Portis/Riggins comparison

WillH · 10-10-2008, 01:34 PM

I remember watching Portis his first year in Denver and saying, "I love the way this guy runs; he is my favorite running back in the league." Now I was a big Champ Bailey fan (who wasn't), but when Gibbs traded him for Portis I was ecstatic. Since then I have had the privilege to watch my favorite back play for my team. Watching him play here he has proven to be a more well rounded back then I knew, his pass blocking is phenomenal, and he has continued to improve his versatility by becoming a legit receiving threat. And the attitude and spirit he brings to the team I think is invaluable. I said two years ago, when people started to question how much longer he would last that he is still young, still elite, and is HOF bound. I even made a lifetime bet with a NY Giants fan that he'd be in the HOF before Tiki. I wasn't old enough to watch Riggo in action, so all I know of him are highlight reels. So, Clinton Portis is by far my favorite Redskin, and I think he always will be.

Hog1 · 10-10-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redskins_P

Huh?

NO ,
satire from the other post

spearhead05 · 10-10-2008, 02:15 PM

I had the pleasuer of first hearing news of Clinton in high school becuse I live in FLA and played football in high school so the rumors of this kid from Gansville high were awsome.
Clinton and I were born a week from each other (I'm older) and when I got hurt I got to see santana at Carol city a couple of times. Then they went to the U and I got to see them there so I have seen a lot of them. CP has come along way even though I'm not old enough to remember Riggo I can see there toughness are the same.

skinsnut · 10-10-2008, 02:39 PM

It is really hard to compare these 2 backs since they are so different.

The weaknesses of Portis were the strength of Riggo.

Riggo was basically a Mike Sellers type back with running back skills.
He ran up the gut and always gained yardage, even when the defense knew exactly where the play was going with 9 in the box.
This is an unheard of ability in today's NFL.
Many times he would run 8-9 plays in a row....and he NEVER came out ....EVER.
Back then the skins tried to run him 30+ times a game, and he'd only get started after having 20+ carries.

Now, the max carries are about 20-25/game for a single back, and they need rest, as Portis does.

I frankly, could not believe that Portis was not in the game the next to last drive last week, it was shocking to me with the game on the line.
Riggo would have been there, beating the crap out of the opposition in that situation and drooling for more. Riggo was essentially RB with a MLB mentality, he LOVED to hit someone....HARD....Now, Riggo didn't catch much, and he didn't run sweeps or catch screens, he didn't have too because he'd always drag the first guy another 2-3 yards after contact. Riggo was the Dominating force for our back to back superbowls, everyone keyed on him. It was not playcalling that won those games as much as it was Riggo getting a guaranteed 3 every time...(of course play action-deep works great in those situations)

Riggo would not work as well with zone blocking as he thrived on bunch blocking with heavy contact, open spaces favor shifty backs that juke and hesitate.
Riggo did not juke nor hesistate,....ever.
I bet he took fewer losses than any RB in history.

Now Portis on the other hand is the exact opposite, more of a barry sanders type that requires a hole to run through. His weakness is short yardage on the goal line, the opposite of Riggo. He shored up his "between the tackles" running quite a bit a few years back and is actually very good at that now....The only thing he lacks vs Riggo is the ability to drag multiple defenders, get a guaranteed 2 yards up the gut when needed, and avoidance of negative runs. However, Portis can catch and even line up as a WR occasionally....and his pass blocking is phenominal....yes Riggo pass blocked well too, but I dont think he was nimble enough to handle pass rushing DEs like Portis can.
Riggo essentially helped in the interior.

So, who is better?
Well, Riggo of course, he has a ring and dragged the Skins to 2 back to back Superbowls.

Who is a more balanced all round back?
Portis.

Will Portis ever reach the level of Riggo in all time Redskins lore?
Hard to say...even if he duplicates what Riggo's teams did,....Riggo did it first and is a HERO for winning the Redskins first Superbowl in a stretch of glory.
Until Portis wins a Superbowl and becomes a household name like the Diesel, you'd have to say Riggo is still in the drivers seat.

