The Washington Redskins featured Brandon Banks heavily in the second half of Sunday’s 38-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan unveiled a series of option plays in which the undersized receiver from Kansas State received pitches from Robert Griffin III out of the backfield.
Banks carried the ball three times for 29 yards and added a five-yard catch, proving he’s more than just a return specialist — something Mike Shanahan said repeatedly he would need to in order to earn a spot on the roster this season.
“It’s alright. It could have been better,” Banks said of his performance. “I didn’t make enough plays for us to either get in scoring position or put some points on the board.”
The head coach thought he did enough, however, poking his head in the locker room following the game to commend him. Shanahan said he did a good job with his opportunities, which provided Banks with a piece of satisfaction on an otherwise tough day.
The Week 3 loss to the Bengals likely won’t be the only time Washington gets Banks involved in such a fashion as it dramatically alters the dynamic of the game.
“They have to try to stop three people at once,” Banks said. “They have to stop Morris, then they have to stop [Griffin] then you pitch it to me and you have to stop me. It’s a hard deal.”
The plays were dialed up following a lackluster offensive performance in the first half that netted just 68 yards.
Banks says the team has practiced the plays since training camp.
“It just got called at the right time and we were able to move the ball on it,” he said.
The Redskins netted 313 offensive yards in the second half.
