The selection of first-round offensive tackle Brandon Scherff indicated a desire to return to a power-heavy offense for the Washington Redskins.
After starting his career in an outside zone-heavy system, Alfred Morris enters his second season in a power-based scheme under coach Jay Gruden. It's an offense the running back believes he'll continue to excel in.
"I feel I'm better at downhill plays anyway," he recently said, via ESPN.com. "You know what's coming. It's a knockout, drag-out style of play. I don't shy away from contact. It's right up my alley. I thoroughly enjoy it."
Morris' attempts and yards per carry both dipped last season. His 4.1 yards per attempt was the lowest in his three years. The running back said he revamped his offseason workout plan -- more cardio, less heavy lifting -- because he felt worn down by the end of the season.
The Redskins added rookie Matt Jones -- who Gruden praised during minicamp -- to help shoulder some of the load. Morris is fine with that.
"Competition only makes us better," Morris said. "Every year they draft one or two guys. It's always expected and drafting a guy that high, the competition is that much higher. I'm excited about it. They know what they're doing. It's business and competition drives this business."
We should point out that the addition of Bill Callahan as offensive line coach was a coup for the Redskins. Good blocking lines tend to follow him around the NFL, which will benefit Morris and the running game greatly.
Morris should carry the load on early downs in 2015, with Jones taking the third-down reps previously handled by Roy Helu. In his second year in the new system and with better blockers in front of him, Morris is in line for his fourth-straight 1,000-yard season to start his career.
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