Just some Food for Thought!

dragontat7169 · 10-17-2004, 09:21 PM

Yes, today Portis actually had a day of rushing that we have expected from him. But why did it take so long? Well here is my opinion and I meant to actually post this before the game and I completely forgot.

Portis is still young. The offensive line is under a new system. There are new coaches and so many other factors involved. Well other than the one 60+ yard TD he rushed for in the season opener, Portis had been horrible. But why did it take until week 6 for him to finally have a great game? Well if everyone looks back at the Preseason, Portis hardly played more than one series after the Hall of Fame game. The main reason for the preseason is to get the team to work well as a unit. In other words, they need to GEL!!! But when your starting RB is not playing, how can you gel? I seem to remember the Skins having a pretty good running attack in the preseason. However, all backs run differently. Betts runs different than Portis and Cartwright runs different than Betts. This makes a huge difference when it comes to setting up blocks by the rest of the offense. Blocks are also timing just like passing. Knowing when to release your block and so on will depend on who is in your backfield. But anyways, what I am trying to say is that the first 5 games of the season was actually Portis's preseason and we should expect more big games like the one today. I also noticed that in his previous 5 games that he was stumbling alot once he got the ball and I didn't see much of that today except on a few occasions. Now that the running game should open up a bit, I hope the passing game will open up too. I expect this offense to really start clicking after the bye. I think JG will definitely work on the O during the break and we should see a more wide open offense during the remainder of the season.

Thanks for coming in and reading my LONG winded posts. If you can't tell, I don't mind typing and telling you what is on my mind..LOL.

Any comments are always read and appreciated.

GO SKINS!!!!

skinsguy · 10-17-2004, 09:27 PM

Yes, up until today I have been very disappointed with Clinton Portis...but he looked much better today!

joecrisp · 10-17-2004, 09:49 PM

Your thoughts are appreciated, dragon! Don't worry about being long-winded-- I'm guilty of that myself on most occasions. As long as your posts are coherent and have a point, that's all most people want.

I think you make some valid points. I understand the coaches' desire to keep Portis healthy for the regular season, so I can't really blame them for holding him back in the preseason, but I think it did have a negative effect on his ability to mesh with the linemen and vice-versa. Overall, I'd rather have a healthy Portis, and let him find his groove in the regular season.

But I think Portis's lack of productivity was also due in large part to playcalling. You'll notice Gibbs made an effort to get Portis outside quickly against the Bears, throwing in some quick pitches. He also mixed up the formations (including more 3-TE and 3-WR sets) and used the H-backs more in the fullback role. The running game is giving the defense more looks than it was in previous games, not allowing the defense to key on particular formations-- which had been a huge problem in previous games, particularly against Cleveland and Baltimore.

It also helps that Chicago simply does not have a very good defense. But hopefully, this game gives the offensive line and Portis some confidence and chemistry that they can build on.

SKINSnCANES · 10-17-2004, 10:05 PM

I agree with joecrisp, I think the playcalling was not very good for portis as a running back. I didnt see the game today but from what i heard listening we FINALLY decided to use a hb to blcok for him, sellers apparently was in teh game more to block. I think that helped a bunch on its own.

aehs77 · 10-17-2004, 10:15 PM

they also ran the cutback play that he did so well in denver

SKINSnCANES · 10-17-2004, 10:41 PM

they should run all the plays he ran in denver, they obvioulsy worked, lol

MTK · 10-17-2004, 11:15 PM

It's very true you need time to come together and certainly Portis didn't have much work in the preseason to get settled in, but, you can't give a star RB 20 carries a game in the preseason. That's just asking for trouble.

After watching the highlights it seems Portis was much more decisive today and there seemed to be a few wrinkles in the running game that we haven't seen previously.

SmootSmack · 10-17-2004, 11:27 PM

First of all. Has anyone officially welcomed dragon to the board? If not, let me be the first to welcome you to the warpath dragon!