SouperMeister · 10-10-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnerotten

portis is like a jack rabbitt when compared to riggins.riggins was never really fast,just really hard to tackle.i think that clinton portis is the best blocking/catching the blitz back in the league's history to me.

Riggins was actually very fast for a 250 lb back. He was a state champion in the 100 yard dash in high school. Once he got a head of steam, he could pull away from many DBs that he outweighed by 50 lbs. Just look at the TD run against Miami in Super Bowl XVII or the 60 yard TD at Dallas in the last game of the '79 season. I find this comparison very interesting, because both Portis and Riggo give the best of both worlds. I would designate Riggins as a power-back with deceptive speed and Portis as a speed back with deceptive power. Can't go wrong with either guy - both True Redskins as Joe Gibbs used to say.

Redskins_P · 10-10-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

I find this comparison very interesting, because both Portis and Riggo give the best of both worlds. I would designate Riggins as a power-back with deceptive speed and Portis as a speed back with deceptive power. Can't go wrong with either guy - both True Redskins as Joe Gibbs used to say.

I completely agree. I couldn't have said it better myself.

MTK · 10-10-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

Riggins was actually very fast for a 250 lb back. He was a state champion in the 100 yard dash in high school. Once he got a head of steam, he could pull away from many DBs that he outweighed by 50 lbs. Just look at the TD run against Miami in Super Bowl XVII or the 60 yard TD at Dallas in the last game of the '79 season. I find this comparison very interesting, because both Portis and Riggo give the best of both worlds. I would designate Riggins as a power-back with deceptive speed and Portis as a speed back with deceptive power. Can't go wrong with either guy - both True Redskins as Joe Gibbs used to say.

That's a great way to put it.

When you see old clips of Riggo, I'm always shocked at how he could run away from the D in the open field. The guy was definitely very fast for a man his size. Stephen Davis was the same kind of back when he was in his prime, but Riggo had more power.

LandrySlice · 10-10-2008, 06:00 PM

This is one of the best threads I have ever read on this site! Way too hard for me to compare, but at the end of the day, Super Bowl rings is what we all want to see, and Riggo has one. I am not saying that CP can't get the job done, and I am loving him more and more each season, but I am rolling with Riggo for now. Plus I ran into CP at PF Changs this winter, and he was drinking Pina Coladas! I don't think you will find the diesal ever sipping on one of those!

NYCskinfan82 · 10-10-2008, 06:17 PM

good question great debate the rings have it.

Slingin Sammy 33 · 10-10-2008, 06:22 PM

Very good thread. Great points made. Have to go with rings and HoF. When Portis does either then the discussion gets more interesting. Until then Riggo.

LandrySlice · 10-10-2008, 06:27 PM

Amen Brotha, I think if Portis stays healthy and this team has more continuity over time it could become a tie if the z man leads them to the promise land!

53Fan · 10-10-2008, 11:05 PM

I think Portis is a great back and getting better all around. But with Riggo, if you needed 2 or 3 yards for a 1rst down and you gave him the ball, you could bank on it. The guy never got stuffed, never was brought down by one guy, and always fell forward for extra yardage. On the other hand Riggo did'nt catch many passes and I don't remember him ever decleating a defender the way Clinton does either. What they do have in common, is they are both a little nuts and fun as hell to watch.

That Guy · 10-10-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillH

I remember watching Portis his first year in Denver and saying, "I love the way this guy runs; he is my favorite running back in the league." Now I was a big Champ Bailey fan (who wasn't)

that'd be me... yeah, i'm that guy.

johnerotten · 10-11-2008, 08:59 AM

riggins was more of a fullback that CP is.i'm not saying portis will not run you over,but i saw riggins run harvey martin,randy white,and about every member of the cowboys dline over more than once,and that's hard to do.riggins was never the dodge and miss back that portis is either.riggins was just a power runner,portis is too,but he can fake you out of your skin in an eye blink.and like i have said before,clinton portis is the best back in the league's history at catching the blitz,i have never seen anybody better at that.

