Jeanty Revives “Michael Myers” Stance and Shines: Raiders Celebrate

In an unexpected turn and with a stellar performance, Ashton Jeanty revived his iconic stance on the field, leading to his best performance of the season despite the Raiders’ defeat to the Bears.

Jeanty Unleashes His Potential

Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty went back to his roots on Sunday, and coach Pete Carroll was pleased with the decision. Despite the home loss against the Chicago Bears by 25-24, the rookie had his best game of the season, accumulating 155 total yards, 138 on the ground, and scoring three touchdowns, two receiving and one rushing.

“I loved it,” Carroll affirmed.

Pete Carroll

From high school, Jeanty stood erect with his hands at his sides on the field before the start of the play, a posture that some have compared to Michael Myers, the infamous killer from the horror films “Halloween”.

Jeanty’s stance didn’t prevent him from being the Heisman Trophy runner-up last year at Boise State, where he ran for 2,601 yards, the second-most in a season in FBS history, only surpassed by Barry Sanders. However, during the preseason, the Raiders’ coaching staff suggested that Jeanty adopt a traditional running back stance. “It’s a game of bent knees,” offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said in May. “… In any athletic sport you play, you have to bend your knees. And if you have to run a flat route against Fred Warner, you better be in a running position, because that guy can fly. So, all we’re trying to do is put players in positions to make plays.” During the first three games, Jeanty struggled to get going. He averaged 3.1 yards per carry on 47 attempts. In that period, Jeanty was hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on 57% of his carries. On Sunday, the situation changed, averaging 6.6 yards per attempt. Jeanty had five carries of more than 10 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown, the second-longest in the league this season. After the match, Jeanty stated that Michael Myers’ stance is here to stay. “This is how I feel naturally good standing on the field. So, this is how I’m going to play,” Jeanty said. The Raiders have a 1-3 record, but their performance in the running game has given Carroll optimism for the future. Las Vegas accumulated 240 yards on the ground.

“Everyone has been saying Jeanty just needs to break a run or whatever. Well, he did, and he had a great game, and he looked fantastic for us, and Raheem Mostert was really good too,” Carroll said. “… I didn’t see anything but potential because of the ability to run the ball.”

Pete CarrollOn Monday, Carroll also reported that he believes left tackle Kolton Miller suffered a high ankle sprain and could be out for several weeks. Miller was injured during the 48th minute of the last quarter when Bears defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon lunged at him while trying to tackle Jeanty. Miller was taken on a stretcher to the locker room and underwent an MRI to confirm the nature of his injury.