Washington football: Analyzing the importance of Antonio Gibson

Why Gibson is so important to the offense

In 2019, the Washington football team’s offense ranked 31st in the NFL in total yards, dead last in points, last in total first downs, last in passing yards, and in the late 20s in both rushing yards and touchdowns.

With seemingly nowhere to go but up from that point, Washington needs impactful pieces, not only for their second-year quarterback to develop, but for the sake of the success of the team. Surely, if the 2020 Washington football team has another putrid offense, the pressure not only on Scott Turner will turn up a few notches, but the questions will fly about around Dwayne Haskins future with the team as well.

Luckily for both of them, there’s Terry McLaurin, and there is another pretty significant answer. One that can truly transcend what is a horrendous offense, into much-needed stability. That answer is Antonio Gibson.

After Washington ranked at the bottom offensively in almost every stat that matters, Gibson instantly brings juice that is needed for this team. Not only with the entire 11 on the field, but in the return game as well.

At Memphis, during his two seasons, he averaged a combined 15.6 yards per touch from scrimmage which ranked him among the most efficient players with the ball in their hands, in the entire country! That 15.6 yards per touch is higher than both past and present guys like Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliot, Laviska Shenault Jr., Justin Jefferson, Jalen Reagor, and more!

Scoring 12 touchdowns during his senior run as a Tiger, Gibson lit up opposing defenses both as a runner and a pass-catcher. Catching 38 passes and carrying the ball 33 times during his senior year, Gibson’s game is as balanced yet dynamic as they come.

With some of his best plays coming at the expense of opposing defenses, Gibson’s game consistently improved over his two seasons at Memphis. He seemingly brought out new tools and tricks with the ball in his hands, and Gibson’s 4.39 speed was on display Saturdays on end.

Not only was the speed an issue for opposing defenses, but Gibson’s ability to play with such brute strength, elusiveness, and burst was mind-blowing. With 16 broken tackles as a ball-carrier on 33 carries and 17 broken tackles as a pass-catcher, Gibson is a huge issue in open space.

Seemingly every issue Washington has faced offensively, whether it be lack of playmaking/game-changing ability, or just consistent production on Sundays, Gibson fills those voids on offense. But, there’s another aspect Gibson adds that flies under the radar.

As a kick return man, Gibson was one of the best in college football. Averaging 28 yards per return during his senior season at Memphis, Gibson returned one kick for a touchdown in fourteen contests. His ability to flip the field was evident routinely in college, and with Washington having numerous special teams woes for many years as return specialists go, they have seemed to find an answer in that aspect as well.

With Antonio Gibson’s evident game-changing big-play ability showing here in this video, you can get a sneak peek for what he can do on the field with the ball in his hands. He finds success lined up in the slot, in the bubble screen game, and as a ball carrier breaking tackles and bursting through the line of scrimmage.

In year one, Antonio Gibson can make a huge impact for a Washington football team that’ll need every yard he gives them. With the tools to make him a perennial offensive weapon that this team needs, his importance is firmly evident.

Antonio Gibson fits what Washington needs perfectly. A dual-threat on-field presence that can open up the run and pass game, one that can only benefit the games of the DMV’s cornerstones on offense, Dwayne Haskins and Terry McLaurin.