Also, I don't know if this has been brought up so far, but where was Cooley today? I don't remember seeing him at all

That Guy · 10-18-2004, 07:07 AM

i think portis showed up cause the bears D sucks... with brunell at the helm, he'll be running into 8 and 9 man fronts vs green bay... it could get ugly

the play calling has gotten better, but it still needs to step it up some more...

dragontat7169 · 10-18-2004, 08:29 AM

First of all, thanks smootsmack for welcoming me. I really like this board and everyone here shows true intelligence to the game and dedication to Skins.

Everyone has also made some valid points. And yes, I agree the play calling also held Portis back a little. It has been basic so far this year. But I still feel holding Portis back so much in the Preseason was a bit too conservative when you have a great backup back like Betts (and I think he clearly showed that today by making 2 key 3rd down runs for first downs).

I just hope that the line has regained the confidence they lost after week 1.

backrow · 10-18-2004, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragontat7169

Well other than the one 60+ yard TD he rushed for in the season opener, Portis had been horrible. Now that the running game should open up a bit, I hope the passing game will open up too. I think JG will definitely work on the O during the break and we should see a more wide open offense during the remainder of the season.

GO SKINS!!!!

Welcome Dragon!

I disagree on one point! Portis' TY, and YPC are about right for a 1,200-1,400 yd. year! It's not his fault we have abandoned the run too early! And have a noodle-armed QB that can't pull out a win with his arm!
So, Portis has not been horrible! Better than average is a better description!

I hope the passsing game opens up too, but please refer to HOF Coach Gibbs, by his respected title, or call him Coach Gibbs, but not just JG! Thank You! No other active NFL Coach has that before his name!

Yes, I think HOF Coach Gibbs has already done some adjustments on the game, and yes, we might be seeing more of the same as yesterday!

It can be said that some posters here had expectations way too high! I said 8-8, and I'm on track! But of course, I would settle for way better than 8-8!

I don't mind typing either! The difficult part is reading some of the spelling in threads!

dragontat7169 · 10-18-2004, 09:31 AM

backrow-you are right..Portis has not been horrible..but saying he is better than average is kindof overstating the facts..he has averaged less than 3.5 ypc and that is including the 60+ yard TD run. And I wasn't meaning any disrespect to HOF Coach Gibbs either by calling him JG. It was just a shorter way of typing. But anyways, I wasn't saying that his previous performance was all his fault. His success is dependant on the O line and directly relates to him. But what do you call the 2 fumbles in one game he had earlier this year? I guess that is better than average considering both fumbles were beyond the line of scrimmage. I would rather have seen those fumbles occur during the preseason then in the regular. And this post was not to blame Portis in anyway. It was to point out that I think he is ready to step up now that his preseason his over.

That Guy · 10-18-2004, 10:24 AM

portis has been a victim of not-so-great play calling and bad blocking... hopefully the GB game looks like the bears game (for portis, not brunell)...

i'd definately say portis has been above average and could change to great very soon

Hogskin · 10-18-2004, 11:02 AM

We had some discussions about this last week. I said to expect some pitchouts this week, and sure enough, there were several of them. And they worked.

There have been TWO problems with Portis' running up until now:

1. Almost 100% of his runs were straight into the line. NO PITCHOUTS.

2. He has been told over and over in practice to WAIT for the blockers, don't take off another direction when the hole has not shown up. The hole has not been showing up.

What was different this week is that they used the pitchouts so he can use his talents, AND when he ran into the line, several times, he made a cut when the hole did not show up, and made good yards. These two CHANGES accounted for almost all of his good runs.

MTK · 10-18-2004, 11:09 AM

I think Portis is well on his way to turning his season around. He definitely benefited from the outside pitches and lead blocking from the h-back/fullback, but he also seemed more comfortable and decisive.

