The New Running Game?

[EternalEnigma21]

clarett was out of shape at the first combine, but at this years, he was quite the specemin of physical fitness. The weight he put on was muscle and he was pretty chiseled. It was just the extra weight that slowed him down. I'm just saying that portis is more of a speed back and if hes probably still suited to make people miss than he is to run through them. A little more muscle will help with the hits, but I'd rather see him bounce outside, lay down a move or two and break a long distance scoring run untouched, than try to be some kind of short yardage back. Thats what Rock and Ladell and all those rookies are there for.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Portis put on 10-15 lbs. of muscle but they said his speed and quickness were not affected. GOOD news for us.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I'm pretty sure that Gibbs and co. didn't completely revamp the playbook, they just modified it. It would be stupid to go to a all stretch/zone blocking scheme and then stay in the tackle box for passing plays, a high school coach wouldn't be that elementary. I think it will be more balanced than it was last year. There will still be some counter trey and straight dive plays as part of the playbook, just not a total reliance upon them.. Denver runs lots of playaction off of the stretch/zone plays, it just requires quicker passes since the QB is usually completely exposed to the backside DE. I'm looking forward to the 1st preseason game so we can see it in action.

I agree with you. I think the core of the playbook stays the same, just with a few new wrinkles.

What I'm wondering though is will the Skins offensive linemen employ the highly controversial cut-blocking technique?

I'm not advocating it per se, but it is legal so long as the defensive player isn't being hit from behind and you're not rolling up on his legs. So if the Redskins throw in a couple of cut blocks at the beginning of the year just the thought of it happening again is sure to slow defenders down (for fear of getting hurt). That's what seemed to help Denver runners a lot. Defenders would hesitate before pursuing the runner.

[Redskins8588]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Portis put on 10-15 lbs. of muscle but they said his speed and quickness were not affected. GOOD news for us.

That is the same thing that I read also, at first when they saw that he had gained the weight they thought that he might have slowed a step, but then they said that to there surprise he was just as fast as before...

[BigSKINBauer]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

cut blocks at the beginning of the year just the thought of it happening again is sure to slow defenders down (for fear of getting hurt). That's what seemed to help Denver runners a lot. Defenders would hesitate before pursuing the runner.

that is why there should be a rule against it, the steelers do allittle of that too.

[SkinsRock]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I'm pretty sure that Gibbs and co. didn't completely revamp the playbook, they just modified it. It would be stupid to go to a all stretch/zone blocking scheme and then stay in the tackle box for passing plays, a high school coach wouldn't be that elementary. I think it will be more balanced than it was last year. There will still be some counter trey and straight dive plays as part of the playbook, just not a total reliance upon them.. Denver runs lots of playaction off of the stretch/zone plays, it just requires quicker passes since the QB is usually completely exposed to the backside DE. I'm looking forward to the 1st preseason game so we can see it in action.

My thoughts exactly. Portis will run up the middle some, and Betts will run some stretch plays. The idea is to have more balance in play-calling and to keep the defense guessing.
As others have said, the big key to all of this working is the offensive line...and with Jansen back and Rabach at center noe, I think they'll be up to the challenge!

I don't know how much new stuff we'll see in preseason though. I'm sure they'll try some things out, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them hold back until the regular season to unveil many of the new wrinkles.

[Davnpurt]

This is a great thread and subsequent discussion. One of the many reasons why I am both excited and optimistic about the forthcoming season is that the coaches realized their weaknesses (and strengths) and sought to change accordingly. That's what I admire most about Gibbs. He has all-world credentials yet is humble enough to recognize the importance of change in his system. (Mike Martz would be wise to come down from his high-chair and follow suit.) Who wouldn't be excited about an athletic line predicated on speed and finding pride in being mechanically sound with a tailback entering only his fourth year who seems hell bent on becoming the most well-rounded RB in the league. I sometimes still catch myself saying "I can't believe we actually have Clinton Portis, there's no way Denver will make this trade."
Props for posting this thread.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Also, I would be willing to bet we have the fastest skill players on any team, defensively AND offensively.