Expect All Out Effort from Pro Bowler Alfred Morris

Washington Redskins’ running back Alfred Morris seems like a man that doesn’t take much for granted. He entered the NFL as a modest 2012 sixth round draft pick. He had established running backs Roy Helu Jr. and Evan Royster ahead of him on the depth chart. It seemed like Morris’ NFL career would be relegated to sporadic carries in the passing game.

However, Redskins’ head coach Mike Shanahan named Morris the 2012 Opening Day starter. Morris didn’t disappoint, becoming the Redskins’ most consistent offensive starter in 2012. This is by no means a slight to sensational rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. But it can be reasoned that Griffin III was not the same dynamic player he was before his right knee injury.

Morris parlayed his opportunity by starting 16 games and rushing for a Redskins’ single season record 1,615 yards. His 2012 performance earned him a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster.  It’s been documented that the NFL’s annual Pro Bowl has been the game that most players want to go to, but no one seems to want to play in. Simply put, all-out effort has been sorely lacking in recent Pro Bowls. There’s nothing to indicate that the 2013 version will be any different.

I don’t see that as an issue from Morris. He seems to be the type of player that gives 100 percent on every play. I have the feeling he’ll be running hard and giving maximum effort each time he touches the ball. Considering that the Pro Bowl is an exhibition game whose participants do not include players that will play in Super Bowl XLVII, giving maximum effort may not be such a bad thing after all. At the very least, the Pro Bowl gives Morris the opportunity to become acquainted with NFL fans that have yet to see him play. That alone is enough reason to give all-out effort.