The Portis move in hindsight

This article about Betts really made me wonder:

Given chance to shine, Betts ponders staying with Redskins - NFL - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-redskins-bettsbid&prov=ap&type=lgns)

If Gibbs really knew what he had in Betts when he got here, do you think he would have still made the move for Portis?? He says he doesn't regret making the move and of course Portis is a top flight back in this league, but I wonder how things would have turned out if he thought Betts was a capable starting back. I doubt we would have been able to retain Bailey anyway, he really seemed set on getting out of here.

Just one of those things that makes you wonder.

I've said from the beginning that we could have had an effective running game with a far less expensive running back.

Could we have taken Tatem Bell with that 2nd round pick and still have Champ Bailey?

Oh Matty not you too! Another Champ-Portis trade revisited thread. Sigh...

Seriously though, yes I think he would have made the move.

Riggins-Joe Washington
Riggins-Rogers
Byner-Riggs
Byner-Ervins
Portis-Betts

I think he likes having two starting caliber backs

The biggest difference between the two in my opinion is that Portis is valuable on the field even when the ball isn't in his hands, mainly because of his superior blocking skills

The biggest difference between the two in my opinion is that Portis is valuable on the field even when the ball isn't in his hands, mainly because of his superior blocking skills

Now that is one PRICEY blocker.

The biggest difference between the two in my opinion is that Portis is valuable on the field even when the ball isn't in his hands, mainly because of his superior blocking skills

I cannot agree with you more. Portis is all football, and I like that he's funny, a leader, and wears his costumes and boosts team morale. Those kind of things are invaluable.

I think in hind sight, it's easy, very easy to question the Portis deal. Especially with the way Betts has come on of late. However, Betts hasn't always been healthy, so we didn't really know how much we could count on him in the past.

Based on the tone of that article I'd be pretty suprised if Betts was here next season. I could see him going to some place like Green Bay, assuming they don't resign Green. Like he said towards the beginning of the article, it would be hard for him to go back to being a backup, especially if he hits the 1,000 yard mark.

The fact that he's open to staying and negotiations have already started are good signs.

I love having Portis but from a cost effective viewpoint I think Betts would be very serviceable as our #1 option with Sellers as the blocking fullback. Betts is a good runner but Portis is by far tougher than Betts. I think we would see a dropoff in the total running game but would it be enough to be considered a weakness? Could we use the extra monetary resources to shore up other "weak" areas? Hmmm....is the FO thinking the same thing?