DirtyLandry · 10-11-2008, 10:35 AM

It's a shame Portis was in a dated offense for so long. He was forced to run the ball constantly into eight man fronts. I remember in the '04 opener against Tampa Bay and he broke that 64 yard run- I thought that we were all in for a great couple of years. That season I think he finished with a 3.9 ypc... what a disappointment. I'm glad we have the philosophy now to see some exciting running.

10-10-2008, 01:34 PM	#16
WillH The Starter Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,590	Re: Portis/Riggins comparison I remember watching Portis his first year in Denver and saying, "I love the way this guy runs; he is my favorite running back in the league." Now I was a big Champ Bailey fan (who wasn't), but when Gibbs traded him for Portis I was ecstatic. Since then I have had the privilege to watch my favorite back play for my team. Watching him play here he has proven to be a more well rounded back then I knew, his pass blocking is phenomenal, and he has continued to improve his versatility by becoming a legit receiving threat. And the attitude and spirit he brings to the team I think is invaluable. I said two years ago, when people started to question how much longer he would last that he is still young, still elite, and is HOF bound. I even made a lifetime bet with a NY Giants fan that he'd be in the HOF before Tiki. I wasn't old enough to watch Riggo in action, so all I know of him are highlight reels. So, Clinton Portis is by far my favorite Redskin, and I think he always will be.

10-10-2008, 02:15 PM	#18
spearhead05 Special Teams Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 43 Posts: 121	Re: Portis/Riggins comparison I had the pleasuer of first hearing news of Clinton in high school becuse I live in FLA and played football in high school so the rumors of this kid from Gansville high were awsome. Clinton and I were born a week from each other (I'm older) and when I got hurt I got to see santana at Carol city a couple of times. Then they went to the U and I got to see them there so I have seen a lot of them. CP has come along way even though I'm not old enough to remember Riggo I can see there toughness are the same.

10-10-2008, 02:39 PM	#19
skinsnut Playmaker Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,900	Re: Portis/Riggins comparison It is really hard to compare these 2 backs since they are so different. The weaknesses of Portis were the strength of Riggo. Riggo was basically a Mike Sellers type back with running back skills. He ran up the gut and always gained yardage, even when the defense knew exactly where the play was going with 9 in the box. This is an unheard of ability in today's NFL. Many times he would run 8-9 plays in a row....and he NEVER came out ....EVER. Back then the skins tried to run him 30+ times a game, and he'd only get started after having 20+ carries. Now, the max carries are about 20-25/game for a single back, and they need rest, as Portis does. I frankly, could not believe that Portis was not in the game the next to last drive last week, it was shocking to me with the game on the line. Riggo would have been there, beating the crap out of the opposition in that situation and drooling for more. Riggo was essentially RB with a MLB mentality, he LOVED to hit someone....HARD....Now, Riggo didn't catch much, and he didn't run sweeps or catch screens, he didn't have too because he'd always drag the first guy another 2-3 yards after contact. Riggo was the Dominating force for our back to back superbowls, everyone keyed on him. It was not playcalling that won those games as much as it was Riggo getting a guaranteed 3 every time...(of course play action-deep works great in those situations) Riggo would not work as well with zone blocking as he thrived on bunch blocking with heavy contact, open spaces favor shifty backs that juke and hesitate. Riggo did not juke nor hesistate,....ever. I bet he took fewer losses than any RB in history. Now Portis on the other hand is the exact opposite, more of a barry sanders type that requires a hole to run through. His weakness is short yardage on the goal line, the opposite of Riggo. He shored up his "between the tackles" running quite a bit a few years back and is actually very good at that now....The only thing he lacks vs Riggo is the ability to drag multiple defenders, get a guaranteed 2 yards up the gut when needed, and avoidance of negative runs. However, Portis can catch and even line up as a WR occasionally....and his pass blocking is phenominal....yes Riggo pass blocked well too, but I dont think he was nimble enough to handle pass rushing DEs like Portis can. Riggo essentially helped in the interior. So, who is better? Well, Riggo of course, he has a ring and dragged the Skins to 2 back to back Superbowls. Who is a more balanced all round back? Portis. Will Portis ever reach the level of Riggo in all time Redskins lore? Hard to say...even if he duplicates what Riggo's teams did,....Riggo did it first and is a HERO for winning the Redskins first Superbowl in a stretch of glory. Until Portis wins a Superbowl and becomes a household name like the Diesel, you'd have to say Riggo is still in the drivers seat. __________________ I hate Dallas...Period

