Post by MGB01 on May 5, 2006 13:02:18 GMT -5
It didn't take long for the subject to come up in a press conference with Washington Glory running back Cedric Humes.
Just three questions in to his first press conference with the D.C. media, the topic of being in the mix to compete for the short yardage job was asked.
"Whatever I go there to do, and whatever I do, I'm going to compete," said Humes, the power back from Virginia Tech. "If that's the job that I need to compete for, I definitely will. I definitely believe that I can be the short-yardage guy."
He isn't the only one who thinks that way. Running backs coach J.J. Smith feels like Humes has a shot at the role as well and sees him competing for it along with Renaldo Works and Marion Barber.
"He makes yards after contact," said Smith. "You get him down in the red zone and he doesn't have to run that far. He has been really productive on the goal line for them and if things work out he may be the guy to fill that role.
"Jarrett Payton is the guy coming into camp and you have Renaldo and Marion so they all will get a shot at that role. Marion is a very good short-yardage runner and a goal-line guy. When we would have goal line practices at training camp, Marion stuck it up there pretty good and has done some good things."
Humes led Virginia Tech in rushing last season with a career-high 752 yards and added 11 touchdowns, while starting nine games. He also had 10 receptions for 71 yards. Humes came on strongest at the end of last season when he had over 100 yards rushing in three of the final four games.
"Cedric is a good player," said Smith. "He has been a very productive back there. They had a two back system where he played with another guy a lot and split time but he is very effective once you get down into the red zone. He is a powerful back. He can catch the ball. He is not a burner. He doesn't have breakaway speed but he breaks tackles and makes yards after contact. He is a good solid player."
Humes' power is something that was attractive to the Glory. He is solid at 6-1, 233 pounds and was the winner of the Super Iron Hokie Award for the second consecutive year, given for outstanding performance in the weight room.
"I might not be as fast but I definitely feel confident in my speed for my size and my ability to power run. But at the same time, I have to ability to elude players at times and set them up. I think I have an advantage that way.
"Staying in the weight room, and working on my legs and all types of weights definitely helps me out on goal line and short yardage situations."
Humes went undrafted in the regular XFL draft and was a territorial selection of the Glory in March, and it likely was the speed that was the factor in him lasting so long.
"Like I said he is not a real fast guy that's probably why he slipped down there a little bit because he has been very productive," said Smith. "The other things are that there have been a lot of those backs if you look at the draft this year that have kind of slipped this year."
Humes isn't worried about where he was selected, it's all about what he does with the opportunity.
"To be able to get onto a team, first of all, is a blessing," said Humes. "I'm happy about that. I'm happy to be with the Glory now. I definitely saw myself as a good fit for the Glory and it's definitely been in my mind the whole time. I'm happy to be there and I think I can fit in there with their scheme."
Just three questions in to his first press conference with the D.C. media, the topic of being in the mix to compete for the short yardage job was asked.
"Whatever I go there to do, and whatever I do, I'm going to compete," said Humes, the power back from Virginia Tech. "If that's the job that I need to compete for, I definitely will. I definitely believe that I can be the short-yardage guy."
He isn't the only one who thinks that way. Running backs coach J.J. Smith feels like Humes has a shot at the role as well and sees him competing for it along with Renaldo Works and Marion Barber.
"He makes yards after contact," said Smith. "You get him down in the red zone and he doesn't have to run that far. He has been really productive on the goal line for them and if things work out he may be the guy to fill that role.
"Jarrett Payton is the guy coming into camp and you have Renaldo and Marion so they all will get a shot at that role. Marion is a very good short-yardage runner and a goal-line guy. When we would have goal line practices at training camp, Marion stuck it up there pretty good and has done some good things."
Humes led Virginia Tech in rushing last season with a career-high 752 yards and added 11 touchdowns, while starting nine games. He also had 10 receptions for 71 yards. Humes came on strongest at the end of last season when he had over 100 yards rushing in three of the final four games.
"Cedric is a good player," said Smith. "He has been a very productive back there. They had a two back system where he played with another guy a lot and split time but he is very effective once you get down into the red zone. He is a powerful back. He can catch the ball. He is not a burner. He doesn't have breakaway speed but he breaks tackles and makes yards after contact. He is a good solid player."
Humes' power is something that was attractive to the Glory. He is solid at 6-1, 233 pounds and was the winner of the Super Iron Hokie Award for the second consecutive year, given for outstanding performance in the weight room.
"I might not be as fast but I definitely feel confident in my speed for my size and my ability to power run. But at the same time, I have to ability to elude players at times and set them up. I think I have an advantage that way.
"Staying in the weight room, and working on my legs and all types of weights definitely helps me out on goal line and short yardage situations."
Humes went undrafted in the regular XFL draft and was a territorial selection of the Glory in March, and it likely was the speed that was the factor in him lasting so long.
"Like I said he is not a real fast guy that's probably why he slipped down there a little bit because he has been very productive," said Smith. "The other things are that there have been a lot of those backs if you look at the draft this year that have kind of slipped this year."
Humes isn't worried about where he was selected, it's all about what he does with the opportunity.
"To be able to get onto a team, first of all, is a blessing," said Humes. "I'm happy about that. I'm happy to be with the Glory now. I definitely saw myself as a good fit for the Glory and it's definitely been in my mind the whole time. I'm happy to be there and I think I can fit in there with their scheme."