Portis Is Over-rated!

[macdaddychurch]

After watching several other backs today, I've come to a realistic conclusion. CP is the MOST over-rated back in the NFL...today I watched highlights and game coverage of LT, Chris Brown, Marion Barber III, Tiki Barber, Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson, Brian Westbrook, Kevin Jones, Priest Holmes, the list goes on and on.........one thing I notice about all of them, is they run their hardest and run until they can't run anymore. They follow their blocks and have great vision. Portis falls down if you blow on him, runs into his blockers, doesn't make the right reads for open holes and hurries to a spot rather than waiting for something to develop.....I want to see some EFFORT from this back like the other backs in the league........maybe he should spend a little less time worrying how he will dress for his thursday media sessions and spend some time on balance and keeping your feet moving drills..!

[RVAbrendan]

I'm just gonna say man...last year.

No passing game.

8 in the Box.

Injured 0-line.

1300 yards for Portis.


Get ready for flaming.

[flashback]

No way. Don't you know he's better in the Redskins system than LaDanian Tomlinson? Besides, if Portis wasn't the best back in the league, there's no way Snyder would have made him the highest paid RB in the league. If you doubt Portis' greatness, you need to stop watching the games and read more Extremeskins threads from the off-season.

[Moz Wanted]

yea i did't think that untill few weeks back

but i do think porits will be a good rb in 1 2 years


alexander wasnt quite the top rb when he was 24 25 26 years old

[sith lord]

I'm a Portis backer, but I kind of agree with you. He's looking more and more like a system back as time goes on.

[Mickalino]

I agree. I think he is over-rated. Seriously.
He's yet to show me anything, other than a comical personality off the field.

[macdaddychurch]

yeah, 1300 yards, but 3.7 yards per carry ain't nothing to shake a stick at!

[RVAbrendan]

I must admit, I am still waiting for some explosiveness...but you have to put some of the playcalling at blame. From the TV, you can obviously see what the running play is going to be, the running plays are very predictable...there are few stretch and draw plays. If used correctly, I do think Portis can be explosive, we'll see though as the season progresses.

[Bigskinbauer]

o yeah portis doesn't try to help the team, that is why he is the worst pass blocker in the league. Please. NFL matchup showed one of the greatest blocks i have seen a running back make and they made a point to show that portis's block helped cause a big play. He puts his body into every game.

[Drockvb]

Portis is good not great. He doesn't explode through holes and gaps like we need him too, granted there aren't that many gaps for him to go. He runs out of bounds alot too when he could have got an extra yard or two by diving foward into the defender. I think he is over rated. Portis was good in Denver, but then again every one is good running on that team.

[RVAbrendan]

The guy really does play his heart out though, he fights for yards. You've got to give him that.

[Voice of Reason]

yea i did't think that untill few weeks back

but i do think porits will be a good rb in 1 2 years


alexander wasnt quite the top rb when he was 24 25 26 years old

I wouldn't bet on that. Running backs don't usually improve too much with time.

Portis is an average back, which I have no problem with. I do, however, have a problem with paying him $50 million to be an average back. Don't knock Portis, knock Gibbs.

And Portis had very little to do with today's loss. He actually initiated some contact early on (but got hurt), something rarely seen with Portis.

[macdaddychurch]

I DO doubt Portis' greatness......because I don't see the fire in his heart when he runs the ball....I don't see him breaking tackles, staying on his feet, making "miracle" runs, like a lot of the other backs in this league.....and this isn't just about today....it's been like this since he's been here. I've seen several instances in games where he has had the seam open or has had the angle to get to a hole, and he hasn't made it. He's had opportunities, and doesn't make the most of them......it's because he doesn't have great field vision or patience........all you have to do is look at Priest Holmes and you'll know what I mean....a lot of his spectacular plays are from his ability to see the field, not because he has great blocking. Tatum Bell is starting to do the same thing. Clinton has a lot to prove....

[SUNSTONE]

I was going to mention that 1300 stat with the horrible skins last year. That's a strong point.

