Should We or Could We Draft Steve Slaton from West Virginia

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by BrunellMVP?

I think we are kidding ourselves to some degree here...Portis is still a good back, but he is no longer elite (if he were elite- he'd average more than 3.5ish a carry). Are we really going to argue that Portis is great when his requirements to produce are 2-3 pro-bowlers on the o-line along with 2 other very high quality guys? Hmm, shouldn't any RB be able to succeed under those circumstances? Wouldn't you think that an elite back makes a bad line average (4 yards a carry), and a good line great (4.5-5 yards per carry)? I'm not saying that portis needs to go or anything like that, but I am saying lets be realistic here...he's not GREAT and hasn't been since 2005- not unlike Santana Moss.
that said, keep portis and betts, draft O and D line...

I hear what your saying, and I understand you point. I just feel, when it comes to drafting a player... we need to draft on need. We don't need a Reggie Bush situation here.

Because running backs get this superstar attention, everyone talks them up. I think running back is probably the most replaceable position in football. Look at what Denver does every year. I'm not saying there aren't exceptions to this, because there are some genuinely freakish running backs to have played the game (Barry Sanders). I don't think Clinton Portis is one of them, but I think he's an incredible running back. He blocks, he runs, he catches, he has heart. I wouldn't even consider Slayton an upgrade, at all.

Bottom line, if I'm drafting to win, with this team you have to draft on the offensive line. You absolutely have to. We will not win games, ever, without a solid line. So yes, I think this thread is retarded, because I don't think there has been much logic or thought put into it. It just doesn't make sense on any level (except in imagination land) to draft a running back.