10-10-2008, 06:00 PM	#23
LandrySlice Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: AFGHANISTAN Posts: 335	Re: Portis/Riggins comparison This is one of the best threads I have ever read on this site! Way too hard for me to compare, but at the end of the day, Super Bowl rings is what we all want to see, and Riggo has one. I am not saying that CP can't get the job done, and I am loving him more and more each season, but I am rolling with Riggo for now. Plus I ran into CP at PF Changs this winter, and he was drinking Pina Coladas! I don't think you will find the diesal ever sipping on one of those! __________________ Don't tase me bro!!!!

10-10-2008, 06:17 PM	#24
NYCskinfan82 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Queens, NYC Age: 55 Posts: 3,803	Re: Portis/Riggins comparison good question great debate the rings have it.

10-10-2008, 06:22 PM	#25
Slingin Sammy 33 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 4,347	Re: Portis/Riggins comparison Very good thread. Great points made. Have to go with rings and HoF. When Portis does either then the discussion gets more interesting. Until then Riggo. __________________ "I would bet.....(if), an angel fairy came down and said, '[You can have anything] in the world you would like to own,' I wouldn't be surprised if you said a football club and particularly the Washington Redskins.'' — Jack Kent Cooke, 1996.

10-10-2008, 06:27 PM	#26
LandrySlice Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: AFGHANISTAN Posts: 335	Re: Portis/Riggins comparison Amen Brotha, I think if Portis stays healthy and this team has more continuity over time it could become a tie if the z man leads them to the promise land! __________________ Don't tase me bro!!!!

10-10-2008, 11:05 PM	#27
53Fan Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kill Devil Hills, N.C. Posts: 7,570	Re: Portis/Riggins comparison I think Portis is a great back and getting better all around. But with Riggo, if you needed 2 or 3 yards for a 1rst down and you gave him the ball, you could bank on it. The guy never got stuffed, never was brought down by one guy, and always fell forward for extra yardage. On the other hand Riggo did'nt catch many passes and I don't remember him ever decleating a defender the way Clinton does either. What they do have in common, is they are both a little nuts and fun as hell to watch.

10-11-2008, 08:59 AM	#29
johnerotten Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: commonwealth of va Posts: 795	Re: Portis/Riggins comparison riggins was more of a fullback that CP is.i'm not saying portis will not run you over,but i saw riggins run harvey martin,randy white,and about every member of the cowboys dline over more than once,and that's hard to do.riggins was never the dodge and miss back that portis is either.riggins was just a power runner,portis is too,but he can fake you out of your skin in an eye blink.and like i have said before,clinton portis is the best back in the league's history at catching the blitz,i have never seen anybody better at that.

10-11-2008, 10:35 AM	#30
DirtyLandry Special Teams Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: lost in the sauce Posts: 377	Re: Portis/Riggins comparison It's a shame Portis was in a dated offense for so long. He was forced to run the ball constantly into eight man fronts. I remember in the '04 opener against Tampa Bay and he broke that 64 yard run- I thought that we were all in for a great couple of years. That season I think he finished with a 3.9 ypc... what a disappointment. I'm glad we have the philosophy now to see some exciting running. __________________ "I just went from six to midnight."

Portis/Riggins comparison

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