Great Win, Just 1 Question Though

[hurrykaine]

I'm concerned that the inside running is not playing to Portis' strength. We need to toss him the ball more often and make him run sweeps...that's when he can be as lethal as he was in Denver. We ran one yesterday, and Portis picked up almost 9, if I remember.

[irish]

At this point I dont think CP is worth the money he is being paid. He just cant seem to hit the holes and explode through them for big gains. He's a decent back but not great.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by irish

At this point I dont think CP is worth the money he is being paid. He just cant seem to hit the holes and explode through them for big gains. He's a decent back but not great.

I think Betts would give us as much in terms of yardage that Portis is givning us. Betts seems to be able to use his blockers better when running up the middle or between the tackles. Portis just doesn't seem to be comfortable running up the middle or between the tackles. What I think Portis brings to table though, is his toughness, willingness to pick up the blitzes and block down field. I give Portis credit, he is definately a TEAM guy. He has not said anything bad and keeps saying, as long as we are winning I will do what ever I need to do. He in not worried about touches, or yards, TD's or anything. GREAT ATTITUDE!!!! He has bought into what Gibbs and Co. have preached all year, as well as the whole team. To see the defensive guys up cheering the offense and vise versa, its awesome. And did you guys see who was the first person to hug Brunell after the game? Ramsey. With all that he has gone through, and to be able to put all that aside and root for the guy thats playing infront of you speaks volumes of the attitude of this team. I really think we are working on something very solid in DC. Guys willing to do what it takes to win!!! It is AWESOME to see

[Kope]

Originally Posted by irish

At this point I dont think CP is worth the money he is being paid. He just cant seem to hit the holes and explode through them for big gains. He's a decent back but not great.

I think by the time it is all said and done he will be the best back the Skins have ever had. He will get 1200 - 1700 yards for us every year he plays. Add to that how he blocks, hustles and catches- he is something special. He is still looking at close to 1300 yards (after NY). And there is still alot of football to play.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Kope

I think by the time it is all said and done he will be the best back the Skins have ever had. He will get 1200 - 1700 yards for us every year he plays. Add to that how he blocks, hustles and catches- he is something special. He is still looking at close to 1300 yards (after NY). And there is still alot of football to play.

I dont think that the skins brought CP here and paid him huge money to be a great blocker and hustle his tail off. Those are nice but that's not what a star back is supposed to be known for. The yards are nice but with the TDs he scores (not many so far) and if he rushed for 1200 yards (less than 100 per game) I would still say he is way over paid.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by irish

I dont think that the skins brought CP here and paid him huge money to be a great blocker and hustle his tail off. Those are nice but that's not what a star back is supposed to be known for. The yards are nice but with the TDs he scores (not many so far) and if he rushed for 1200 yards (less than 100 per game) I would still say he is way over paid.

I have to take issue what what you're saying here.

For the money they are paying him, they must certainly do expect him to hustle and block.

Those are exactly the things a star back is known for.

Look at the all-time greats, Payton, Smith, Brown, etc., they all did the little things whether it was catching balls, blocking, hustling, etc.

Ripping off big runs is nice, but if you ask me what makes a complete player is what he does without the ball.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I have to take issue what what you're saying here.

For the money they are paying him, they must certainly do expect him to hustle and block.

Those are exactly the things a star back is known for.

Look at the all-time greats, Payton, Smith, Brown, etc., they all did the little things whether it was catching balls, blocking, hustling, etc.

Ripping off big runs is nice, but if you ask me what makes a complete player is what he does without the ball.

I think if you ask people what Walter Payton is known for, I doubt blocking is the answer you'll get. Sure he was a good blocker and complete player but he was known for his explosive running. Portis was brought here as an explosive RB and paid like one. No matter how you slice it, CP has not performed as the superstar RB the skins expected he would be.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by irish

I dont think that the skins brought CP here and paid him huge money to be a great blocker and hustle his tail off. Those are nice but that's not what a star back is supposed to be known for. The yards are nice but with the TDs he scores (not many so far) and if he rushed for 1200 yards (less than 100 per game) I would still say he is way over paid.

