Matt Jones isn't the only running back turning heads at Washington's rookie minicamp.
Redskins coach Jay Gruden went out of his way on Saturday to praise the handiwork of Blake Sims, the former Alabama quarterback trying out for a spot in the backfield.
Positions switches rarely work, but Gruden told reporters that Sims looks like he's been playing running back for a long time, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post. The coach went on to say that Sims is being tried out as a runner because he always made the first guy miss during his out-of-the pocket scampers in college.
At 5-foot-11 and 218 pounds, Sims wasn't expected to draw much interest as a passer. By comparison, he's heavier and not as fast as Denard Robinson, the former Michigan quarterback who has thrived as a change-of-pace back for the Jacksonville Jaguars. But Sims can also point to the careers of Hines Ward, Joshua Cribbs and Julian Edelman, among others, as former quarterbacks who made the transition to a new role in the NFL.
The Redskins have plenty of options in the backfield with Alfred Morris and Jones on the roster. Silas Redd and Chris Thompson will also battle for snaps, leaving Sims as a longshot to make this roster. Catching Gruden's eye out of the gate, though, doesn't hurt.
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