CBS - Sportsline Pro Bowl picks

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

I really, really, really like Portis. However, I think it's pretty hard to deny Dunn a spot in the Pro Bowl. While Dunn doesn't score a lot of touchdowns and he gets nice lanes because defenses are scared of letting Vick run outside of the tackles, he is one damn explosive player. Moreover, Dunn plays like he's a lot bigger than he really is; he's about the same size as Santana Moss but he doesn't shy away from defenders.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Ramseyfan

I really, really, really like Portis. However, I think it's pretty hard to deny Dunn a spot in the Pro Bowl. While Dunn doesn't score a lot of touchdowns and he gets nice lanes because defenses are scared of letting Vick run outside of the tackles, he is one damn explosive player. Moreover, Dunn plays like he's a lot bigger than he really is; he's about the same size as Santana Moss but he doesn't shy away from defenders.

I imagine a lot of his TD opportunities are negated by the fact that Duckett gets the ball more in the red zone. Often times we talk about someone being such a great player that we tend to minimize what they do off the field (charity work, etc.), with Dunn it seems like it's more about what a great person he is and what he's had to overcome that his abilities on the field tend to get overlooked.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by Ramseyfan

I really, really, really like Portis. However, I think it's pretty hard to deny Dunn a spot in the Pro Bowl. While Dunn doesn't score a lot of touchdowns and he gets nice lanes because defenses are scared of letting Vick run outside of the tackles, he is one damn explosive player. Moreover, Dunn plays like he's a lot bigger than he really is; he's about the same size as Santana Moss but he doesn't shy away from defenders.

does portis shy away from defenders? does portis get running lanes because people fear brunell taking off? your points seem to point out why dunn shouldn't get the nod instead...

[onlydarksets]

Originally Posted by Ramseyfan

I really, really, really like Portis. However, I think it's pretty hard to deny Dunn a spot in the Pro Bowl. While Dunn doesn't score a lot of touchdowns and he gets nice lanes because defenses are scared of letting Vick run outside of the tackles, he is one damn explosive player. Moreover, Dunn plays like he's a lot bigger than he really is; he's about the same size as Santana Moss but he doesn't shy away from defenders.

So, Dunn gets nice lanes and doesn't score lots of TDs. Sounds like an argument for CP!

Fact is, Duckett gets the TDs because Dunn is undersized. Don't get me wrong - I like Dunn. He is explosive, but he just doesn't do as much at the position (again, especially on pass plays) as CP does.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by onlydarksets

So, Dunn gets nice lanes and doesn't score lots of TDs. Sounds like an argument for CP!

Fact is, Duckett gets the TDs because Dunn is undersized. Don't get me wrong - I like Dunn. He is explosive, but he just doesn't do as much at the position (again, especially on pass plays) as CP does.

I wasn't denying that Portis is a Pro Bowl-caliber player. I've said repeatedly that he's a great back. I've repeatedly said that he's NOT overrated. I didn't intend for my praise of Dunn to be interpreted as an attack on Portis.

And yes, I did point out that Dunn doesn't get into the endzone a lot and gets nice lanes. If I didn't acknowledge those things I'd be cherry-picking the evidence. I like to think that I acknowledge both the good and bad things about a player, team, coach, etc.

Also, Duckett does get the ball in short-yardage situations because Dunn is undersized. However, that he is able to hold up to the punishment that he endures while being as small as he is is something he should get credit for.

But, the bottom line is that there is no denying that Dunn is a great player. He's racked up 1,247 yards on 242 carries for a 5.2 ypc average and another 200 yards in the air. He's also racked up 10 runs of 20 yards or more. Point blank, the guy is a baller.

[onlydarksets]

Originally Posted by Ramseyfan

I wasn't denying that Portis is a Pro Bowl-caliber player. I've said repeatedly that he's a great back. I've repeatedly said that he's NOT overrated. I didn't intend for my praise of Dunn to be interpreted as an attack on Portis.

And yes, I did point out that Dunn doesn't get into the endzone a lot and gets nice lanes. If I didn't acknowledge those things I'd be cherry-picking the evidence. I like to think that I acknowledge both the good and bad things about a player, team, coach, etc.

Also, Duckett does get the ball in short-yardage situations because Dunn is undersized. However, that he is able to hold up to the punishment that he endures while being as small as he is is something he should get credit for.

But, the bottom line is that there is no denying that Dunn is a great player. He's racked up 1,247 yards on 242 carries for a 5.2 ypc average and another 200 yards in the air. He's also racked up 10 runs of 20 yards or more. Point blank, the guy is a baller.

I tried to be careful in my post to focus on the issue - which of two great players with almost identical stats should get the nod. We both know CP and Dunn are great players. I didn't suggest you thought CP sucked, and I said Dunn is a great player (not too clearly, admittedly). This season their numbers are basically identical, except for TDs.

At this point, our analysis differs. I think CP's intangibles (namely blocking and getting open for the screen pass) outweigh Dunn's. Added to the fact he has more TDs than Dunn, I think you have to give him the nod. I appreciate that Dunn does a lot with what he has, but so does Earl Boykins. It doesn't mean he should beat out a Steve Nash for an All Star spot just because he does.