ASHBURN, Va. – Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones used to watch Eric Dickerson run and mimicked his style. The problem: Dickerson ran upright and Jones isn’t, well, Dickerson. Thus Jones learned a valuable lesson. To succeed in the NFL, he had to alter his running style.
It was just one of a handful of lessons Jones learned that he hopes produces a strong second season. Jones finished his first season with 490 yards rushing, averaging only 3.4 yards per carry, and another 304 receiving. But he also missed three games with a hip pointer, as well as the playoff loss to Green Bay.