Portis is a very good back. Today he got hurt, and from what I hear he has been playing hurt.
That really hurt us, because he was actually moving the ball.
He had a 9 yard gain called back, and that was the same play he got hurt on. It was his 3rd run, and then you rarely saw him after that.

Cooley was hurt for a quarter(the damaging 2nd) so the options just shrank from there. It wasn't hard to cover Moss at that point, while sending in some blitzes.

[akorn22]

I watch sports center and primetime. I see all these great running backs getting on the reel for beautiful long runs. I dream of the day where I see portis on the reel for a run longer then 20 yards. I think the last time i saw that was week one of last season against the bucs. Sometimes i go to Redskins.com and watch that highlight on Redskins.com/TV just to make me feel better

[Moz Wanted]

if u had the choice who would u trade for portis or tatum bell


say we did't trade bailey would u trade him or portis or tatum bell

[Voice of Reason]

The guy really does play his heart out though, he fights for yards. You've got to give him that.

Fight for extra yards? Can't say I necessarily agree with that statement. Portis is not a power back, nor should anyone expect him to be. When you can't break a tackle, you're not going to be extremely effective running between the tackles. Plain and simple.

He is an excellent pass blocker, however.

[Voice of Reason]

if u had the choice who would u trade for portis or tatum bell


say we did't trade bailey would u trade him or portis or tatum bell

Ummm.... Portis.

[Underwater Ally]

The problem today was not Portis, it was our O-line. They couldn't protect Brunell, they couldn't protect Ramsey, and they certainly couldn't run block. I don't care who you saw running the ball today, they had O lines that were at least competent.

But on second thought, I MIGHT be willing to see Portis benched if it meant getting Betts off of kick returns. What in the world was he doing there all day??? Our special teams was an absolute joke thanks to him.

[Moz Wanted]

Ummm.... Portis.

same


but guys i really think porits will proce us wrong he will step it up i remm last year after the season he prromised he would average 4.something and over 1400 yards in the 2005 season


and i think he will do that

[macdaddychurch]

Portis IS a good pass blocker, I'll give him that..But that is not what this thread is about. Most of the time when Portis has a decent run, it's usually because there is a gaping hole. I dont see him making the plays from his own physical attributes, i.e. breaking tackles, reversing direction, letting his team mates clear a way. He often will run into the back of a lineman downfield or run the wrong way of the block.....I love the guy, personally, but I do not think he is worth the $50 million price tag and I don't think he is one of the top 10 backs in the league.

[cscmtp]

this thread pisses me off. portis was AWESOME last week. And before you say "it was just the 49ers, look what they did today to Caddy and Pittman! This kid plays his arse off for our team EVERY week. Enough of the knocks on CP!

[Moz Wanted]

Portis IS a good pass blocker, I'll give him that..But that is not what this thread is about. Most of the time when Portis has a decent run, it's usually because there is a gaping hole. I dont see him making the plays from his own physical attributes, i.e. breaking tackles, reversing direction, letting his team mates clear a way. He often will run into the back of a lineman downfield or run the wrong way of the block.....I love the guy, personally, but I do not think he is worth the $50 million price tag and I don't think he is one of the top 10 backs in the league.

hes top 10 but not top 5

but y is he paid top 2 money when hes not top 5 huh?

[SkinsCrunkin]

Give me a break guys. Overreactions all the time. The kid was hurt today and we didn't see him hardly at all. It wouldn't have mattered if we had Barry Sanders back there today, the o-line stunk the joint up. If there are no holes to run in, you can't expect a back like Portis to run through 5 tackles. I doubt Stephen Jackson could even do that and he is probably the closest thing to an "overall back" that I see in the league right now. His mix of power and speed make him a threat, but he is still useless if he can't get any momentum out of the backfield.

[project myu]

this thread pisses me off. portis was AWESOME last week. And before you say "it was just the 49ers, look what they did today to Caddy and Pittman! This kid plays his arse off for our team EVERY week. Enough of the knocks on CP!

