Become a Member
|
Things To Do
|
Read our Latest Issue
|
Log In Sign Up
  • Play

    Play

    • O Captain, My Captain: Washington Spirit’s Andi Sullivan
    • You Spin Me Right Round: D.C. Roller Skating 101 in 2021
    • Leading the League: The WNBA’s Natasha Cloud on Breaking Barriers + Inspiring D.C.
    • Spring Has Sprung: 10 Ways To Get Outside in the DMV
    • High and Go Seek Illustration
    • A Beginner’s Guide to Soccer
    • Radar: To Do in D.C. 4.7-4.11
  • Life

    Life

    • Local Entrepreneurs Infuse CBD into Wellness
    • The District Derp Story
    • 19 Entrepreneurs Shaping D.C.’s Cannabis + CBD Industries
    • Upcycling in D.C.: Transforming a Culture of Consumption
    • Your Spring 2021 Cannabis Guide
    • Julie Verratti of Denizens Brewing Co. Is Ready to Get the ’20s Roaring
    • Black Girl Ventures’ Shelly Bell Resists Being Average
  • Eat

    Eat

    • The State of Takeout in the District
    • A New Twist on Food Delivery: MisenBox
    • Next-Level Home Dining Experiences in D.C.
    • Foxtrot Market Is Officially Open for Business in Georgetown
    • Hungry Harvest Helps to End Food Insecurity
    • Eat Your Greens: D.C. Chefs Elevate More Than Taste Buds
    • Notable Summer Bar + Restaurant Reopenings to Try this Spring
  • Drink

    Drink

    • Pandemic Drinking: Derek Brown Leads the Way to Low-ABV Future
    • D.C.’s St. Vincent Wine Creates Covid-Conscious Experience
    • A New Way to Binge: Sobriety Anchors Business + Being for Gigi Arandid
    • King’s Ransom + The Handover in Alexandria Celebrate a First Year Like No Other
    • Espita Team Opens Las Gemelas Restaurants in Union Market District
    • Open-Air Drinking + Cocktail Delivery Changes in the DMV
    • Denizens Brewing Co.’s Emily Bruno: Brewing Change for Community + Industry
  • Culture

    Culture

    • The Artistry Behind D.C.’s Cannabis Culture
    • The Best Movies of 2021…So Far
    • The Survival of the Brutalist: D.C.’s Complicated Concrete Legacy
    • Plain Sight: A Street-Front Revolution in Radical Arts Accessibility
    • A Touch of Danger in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s “Romeo & Juliet”
    • Round House Theatre’s “A Boy and His Soul” Delivers Laughs + Tears
    • Transformer Presents “Unrestricted Heritage” by D.C. Artist Absurdly Well
  • Music

    Music

    • SHAED Releases First Full-Length Album in a “High Dive” of Faith
    • Emma G Talks Wammie Nominations and the D.C. Music Community
    • J’Nai Bridges: A Modern Mezzo-Soprano in a Changing Opera Landscape
    • Punk Legends The Go-Go’s Talk Four Decades of Sisterhood, Resilience + Zero Fucks Given
    • Ellen Reid “Soundwalk:” Exploring the Sonic Landscape at Wolf Trap National Park
    • Obama + Springsteen Present “Renegades”
    • Christian Douglas Uses His “Inside Voice” on Pandemic-Inspired Debut Album
  • Events

    Events

    • Play Week 4.17-4.25
    • Our Words, Our Power: National Poetry Month
    • Midnight at The Never Get 4.30-6.21
    • Browse Events
    • National Cannabis Festival’s Dazed & Amused Drive-In Party
    • Bingo Night at Ballston Quarter 4.21
    • SoulFire Collective x Union Market Class
  • Log In
    Sign Up

Log In Sign Up
WPA Presents Gospel Musician Damien Sneed
SHAED Releases First Full-Length Album in a “High Dive” of Faith
O Captain, My Captain: Washington Spirit’s Andi Sullivan
Julie Verratti of Denizens Brewing Co. Is Ready to Get the ’20s Roaring
Local Entrepreneurs Infuse CBD into Wellness
Wines of the World Are Just Around the Corner
Home » Articles » Play » Chris Thompson Amps Up Redskins’ Offense

Play

Photos: Courtesy of the Washington Redskins

Chris Thompson Amps Up Redskins’ Offense

Share:

November 4, 2017 @ 12:00am | Michael Coleman

It took five seasons, but Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson finally feels at home in the National Football League.

