Is This Guy For Real?

[davy]

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports there are whispers emanating from Washington that RB Clinton Portis isn't quite a perfect fit for the HC Joe Gibbs offense, which usually demands a power-type back. But a far bigger concern for the Redskins, who still figure to get about 1,400-1,500 yards from the third-year veteran obtained in the CB Champ Bailey trade, is the No. 2 tailback spot. None of the backups -- RB Ladell Betts, RB Sultan McCullough, RB Chad Morton or FB Rock Cartwright -- have been very impressive. Which explains why personnel chief Vinny Cerrato has been calling around checking on the status of veteran tailbacks who might be released this weekend. The 'Skins snooped around the possible availability of RB Garrison Hearst, with whom Cerrato is familiar from their stint together with the 49ers, but the Denver Broncos aren't likely to cut him now that RB Mike Anderson is sidelined for the season. Washington will take a long look at the waiver wire this weekend to see if there is a tailback better than the group it currently has behind Portis on the depth chart.

[Riggo44]

I really don't think so. Wait, no I don't think so.

[EEich]

I don't think it's laughable. Joe prefers big backs (Riggins). None of the backups qualify as big. Why wouldn't Vinny try to get someone that Joe would feel comfortable to back up Portis?

Hearst isn't necessarily the answer because he's only 5'11'' 215 but he's been pretty solid for the last few years. And face it... if Portis gets hurt... with the current backups, the Redskins are out of the playoffs. Hearst is better than any other backup we have,

Rushing
Year Team G GS Att Yards Avg Lg TD 20+ FD
2001 San Francisco 49ers 16 16 252 1206 4.8 43 4 7 53
2002 San Francisco 49ers 16 16 215 972 4.5 40 8 6 53
2003 San Francisco 49ers 12 12 178 768 4.3 36 3 3 38

Receiving:
Year Team G GS No Yards Avg Lg TD 20+ 40+ FD
2001 San Francisco 49ers 16 16 41 347 8.5 60 1 2 1 15
2002 San Francisco 49ers 16 16 48 317 6.6 16 1 0 0 14
2003 San Francisco 49ers 12 12 25 211 8.4 26 1 3 0 7

You guys starting to doubt Joe Gibbs?

[SKINSnCANES]

Heart has two bum knees, and everyone talks about GIbbs wants power backs like riggons, but wernt all his other backs small guys? Portis is a perfect fit for any coach, the guys a stud.

[jrocx69]

Jamie Morris Is A Good Example. Byner Wasnt All That Big. Kelvin Bryant, Timmy Smith Etc.

Portis Is A Great Rb For The System

Hearst Has A Repaired Bum Ankle His Knees Should Be Fine

[EEich]

Considering Joe intends to run Portis "until his tongue hangs out"... he may break down over the course of the year. I trust Joe as a good judge of talent. Aside from Portis, he doesn't see it on out current roster.

Timmy Smith had one good game. (One amazing game).

Originally Posted by jrocx69

Jamie Morris Is A Good Example. Byner Wasnt All That Big. Kelvin Bryant, Timmy Smith Etc.

Portis Is A Great Rb For The System

Hearst Has A Repaired Bum Ankle His Knees Should Be Fine

[Brute44]

I think after tonights preseason finale, Betts has proved that he is a worthy number 2. If you look back at at SuperBowl XXII Timmy Smith had a career day and that game changed Gibbs philosophy about power backs compared to speed backs. Before that SuperBowl he primarily relied on power backs Like Riggo but even then he had speed with Joe Washington. After that SuperBowl the skins went through many speed backs none really worth mentioning except Ernest Byner. George Rogers was around and took over for Riggo then came Gerald Riggs but it was never like the days of Riggo because he was a phenomenon for his size and speed. Don't get me wrong though it's nice to have a power full back thats 250Lbs to run it in at goal line situations but in todays football I'd rather have an all around quick back than a power back.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by EEich

I don't think it's laughable. Joe prefers big backs (Riggins). None of the backups qualify as big...You guys starting to doubt Joe Gibbs?

Nobody's doubting Joe Gibbs, we're doubting Lenny Pasta!