The schemes also helped. From what I've read the Bears were pretty confused by all the looks they were seeing, and Portis was running more with spread formations rather than the line being overcrowded with blockers.

He looked alot like the Portis we thought we were getting, yesterday was a much needed boost to his confidence.

10-17-2004, 09:21 PM	#1
dragontat7169 Camp Scrub Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 92	Just some Food for Thought! Yes, today Portis actually had a day of rushing that we have expected from him. But why did it take so long? Well here is my opinion and I meant to actually post this before the game and I completely forgot. Portis is still young. The offensive line is under a new system. There are new coaches and so many other factors involved. Well other than the one 60+ yard TD he rushed for in the season opener, Portis had been horrible. But why did it take until week 6 for him to finally have a great game? Well if everyone looks back at the Preseason, Portis hardly played more than one series after the Hall of Fame game. The main reason for the preseason is to get the team to work well as a unit. In other words, they need to GEL!!! But when your starting RB is not playing, how can you gel? I seem to remember the Skins having a pretty good running attack in the preseason. However, all backs run differently. Betts runs different than Portis and Cartwright runs different than Betts. This makes a huge difference when it comes to setting up blocks by the rest of the offense. Blocks are also timing just like passing. Knowing when to release your block and so on will depend on who is in your backfield. But anyways, what I am trying to say is that the first 5 games of the season was actually Portis's preseason and we should expect more big games like the one today. I also noticed that in his previous 5 games that he was stumbling alot once he got the ball and I didn't see much of that today except on a few occasions. Now that the running game should open up a bit, I hope the passing game will open up too. I expect this offense to really start clicking after the bye. I think JG will definitely work on the O during the break and we should see a more wide open offense during the remainder of the season. Thanks for coming in and reading my LONG winded posts. If you can't tell, I don't mind typing and telling you what is on my mind..LOL. Any comments are always read and appreciated. GO SKINS!!!!

10-17-2004, 10:05 PM	#4
SKINSnCANES Pro Bowl Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Jersey Age: 42 Posts: 5,454	I agree with joecrisp, I think the playcalling was not very good for portis as a running back. I didnt see the game today but from what i heard listening we FINALLY decided to use a hb to blcok for him, sellers apparently was in teh game more to block. I think that helped a bunch on its own. __________________ "I'm used to winning, coming from the University of Miami. " Clinton Portis

10-17-2004, 10:41 PM	#6
SKINSnCANES Pro Bowl Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Jersey Age: 42 Posts: 5,454	they should run all the plays he ran in denver, they obvioulsy worked, lol __________________ "I'm used to winning, coming from the University of Miami. " Clinton Portis

10-17-2004, 11:27 PM	#8
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	First of all. Has anyone officially welcomed dragon to the board? If not, let me be the first to welcome you to the warpath dragon! Also, I don't know if this has been brought up so far, but where was Cooley today? I don't remember seeing him at all __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

10-18-2004, 11:02 AM	#14
Hogskin Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hartselle, Alabama Age: 83 Posts: 659	We had some discussions about this last week. I said to expect some pitchouts this week, and sure enough, there were several of them. And they worked. There have been TWO problems with Portis' running up until now: 1. Almost 100% of his runs were straight into the line. NO PITCHOUTS. 2. He has been told over and over in practice to WAIT for the blockers, don't take off another direction when the hole has not shown up. The hole has not been showing up. What was different this week is that they used the pitchouts so he can use his talents, AND when he ran into the line, several times, he made a cut when the hole did not show up, and made good yards. These two CHANGES accounted for almost all of his good runs. __________________ John Shaffer National Fantasy Sports Leagues, Inc. Home of "The BEST Game In Town" since 1990

10-17-2004, 09:27 PM	#2
skinsguy Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Posts: 6,766	Yes, up until today I have been very disappointed with Clinton Portis...but he looked much better today!

