With Kirk Cousins still working to develop as a starting quarterback, the Washington Redskins are trying to find ways to help him out. Cousins appears to be the better fit for the type of offense head coach Jay Gruden wants to run which means he remains in the pocket and relies on a traditional run game instead. Heading into Week 4 coming off a loss to the New York Giants, the Redskins need Alfred Morris to become Cousins right-hand man in the offense.
Morris is in a contract year and in need of bigger numbers if he intends to get paid. The Redskins need Morris to do more and be more consistent in the offense each week. The running back started the season in a big way with 121 yards off 25 carries, but since then he has games of just 59 yards and 19 yards against the Giants. He also has just 13 yards receiving on the season and that is not getting the job done. Gruden stressed the need for Morris to emerge as the lead rusher for the team.
"Alfred should be the lead dog," Gruden said, via the Washington Post when referring to the game against the Giants. "It just didn't work out that way. Just one of those games."
Morris is needed. Right now, the Washington Post is reporting that DeSean Jackson will not be back for Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The wide receiver continues to deal with hamstring problems and is not ready to take the field while having yet to practice. That leaves Cousins without his top downfield target as he relies more on shorter passes instead of shots to the endzone.
Morris understands he needs to step up. The running back has been rotating with rookie Matt Jones who has had a solid game this season. Morris told the media that he has no plans of lobbying for more touches in the offense and will simply focus on doing more with what he gets. That would certainly take some pressure off Cousins who has been forced to throw more leading to more interceptions. Gruden wants to avoid that.
"Ultimately, when your back is against the wall, we need to be able to run the football," Gruden said, via the Post. "That's something we are trying to preach."
Right now, Morris along with Pierre Garcon and Jordan Reed are Cousins' best friends. They are the main three offensive producers for the quarterback and he will need everyone at their best if the Redskins are going to beat the Eagles.