I truly believe our offensive line is inept at run blocking. Whether he's overrated or not, I can't believe people are suddenly saying Portis has no heart. He makes several sick blocks, and he's ALWAYS fighting for extra yards. I always see him keeping his legs moving and lunging forward.

Didn't people see him lower his head and try to power his way at his own expense today? Plus, he was only allowed to carry the ball four times.

Remember his games against the Bears and Lions last year where he was dragging people with him while scampering for back to back 21 yard gains.

[Moz Wanted]

lets not forget gaints got a good o line


and cowboys dont they got like 3 probowler guards

the o line is so good it makes rookies like marion barber look good

[Boss_Hogg]

I do not think he is worth the $50 million price tag and I don't think he is one of the top 10 backs in the league.

I agree with you 100%. I think he is a great athlete, but in no way is he a superior RB. We should have gotten more from the Donkies.

[knowledge316]

The main problem with our running game isn't Portis or the O-line. It is J. Bugel. He hasn't done anything to improve our run blocking with this oline.

It's not like our oline can't perform. I've watched Jansen and Samuels block for S. Davis. Thomas blocked for C. Martin and Rabach blocked for J. Lewis. So these are all players who are capable of blocking well for their runners. Yet, they are struggling to get Portis any day light. Which leads me to believe it is the oline coach, who is J. Bugel, who should take responsibility for the oline's struggles.

[macdaddychurch]

Some of you are missing the point with this thread. It's NOT just about what he did today or what he did last week........it's about him being over rated. He is being paid $50 million!! One of the 3 highest backs in the league!! But he does not perform to warrant this kind of money! Where are the spectacular plays? The broken tackles? the huge games? Look at Shaun Alexander, Priest Holmes, LT, etc. etc.....Portis hasn't done it since he's been a Skin......He was a product of the system with Denver, it's a fact. I am not saying CP isn't a good back.. I'm saying he is OVER RATED concerning his salary and his lack of the big play/hard running style of others in the league...

[sith lord]

Give me a break guys. Overreactions all the time. The kid was hurt today and we didn't see him hardly at all. It wouldn't have mattered if we had Barry Sanders back there today, the o-line stunk the joint up. If there are no holes to run in, you can't expect a back like Portis to run through 5 tackles. I doubt Stephen Jackson could even do that and he is probably the closest thing to an "overall back" that I see in the league right now. His mix of power and speed make him a threat, but he is still useless if he can't get any momentum out of the backfield.

Yeah, but it's not just today. He does seem to have trouble making things happen on his own. I do fault Gibbs in the way he's used, but Portis right now, I would say he's a little above average.

[Moz Wanted]

i think its the o line


if we got rid of pportis its not like betts is doing any better

[Samuels]

My biggest complaint about Portis is thier asking him to be a powerback and he's not. And it does'nt help when half the time he has no holes whatsoever, honestly Dockery is a wasted postion the guy has'nt improved a lick.

They need to be running more tosses,stretch plays and misdirection plays like Tatum Bell burnt us on. Portis always gets good yardage when we run them and it puts him into space where he needs to be. It does no good running him up a guards back because the guard can't get movement.

I guess physically my biggest complaint is he seems to have lost some of his balance that made him so great in Denver. He will get downfield then start stumbling like his feet are trying to go faster then his body.

I'm not hear to knock Portis though because the kid just turned 24 and has alot of developing to do still yet. Today had nothing to do with CP but i've been po'ed for weeks with the runs they call for him.

[SKINS FAN #56]

macdaddychurch, did u ever notice that you said clinton portis is over rated until they lost? Chill man....he is way better than some other back in the NFL. And actually, one of the best.

[Voice of Reason]

The main problem with our running game isn't Portis or the O-line. It is J. Bugel. He hasn't done anything to improve our run blocking with this oline.

It's not like our oline can't perform. I've watched Jansen and Samuels block for S. Davis. Thomas blocked for C. Martin and Rabach blocked for J. Lewis. So these are all players who are capable of blocking well for their runners. Yet, they are struggling to get Portis any day light. Which leads me to believe it is the oline coach, who is J. Bugel, who should take responsibility for the oline's struggles.

