PFW: Whispers Around the NFL

Don't expect to see Portis taken out of the game when we have situations like this. He cuts so well, even between the tackles, that he's effective EVERYWHERE.

Don't expect to see Portis taken out of the game when we have situations like this. He cuts so well, even between the tackles, that he's effective EVERYWHERE.
Portis is an every down back no doubt, but being that he's a bit undersized and has had some injury problems it's likely that Gibbs will look to keep him fresh whenever he can, either by spelling him in short yardage or goal line situations, or both. He's too valuable to run in to the ground.

Kinda sucks from a fantasy standpoint. If you have a great back in portis who gets it to the goalline then someone else scores, kinda like mccants gettings tds after coles got us there. Anyone else think Dick Vermeil has Priest on hsi fantasy team and thereofre always gives him the ball in a scoring situation?

Personally, I would prefer the Rock. Betts just doesn't have the same quickness and cutting ability that Rock has. Plus Rock is a better pass catcher also.

while I really like Rock, he's not close to being the same threat as a reciever as Betts is, especially on screens.

Personally, I would prefer the Rock. Betts just doesn't have the same quickness and cutting ability that Rock has. Plus Rock is a better pass catcher also.

I defiently have to disagree on this one RP, bett's is much quicker, and cutt's better than rock could ever dream of, both can catch, I can understand the sentiment for Rock, I like the guy to, but Bett's is much more talented, hopefully thing's will work out so both will make the team, and be able to contribute.

I don't know why but I have this gut feeling that Morton is going to be a key part of the team. Not just special teams but also as a third-down back. I see big things for him this year.

As for the Cowgirls situation, any problems for the Tuna is a great news for us!

I think Morton could emerge as the 'new' joe washington...

I must say Sultan McCoullough, my friend Clint calls him "chainsaw", impressed me last preseason as the blocking was among the worst in the league. I know it's preseason, but why didn't he get a shot when Trung couldn't do squat? I'm so glad Portis is here! My bro hung out with him in Richmond @ Circuit City a couple of weeks back, bringing home a signed football! GO GIBBS, GO SKINS!!! Let the Redskins Renaissance begin!!!

No one seems to recall Rock's abyssmal pass blocking last year. On more than one occasion, he threw his body and hit nothing but air and grass. TV announcers were calling for replays of his "technique" just to wonder how it could be so bad.

If he did not learn to pass block during the off-season, he should be gonzo.

BTW, I can remember more than a couple of third and one and fourth and one situations where Rock got stoned and did not move the chains. One was in the Philly game that the Skins only lost due to a missed two point conversion.

Betts is no superstar; I'm not trying to make him out to be one. And Betts has been injury prone. But Cartwright was only marginally impressve last year.
I wasn't impressed with Rock as a short-yardage back or a pass-blocker, either. I remember those same situations you mentioned, SC. I thought he was somewhat effective as a runner, but if I had a choice, I'd probably take Betts, because he seems like more of a prototypical back-- minus the damn injury problems, of course!

But I don't think Betts is going to have too much trouble making the team, and he'll more than likely be Portis' primary backup. What we're really talking about is a choice between Rock and Sultan McCullough. I'm hoping we'll get to see a lot of Sultan in the preseason, because if that guy gets an opportunity to carry the ball, he can go the distance. Either way, where these guys really have to prove themselves is on special teams. Whichever of them impresses special teams coach Danny Smith the most-- and he's not an easy guy to impress-- is likely the one who will stick.

I agree, I see Betts as being the primary backup because he's the biggest back we have right now. I see him being the short yardage and goal line back this year.

I remember one game when he was lined up on the right, ignored the blitzer on his side and ran in front of the qb and whiffed on the blitzer on the left. I can't remember exactly which game it was, and while it showed good effort on his part the fact that he ignored one blitzer in his face and whiffed on another just seemed like piss poor execution, the story of the Steve Spurrier era. I really hope it was more SS stupid blitz pickup schemes and not Rock having a brain fart. Even though that was not an isolated incident, I'm willing to give Rock the benefit of the doubt.

I think Rock has the edge on Sultan because he's a better blocker since he's a fullback and we have a crowded backfield already. It's going to be difficult for Sultan to make the squad on special teams because we've already got Morton and Thrash to return kicks. I just don't think Sultan adds anything that Morton doesn't already do better. If Rock can catch then he'll probably make the squad.