The Redskins used a third-round pick to draft Florida running back Matt Jones because they loved his size and the physicality with which he ran.
Coach Jay Gruden has said he believes that the 6-foot-2, 231-pound Jones has the potential to develop into a punishing, Marshawn Lynch type of runner. However, Jones still is feeling his way along in the NFL game, and that has diminished his impact.
During full-contact practices during training camp, Jones hasn’t generated the yards after contact that coaches know he is capable of producing. At times, he has gotten stopped in the backfield, and other times after minimal gains.
It’s not a strength issue, however. It’s mental.
“Both [running backs coach] Randy [Jordan] and [general manager] Scot [McCloughan] and myself, he’s been challenged a little bit to finish some runs,” Gruden said. “A lot of the times in these practices you’re not sure how to finish runs, but we want him to finish violently. … I just think probably the tempo. [He’s] young. That’s probably how they did it in college and he’s thinking that he gets five, six yards and he’s done for the day, but we want him to finish the runs.”
Jones admitted he has observed a difference in the physicality of the NFL game compared to the college game. Towards the end of last week, Jones began showing signs that he is catching on. He lowered his shoulder to fight his way through tackles, and looked more sure of himself. On Thursday, Jones took a handoff on a sweep to the left, turned the corner and ran to daylight. Around 15 yards downfield, he steamrolled Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson with a violent hit. Jones looks like he could take over third down duties now that Roy Helu is gone with Alfred Morris remaining the feature back.
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