Yeah, when you don't know who to blame, just blame the coach. Right?

Bugel has twice been a head coach in this league. He coached what many would call the best offensive line ever assembled. And our offensive linemen regularly speak of his knowledge and teaching ability.

[Moz Wanted]

mabye its da oline

not the coach we need better players

[Underwater Ally]

I truly believe our offensive line is inept at run blocking. Whether he's overrated or not, I can't believe people are suddenly saying Portis has no heart. He makes several sick blocks, and he's ALWAYS fighting for extra yards. I always see him keeping his legs moving and lunging forward.

Didn't people see him lower his head and try to power his way at his own expense today? Plus, he was only allowed to carry the ball four times.

Remember his games against the Bears and Lions last year where he was dragging people with him while scampering for back to back 21 yard gains.

Totally agree. A Gibbs offense starts with the O-line, and if you ever see a Gibbs offense looking this horrible, it isn't the running back, the recievers, or even the quarterback - its the line.

[Voice of Reason]

Why are we playing the blame game anyway? Rabach, Samuels, Jansen, Dockery, and Thomas are all considered solid in most NFL cirlces.

Our rushing game is very healthy right now, averaging over 4 yards per carry. That's not bad at all. We just rushed for 200 yards two weeks ago.

We're not discussing the shortcomings of our running game. We're answering the question that alluded to Portis' being overrated and overpaid. He is both in my opinion. He's an average back playing behind a good offensive line, but in the wrong system.

[knowledge316]

mabye its da oline

not the coach we need better players

I doubt that it's all on the players. When spurrier was here, we all said it was a bad scheme. Now, we supposedly have one of the greatest oline coaches ever and you trying to tell me he can't teach players that have already proven they are good?

As I said before, Jansen, Thomas, Rabach, and Samuels has all proven at one time in their career that they are strong at run blocking. Even when we had Spurrier, that was still the one thing that they did well......run block.

Bottom line is this, when we had Russ Grimm, please tell me who our GREAT olinemen were? Now that guy was a great oline coach, made every player play above themselves.

Bugel has yet to do that with proven commodity since his new tenure. You can't keep saying we need better players, we have supposedly a very good group of olinemen. The one unproven one is probably Dockery.

[RYANJOHNXI]

i stronly disagree...he plays hard and wants to be a redskin...football is the ultimate team sport...they do well as a unit...alas last week...and they suck as a unit..ergo...this un-gawdy loss to the midgets

[BlitzFiftySix]

The same guy who started this thread was probably smoking CP's pole last week. God, dont people realize that we cant win every game? Each Sunday there are 11 other guys in different color jerseys lining up against us and trying to knock us off the ball. I love the Skins as much as anyone in here, but damn if they won by 30 every week I'd be spending my Sunday afternoons doing something else. If you know the outcome would be a win why would you even bother watching. Sometimes you gotta take the bad with the good and except reality. We were beaten by a more motivated team today and it's OK.

[Skins11]

He had a bad day as did the whole freakin team, but, he only got to run the ball 4 times today. What can you be expected to do with that?

[seanyt]

The running/passing game starts up front. yes I've seen him trip plenty of times and when he gets up you can tell he takes it too heart, but if buges cant wack some of these O-lineman upside the head with a lead pipe and show'em how to make a hole portis is going to have to keep finding his own way...

[Ron Mexico]

Whats wrong with you guys? He had like four carries before they gave up on the run. Why do some Redskins fans have to be so whiney? It's ridiculous, everytime a paler or the team has a bad game there is someone on this site calling for his head and saying the team is horrible. The next week the team wins and the same guy is talking about the superbowl. Stop giving Realistic Redskins fans a bad name, it's embarassing to us.

[knowledge316]

Whats wrong with you guys? He had like four carries before they gave up on the run. Why do some Redskins fans have to be so whiney? It's ridiculous, everytime a paler or the team has a bad game there is someone on this site calling for his head and saying the team is horrible. The next week the team wins and the same guy is talking about the superbowl. Stop giving Realistic Redskins fans a bad name, it's embarassing to us.


