Portis speaks!!!

Sorry but I'm just not buying what we saw in the preseason from the Redskins. I think it will be a night and day difference come Monday night.

I see an "if" in there, Matty. I see "if we put some points up."

Sure, if we put some points up, and if we tackle, and if we cover, and if we block, we'll win pretty easily.

I don't see us executing quite that well yet in Saunders' first game. I see a close battle.

Are you really that worried about GW's defense?

We've seen him stink up the preseason for his defense 3 years in a row now. Opening day comes around and guys are flying around again, guys flocking to the ball, blitzes coming from every direction... sure there are some areas to be concerned about but I don't see any reason to fret over the defense.

It makes me nervous how everyone thinks the Vikings are a walkover and we don't need Portis. Given how the skins have looked in the preseason this game scares the sh*t out of me. The thought of heading to big D at 0-1 is not a good one.

ARRRGGGHHHHH! I'm losing my mind waiting for monday night... until then I'll be wandering around aimlessly

Guys, We don't play Sunday, we play Monday night. That's one extra day. I still think Portis will suit up and play. This is all a decoy to confuse the Vikings. Portis has been healing for a month. He is ready. If you are Portis and you are 75% and it is Monday night at home in a home opener, how do you not try to play? Heck rotate series with Betts. I think Portis can get 10-15 carries and Betts can get 10-15. Portis is probably more worried about his shoulder in pass protection for Brunell, than he is running with the ball. Trying to hit blitzing LBs will be tougher on him than running with the ball.

It makes me nervous how everyone thinks the Vikings are a walkover and we don't need Portis. Given how the skins have looked in the preseason this game scares the sh*t out of me. The thought of heading to big D at 0-1 is not a good one.

I'm willing to assume that the coaching staff isn't underestimating anyone. I think they'll have the players focused and give them a great game play, let's just hope they perform out there.

One thing that makes me a little nervous is Brad Johnson's little dump off passes. He killed us a few years ago with those; F Todd Yoder.

Guys, We don't play Sunday, we play Monday night. That's one extra day. I still think Portis will suit up and play. This is all a decoy to confuse the Vikings. Portis has been healing for a month. He is ready. If you are Portis and you are 75% and it is Monday night at home in a home opener, how do you not try to play? Heck rotate series with Betts. I think Portis can get 10-15 carries and Betts can get 10-15. Portis is probably more worried about his shoulder in pass protection for Brunell, than he is running with the ball. Trying to hit blitzing LBs will be tougher on him than running with the ball.

I don't see Portis playing.

He seemed pretty genuine when he said he's not in football shape and needs more time.

Makes a lot of sense too. With Betts and Duckett, there's no real need to rush him back. Let him get ready for Dallas.

I don't see Portis playing.

He seemed pretty genuine when he said he's not in football shape and needs more time.

Makes a lot of sense too. With Betts and Duckett, there's no real need to rush him back. Let him get ready for Dallas.

I agree that he's not in football shape and needs more time but the problem is if he takes too much time and the skins dont win. While I doubt it will happen if the skins go 0-2 history says they are in trouble, 0-3 and the season is pretty much over. CP needs to be ready to go but he'd better hurry up.

Are you really that worried about GW's defense?

We've seen him stink up the preseason for his defense 3 years in a row now. Opening day comes around and guys are flying around again, guys flocking to the ball, blitzes coming from every direction... sure there are some areas to be concerned about but I don't see any reason to fret over the defense.

No actually the defense is the part I feel really good about. Aside from some concerns in the secondary (like how Kenny Wright might do when lined up across from speedster Troy Williamson) I'm pretty comfortable with the D. It will be pretty hard for Carter and Daniels to get pressure on Brad because the tackles are really good. And Griffin will have his hands full with Hutchinson/Birk. But I know GW will bring heat with blitzes and that will bother Brad Johnson.

But it's the offense I'm troubled by. I do realize that Saunders hid his entire offense in the preseason. Hopefully they can come right out and flip on the switch. But what offensive coordinator have you EVER seen that came right in and lit things up without an adjustment period? I can't think of any circumstance in NFL history when that's happened.

Our defense is going to stymie the Vikes pretty badly. But I'm not confident that our offense is going to be well-orchestrated enough to make this anything but a close, defensive slugfest.

Let's just hope that Mark Brunell can be half as effective as Pittsburgh's back-up QB was last night. I'm sure the Vikings' defense will be gunning for Brunell. Our O-line should be up to the task.