Portis to play Saturday - he doesn't seem too happy about it

[riggins44]

It is important for Portis to get some work. Everyone on the offense needs to get in sync. Won't hurt him to make a few carries and take some hits.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

With the precarious state of the offensive line right now, I want Portis and Campbell out there as little as possible this weekend

I agree, I don't want to see Portis out there at all. I really don't think he needs to play 1 snap in the preseason in order to be effective in the regular season. If they actually kept the running package from last year, it's not worth risking him.

[RedskinRat]

He doesn't need the work, a couple of snaps won't make that much difference.

The only issue I can't foresee is the team unity being disrupted with some players getting a special deal.

Don't play him in the pre-season, if he's not up-to-par in the first two games of the season (which I believe he will be) then sit him for a game and play Cartwright, Mason and Sellers.

[GoSkins!]

His statements have been bothering me since I heard them. First, he acts like the only person who really knows what is best for him is him ("But what's good for [No.] 26 is rest. Rest is important. Rest is vital."). And he has the audacity to say: "Is this [going to be] good? For who? For y'all? For the media? For the public? I guess.". Wow! I'm sorry he feels so bad about having to play for the fans that pay his salary, not to mention the coaches that want to see him tune up his game a little.

What really gets me is that last year he complained that he didn't want to play because he already knew the offense and wouldn't benifit from running the same plays again in preseason that he already had plenty of game experience running. That is a fair statement. The problem is now he is saying he doesn't want to play because he doesn't want to have contact 7 times in a preaseason game... and it is a new offense and he has a new running backs coach. Zorn may really want to see him involved in the short passing game (new plays) and tuning up his pass protection.

He isn't LT. He needs to stop his public whining, get over it, and play... just like Edgerrin James did last night.

[MTK]

I really don't see the benefit of him getting a few snaps. A RB really doesn't find his groove until he's had a bunch of carries, and that's not going to happen in a preseason game. So I can understand what he's saying. Is there really anything to gain from him playing a couple of series? I honestly don't see it. If he got hurt it would be funny to see how quickly some people would change their tune.

[Cooley1]

He needs to get some snaps in, no question about it. I will concur with the notion that the offense must work some live snaps as a whole unit prior to the first game, as we are now in a timing offense where it is critical to feel the repetition in a live game situation.

I don’t want them to find this sync between him and the o-line in week 4 I would rather see 5-8 snaps per in the preseason to get this rhythm down. Also, it is imperative to feel a few hits prior to the start as you don’t want throw him in full blast in week 1 with little to NO contact prior, this will get him hurt.

Everyone else on the team is playing, and he shouldn’t be exempt! We all have our own opinions but at the end of the day I agree with and trust Zorn's decision to get him in the game.

[chrisl13]

Portis should be playing in the preseason because I personally haven't seen him as a real threat. He hasn't really been that since he left Denver. Of course, don't leave him in there too long to risk him getting injured but at least he can get a feel for the game of football as if it were a real game.

[GoSkins!]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I really don't see the benefit of him getting a few snaps. A RB really doesn't find his groove until he's had a bunch of carries, and that's not going to happen in a preseason game. So I can understand what he's saying. Is there really anything to gain from him playing a couple of series? I honestly don't see it. If he got hurt it would be funny to see how quickly some people would change their tune.

I kind of agree with you, but I still think that there is some benefit.

Still, the problem I have is his constant public complaining about it. He is a football player... one who is paid very well. The NFL has preseason games. Part of his job is to play in those if the coach thinks he needs to. I think that the coaches have much better perspective to make that decision than we do. Especially considering the coaches are ex-players themselves.

So, if he goes in there and fumbles in those few plays don't you think it would be a nice time for him to be reminded that he has a bad habit of sometimes holding the ball to loose in games? I'd rather it be in the preseason than in the first game.

[skinsfan69]

As much as I love Portis, I wish he'd shut the hell up about pre season. Get your butt out there and take a few carries. He needs the contact. 4-5 carries isn't going to hurt him. He's the only guy that complains about it. He acts as if he's above the rest of the starters.

[MTK]

I'm really not sure I see his comments as complaining though.

He's always said he will play if they want him too. To me he's just saying that personally he's not anticipating getting much out of it. He knows the system, he's an established vet, and he doesn't think he's got anything to gain by playing.

And in reality the risk/reward of him playing is really not very favorable.

[MTK]

I don't understand the take of 'he needs the contact'. Really though? What are some bumps and bruises in August going to do for him come September?

Look, I agree he should play a series or two, if only to prove the point he's not above anyone else. I don't think that's a big deal. I just don't see the logic in saying he needs the contact, or that the 4-5 carries he may get is going to benefit him in the long run.

RBs have limited mileage to start with. Every carry takes away from that, including the preseason. That's why teams are typically very careful with their star backs this time of year.

[redsk1]

I think w/ a new coach and new o coordinator Portis should play a little bit. Most other NFL teams put their starters in for a couple of series. No big deal.

It is a new system. Remember when Al Saunders took over and we didn't do anything in the preseason. That didn't go well that year. I say put them in there (and other starters) for a little bit and let's go. It's football you can't play scared that someone might get hurt. Of course you've got to be smart about it too.

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Is Portis playing also because Cartwright is hurt? What about Betts, is he well enough to play? I like Mason, but I don't think he should be playing almost an entire game if Betts and Cartwright are hurt.

This would be the only reason I'd want to see Portis in a preseason game...if he's filling a void because of injury. If Betts and Cartwright can't go, then Portis should take the 1st 10 snaps. If one of those guys can go, no need to put him out there.

I can see him getting those 10-15 plays in the 3rd and maybe 4th game of the preseason, but not the 1st or 2nd.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by redsk1

I think w/ a new coach and new o coordinator Portis should play a little bit. Most other NFL teams put their starters in for a couple of series. No big deal.

It is a new system. Remember when Al Saunders took over and we didn't do anything in the preseason. That didn't go well that year. I say put them in there (and other starters) for a little bit and let's go. It's football you can't play scared that someone might get hurt. Of course you've got to be smart about it too.

It's not a new system as far as the running game goes though.

[EternalEnigma21]

I think he should play. He wants to take a leadership role on the team, and the team is playing. I love cp but he's not as valuble as jason campbell, or at this point any starter in our secondary other than maybe doughty. Zorn can't let one guy be publicly bigger than the team. Sends the wrong message.

Ill also say that we don't need this many preseason games. 2 would be sufficient. Hell none would work, as long as everyone gets the same prep time.