I definitely agree. Too many people calling for everyone's head after a bad game. And, Gibbs gave up on the run very very quickly.

[Craig]

Denver took us on that trade. I still can't believe we gave up a draft pick IN addition to Bailey. If I were a Bronco fan I'd be laughing my a#$ off still...

[Moz Wanted]

Denver took us on that trade. I still can't believe we gave up a draft pick IN addition to Bailey. If I were a Bronco fan I'd be laughing my a#$ off still...

not really bailey got burned pretty bad at times this year

[Skins11]

Whats wrong with you guys? He had like four carries before they gave up on the run. Why do some Redskins fans have to be so whiney? It's ridiculous, everytime a paler or the team has a bad game there is someone on this site calling for his head and saying the team is horrible. The next week the team wins and the same guy is talking about the superbowl. Stop giving Realistic Redskins fans a bad name, it's embarassing to us.

That's it, you're overrated. 1 post, that's all we're giving you, just like 4 carries for Portis. Trade or cut time. :laugh:

I definitely agree though. After I finished mourning today, I kept thinking, wow, CP looked really bad. But then I looked at the stats and saw he only had 4 carries.

[rvan1]

hes still so young, hes got time to develop

[Ron Mexico]

I definitely agree. Too many people calling for everyone's head after a bad game. And, Gibbs gave up on the run very very quickly. Yeah, even when they were down 16-0 they could have stayed with the run. Some people on this site want to crucify anyone who doubts the coaching staff's decisions or calls occasionally, which is ridiculous. I love the Redskins as much as anyone but no one is perfect not even Gibbs, why is it not ok to mention that when appropriate?

[Craig]

not really bailey got burned pretty bad at times this year

He's also been injured. But that aside, OK, Bailey didn't want to play for the Skins...I had no problem swapping players. But the Skins throwing in a draft pick...that was just plain dumb. And of course it came back to haunt them a few weeks ago....sigh.

[BlitzFiftySix]

This used to be a good place to interact with Skins fans. I hate it now.

[Dalecitymike]

I've been saying trade Clinton Portis for the longest time, but everyone jumped on my case. He is playing hurt in his defense. He's a good running back, but for the money he's way over rated. Another thing in his defense the offensive line is sad. Beyond sad, we had grandpa blocking for us. You can't run or pass if the O-line lets everyone get passed..
Sacks we allowed this game...
Osi Umenyiora 2-19
Michael Strahan 1-7
William Joseph 1-5
Kenderick Allen 1-9

[Peregrine]

Im amazed portis does what he does with the playcalling and blocking he has.

[Mordy]

Snyder over pays everyone, but 50 mil over 8 years, not as bad as the 7 year deal brunel got, regardless of this year, he definitely doens't have 5 years left after this year.
Portis is hurt, and the offensive line isn't doing that great job for him. He had 4 carries today, what do you want from him...
Also, he does break tackles. Ive seen him numerous times getting extra 8 yards because of the extra effort, which is great for his small size.
Anyways, how can you not like the guy, he dresses up like someone new everyweek!

[aolforbroadband]

You don't know jack about football if you say Portis is overrated.

[CCooley47]

honestly you can't say that cp is overrated because he doesnt break 50+ yard gains and long td runs. Its the system you work in that determins how long your gains can be. This system isn't a home run type scheme like in denver. Coming from a home run type scheme to a power scheme is hard and i think portis is doing a good job with it so far. Portis is supposed to get 5, 7, 11, 14 yard gains in this system, not these 2 yards, then 0, then break one for 50. So i think portis is doing a great job this season though i think we need to get him the ball more, earlier, and not work away from him. So to call him overrated is just stupid, but it is reasonable to say he is over paid.

[Chipper]

Well if any of yall watched the Denver game...Portis is definately not as overrated as Roland....who got OWNED by TO....I think we came out on top in that trade. Portis is having a good season. He wasn't a factor today because he was hurt early, and our offense was terrible and didn't cross midfield until Ramsey came in. I think Portis is a real good back. Maybe not one of the best but darn good. A bad season of 1300 yards is pretty good to me, and if you try to tell me his yards per carry were down, that is because he was our whole offense. Teams did not respect our ability to pass so they keyed on Portis.

