Washington Redskins: Running game will be crucial element of 2017 offense

The Redskins offense lost nearly 2,100 yards of offense with the departure of veterans Pierre Garçon and DeSean Jackson. To offset that amount of production in 2017, Jay Gruden should lean on his stable of running backs.

Washington is a franchise that is known for its smash-mouth style on offense. In the 80’s and early 90’s “The Hogs” paved the way the way for the Redskins three Super Bowl championship teams. During the Gibbs 2.0 era, the Redskins offense featured one of the more underrated backs of his era in Clinton Portis.

A Pro Bowl snub in 2005, Portis ran for 1,516 yards on 352 carries and 11 touchdowns. Two years later, he led the NFL in carries with 325. The Redskins made the playoffs both of those seasons. Even during RGIII’s magical season in 2012, the Redskins offense featured a run-heavy offense that was the driving force behind a NFC East title that year.

It wasn’t until Kirk Cousins began to break his own records that Washington became a passing team. Terrelle Pryor and Josh Doctson provide the Redskins with promise, but it pales-in-comparison to the production of Garcon and Jackson from last season. Jordan Reed is arguably the best tight-end in the NFL, but has yet to play a full season. Heading into 2017 the Redskins offense may be inclined to lean on its rushing attack.