Portis v. Riggins

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 01-04-2005, 03:11 AM

Let me just preface this thread with the comment that Portis has not yet proven that he is going to be as valuable to this franchise as John Riggins. However, I do believe Portis will turn into the most productive back in team history, will set a number of records, and will ultimately become the best tailback in 'Skins history.

In nine seasons with the Redskins, John Riggins had just 4 seasons in which he carried the ball over 200 times in a season. In 1978, appearing in 15 games, Riggins rushed 248 times for 1,014 yards (4.1 ypc) and 5 TDs. In 1979, appearing in 16 games, Riggins rushed 260 times for 1,153 yards (4.4 ypc) and 9 touchdowns. In 1983, appearing in 15 games, Riggins carried the ball 375 times for 1,347 yards (3.6 ypc) and a whopping 24 touchdowns. In 1984, appearing in 14 games, Riggins carried the ball 327 times for 1,239 yards (3.8 ypc) and 14 touchdowns.
All told, in his nine seasons with the Redskins, Riggins rushed 1,988 times for 7,472 yards (3.76 ypc) and 79 touchdowns.

In his first season in Washington, Clinton Portis rushed 343 times (more than Riggins did in 8 of his 9 seasons), for 1,315 yards (more than Riggins did in 8 of his 9 seasons), for 3.8 yards (.04 yards per carry more than Riggins' career average as a Redskin), and for 7 receiving and rushing touchdowns.

Now mind you, Portis wasn't rushing behind guys like Grimm, Jacoby, Bostic, George Starke, or Mark May. Nope, instead he was rushing behind Dockery, Samuels, Thomas, Friedman/Raymer, and Brown/Jones/Wilson. Moreover, instead of rushing with a fantastic passing attack (a Gibbs trademark), Portis rushed with 8 or 9 defenders stacking the box because our passing attack was as anemic as an Ethiopian vegan.

Statistically, when you compare Portis to Riggins, Portis had a damn good year. I understand Portis didn't show us the consistent ability to get 3.5 yards - especially on 3rd and short. However, when you consider the line play, the passing attack, this was Gibbs' first year back in the league, opposing defenses were stacking the box, and Portis is a good 30 pounds lighter than Riggins, I'd say one has to recognize that Portis had a good year.

So quit this trade/release talk, it's non-sense.

Redskins8588 · 01-04-2005, 03:16 AM

Amen!!!
Your forgot one thing!!! Now listen to this closely!!!!

PORTIS IS ONLY 23 YEARS OLD!!!! By the start of next season he will be 24!!!

WOW!!!! Not only is he good but he is young and not on his way out of the league!!!!!

NY_Skinsfan · 01-04-2005, 03:29 AM

I think Portis will work out fine in the long run (no pun intended)...Gibbs will figure it out. My only real concern about Portis is his effort. At the 49ers game he didn't seem to care or run with any passion. I hope he doesn't develop an attitude of "do it my way or i won't try hard."....so to speak. just my two cents.

illdefined · 01-04-2005, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY_Skinsfan

I think Portis will work out fine in the long run (no pun intended)...Gibbs will figure it out. My only real concern about Portis is his effort. At the 49ers game he didn't seem to care or run with any passion. I hope he doesn't develop an attitude of "do it my way or i won't try hard."....so to speak. just my two cents.

this was the first and only game i could ever question Portis's effort. every other time i've seen him he was throwing his body into everyone.

i'm pretty sure Portis was hurt that game. he only played a half after that, and he made it known since then he had been playing through a bad right shoulder.

Daseal · 01-04-2005, 10:45 AM

I think Portis, like the rest of the offense, was a bit frustrated. I'm sure he's asked for certain blocking techniques, or at least be allowed to use his speed a few times a game. He's also never really been on a "losing" team has he? U of M, Denver, now welcome to Washington where every year we're going to the super bowl, but always seem to fall short of the playoffs.

sportscurmudgeon · 01-04-2005, 11:10 AM

Ramseyfan:

Let me be explicit here: I do NOT want Portis traded or cut or demoted or anything else.

The Riggins stats from 78 and 79 are most comparable to Portis' season this year. In 78 and 79 the Redskins were mediocre; Russ Grimm and Mark May and company had not yet arrived. That's kinda what Portis had this year in DC.