This is simply one of the biggest misconceptions we keep hearing over and over. Gibbs prefers backs who can get the job done and don't fumble the ball -- regardless of their size.

He has used running backs of all different statures: Byner was an average sized back (about 220), Joe Washington, Timmy Smith (one amazing game or not) and Ricky Ervins were all little guys. Kelvin Bryant was lanky (6'2", 195), while Riggs, Rogers and Riggins were all above 235 -- so clearly, there was no favorite prototypical running back. Gibbs handed the ball to players at that position of practically every physical type.

Must have been a slow news day for Pastabelly.

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by EEich

I don't think it's laughable. Joe prefers big backs (Riggins). None of the backups qualify as big. Why wouldn't Vinny try to get someone that Joe would feel comfortable to back up Portis?

Was this supposed to be serious or just totally silly?? Just because a coach happens to have one big back for less that half of his very successful years with a team, that is ALL he wants? Gee, I guess he should have looked up Portis' weight on www.nfl.com before he made the trade. Portis is definitely a "Gibbs" RB. LOL

Len Pastabelly is REALLY desparate to get his name in the news to come up with this ridiculous pile up bull crap. How could anyone on this site buy into it?? Amazing.

[SmootSmack]

Well said Beemnseven! I'm just waiting for someone to write "Whispers are emanating from Washington that Brunell isn't quite the perfect fit for HC Joe Gibbs offense, which has always had a right-handed starting QB"

The man is one of the greatest ever because he can win with anybody!

[MTK]

If Gibbs prefers big backs then why did he go out and trade for Portis??

Makes no sense.

Gibbs has seen how the league has changed over the years. Speed is such an asset in today's game, and for a smaller back Portis does play with surprising power as well.

[EEich]

Listen guys... my comment wasn't that he had to get a big back... or couldn't win without one... just that he preferred them. Did you not understand my point about Hearst not being big, but being a potentially good backup?

Gibbs will win with Portis as long as Portis stays healthy. He's just worried that he won't because of his intention to use him 30+ carries a game. A bigger back might be able to handle that load a little better.

I believe that he is uncomfortable with the backups. We've heard the same thing from other sources. None have shown him the ability to chew up turf and stay healthy.

[BIGREDSKINFAN63]

guys,have you ever heard fatass pastabelly lenny p say 1 good thing about the redskins?i rest my case.he's a sexually frustrated bill parcels/jerry jones/cowbooy fan
with delusions of nfl godhood.

[SmootSmack]

Well I hear what you're saying EEich. My beef with lenny p's comments were primarily that Portis isn't the perfect fit for the Gibbs offense. I don't think Gibbs offense is about who's lining up behind the O-Line, it's the O-Line itself.

Vinny wouldn't be doing his job, or whatever it is he does, if he wasn't looking for ways to improve the team but personally I don't think replacing Betts with an older, slightly smaller Hearst is the answer.

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by EEich

Gibbs will win with Portis as long as Portis stays healthy. He's just worried that he won't because of his intention to use him 30+ carries a game. A bigger back might be able to handle that load a little better.

I believe that he is uncomfortable with the backups. We've heard the same thing from other sources. None have shown him the ability to chew up turf and stay healthy.

Eeich, I guess your second statement here could possibly be true - but I have not seen anything like that from any reliable source. (LP is DEFINITELY not reliable - he and Prisco generate enough cow dung to fertilize the entire midwest.) But your first statement is another story. What evidence could you possibly have the "He's just worried that he won't..." You are not only putting words in the man's mouth, you are trying to put thoughts in his head. Where are you getting this stuff? Why do you think Gibbs is trembling in his office at the prospect of having Portis carry a heavy workload?

And by the way, this Gibbs history of a heavy workload is a myth. Yes, for one or two seasons, Riggo was getting many, many carries. But for all the rest of his time here, Gibbs was known for successfully splitting the workload among his backs - none were overworked. Look it up. I think he made that "tongue hanging out" comment in jest. We'll see.

Now back to the real world. Betts is the only decent backup they have. I sure hope he can stay healthy!!!!!!