Mike Sellers got what he wanted. The Redskins got what they needed.
Sellers touched the ball a career-high eight times, gained 60 yards and scored two touchdowns to help an offense in need of extra firepower because of injuries.
Sellers’ numbers weren’t awe-inspiring, but the role he played was a necessary one.
“I just want all the dirty work,” he said. “I want the hard stuff that most people can’t get. That’s all I want. I’m not trying to be a running back, I’m just trying to do my thing.”
His thing included bowling over defensive players. First, he ran over safety Kenoy Kennedy on a 15-yard run. Later in that same drive, he scored from the 1-yard line, running through linebacker Ernie Sims.
The powerful runs inspire his teammates.
“It pumps us up,” said Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels. “We look at Mike as an offensive lineman; he’s always blocking for everybody. … He’s punishing the defense and it takes a lot out of them when he goes out and runs over guys like that.”
The 280-pound Sellers has long lobbied the coaches for more carries — he had 12 runs all of last year, a career-high. But his role is multi-dimensional. He blocks as a tight end; he blocks as a fullback and he’ll catch passes. His second touchdown was an eight-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
“He’s the most underrated player on our team, certainly on offense,” Redskins associate head coach/offense Al Saunders said. “He’s a guy that needs to be involved.”
