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  4. title => "True or False: Rob Kelley will be Redskins leading rusher"
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  6. article_body => "<p>Robert Kelley emerged as the Redskins top running back in 2016, an incredible story of an undrafted guy working his way to the top. Of course, Matt Jones' problems with fumbling helped push Kelley to the top.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Redskins coach Jay Gruden speaks highly of Kelley, particularly his fluidity and vision, but the team drafted Samaje Perine in the fourth round this year to provide&nbsp;additional competition in the backfield.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here's the crucial statement: <\/strong><em>Rob Kelley will lead the Redskins in rushing yards in 2017.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Finlay: True. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kelley averaged 4.2 yards-per-carry last season and the Redskins ground game is very much centered on a \"four or more\" philosophy. Washington running backs coach Randy Jordan joined the #RedskinsTalk podcast and explained that the team wants a runner it can count on for positive yards more than creating big plays. The Redskins offense, as designed by Gruden, sets up for big plays in the passing game, and the run should allow for proper use of play action.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In just nine starts last year, Kelley gained more than 700 yards. Project that out over 16 games, and he would be over 1,000 yards rushing. Perine has much to learn about the NFL, and understanding pass protections will take time for the rookie out of Oklahoma. Chris Thompson will be a key part of the offense, but much of his yardage will come via the pass game.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Kelley will lead this team in rush yards. He's looked great in OTAs and minicamp while the coaching staff believes Kelley is in much better shape this year than he was as a rookie. Write it down in pen.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-redskins\/redskins-2017-roster-battles-how-will-kelley-and-perine-share-carries\">How will Kelley and Perine share the carries?<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tandler:&nbsp;True.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After the draft and during rookie camp, I was saying that there was a chance that Perine could lead the team is rushing this year. But after seeing Perine playing with the big boys in OTAs and minicamp it\u2019s apparent that he has a long way to go to become a consistently productive running back.<\/p>\n<p>One thing Kelley seems to have going in his favor is that he has a very sensible outlook on the NFL. As JP noted, Kelley showed up to Redskins Park in better shape than he did as a rookie. This indicates to me that he understands that being an NFL player&nbsp;is a year-round job. Staying in great shape is important in the league, but at running back it\u2019s vital. Kelley gets that and because he does, his chances of being available for 16 games are much higher.<\/p>\n<p>In turn, that improves his chance of being the team\u2019s leading rusher. I\u2019m not sure if he\u2019ll get 1,000 yards\u2014Perine will get things figured out enough to take some carries before the season gets too old\u2014but Gruden will make sure that he gets fed plenty as long as he is available.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-redskins\/2017-nfl-power-rankings-who-got-better-after-draft\">&lt;&lt;&lt;NFL POWER RANKINGS: WHO GOT BETTER AFTER THE DRAFT&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more Redskins? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JPFinlayCSN\/\">Click here to follow JP on Facebook<\/a> and check out&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/jpfinlaycsn\">@JPFinlayCSN<\/a>&nbsp;for live updates via Twitter!&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/redskins-talk\/id1151988852?mt=2\">Click here for the #RedskinsTalk on Apple Podcasts<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/music\/m\/Iygppa4jqsc74swaa7q7vfdc3ym?t=Redskins_Talk\">here for Google Play<\/a> or press play below. Don't forget to subscribe!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>ROSTER BATTLES:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-redskins\/redskins-2017-roster-battles-o-line-mostly-set-could-competition-emerge-left\">Left guard<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-redskins\/redskins-2017-roster-battles-tight-end-questions-behind-jordan-reed-vernon-davis\">Tight end&nbsp;<\/a>|&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-redskins\/redskins-2017-roster-battles-which-cornerback-will-cover-slot\">Nickel cornerback&nbsp;<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-redskins\/redskins-2017-roster-battle-addition-zach-brown-increased-competition-linebacker\">Inside linebacker<\/a>&nbsp;| <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-redskins\/redskins-2017-roster-battles-how-will-kelley-and-perine-share-carries\">Running back<\/a><\/p>\n<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"300\" style=\"background-color:transparent; display:block; padding: 0; max-width: 700px;\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"allowtransparency\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"\/\/embeds.audioboom.com\/posts\/6031744-episode-71-stand-up-what-players-made-a-strong-impression-during-minicamp\/embed\/v4?eid=AQAAACqCSFmACVwA\" title=\"audioBoom player\"><\/iframe> \n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n"
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Redskins

Redskins

Robert Kelley emerged as the Redskins top running back in 2016, an incredible story of an undrafted guy working his way to the top. Of course, Matt Jones' problems with fumbling helped push Kelley to the top. 

Redskins coach Jay Gruden speaks highly of Kelley, particularly his fluidity and vision, but the team drafted Samaje Perine in the fourth round this year to provide additional competition in the backfield.

Here's the crucial statement: Rob Kelley will lead the Redskins in rushing yards in 2017.

Finlay: True.

Kelley averaged 4.2 yards-per-carry last season and the Redskins ground game is very much centered on a "four or more" philosophy. Washington running backs coach Randy Jordan joined the #RedskinsTalk podcast and explained that the team wants a runner it can count on for positive yards more than creating big plays. The Redskins offense, as designed by Gruden, sets up for big plays in the passing game, and the run should allow for proper use of play action. 

In just nine starts last year, Kelley gained more than 700 yards. Project that out over 16 games, and he would be over 1,000 yards rushing. Perine has much to learn about the NFL, and understanding pass protections will take time for the rookie out of Oklahoma. Chris Thompson will be a key part of the offense, but much of his yardage will come via the pass game. 

Kelley will lead this team in rush yards. He's looked great in OTAs and minicamp while the coaching staff believes Kelley is in much better shape this year than he was as a rookie. Write it down in pen. 

 

RELATED: How will Kelley and Perine share the carries?

Tandler: True.

After the draft and during rookie camp, I was saying that there was a chance that Perine could lead the team is rushing this year. But after seeing Perine playing with the big boys in OTAs and minicamp it’s apparent that he has a long way to go to become a consistently productive running back.

One thing Kelley seems to have going in his favor is that he has a very sensible outlook on the NFL. As JP noted, Kelley showed up to Redskins Park in better shape than he did as a rookie. This indicates to me that he understands that being an NFL player is a year-round job. Staying in great shape is important in the league, but at running back it’s vital. Kelley gets that and because he does, his chances of being available for 16 games are much higher.

In turn, that improves his chance of being the team’s leading rusher. I’m not sure if he’ll get 1,000 yards—Perine will get things figured out enough to take some carries before the season gets too old—but Gruden will make sure that he gets fed plenty as long as he is available. 

<<<NFL POWER RANKINGS: WHO GOT BETTER AFTER THE DRAFT>>>

Want more Redskins? Click here to follow JP on Facebook and check out @JPFinlayCSN for live updates via Twitter! Click here for the #RedskinsTalk on Apple Podcasts, here for Google Play or press play below. Don't forget to subscribe!

ROSTER BATTLES: Left guard | Tight end | Nickel cornerback  | Inside linebacker | Running back