Agreed. But prepare for the backlash, Irish. There is hell to pay for anyone who dares to criticize the almighty Clinton Portis. But I don't care. He's been a "good" running back for us, but that's it. Against NFC East opponents, his average after last night is 3.4 yards a carry. So I think it's perfectly fair to see that he's not exactly been what everyone hoped for, especially in the divisional games that matter most.

And spare me this CRAP about "spreading the running lanes" or calling more toss-sweeps to "open things up" for Portis. The Skins did what they never do last night and actually pitched the ball to Portis when they were getting manhandled by the Corey Simon-less Eagles up the middle. It still didn't matter. Philadelphia stuffed the run last night. There's two realities that many Redskin fans simply do not want to believe: This offensive line is not good enough against above average defensive lines to run the ball and control the game, AND Clinton Portis is not as good as was advertised.

We won the game last night because of a heads up play by Derrick Dockery, and I officially take back everything I said about him being the weak link on this line. His recovery of Chris Cooley's fumble turned out to be the pivotal play in a game that was very close to going either way. For once, the ball bounced our way this season.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Agreed. But prepare for the backlash, Irish. There is hell to pay for anyone who dares to criticize the almighty Clinton Portis. But I don't care. He's been a "good" running back for us, but that's it. Against NFC East opponents, his average after last night is 3.4 yards a carry. So I think it's perfectly fair to see that he's not exactly been what everyone hoped for, especially in the divisional games that matter most.

And spare me this CRAP about "spreading the running lanes" or calling more toss-sweeps to "open things up" for Portis. The Skins did what they never do last night and actually pitched the ball to Portis when they were getting manhandled by the Corey Simon-less Eagles up the middle. It still didn't matter. Philadelphia stuffed the run last night. There's two realities that many Redskin fans simply do not want to believe: This offensive line is not good enough against above average defensive lines to run the ball and control the game, AND Clinton Portis is not as good as was advertised.

We won the game last night because of a heads up play by Derrick Dockery, and I officially take back everything I said about him being the weak link on this line. His recovery of Chris Cooley's fumble turned out to be the pivotal play in a game that was very close to going either way. For once, the ball bounced our way this season.

and this post isn't reactionary at all considering you're totally willing to change your views on dockery cause of one single play

[Hog1]

Yea, I am very concerned. The one redeeming factor of last night is, we did not abandon the run and we started to have more success in the second half. it appeared to be wearing down the Philly D. Not major, but positive. Like Daseal already mentioned, I would like to see Portis used outside more. He had some success last night in that area.

[MTK]

I think there's this misconception that Portis isn't a good inside runner. In fact I think he actually likes to run inside, if you watch him run he is usually seeking contact rather than avoiding it.

As for Betts, I like him but he's too injury prone to be relied on as a #1 back.

I really like what we have in Portis and Betts. Portis is as tough as they come and as someone said before I think he's more banged up than we may know.

And I really don't think we should underestimate what he does away from the ball. He's always hustling and doing everything the coaches ask him to do and then some.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I think there's this misconception that Portis isn't a good inside runner. In fact I think he actually likes to run inside, if you watch him run he is usually seeking contact rather than avoiding it.

As for Betts, I like him but he's too injury prone to be relied on as a #1 back.

I really like what we have in Portis and Betts. Portis is as tough as they come and as someone said before I think he's more banged up than we may know.

And I really don't think we should underestimate what he does away from the ball. He's always hustling and doing everything the coaches ask him to do and then some.

Completely agree. But I guess the question now is will we start seeing some more carries for Sellers?

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

Completely agree. But I guess the question now is will we start seeing some more carries for Sellers?

I'd LOVE to see Sellers get some more carries. Gives the other teams something else to plan for. Maybe line him up in the backfield and Portis at WR.

[skinsguy]

Portis has been battling injuries. He has limped through the last couple of games. I think we have a pretty solid one-two punch with Portis and Betts.

[dmek25]

i love portis.he has done everything the coaches have ask of him.i think our line play leaves alot to be desired.i also think the portis trade was a done deal before coach gibbs was officially welcomed back.by the way,did anyone notice m zellers run over noted tough guy b dawkins on that one swing pass?