Monk]

CT definitely has that "it" factor but just like he said, he won't get a chance to show it if he doesn't correct the fumble-itiss issues.

[gortiz]

I really hope he pans out.  His college tapes are awesome.

 

I haven't seen it yet.  Like I said in the gameday thread.  Please prove me wrong.

 

HTTR

 

That's exactly where I stand ... i'm gaga over his college stuff.  usually that means squat ... when it comes to producing "up here" 

[Stadium-Armory]

I think Kieland Williams and Chris Thompson to make the roster.  I think Royster is the odd man out.

[darrelgreenie]

This. The shanny's are limiting Thompson's visibility by not only playing him seldomly, but also subjecting him to the most vanilla, predictable run plays. I fully expect, once the season starts, for Thompson to not only be on the 53 man roster, but net 10-12 plays a game, utilizing his skill-set in space.

you think Kyle is calling plays differently for Thompson in an effort to 'hide' his talent? Lol.......okay

Did those plays cause him to fumble, get smashed and dazed by Thomas and struggle in pass pro?

C'mon bro. Kyle is calling the same plays for tge other backs; but even though those backs are facing better comp they are doing more with their carries.

[shakinaiken]

you think Kyle is calling plays differently for Thompson in an effort to 'hide' his talent? Lol.......okay

Did those plays cause him to fumble, get smashed and dazed by Thomas and struggle in pass pro?

C'mon bro. Kyle is calling the same plays for tge other backs; but even though those backs are facing better comp they are doing more with their carries.

 

Sure, placing a player in situations he may not feel totally comfortable is common, to see how he reacts. running the same run play 6 times in a row might result in a quite a few defensive stops. I don't see Thompson's role on the team as a backup to Morris, but as a skill  player than can do damage in space, if the right plays are called. There's plenty of tape available that indicates Thompson's strengths as a football player, so i don't see the harm in placing Thompson in situations that may not necessarily play to his strengths. But once the season starts, i fully expect the Shanny's to utilize him differently than what we've seen in preseason. I don't necessarily assume that means they're "hiding" his talent, just assessing Thompson in a different manner. 

 

So i'll retract my original statement of "limiting his visibility."

 

 

Also from Shanahan today at his presser:

 

On his evaluation of Thompson as a running back:

“One of the reasons why we drafted Chris is we know what he can do outside because he has a big play capability. We wanted to see what he could do inside. I like what I see, especially after not playing all last year coming off of the ACL, and I think he’ll just keep on getting better as time goes on.”

[darrelgreenie]

So i'll retract my original statement of "limiting his visibility."

Also from Shanahan today at his presser:

On his evaluation of Thompson as a running back:

“One of the reasons why we drafted Chris is we know what he can do outside because he has a big play capability. We wanted to see what he could do inside. I like what I see, especially after not playing all last year coming off of the ACL, and I think he’ll just keep on getting better as time goes on.”

this is a classic, but empty, mike Shanahan quote.

Provides no insight into whether CT is bound for the PS or 53.

Hopefully CT shows us what we've all been waiting to see on Thursday.

-Hail

[ArmchairRedskin]

I wish I could share all of the optimism for CT.

 

I tend to discount all of the tape from Florida State, because he's playing against college players.

 

So far, from what we have seen in pre-season, he hasn't looked all that impressive either.

 

I'm not saying he is going to fail, I'm just not ready to declare him a potential big weapon. He hasn't shown me anything yet.

 

I wish I could share all of the optimism for CT.

 

I tend to discount all of the tape from Florida State, because he's playing against college players.

 

So far, from what we have seen in pre-season, he hasn't looked all that impressive either.

 

I'm not saying he is going to fail, I'm just not ready to declare him a potential big weapon. He hasn't shown me anything yet.

 

 

I think you have to look at his cutting ability and speed. The speed at which he cuts and accelerates is pretty special. He's a home run hitter that will best be served once he's behind Griffin in the pistol. I think that he'll have some big plays this year. Maybe not a whole lot, but at least a few. 

 

 

Edit: why are all the quotes showing up twice? It happened in another thread to me as well. 

[darrelgreenie]

I think you have to look at his cutting ability and speed. The speed at which he cuts and accelerates is pretty special. He's a home run hitter that will best be served once he's behind Griffin in the pistol. I think that he'll have some big plays this year. Maybe not a whole lot, but at least a few.

no one doubts his ability.

His actual on the field performance clearly and honestly hasn't come close to matching the rhetoric/perception

That just honest observation

[Mr. Sinister]

I think you have to look at his cutting ability and speed. The speed at which he cuts and accelerates is pretty special. He's a home run hitter that will best be served once he's behind Griffin in the pistol. I think that he'll have some big plays this year. Maybe not a whole lot, but at least a few. 

 

Being an ACC guy I got to see plenty of him in college, but it's different once you get to the pros. That cut he made after catching that punt and racing down the field was ridiculous. Nobody else on this roster can do that. Nobody. Guys still fast as hell.

[skinfan2k]

CT ability hasn't even been showcased yet. When he lines up with RG3 then you will see how fast this guy is.  Morris and CT in the backfield at the same time will be electric.