10-17-2004, 09:49 PM	#3
joecrisp The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Charlottesville, VA Age: 48 Posts: 1,501	Your thoughts are appreciated, dragon! Don't worry about being long-winded-- I'm guilty of that myself on most occasions. As long as your posts are coherent and have a point, that's all most people want. I think you make some valid points. I understand the coaches' desire to keep Portis healthy for the regular season, so I can't really blame them for holding him back in the preseason, but I think it did have a negative effect on his ability to mesh with the linemen and vice-versa. Overall, I'd rather have a healthy Portis, and let him find his groove in the regular season. But I think Portis's lack of productivity was also due in large part to playcalling. You'll notice Gibbs made an effort to get Portis outside quickly against the Bears, throwing in some quick pitches. He also mixed up the formations (including more 3-TE and 3-WR sets) and used the H-backs more in the fullback role. The running game is giving the defense more looks than it was in previous games, not allowing the defense to key on particular formations-- which had been a huge problem in previous games, particularly against Cleveland and Baltimore. It also helps that Chicago simply does not have a very good defense. But hopefully, this game gives the offensive line and Portis some confidence and chemistry that they can build on.

10-17-2004, 10:15 PM	#5
aehs77 Special Teams Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: silver spring Age: 39 Posts: 486	they also ran the cutback play that he did so well in denver

10-17-2004, 11:15 PM	#7
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,518	It's very true you need time to come together and certainly Portis didn't have much work in the preseason to get settled in, but, you can't give a star RB 20 carries a game in the preseason. That's just asking for trouble. After watching the highlights it seems Portis was much more decisive today and there seemed to be a few wrinkles in the running game that we haven't seen previously.

10-18-2004, 07:07 AM	#9
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,553	i think portis showed up cause the bears D sucks... with brunell at the helm, he'll be running into 8 and 9 man fronts vs green bay... it could get ugly the play calling has gotten better, but it still needs to step it up some more...

10-18-2004, 08:29 AM	#10
dragontat7169 Camp Scrub Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 92	First of all, thanks smootsmack for welcoming me. I really like this board and everyone here shows true intelligence to the game and dedication to Skins. Everyone has also made some valid points. And yes, I agree the play calling also held Portis back a little. It has been basic so far this year. But I still feel holding Portis back so much in the Preseason was a bit too conservative when you have a great backup back like Betts (and I think he clearly showed that today by making 2 key 3rd down runs for first downs). I just hope that the line has regained the confidence they lost after week 1.

10-18-2004, 09:31 AM	#12
dragontat7169 Camp Scrub Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 92	backrow-you are right..Portis has not been horrible..but saying he is better than average is kindof overstating the facts..he has averaged less than 3.5 ypc and that is including the 60+ yard TD run. And I wasn't meaning any disrespect to HOF Coach Gibbs either by calling him JG. It was just a shorter way of typing. But anyways, I wasn't saying that his previous performance was all his fault. His success is dependant on the O line and directly relates to him. But what do you call the 2 fumbles in one game he had earlier this year? I guess that is better than average considering both fumbles were beyond the line of scrimmage. I would rather have seen those fumbles occur during the preseason then in the regular. And this post was not to blame Portis in anyway. It was to point out that I think he is ready to step up now that his preseason his over.

10-18-2004, 10:24 AM	#13
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,553	portis has been a victim of not-so-great play calling and bad blocking... hopefully the GB game looks like the bears game (for portis, not brunell)... i'd definately say portis has been above average and could change to great very soon

10-18-2004, 11:09 AM	#15
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,518	I think Portis is well on his way to turning his season around. He definitely benefited from the outside pitches and lead blocking from the h-back/fullback, but he also seemed more comfortable and decisive. The schemes also helped. From what I've read the Bears were pretty confused by all the looks they were seeing, and Portis was running more with spread formations rather than the line being overcrowded with blockers. He looked alot like the Portis we thought we were getting, yesterday was a much needed boost to his confidence.

Just some Food for Thought!

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