[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

Why do so many people think this is the case when Gibbs doesn't even believe it? Gibbs takes over and gives up the farm to get Portis, and Betts (the tailback that "fits the system better") gets an 11 million dollar extension... And Portis will still be the unquestioned starter next season, in spite of the decent stretch of games Betts had at the end of last season, so where's the logic that Betts' style is more "Joe Gibbs"?

What exactly is Betts running style anyway? A lot of people (even analysts) like to call him a strong downhill runner, but how many strong downhill runners get tackled with one hand on their shirt tail from behind by a cornerback? The one thing that Betts has over Portis is vision and patience, which is good because he's almost completely ineffective if there isn't a gaping hole for him to run through. Betts is basically a fundementally sound tailback that hits the holes he's supposed to hit, as long as they're there. He's a fine change of pace back, and he filled in admirably for Portis last year, but he is nowhere near as talented as CP.

I think

a.) People tend to confuse Betts with Bettis (names sound similar but not necessarily the game)

b.) More patient than Portis is another way of saying slower than Portis