Redskins vs. Ravens: 5 position battles to watch in preseason finale
By Ian Cummings
No. 2 – Running Back
Adrian Peterson, naturally, attracts most of the buzz surrounding the Redskins’ running backs. But this week, with the fourth and final preseason game on the horizon, it is the players behind him who deserve the most attention.
Because aside from Peterson and Chris Thompson, the running back position is wide open.
With Byron Marshall likely to start the season on injured reserve (the Redskins can designate no more than two players to return early from reserve), the final two spots in the running back room will be fought over by Samaje Perine, Rob Kelley, and Kapri Bibbs. There’s a possibility they keep five, but they could end up doing that by instead keeping tight end J.P. Holtz as a full back.
Perine, Kelley, and Bibbs all bring different things to the table at running back. Bibbs is the quickest of the bunch, with an uncanny ability to bring some excitement on the field. Perine is a young, brutish back who’s worked on his vision this summer, and Kelley is the best after contact, able to drive through the first lane and grind out tough yards (His vision is suspect, however).
How the Redskins decide to go forward at this position depends on preference. It’s been rumored that Jay Gruden prefers a system where the primary workhorse back, Adrian Peterson, has a backup, and the primary receiving back, Chris Thompson, has a backup as well. This system would help Bibbs immensely, and ultimately pit Perine against Kelley for the final spot.
Washington will have only this matchup against the Ravens to finalize their choice at running back. Adrian Peterson may start the game, given his late arrival, but the Redskins will very quickly rotate in the subjects of a fierce roster battle. In the end, at least one player will not make it.