The difference that I see between Riggins and Portis is that I can never recall Riggins appearing to "take a play off" let alone "take a weekend off". But I sure got that impression from Portis a couple of times this season and that is not a good sign at all.

monk81 · 01-04-2005, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Ramseyfan:

Let me be explicit here: I do NOT want Portis traded or cut or demoted or anything else.

The Riggins stats from 78 and 79 are most comparable to Portis' season this year. In 78 and 79 the Redskins were mediocre; Russ Grimm and Mark May and company had not yet arrived. That's kinda what Portis had this year in DC.

The difference that I see between Riggins and Portis is that I can never recall Riggins appearing to "take a play off" let alone "take a weekend off". But I sure got that impression from Portis a couple of times this season and that is not a good sign at all.

Riggo had HEART........I don't think Portis has as much......I remember the stories of Riggo checking in the hospital with his back aching so bad.....sure a few beer cans rolled out from under the hosptial bed......but come Sunday Riggo would ignore the pain and play his heart out. Another thing I liked about Riggo was Gibbs asked him one time if he wanted to check back into the game to break a record....and Riggins replied, all I care about is winning the game, not records!!! Riggo is a TRUE Redskin and I would have to see something more out of Portis for him to earn that title..............

SmootSmack · 01-05-2005, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

The difference that I see between Riggins and Portis is that I can never recall Riggins appearing to "take a play off" let alone "take a weekend off". But I sure got that impression from Portis a couple of times this season and that is not a good sign at all.

You would probably remember this better than me, but didn't Riggo take a year off (a la Ricky) back in 1980 because he just didn't feel like playing?

Don't get me wrong, I love Riggins....

Redskins8588 · 01-05-2005, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smootsmack

You would probably remember this better than me, but didn't Riggo take a year off (a la Ricky) back in 1980 because he just didn't feel like playing?

Don't get me wrong, I love Riggins....

I think you are right. When Gibbs came to coach in 1981 he went to get Riggo back on the team with the intent to trade him, but when Gibbs went to meet with Riggo, Riggo said that he would come back only if there was a no trade clause in his contract. I am pretty sure I seen that on ESPN Classic last year when they had Redskins week, I recorded the whole week.

SmootSmack · 01-05-2005, 02:44 AM

If I recall Riggo said "I'm bored, I'm broke, I'm back"

classic Riggins

Daseal · 01-04-2005, 11:21 AM

Anyone else find it ironic that SC's icon happens to be Sean Taylor?

Redskins_P · 01-04-2005, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daseal

Anyone else find it ironic that SC's icon happens to be Sean Taylor?

LOL. You mean Meathead?

MTK · 01-04-2005, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daseal

Anyone else find it ironic that SC's icon happens to be Sean Taylor?

LOL

ahhh the irony!

sportscurmudgeon · 01-04-2005, 03:10 PM

My father called me a meathead so many times that I lost count. So I know a meathead when I see one...

celts32 · 01-04-2005, 04:08 PM

blasphemy! When Portis straps the Redskins to his back and carries them all the way to a Super Bowl championship then and not one second sooner can he be compared to Riggo...

