Ashton Jeanty’s new NFL coach wants him to drop ‘Michael Myers stance’

BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has been a terrifying prospect for opposing defenses, but there’s a chance the former Boise State star will be a little less scary in the NFL.

Jeanty went viral last fall for his unconventional stance in the backfield when waiting for the ball to be snapped. Instead of adopting a three-point stance, or even a hands-on-the-knees, bent-over approach like most running backs, Jeanty stood upright and relaxed, standing as if he were on the sideline or waiting in line.

Fans likened Jeanty to Michael Myers, the antagonist from the cult classic slasher “Halloween.” Jeanty took the comparisons in stride, dressing up as Myers for Halloween last year. Jeanty’s unique approach didn’t affect his play too much, as he racked up 2,601 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in his junior year en route to finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting.

However, Jeanty’s new offensive coordinator in Las Vegas, Chip Kelly, wants him to adopt a more traditional stance. Speaking to NFL reporter Kay Adams at the Raiders’ mini-camp, Jeanty explained how Kelly approached him on day one and asked him whether he played basketball.

Kelly then asked Jeanty how he would guard him if the pair played basketball. Jeanty demonstrated the stance for Adams, with his knees bent and on his toes, ready to explode at a moment’s notice.

“And (Kelly) was like, ‘That’s exactly why you’ve got to be down in your running back stance,” Jeanty told Adams. Jeanty said Kelly had “won for now,” but he will continue trying to persuade his coach to let him stand more like he did for the Broncos.

Jeanty isn’t alone. Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs stands similarly in the backfield, and he’s been a Pro Bowler in both of his years in the league.

Former NFL and Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden asked Jeanty about his stance in February, comparing him to Gibbs and asking if it provided a better view of the field.

Both players are on the shorter side for an NFL running back, with Jeanty listed as 5-foot-8 and Gibbs as 5-foot-9.

“Obviously, I’m trying to scan the defense,” Jeanty explained. “I think either way you can scan the defense, but the most important thing is being relaxed before the ball is snapped. Football is a violent game, but a lot happens in those few seconds of scanning.”