First and goal from the 2- WHERE'S TJ???

[GTripp0012]

TJ Duckett can run some people open in the open field, but so can Portis. Duckett's issue is that it takes him 25 minutes to get from the tailback position to the line of scrimmage. Yeah, he will break one if the blocking is perfect. Yeah, he will fall foward. But the guy you want running the ball on the goalline is Portis. I know they pulled him on third down because he already had 9 carries on the drive, but Betts simply can't do the job on the goalline. Should have thrown on third there.

[MTK]

Probably should have thrown on 2nd down.

While I like the idea of ramming it down their throats, Dallas has a very stout interior. Ferguson always gives us problems inside.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Speaking of Betts, I NEVER want to see him in on a short yardage situation again. Portis, Duckett, Sellers, ALL are better short yardage runners than him. Hell, even Cartwright could have an argument made for him, but not Betts.

This is probably true. Betts is really good if you get him in space, because he has a north-south style. He might move the pile, but he isn't going to break any tackles.

[Longtimefan]

I asked that very same question on the game thread sunday when Portis failed to get in after several tries. Yesterday Bugel said it was a different guy missing a block on each of Portis's carries. I still would liked to have seen TJ in that situation.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

TJ Duckett can run some people open in the open field, but so can Portis. Duckett's issue is that it takes him 25 minutes to get from the tailback position to the line of scrimmage. Yeah, he will break one if the blocking is perfect. Yeah, he will fall foward. But the guy you want running the ball on the goalline is Portis. I know they pulled him on third down because he already had 9 carries on the drive, but Betts simply can't do the job on the goalline. Should have thrown on third there.

I completely disagree. Portis is scrappy, and I love him to death. But he doesn't weigh enough to knock a waiting linebacker backwards. When the line blocks all of the LBs, then anyone can get in there. But when the line can't get to them all, and a LB steps up to fill the gap, I want Sellers in there lowering his head.

If you run a stretch play around the goalline and give Portis a little space to operate, then yes he's my guy. But if I'm running a dive or some other type of run up the gut, I want a bigger player in there. I want someone who can meet a linebacker head on and blow him backwards into the end zone.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Probably should have thrown on 2nd down.

While I like the idea of ramming it down their throats, Dallas has a very stout interior. Ferguson always gives us problems inside.

I don't know if it was you or That Guy who said this earlier, but I'm ALSO wondering where that money play to Sellers is? It worked EVERY TIME last year in the red zone.

[MTK]

Portis was nailed before he could even get a sniff of the line of scrimmage. I really don't see where anyone would have faired any better. The problem was up front, not with who was carrying the ball.

[Twilbert07]

It might be even better to aslk "Where's TJ?" come April, on Draft Day 2007. That day we'll trade Duckett, for whom we gave up a decent third-round pick, for a fifth- or sixth-rounder. Ouch.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Probably should have thrown on 2nd down.

While I like the idea of ramming it down their throats, Dallas has a very stout interior. Ferguson always gives us problems inside.

One reason Brunells TD's are down from last year is that we never throw inside the 5 on first or second down anymore. We have a fairly efficient red zone offense, but our yards per game are much farther above league average than our points per game are. That tells me there is room for improvement, and throwing inside the 5 could be the way.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I don't think we can really trade him for anything. His contract is up after this year I believe.

[Twilbert07]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I don't think we can really trade him for anything. His contract is up after this year I believe.

That's right. So we'll cut him loose. What a waste.

[wilsowilso]

I don't think we have heard the last of Duckett. My guess is that we sign him to a big extension with at least a 12million dollar signing bonus and then we keep him on the bench for like five more years just to mess with everyone's mind.

[dall-assblows]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

No he's not, that's crazy talk. Portis is way faster.

no way, portis is way better but he isn't that fast

[BrunellMVP?]

if its a redundant thread, i apologize, it just sickens me. I'm not taking anything form portis or betts, but I simply don't understand the situation. Why wouldn't you give the ball to him? Not to compare to him to the Bus- bc i understand Bettis did MUCH MUCH more, but i mean, they have similiar builds ..and Pitt gave him the ball (over willie parker last year) when they needed to score. If Bettis is too much of a reach, how about the falcons giving the ball to TJ on the goal line over Dunn. I know portis is bigger than dunn and parker, but the principle applies. We struggle to get into the endzone in short yardage, why not try something new? especially when the newer option is proven!?!?

[BrunellMVP?]

Originally Posted by dall-assblows

no way, portis is way better but he isn't that fast

it does seem as if portis has lost a step from his denver days- prob due to his bulking up, but there is no doubt that he is much better than betts. betts is a good change up, but i'm unconvinced of his #1 quality.