The former Florida State standout struggled to find his footing in the team’s offense during his first four years in Washington. While Thompson occasionally gave fans and coaches glimpses of the dangerous triple-threat offensive weapon he would become, injuries and inexperience kept him relegated mostly to the sidelines.

Until this season, that is. During the Redskins’ first six games of 2017, the Greenville, Florida native emerged as a breakout offensive star, leading the team in rushing and receiving. Sounding relieved, enlightened and newly confident in his career, Thompson told On Tap Magazine during a half-hour telephone conversation that a revamped approach to the game, including a healthier diet and mindset,  has helped carry him to a higher level of play.

“This is probably the most confidence I’ve had in myself since college,” Thompson said. “I really didn’t know if I was good enough to play in this league for a long time,” the veteran back added, explaining how he developed a bad habit of measuring himself against other NFL rushers with similar styles but different team circumstances or physical attributes. “I would compare myself to them, but that was the wrong way of going about it. I am who I am and I need to be the best self that I can.”

The average career of an NFL player is less than three years, so Thompson’s five seasons in the league is extraordinary – especially considering he is just 5 feet 7 inches tall and less than 190 pounds. The suddenly pivotal Redskins playmaker said he’s comfortable as the team’s second back, and happy in his role as a playmaker who can help the team convert big third downs while avoiding the punishing load of repetitive carries between tackles.

It’s not that Thompson doesn’t want the ball more – he insisted he does – but he said he trusts head coach Jay Gruden’s plan for him. The quick-shifting running back also credited a long line of coaches who taught him to compensate for his lack of size with a well-rounded game.

“My coaches really worked hard to make sure I was a good, all-around back,” Thompson said. “Being a smaller guy, my skill set had to be very diverse. I needed to be a pass catcher; obviously a good runner and have good pass blocking, and even be a possible kick or punt return man. I’ve worked on all that my whole life.”

Thompson said he’s worked hard to adjust to the speed of the game since arriving in the NFL. He’s no slouch in the speed department himself, clocking 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. But he said in the pros, even the bigger guys seem to move in a flash.

“The slower guys play quicker than they do in college because they see things before they develop,” Thompson explained. “That comes with time and experience. With this being my fifth year, I’ve been able to get a really good feel for the mental side of the game, too. I’ve been able to slow the game down a little bit.”

He also said curbing a serious sugar jones – no easy feat for a self-described candy addict – helped him trim seven pounds off of his already compact frame in the last off-season. Thompson now plays at 188 pounds compared to the 195 he played at in 2016.

“I cut my body fat down a lot and that’s helped me with quickness, and I’ve been able to turn that fat into muscle,” he said. “I’ve lost some weight, but I feel more explosive.”

While experience and hard work have helped Thompson establish himself in the NFL even despite his own misgivings, his head coach never doubted him.

“He’s a great pass protector, a great route runner,” Gruden said of Thompson before this season began.

“He has great value in the National Football League.”

The confidence has been contagious.

“Jay told me from the jump, ‘You’re my guy,’” Thompson said. “To have a coach who believes in you, and has no doubt about your game and your skill set, brings an added confidence. You just feel like you can conquer whatever you want to do.”

Learn more about the Redskins’ 2017-2018 season at www.redskins.com.

Share:

Related Articles

No Articles

omaha steaks mediabids ad
Wolf Trap Music Banner Ad
Hungry Harvest
Corona, Constellation Brands Ad to Support Small Businesses
The District's Zero-Proof Guide to 2021
COMPANY
About United Fray Team Hiring: Join Our Team!
GET INVOLVED
Become A Member Corporate Wellness Advertise
EXPLORE
Eat Drink Music Culture Life Play Past Issues Events Calendar
OUR CITIES
Washington D.C. Jacksonville Phoenix
Subscribe

By clicking submit, you agree to receive emails from District Fray and accept our web terms of use and privacy and cookie policy.

© 2021 District Fray.

Enjoying Our Article?

Thanks for reading District Fray Magazine. We’re glad you’re here!

Access even more premium articles when you claim your free membership.

Activate My Free Membership