Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

With Collins at the helm at quarterback I feel that Portis is now turning into Priest Holmes back there. With him catching balls which is forcing teams to play us even more differently which is now opening up more things for Moss, Randel El, Caldwell and Cooley down the field. Like I said before we are getting there in this offense. Even Portis is saying that with Collins he feels like Collins is readin the defenses better which is putting him in better positions to make plays. Imagine if we can get Portis more and more involved on those screens and flares this offense is going to be amazingly good. Now the only thing left for Portis to do is become more patient with his blockers like Holmes did back in the day.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

Even though his rushing numbers might not look all that impressive, I think CP has had a solid all around season when you add in his 47 catches. And of course we all know how he blocks.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

Good article in today's Washington Post about CP's growth as a receiver and how he has emerged as Collins' check-down guy. CP kind of semi throws Campbell under the bus in the article.

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/02/AR2008010202790.html]washingtonpost.com[/url]

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

I think the first half of the year, CP just wasn't right physically. He was running so tentatively the first few weeks, I thought he might be near the end. I think he clearly just needed to get healthy.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

[quote=SmootSmack;401030]Good article in today's Washington Post about CP's growth as a receiver and how he has emerged as Collins' check-down guy. CP kind of semi throws Campbell under the bus in the article.

[url=http://washingtonpost.com]washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines[/url][/quote]

Yeah I was a little surprised at his comment on Campbell. In fact, the more I read from the players it's clear that right now they heavily favor Collins over Campbell, not that you can blame them with the way Collins is playing.

I'm really starting to wonder if we could have a QB controversy next season.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

I was actually surprised and impressed to see that C.P. had 1,262 rushing yards.
I would hope that Campbell takes what Portis is saying as contstructive criticism and builds on it for next year.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

Campbell has to be learning a few things as he watches from the sidelines right now. If he doesn't take it personally, it has to help him and not hurt him. I still really like Campbell, he is big and strong and more mobile, but Collins is showing what you can do by just keeping your head up and being accurate.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;401040]Yeah I was a little surprised at his comment on Campbell. In fact, the more I read from the players it's clear that right now they heavily favor Collins over Campbell, not that you can blame them with the way Collins is playing.

I'm really starting to wonder if we could have a QB controversy next season.[/QUOTE]

I think Portis (and others) is basically telling Campbell it's time for him to step up and take control of this offense and this team. With a young QB like JC everyone else has to work twice as hard, and they're willingly doing that. But for this team to be successful for the long run then it's up to Jason campbell to take his game to that next level.

I don't foresee a QB controversy next season. I think this is still Campbell's team and he'll be great, but the time for excuses is over.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

[quote=SmootSmack;401044]I think Portis (and others) is basically telling Campbell it's time for him to step up and take control of this offense and this team. With a young QB like JC everyone else has to work twice as hard, and they're willingly doing that. But for this team to be successful for the long run then it's up to Jason campbell to take his game to that next level.

[B]I don't foresee a QB controversy next season. I think this is still Campbell's team and he'll be great, but the time for excuses is over[/B].[/quote]

I think it will depend on how deep into the playoffs we go. If Collins keeps this up it would be difficult to tell him "thanks but now it's back to the bench for you".

Of course it's easy to say now, but if Collins was starting all this year... damn you really have to wonder where we might be right now.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

[quote=Mattyk72;401040]Yeah I was a little surprised at his comment on Campbell. In fact, the more I read from the players it's clear that right now they heavily favor Collins over Campbell, not that you can blame them with the way Collins is playing.

I'm really starting to wonder if we could have a QB controversy next season.[/quote]

There will most definitely be a quarterback controversy next year. Gibbs will play it down, as he should.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;401027]Even though his rushing numbers might not look all that impressive, I think CP has had a solid all around season when you add in his 47 catches. And of course we all know how he blocks.[/QUOTE]

In the past I have felt that his numbers weren't to impressive because of how they were obtained [very low ypc] more compiled than productive, but now that we finally have a QB after 4 years who the defense has to respect Portis's yards are much more productive his 76 yards against the Giants IMO where more productive than many of his 100 yard games in the past, he is now getting clutch runs, as well as Collins passing ability is backing off the LB'S and safeties which is opening up the underneath for screens and short passes to the backs.

