Redskins in Review: RUNNING BACKS

[44ever]

Originally Posted by PennSkinsFan

Redskins in Review: RUNNING BACKS | DC Pro Sports Report -- Sports news, stats and analysis from the capital of the free world



Also, vote in our Poll, in the review article!

Like I've been saying, our challenge ahead is going to be @ RB. If Zorn does not allow our other backs to develop we will be shaking our heads in 2010. Unless of course our star keeps shining.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by 44ever

Like I've been saying, our challenge ahead is going to be @ RB. If Zorn does not allow our other backs to develop we will be shaking our heads in 2010. Unless of course our star keeps shining.

I think our other running backs are alldready developed they just need to see more playing time.

[44ever]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I think our other running backs are alldready developed they just need to see more playing time.

I was talking about developing into a equal to Portis and/or eventual sucsessor.

Rock still need to develop if we are to use him in said position IMO

[PennSkinsFan]

Originally Posted by 44ever

I was talking about developing into a equal to Portis and/or eventual sucsessor.

Rock still need to develop if we are to use him in said position IMO

Rock's been in the NFL a few years now. If he was going to develop, don't you think he would have by now?

[44ever]

Originally Posted by PennSkinsFan

Rock's been in the NFL a few years now. If he was going to develop, don't you think he would have by now?

Yes. I do. That's why I said "at said position" I agree with scud. He is where he is. I never said I think he should be a "RB". I was talking about Betts if you read all my earlier posts. With that said: I'm a big Rock fan and would love to see him have a bigger role on offense. Sorry obout the misunderstanding

[BigHairedAristocrat]

if "splitting carries" means using Portis and Betts interchangeably during a game, then I think its a bad idea. The idea is that if one guy is in there, he's going to get the "feel" of the defense and wear it down. I'm not saying one back should be on the field for every offensive snap, but one guy should be there for an entire series or quarter at a time. Someone somewhere suggested making Betts the "feature back" in about 4 games next year. Portis would still play in these games, but he would just play a series or two here and there. This would take the load off portis and keep him fresh for December (and hopefuly January). I like that idea alot. What do you guys think?

[sportscurmudgeon]

I doubt that Clinton Portis would "share the RB job" with anyone. And when Clinton Portis is unhappy, he has a tendency to let the world know about it...

Betts was definitely underutilized this year. However, recall the spitting contest that erupted when Zorn tried to use him instead of Portis...

Rock is a special teams player. He might give you a big game at RB once every other season but he has had shots there in the past and is mediocre.

I think the evaluation of Sellers is a bit over the top in praise. As a blocking back, he's fine. As a guy to get you important yards on short yardage situations - - remember his two great shots at the goal line from the one-yardline this year. Could not average 18 inches per carry there - - and it cost the team a game and a playoff shot...

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

if "splitting carries" means using Portis and Betts interchangeably during a game, then I think its a bad idea. The idea is that if one guy is in there, he's going to get the "feel" of the defense and wear it down. I'm not saying one back should be on the field for every offensive snap, but one guy should be there for an entire series or quarter at a time. Someone somewhere suggested making Betts the "feature back" in about 4 games next year. Portis would still play in these games, but he would just play a series or two here and there. This would take the load off portis and keep him fresh for December (and hopefuly January). I like that idea alot. What do you guys think?

This would be unconventional but who's to say it wouldn't work? I don't like the idea as much as them just splitting carries.

To your first point, if you watched the games this year when Betts played it was either as 3rd down back or for a whole series in the 2nd quarter. I liked the plan, they just didn't keep Betts in enough to follow through w/it. I agree you want each back to get a feel for the game, but they should be able to do that w/a couple of series. Bottom line is if you run the ball well there will be plenty of carries for 2 guys.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

if "splitting carries" means using Portis and Betts interchangeably during a game, then I think its a bad idea. The idea is that if one guy is in there, he's going to get the "feel" of the defense and wear it down. I'm not saying one back should be on the field for every offensive snap, but one guy should be there for an entire series or quarter at a time. Someone somewhere suggested making Betts the "feature back" in about 4 games next year. Portis would still play in these games, but he would just play a series or two here and there. This would take the load off portis and keep him fresh for December (and hopefuly January). I like that idea alot. What do you guys think?

I don't know what the formula should be, but I think they should do whatever it takes to figure it out. Other teams have figured out a way to do it, so why not the Skins? I guess at the end of the year, I'd like to see Portis with 200 plus carries and Betts with 100 plus (and at least 40 receptions). I'd like to see Portis get ALL the goal line carries. I still think Rock can get some reps on passing downs.

I'd even like to see Betts AND Portis on the field at the same time a few plays each game. Don't Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown share the backfield every once in a while?

Someone said having fresh backs would help against tired defenses in the 4th quarter... much like teams ran the ball on our defense to run out the clock late in games. I concur.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by 44ever

I was talking about developing into a equal to Portis and/or eventual sucsessor.

Rock still need to develop if we are to use him in said position IMO

Rock is 29 years old and has been a Redskin since 2002. He is what he's going to be.