Alfred Morris had a breakout year in 2012. Many considered the Washington Redskins running back to be in the running for Rookie of the Year. Sitting behind the media attention of quarterback Robert Griffin III, Morris had a season to remember. So what does the running back do for an encore?
Morris wants to forget all about 2012. The season saw him emerge as a star and real offensive threat, but he is determined to not let the hype get to him.
"I keep that drive," Morris said to the Pensacola News Journal. "I didn't have the sense that I made it, even though I did make it. Last year is in the past, that doesn't mean anything anymore."
Morris is certainly taking the right attitude towards his upcoming season with the Redskins. The NFL runs on a "what have you done for me lately" policy and that stays fresh in Morris' mind. In his rookie year, Morris rushed for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns. That is some of the best ground work that Redskins have seen in a while. But that is not enough for Morris who is setting the bar even higher for 2013.
"What are you going to do this next year? How are you going to improve off last year? Are you going to have a slump? Are you going to get that complacency and lose it? No, I hold myself to a higher standard, and I know I'd be disappointed in myself if something like that happens."
The only rookie running backs to rush for more years in their first season were Eric Dickerson and George Rogers. Morris is in pretty good company with those two. Many have said that Morris would not have had the standout year that he did if it was not for Robert Griffin III taking some of the pressure off him. As Griffin can also be a threat to run the ball, the type of offense yielded to more success for Morris. He does not see things that way.
"I don't think about that because we were paired together, and I hope this will be a long relationship between us. Not only on the field but off the field as well. I want us to still be friends because he's just a great guy, real humble, real down to earth."
The Redskins are certainly hoping Morris can reach the high expectations that he set for himself. If he and Griffin can continue to feed off one another, Washington could have another season of playoffs.