By Elaine Donnelly
Extending sexual misconduct to combat units
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
It was the first week of Washington Redskins training camp when Alfred Morris entertained the question. Darrel Young was hurt, and the unassuming sixth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic was asked if he had been asked by the coaching staff to fill in at fullback.
An already depleted Washington Redskins defense could be without two cornerstone starters Thursday, in addition to the season-ending injury to safety Brandon Meriweather.
![Diagramming Robert Griffin III's 76-yard touchdown run against the Vikings on Sunday. [No. 10: Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III; No. 22: Redskins running back Evan Royster; No. 83: Redskins tight end Fred Davis; No. 15: Redskins wide receiver Joshua Morgan; No. 20: Vikings cornerback Chris Cook; No. 54: Vikings middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley; No. 52: Vikings strong-side linebacker Chad Greenway; No. 33: Vikings free safety Jamarca Sanford; No. 22: Vikings strong safety Harrison Smith] (The Washington Times)](http://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2012/10/16/20121016-172508-pic-716951937_s101x57.jpg?1e38ab45eb20922e0b1946bfd8f398ca84df9337)
The Washington Redskins led the Minnesota Vikings 31-26 with 2:56 to play in the fourth quarter Sunday at FedEx Field. Facing third and 6 from the Washington 24, Robert Griffin III awaited the shotgun snap from center Will Montgomery. What followed would become the signature play in the quarterback's rookie season, and is presented here in an oral history:
Back in the state in which he grew up and played college football, Alfred Morris found a comfort zone quickly.
On an otherwise innocuous third down, Robert Griffin III slipped the football into running back Evan Royster's arms and backed away. The rookie quarterback thrust his arms in the air as he stood alone on the chewed-up turf at Raymond James Stadium in an exaggerated gesture to remind any defenders in the neighborhood he didn't have the football.
Ryan Grant had already worked out for the Bears and was in Chicago on the way to take a physical when he had to make a choice. Along with that possibility, the Washington Redskins put in an offer.
Veteran running back Ryan Grant was at Redskins Park on Tuesday and was expected to sign with Washington, a source confirmed.
Alfred Morris said he was "in awe" of the situation. He didn't have the same spotlight on him as Robert Griffin III, but the Washington Redskins' sixth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic still was making his NFL debut in front of 70,000-plus fans at the Superdome.
Live chat: Redskins-Saints
Even after cutting Tim Hightower, the Washington Redskins believe in their depth at running back with Roy Helu Jr., Evan Royster and rookie Alfred Morris. All three are healthy and eager to contribute in Week 1 and beyond. So who will get the bulk of the carries Sunday at the New Orleans Saints?
Five questions to keep in mind when Washington visits New Orleans in the regular season opener.
The Washington TImes' best guess for the 2012 NFL season.
This was a preseason of attrition for Washington Redskins running backs. Tim Hightower wasn't 100 percent after knee surgery last fall, Roy Helu Jr. missed time with sore Achilles tendons and Evan Royster felt soreness in his right knee.
All you can ask of any NFL preseason game is that (a.) players who need the work get the work; and (b.) everybody emerges with with their limbs and faculties intact. Well, everybody important, at least.
Alfred Morris had a good reason to be upbeat inside Soldier Field's visitor's locker room nine days ago, but he focused elsewhere.
"It definitely puts me at a disadvantage because I can't take all the reps that they're getting," Royster said. "I'm going to go out there and do everything that I can, but obviously two days out I'm not going to be able to do everything quite yet. It definitely puts me back because they're getting more reps, and the coaches are getting to see them play more than they're getting to see me."
Ryan Grant gives Redskins much-needed depth at running back →
