Portis vs. Betts

[Redskin Rich]

Portis will be out at week 5 and Betts will run us right to the playoffs.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by Redskin Rich

Portis will be out at week 5 and Betts will run us right to the playoffs.

hmmmmmmmmmmmm why did I see that coming. It is ridiculous though, seeing that this was the frist season Portis missed significant time and the first that Betts satyed healthy all the way through, so I dont see how Portis is more injury prone. But whatever you say RR if Portis gets hurt and misses a lot of time no way we make the playoffs.

[hooskins]

I think the key to having Portis lead our team in rushing is to rush Betts more often. If Portis gets 30+ touches a game I am pretty sure he will go down half way through the season, but if you keep Portis around 15-20 carries and Betts at about 5-10 I think that is a good formula for a successful and injury free season.

Thoughts?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by hooskins

I think the key to having Portis lead our team in rushing is to rush Betts more often. If Portis gets 30+ touches a game I am pretty sure he will go down half way through the season, but if you keep Portis around 15-20 carries and Betts at about 5-10 I think that is a good formula for a successful and injury free season.

Thoughts?

On a single season basis, it doesn't make a huge difference.

But this is becoming absolutely critical to extending Portis' career. Keep him under 350 carries this year. At age 26 now, if Portis continues to be used at 2005 levels, hes going to continue to have 2006 kind of health.

You still want him to touch it about 20 times every week, but you definatly want to use some other players when the situation isnt as crucial.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Redskin Rich

Portis will be out at week 5 and Betts will run us right to the playoffs.

It's almost like you're hoping this is what happens. Not so much the playoffs part, but the Portis getting hurt part

[Redskin Rich]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

It's almost like you're hoping this is what happens. Not so much the playoffs part, but the Portis getting hurt part

No, I never hope for any man to be hurt... but I have made this prediction and will stick to it until I am proven wrong.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Redskin Rich

No, I never hope for any man to be hurt... but I have made this prediction and will stick to it until I am proven wrong.

Why would you stick to this? I think Portis had two freakish injuries.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Why would you stick to this? I think Portis had two freakish injuries.

Not much you can do about a broken hand, but his shoulder injuries go back quite a way with him. I believe he's had surgeries to both shoulders now.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Redskin Rich

Portis will be out at week 5 and Betts will run us right to the playoffs.

If Portis does go down, it's going to be tough for Betts to "run them into the playoffs" without the ability to get into the endzone. Yards are nice, but one touchdown per every 2+ starts isn't all that impressive.

And with the emphasis that Gibbs and company put on not turning the ball over, I'm surprised that Betts is still valued so highly, considering the multiple game changing fumbles he had towards the end of last season.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

If Portis does go down, it's going to be tough for Betts to "run them into the playoffs" without the ability to get into the endzone. Yards are nice, but one touchdown per every 2+ starts isn't all that impressive.

And with the emphasis that Gibbs and company put on not turning the ball over, I'm surprised that Betts is still valued so highly, considering the multiple game changing fumbles he had towards the end of last season.

Yeah, but the goal of the game is to score points, not necessary do so by way of Ladell Betts. Even though Betts is not a goalline runner, he is hardly a top reason to blame for lack of power running last year. Blame the coaches for the poor personel packages, or the blockers up front for a crappy job, but there aint too many running backs who are going to make a successful play when hit 2 yards in the backfield.

We can have a very successful offense without raising Betts' rushing totals.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Yeah, but the goal of the game is to score points, not necessary do so by way of Ladell Betts. Even though Betts is not a goalline runner, he is hardly a top reason to blame for lack of power running last year. Blame the coaches for the poor personel packages, or the blockers up front for a crappy job, but there aint too many running backs who are going to make a successful play when hit 2 yards in the backfield.

We can have a very successful offense without raising Betts' rushing totals.

I agree, on short yardage situations it never seemed like our line got the push or the blocking needed. There was obviously some confusion and conflict between Gibbs and Saunders philosophy.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Yeah, but the goal of the game is to score points, not necessary do so by way of Ladell Betts. Even though Betts is not a goalline runner, he is hardly a top reason to blame for lack of power running last year. Blame the coaches for the poor personel packages, or the blockers up front for a crappy job, but there aint too many running backs who are going to make a successful play when hit 2 yards in the backfield.

I'd have to disagree with the idea that the blockers up front did a "crappy job". Towards the end of the season, the run blocking in particular seemed to take off, and Betts benefited tremendously by having gaping holes to run through.

My comment was mostly directed at Betts' lack of big play ability. I think he has very good vision and patience, which allows him to hit holes better than a lot of backs in the league, but his lack of speed and ball handling skills make him inferior to Portis in the second level of the defense.

[MTK]

Seems strange to predict injuries... but hey whatever gets you through the offseason I guess.

I think CP will come back strong this year. I think he'll be determined to get back on track, and Saunders will ease his workload by giving Betts more work.

[Redskin Rich]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Seems strange to predict injuries... but hey whatever gets you through the offseason I guess.

I think CP will come back strong this year. I think he'll be determined to get back on track, and Saunders will ease his workload by giving Betts more work.

Matty.... Look, I hope your right about CP... my gut just tells me all of his work is starting to catch up with him. He has taken alot of abuse during his career.

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by Redskin Rich

Matty.... Look, I hope your right about CP... my gut just tells me all of his work is starting to catch up with him. He has taken alot of abuse during his career.

You're forgetting that Portis will play half dead if he has to. If he is at 50%, his heart gets him the rest of the way. Portis is all football.