First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

Ok so we had 7 chances from the 4 yard line and we failed to get in. I don't mind callign portis' number a couple of times, but WHERE was TJ Duckett? The man made his name plunging through the line for goal line scores, why not give him the opportunity now? While i think Portis is more than capable of scoring TDs, i think he's more of a score from 5 yards or more type back as opposed to a bruiser. That said, [I]I'm NOT[/I] blaming portis. That blame would fall on the O line for not being able to get their back in the endzone. Am I crazy, or should we have not given TJ the ball?

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

Wasn't there a thread on this exact topic just last night? I'm too lazy to look it up. That Guy...look it up

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

TJ is 3rd on the depth chart. Get used to it. And you said it yourself, the o-line didn't do it's job.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

i think betts looks really good and fast this year. i hope we can keep him. kind of selfish i suppose but i want to keep him

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

I want to keep betts too!! We need him!

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

Okay well at this point when it comes to TJ, I am sure he is totally pissed he came here to be the 3rd back. we are wasting all this money on him. I was excited when we traded for him and thought we would have the Portis/TJ combo, but Betts is still in there which I am fine with, but why three backs? So we lost a 3rd rounder for jersey filler?? He is gone next year and we end up with nothing. This is one of those bad moves we have made in the past. Most other free agent moves I am okay with. Maybe a tad ticked with AA coming in, when we could have gone after Vincent to begin with.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

I agree! After giving Portis 6 shots at it, why not TJ?


Al Saunders said yesterday on Comcast that “we haven’t been inside the 5 enough times this year and we wanted to see if Clinton could do it he is our best back. May be next time we will use TJ.”

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

I try to block TJ Duckett out of my mind because every time I think of him rotting away on our bench, especially in situations like the one you guys are talking about, I get so pissed that my vision gets blurry and it sounds like a train is stemming through my brain. Ahhhhhhhh, the anger sharks are swimming in my head!

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

Speaking of Betts, I NEVER want to see him in on a short yardage situation again. Portis, Duckett, Sellers, ALL are better short yardage runners than him. Hell, even Cartwright could have an argument made for him, but not Betts.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

I'll take my chances w/ Portis. The offensive line was so bad no one could have made it.

I thought our o-line would be a strength this year, but no so right now. As much talk as there is about running the ball more, we just aren't doing it very well. That's not CP's fault.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

How you don't put TJ Duckett or Mike Sellers in to run in the short yardage package is beyond me.

It's a simple matter of physics, bigger dudes have a better chance. If the offensive line is opening holes, it doesn't matter who's running, they'll score a TD. The reason you use a big guy around the goalline is he gives you the potential to run someone over when the offensive line doesn't clear the path.

This is easily the most asinine job of using personnel I've seen in a long time.

It's like Madden used to say about Bam Morris. "If you need one yard, Bam Morris will get you three. If you need five yards, Bam Morris will get you three." PUT THE BIG GUYS IN.

F*$cking stupid.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

The only advantage Portis gives you around the goalline is if you pitch it to him on the edge and he goes one on one or one on two, and has some room on either side of him to make defenders guess and miss.

If he's running right into the line of scrimmage trying to plow ahead, you're going to have a hard time convincing me that Duckett or Sellers aren't better suited for that than Portis.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

i think betts is our fastest back though

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

I think he and Portis are close on speed. Portis is FAR more powerful..

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=dall-assblows;241116]i think betts is our fastest back though[/quote]

No he's not, that's crazy talk. Portis is way faster.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

TJ Duckett can run some people open in the open field, but so can Portis. Duckett's issue is that it takes him 25 minutes to get from the tailback position to the line of scrimmage. Yeah, he will break one if the blocking is perfect. Yeah, he will fall foward. But the guy you want running the ball on the goalline is Portis. I know they pulled him on third down because he already had 9 carries on the drive, but Betts simply can't do the job on the goalline. Should have thrown on third there.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

Probably should have thrown on 2nd down.

While I like the idea of ramming it down their throats, Dallas has a very stout interior. Ferguson always gives us problems inside.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;241102]Speaking of Betts, I NEVER want to see him in on a short yardage situation again. Portis, Duckett, Sellers, ALL are better short yardage runners than him. Hell, even Cartwright could have an argument made for him, but not Betts.[/quote]This is probably true. Betts is really good if you get him in space, because he has a north-south style. He might move the pile, but he isn't going to break any tackles.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

I asked that very same question on the game thread sunday when Portis failed to get in after several tries. Yesterday Bugel said it was a different guy missing a block on each of Portis's carries. I still would liked to have seen TJ in that situation.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=GTripp0012;241130]TJ Duckett can run some people open in the open field, but so can Portis. Duckett's issue is that it takes him 25 minutes to get from the tailback position to the line of scrimmage. Yeah, he will break one if the blocking is perfect. Yeah, he will fall foward. But the guy you want running the ball on the goalline is Portis. I know they pulled him on third down because he already had 9 carries on the drive, but Betts simply can't do the job on the goalline. Should have thrown on third there.[/quote]

I completely disagree. Portis is scrappy, and I love him to death. But he doesn't weigh enough to knock a waiting linebacker backwards. When the line blocks all of the LBs, then anyone can get in there. But when the line can't get to them all, and a LB steps up to fill the gap, I want Sellers in there lowering his head.

If you run a stretch play around the goalline and give Portis a little space to operate, then yes he's my guy. But if I'm running a dive or some other type of run up the gut, I want a bigger player in there. I want someone who can meet a linebacker head on and blow him backwards into the end zone.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=Mattyk72;241134]Probably should have thrown on 2nd down.