[Bonez3]

Man, anyone not on the Portis bus is gonna eat their words someday, methinks.

[PREDICTOR]

I must admit, I am still waiting for some explosiveness...but you have to put some of the playcalling at blame. From the TV, you can obviously see what the running play is going to be, the running plays are very predictable...there are few stretch and draw plays. If used correctly, I do think Portis can be explosive, we'll see though as the season progresses.

Its run Clinton Riggins into the left side of the line...and then let Clinton Riggins plow into the right side of the line. And by all means, slow down and take your time waiting for your blocking to develop....even if the hole is closing fast.

And by all means, don't keep Clinton at 205 pounds and let him run sweeps and cutbacks like he did in Denver. After all, this is the Gibbs system. We do things a bit different around here...after all..its still 1985 around here.

[Hoofbeats]

Tatum Bell: 80 carries/562 yards/7.0 ypc/69 long/3 TDs/7 runs over 20 yards
Clinton Portis: 127 carries/553 yards/4.35 ypc/41 long/3TD's 2 runs over 20 yards

Obviously I think we got the better end of the deal...even without Bailey, but Portis is a good back...not a top 5 guy though.

I agree with the poster who said you guys aren't using Portis correctly. He should be getting pitches, quick traps, draws, etc...stuff to get him in space. He was not a power back when he played with us and he's not one now, but he can be much more productive if Gibbs stops running him up the middle. I don't think he gets 1500 yard seasons with the Skins but he should be up to close to 5.0 yards per carry if he's allowed to run wide and operate more in space.

[illone]

I don't think Portis is overrated, he just doesn't fit our system as well as say a Corey Dillon or Stephen Davis type guy. Watch highlights from his time in Denver, they used him properly. Ever since Portis arrived in DC Gibbs has been using him as a power back. When he was with Denver he made moves on defenders and he was a sliperry, shifty type back. Now when he runs downhill he's looking to hit the first guy in his path.

I like Portis a lot. The guy has heart and he supports this team 100% I just think we'd be better off with Dillon.

Then again, a RB is only as good as his oline;).

:2cents:

[Skinsrdatruth]

In the post-game show Antonio Pierce was asked what was the key for stopping the skins Offense and without hesitation he said "stop clinton portis" I still think this is the mindset of most defenses that play us. Although Moss and Brunell are playing good, teams are still out to shiutdown portis before anything else cause they know what he's capable of. In my opinion...Patten, Thrash, Jacobs have to step it up alot to open things up more for CP. Once teams zero in on CP and moss there's not much more offense left except for cooley. I think portis is an animal that's not really being used to the best of his ability(but hey i'm not the coach so who knows). You have to give da man a lot of credit for trying to adjust his style and do any and everything he can to make this work. So in my book CP is da man and i would never say that he's trash or overrated. Let's just hope that we can bounce back from this past game, get back on track, and see the potential that I feel our running back has.

[The Bounty Hunter #21]

I totally disagree...he is a great back....hands down

[Jumbo]

Whats wrong with you guys? He had like four carries before they gave up on the run. Why do some Redskins fans have to be so whiney? It's ridiculous, everytime a paler or the team has a bad game there is someone on this site calling for his head and saying the team is horrible. The next week the team wins and the same guy is talking about the superbowl. Stop giving Realistic Redskins fans a bad name, it's embarassing to us.

Congragulations on not being an idiot. Be grateful ;)

[Billy Bullocks]

yea i did't think that untill few weeks back

but i do think porits will be a good rb in 1 2 years


alexander wasnt quite the top rb when he was 24 25 26 years old

Uh, he's not a QB. RB's can usually run when their rookies. It's got one of the shortest learning curves. Alexander was pretty damn good early in his career. Ricky Waters got let go because of the promise they saw in Alexander.