01-04-2005, 03:11 AM	#1
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	Portis v. Riggins Let me just preface this thread with the comment that Portis has not yet proven that he is going to be as valuable to this franchise as John Riggins. However, I do believe Portis will turn into the most productive back in team history, will set a number of records, and will ultimately become the best tailback in 'Skins history. In nine seasons with the Redskins, John Riggins had just 4 seasons in which he carried the ball over 200 times in a season. In 1978, appearing in 15 games, Riggins rushed 248 times for 1,014 yards (4.1 ypc) and 5 TDs. In 1979, appearing in 16 games, Riggins rushed 260 times for 1,153 yards (4.4 ypc) and 9 touchdowns. In 1983, appearing in 15 games, Riggins carried the ball 375 times for 1,347 yards (3.6 ypc) and a whopping 24 touchdowns. In 1984, appearing in 14 games, Riggins carried the ball 327 times for 1,239 yards (3.8 ypc) and 14 touchdowns. All told, in his nine seasons with the Redskins, Riggins rushed 1,988 times for 7,472 yards (3.76 ypc) and 79 touchdowns. In his first season in Washington, Clinton Portis rushed 343 times (more than Riggins did in 8 of his 9 seasons), for 1,315 yards (more than Riggins did in 8 of his 9 seasons), for 3.8 yards (.04 yards per carry more than Riggins' career average as a Redskin), and for 7 receiving and rushing touchdowns. Now mind you, Portis wasn't rushing behind guys like Grimm, Jacoby, Bostic, George Starke, or Mark May. Nope, instead he was rushing behind Dockery, Samuels, Thomas, Friedman/Raymer, and Brown/Jones/Wilson. Moreover, instead of rushing with a fantastic passing attack (a Gibbs trademark), Portis rushed with 8 or 9 defenders stacking the box because our passing attack was as anemic as an Ethiopian vegan. Statistically, when you compare Portis to Riggins, Portis had a damn good year. I understand Portis didn't show us the consistent ability to get 3.5 yards - especially on 3rd and short. However, when you consider the line play, the passing attack, this was Gibbs' first year back in the league, opposing defenses were stacking the box, and Portis is a good 30 pounds lighter than Riggins, I'd say one has to recognize that Portis had a good year. So quit this trade/release talk, it's non-sense. Last edited by Sheriff Gonna Getcha; 01-04-2005 at 03:22 AM.

01-04-2005, 03:16 AM	#2
Redskins8588 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ridgway, PA Age: 46 Posts: 2,519	Amen!!! Your forgot one thing!!! Now listen to this closely!!!! PORTIS IS ONLY 23 YEARS OLD!!!! By the start of next season he will be 24!!! WOW!!!! Not only is he good but he is young and not on his way out of the league!!!!! __________________ "I am the best at what I do, and what I do isn't very nice" - Sean Taylor

01-04-2005, 11:10 AM	#6
sportscurmudgeon Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,159	Ramseyfan: Let me be explicit here: I do NOT want Portis traded or cut or demoted or anything else. The Riggins stats from 78 and 79 are most comparable to Portis' season this year. In 78 and 79 the Redskins were mediocre; Russ Grimm and Mark May and company had not yet arrived. That's kinda what Portis had this year in DC. The difference that I see between Riggins and Portis is that I can never recall Riggins appearing to "take a play off" let alone "take a weekend off". But I sure got that impression from Portis a couple of times this season and that is not a good sign at all. __________________ The Sports Curmudgeon www.sportscurmudgeon.com But don't get me wrong, I love sports...

01-05-2005, 02:44 AM	#10
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	If I recall Riggo said "I'm bored, I'm broke, I'm back" classic Riggins __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

01-04-2005, 03:10 PM	#14
sportscurmudgeon Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,159	My father called me a meathead so many times that I lost count. So I know a meathead when I see one... __________________ The Sports Curmudgeon www.sportscurmudgeon.com But don't get me wrong, I love sports...

01-04-2005, 03:29 AM	#3
NY_Skinsfan Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Albany, NY Age: 51 Posts: 838	I think Portis will work out fine in the long run (no pun intended)...Gibbs will figure it out. My only real concern about Portis is his effort. At the 49ers game he didn't seem to care or run with any passion. I hope he doesn't develop an attitude of "do it my way or i won't try hard."....so to speak. just my two cents.

01-04-2005, 10:45 AM	#5
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 41 Posts: 8,341	I think Portis, like the rest of the offense, was a bit frustrated. I'm sure he's asked for certain blocking techniques, or at least be allowed to use his speed a few times a game. He's also never really been on a "losing" team has he? U of M, Denver, now welcome to Washington where every year we're going to the super bowl, but always seem to fall short of the playoffs.

01-04-2005, 11:21 AM	#11
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 41 Posts: 8,341	Anyone else find it ironic that SC's icon happens to be Sean Taylor?

01-04-2005, 04:08 PM	#15
celts32 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hackettstown NJ Age: 53 Posts: 2,665	blasphemy! When Portis straps the Redskins to his back and carries them all the way to a Super Bowl championship then and not one second sooner can he be compared to Riggo...

Portis v. Riggins

Locker Room Main Forum