While I like the idea of ramming it down their throats, Dallas has a very stout interior. Ferguson always gives us problems inside.[/quote]

I don't know if it was you or That Guy who said this earlier, but I'm ALSO wondering where that money play to Sellers is? It worked EVERY TIME last year in the red zone.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

Portis was nailed before he could even get a sniff of the line of scrimmage. I really don't see where anyone would have faired any better. The problem was up front, not with who was carrying the ball.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

It might be even better to aslk "Where's TJ?" come April, on Draft Day 2007. That day we'll trade Duckett, for whom we gave up a decent third-round pick, for a fifth- or sixth-rounder. Ouch.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=Mattyk72;241134]Probably should have thrown on 2nd down.

While I like the idea of ramming it down their throats, Dallas has a very stout interior. Ferguson always gives us problems inside.[/quote]One reason Brunells TD's are down from last year is that we never throw inside the 5 on first or second down anymore. We have a fairly efficient red zone offense, but our yards per game are much farther above league average than our points per game are. That tells me there is room for improvement, and throwing inside the 5 could be the way.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

I don't think we can really trade him for anything. His contract is up after this year I believe.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;241147]I don't think we can really trade him for anything. His contract is up after this year I believe.[/quote]

That's right. So we'll cut him loose. What a waste.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

I don't think we have heard the last of Duckett. My guess is that we sign him to a big extension with at least a 12million dollar signing bonus and then we keep him on the bench for like five more years just to mess with everyone's mind.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=Schneed10;241119]No he's not, that's crazy talk. Portis is way faster.[/quote]
no way, portis is way better but he isn't that fast

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

if its a redundant thread, i apologize, it just sickens me. I'm not taking anything form portis or betts, but I simply don't understand the situation. Why wouldn't you give the ball to him? Not to compare to him to the Bus- bc i understand Bettis did MUCH MUCH more, but i mean, they have similiar builds ..and Pitt gave him the ball (over willie parker last year) when they needed to score. If Bettis is too much of a reach, how about the falcons giving the ball to TJ on the goal line over Dunn. I know portis is bigger than dunn and parker, but the principle applies. We struggle to get into the endzone in short yardage, why not try something new? especially when the newer option is proven!?!?

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=dall-assblows;241158]no way, portis is way better but he isn't that fast[/quote]

it does seem as if portis has lost a step from his denver days- prob due to his bulking up, but there is no doubt that he is much better than betts. betts is a good change up, but i'm unconvinced of his #1 quality.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

i'll never forget his first rush as a redskin

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

I too have a hard time comprehending the fact that TJ is not in the game in those situations. Its not a matter of learning the offense. All they have to do is run the damn thing up the guards ass. You can't tell me Joe isn't that bright. Thomas and Jansen = 600lbs or more. add Sellers 260plus and tj 260 plus that is over 1,000 lbs. they can't move the damn ball 1 yard?? that is stupid. the play calling in that situation was horrible. I think Joe may have been trying to get the O-lines confidence up, letting them know he believes in them, as well as portis. Fact, is we are 2-5, we need to get the ball in the endzone any way we can. if that means no portis at the goal line, so be it!!

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

fuck that. where's Sellers?

last year, Big Mike would've CAUGHT that 4th and 1 at the goaline. he was a lock. had like 4 TDs

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

I think TJ was insurance when the coaches did not know what would happen with the CP injury. Now that they have him its like they don't know what to do with him. The problem I saw with those downs is that we knew where they were going. Dallas has a good D line and if you tell them that we are going to run the ball right at them they will win most of those. We did not even show any pass play with those downs and if we spread them out just a little I think we would have scored. I think they were trying to make a statement about running the ball just chose the wrong time to do so.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=illdefined;241220]fuck that. where's Sellers?

last year, Big Mike would've CAUGHT that 4th and 1 at the goaline. he was a lock. had like 4 TDs[/quote]

7. 6 catches, 1 run.

though one was for 19 yards and one was for 7...

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[QUOTE=That Guy;241232]7. 6 catches, 1 run.

though one was for 19 yards and one was for 7...[/QUOTE]

thanks guy, yeah i knew it was something ridiculous like that, but i didn't want to exaggerate. now there's no exaggerating. WHERE THE HELL IS HE?

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[QUOTE=wilsowilso;241157]I don't think we have heard the last of Duckett. My guess is that we sign him to a big extension with at least a 12million dollar signing bonus and then we keep him on the bench for like five more years just to mess with everyone's mind.[/QUOTE]

A big, expensive diversion...I like it.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

We should have lined up in the I-formation with Sellers(278lbs) @ full back and TJ(254lbs) @ tail back. Now that's a huge goal line package! What happened to Smash Mouth football? Damn Saunders, were you drunk in the press box? :doh:

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;241142]I don't know if it was you or That Guy who said this earlier, but I'm ALSO wondering where that money play to Sellers is? It worked EVERY TIME last year in the red zone.[/quote]

Thats why we shouldn't have totally exchanged last year's playbook for Al's 700 pages. There were money plays like that that Brunell could still be running.

Re: First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???
 

[quote=theJBexperience;241265]Thats why we shouldn't have totally exchanged last year's playbook for Al's 700 pages. There were money plays like that that Brunell could still be running.[/quote]
i have no doubt that saunder's system will work, however, i do think we are a couple of years (at least this one) from seeing its merit.