Re: Portis is Dejected
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]While Portis may not have been the best RB we could have gotten for Bailey (Alexander was a real possibility and fits better into Gibbs' scheme) he is the perfect leader for our team. He's outspoken, seems to be popular with the media, seems to be beloved by both the players and the staff. He takes responsibility, he steps up to make others play harder.

Long story short, his stats haven't been great since coming to DC, but who's stats have? I wouldn't change that move for anything. While Denver got a very talented back in Tatum Bell with our 2nd round pick, until he turns into the leader that Portis is I can't buy that Denver got the best of the deal. We had to deal Bailey because he didn't want to be here anymore. The fumble sucked, but it was early and Portis played his ass off. It's not like it was a nice temperature and sunny. It was pouring down nasty rain, I can accept many more mistakes in weather like that.[/QUOTE]

Daseal, could not agree with you more, no one up to this year had good stats. Portis is leaps and bounds above Tatum Bell, who did have a good game against us on two broken plays. Slowly our offense is developing so many weapons and the field is spreading. Denver as well has a good run D and Portis had over a 5 yard per carry average and would have been more if not that 25-30 yard run got called back. The D's are spreading and giving us respect and more room for everyone to improve. With a better overall offense to include O line Portis stats will develop, but you also have to understand Portis has taken on the unselfish role or passed on the individual attitude for a team concept and good rotation with Betts that dismisses some of his carries no matter where they are on the field. Everyone gets caught up on his TDS, we have still been scoring in the red zone here the past two weeks who cares if it is Portis or Sellers. Heaven knows I don't!!

Re: Portis is Dejected
 

Bell isn't even the starter right now in Denver, so let's hold off on penciling him in for a 1500 yard season just yet.

Re: Portis is Dejected
 

I brought up the same point after the game yesterday. When Denver was sitting on the ball at the end of the game, the D line was pushing people around, pissed off. That what I like to see, they are all mad about losing and care about this team and the direction we are going. It was refreshing to see, rather than seeing them shaking the other teams hands and making plans for the night.

Re: Portis is Dejected
 

Just my two cents worth here.

Coach Gibbs stresses integrity and character in his players. That can be translated into the the qualities of: Pride, Discipline, Poise, and Responsibility.

I think it was a good sign that Clinton was not a happy fellow after the game. It shows he is buying into the team philosophy. The coaches and the fans do not need to point fingers or place blame ... Clinton Portis and I believe many of his team members are turning into their own critics. It shows they care and are motivated to perform better; both as individuals and as a team.

No one enjoys a loss, but there are positive tangibles that I see at work for this team.

Re: Portis is Dejected
 

i think this season so far is proving that a team-first mentality can make up for weaknesses in talent. scheme is also important though (look at what that new D coordinator's done with that great ravens talent on Defense :P ).