Collins right now is putting a huge spot light on how bad Brunell really was, and how far Campbell has yet to go.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

You also have to wonder if Campbell would have even gotten a shot last year if Collins had started the season instead of Brunell. I really like Brunell, but the way Collins has been playing this year really highlights how badly MB struggled under this system.

Of course the whole team has stepped up versus last year, and we have some key new players as well.

EDIT: I just noticed I sort of ripped from Hogtimus' post

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

Anyway, as for Portis. He's on a mission to shut a lot of people up. He said so himself the other day if I remember right.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

[quote=SmootSmack;401056]Anyway, as for Portis. He's on a mission to shut a lot of people up. He said so himself the other day if I remember right.[/quote]


He did say that. But not in a Randy Moss sort of way if you guys have seen his most recent interview.

I like how he says "you guys" wrote me off...(speaking about the media)

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

Portis has looked fantastic the last four games. You can really tell he is moving faster, making cuts and juke moves, and driving those legs. He is a different beast when healthy. He doesn't have Priest numbers but he is definitely has what it takes to get 2000+ total yards and and score a bunch of TDs.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

It seemed to me that CP was getting more utilization from Collins than from JC when Collins first came in. I remember thinking, initially, "Great, the return of the candy armed QB" but then it became clear that Collins was just dropping it off when the deeps were well covered as opposed to just not willing to take a chance deep (a' la Brunell).

I always thought that one of the promises of this offense was to get CP into the Priest role and that that had never occurred. I am glad it seems to be working. Portis in space is a dangerous dangerous thing.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

I really don't think Portis was ripping JC, he was just showing an area that he has to step up some more. I think part of the reason Portis is looking better now is that he's not injured. IMO, taking off the OTA's and the preseason meant that he wasn't prepared for the season. Now, however.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

[quote=12thMan;401059]He did say that. But not in a Randy Moss sort of way if you guys have seen his most recent interview.

I like how he says "you guys" wrote me off...(speaking about the media)[/quote]
Are you talking about Randy Moss? He said this about a week ago and I would agree that most people thought that he was on the down slide.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

[quote=firstdown;401069]Are you talking about Randy Moss? He said this about a week ago and I would agree that most people thought that he was on the down slide.[/quote]

yes, randy moss. following their win v. the giants, he took a couple of shots at the press. can't blame him though.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

[quote=SmootSmack;401055]You also have to wonder if Campbell would have even gotten a shot last year if Collins had started the season instead of Brunell. I really like Brunell, but the way Collins has been playing this year really highlights how badly MB struggled under this system.

Of course the whole team has stepped up versus last year, and we have some key new players as well.

EDIT: I just noticed I sort of ripped from Hogtimus' post[/quote]

The problem with last year was the D was a complete mess. I don't think even Collins could have helped much. But this year...

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

portis struggled during the earlier parts of the season, but down the stretch he has been money, exactly what we needed. i would attribute it to him just improving as the season went on and the offensive line finally gelling, very impressed by both portis and the o line

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

Portis is turning into Priest because Todd Collins is playing like Trent Green 5 years ago.

Re: Portis Finally Turning Into Priest!!
 

[quote=12thMan;401074]yes, randy moss. following their win v. the giants, he took a couple of shots at the press. [B]can't blame him though.[/[/B]quote]
what? the dude basically took the last 2 years off, because Oakland wasn't " good" enough? as for Portis, im not sure there is another back in the nfl i would rather have. sacrifices his numbers for the best of the team. great attitude. great blocker. good out of the backfield. and over the last half of the season, has run the ball with great determination