Personally, I feel Portis is one of the most overrated players in the league. He benefited in Denver with its RB friendly system.

What's he going to learn in the next 1-2 years he shouldnt know by now? Running back is the most natural ability position in the game. Can you see the hole? Can you "feel" the defenders? Portis has talent, but he's not as good as some people think he is.

Just because you are paid like the best player, doesn't make you the best player. If that were true, you could make a case that Britney Spears is the best vocalist in the world.

[Bacon]

My first thought when I saw the thread title was, oddly enough, "you're overrated!" :doh:

[BRONCOBORN]

First off I would like to say that maybe Clinton Portis is not an over-rated RB. He is a good back and it takes time to get the system, remempber what he did in Denver? Maybe its the system thats not working for him right now, but for him to rush for over 1300 yards last season and 5 TD's in a system that hes not familiar with you need to give him some credit. He will run for at least that this season and more than that for the up coming seasons. If your a pzerson that wants to talk crap about a descent runningback in the league, then you probably think Jamal Lewis is better than CP, I bet huh? I know Im not a hardcore redskins fan, but being a Portis fan I can tell you that. He will deliver and if you dont think so, then just hope that during the offseason that you guys can pay for maybe an Edgerren James and WHOEVER IS AVAILABLE NEXT SEASON. I think the redskins are still a good quality team and that Clinton Portis has been doing his assignments accordingly, and if Gibbs is happy with him, then should you. :2cents:

[LavarFanatic]

if he plays hard as he can like against denver(he had some sick cuts) and doesnt fall to the ground before attempting to break a tackle then ill have more respect for him

[Da_Truth]

Well I got an off topic question for you guys and maybe this will explain things. How many NFL teams can you look at and seriouly say " they're about to run the ball before the snap and get it right everytime "? I can honestly say I know when the redskins are about to run the ball before the ball is snapped. Especailly when you see Cooley go into motion and then line up behind Brunell. And all this time I was thinking we finally had an offense. Well back to last year.

[DCMONEY]

I think Portis is a good back but I don't think he's better suited in Washington's system. He's capable of getting over 1000yds no doubt but the Skins have to alter what they do to get him off. Not that he's better but the year Terry Allen gor 1300 yds for the Skins I felt confident on short yardage situations. He was more physical and Allen wasn't big at all. Portis isn't physical to me. Thats not a knock but he is what he is. In Denver he was successful in their scheme with the zone blocking and cut backs. Gibbs prefers his offense to more physical and knock people straight back. With counters and running off tackle.

[HittinSkinz]

i agree portis is a funnier dresser than he is a good player... he is definatetly a system back...the numbers dont lie

[Saqs]

If we had to let one of our RBs go between Portis and Betts, i'd take Betts each and every time in this system.

[EnFoRcEr_uPu]

My GOD its getting annoying listening to ignorant people. Portis is a GREAT running back, they just need to use him right. He's a back that finds the whole, and pounds it. They're trying to use him as a downhill back, and it wont work. Know what you're talking about before yapping.

[slm2856]

Is hard to break a long run when you only have 4 rushes. What kind of a rhythm can you possibly get into on 4 rushes? I feel like everytime this season when CP is finally breaking through holes they break his rhythm and put in Ladell.

[macdaddychurch]

Again.........so many people don't READ AND UNDERSTAND this thread.........no one is saying Portis isn't a good back......he's over rated for the money he is paid.......at 50 mil, he needs to be top 3 and he is not.......and we can't keep blaming it on the line....Barry Sanders didnt have the greatest o-line......neither did Walter payton....they made things happen, many times on their own... tennessee, chicago, houston, miami,,,,,,,,,none have GREAT O lines.....yet you see their backs making incredible plays, breaking tackles, carrying defenders, and breaking lose.......has Portis done that this year? Has he had one long run, where he broke several tackles, or ran over someone or saw a hole, made the cut and took off........the BEST backs do this on their own......it distinguishes the Best from the guys who HAVE to have a hole wide as a truck for them........I love the skins.......I love Portis......but sorry, fellas, he is over-rated....