Portis v. Betts: The Grass is Always Greener

While true, Portis has been running harder and more to make the same yardage that he was racking up in Denver at a much more manageable workload.

I just don't think you can run a guy nearly 700 times in 2 years and expect him to not break down.

Yeah my point was more to the allusion that coaching is responsible for the demise of our running game

Yeah my point was more to the allusion that coaching is responsible for the demise of our running gameI'd say the O-line injuries are the number one factor there. We've had 1000 yard rushers in Gibbs' first three seasons back, but this season is the most beat up the O-line has been. Give us a healthy Randy Thomas and Jon Jansen, and I'm sure that Portis and Betts would both be very productive this season.

No one else has seen portis play half speed???? not just this season, but last season and the season before that, in exception to his first game against tampa. Has no one really seen this??? wow, maybe its not portis's fault....then you raise the question... why do we have him if the coaches run a certain style and we have this style runner? im stunned by alot of you backing portis... 8 year 50 mil running back??? and even this question to come up means he is not worth it period.

injury prone, hits holes (when has them) slow, always seems to fall down, absolutely no agility, quickness or bursting in 2nd level... when he does make to 2nd level... you know he going to fall down forward instead of making that last cut with a burst to create the big run or td run we all have been waiting for since his first rush here. we seriously need to find a RB soon that fits gibbs style. we need our own maurice jones drew or brian westbrook, someone who can play with much more of a burst and every touch you worry its a TD kind of player... 8 yr 50mil for this guy??? NO

it would be better id we had an O-line, right now it seems Portis is making something out of nothing better then betts is

Betts hasn't even gotten a fair chance. Seriously power backs like him are comprable to diseal engines. Plus whatever happened to splitting the carries. Gibb's only said that was going to happen about 5 million times this offseason?

Personally I don't think Portis is healthy right now. And on top of that Betts needs a chance to hit his stride. We've done the Portis thing, it hasn't been working. As a result we need to see if Betts can do better. If he doesn't then fine, but at least give the guy a chance. Three carries a game is not fair, especially when the coach told him he was going to get a fair share of carrries this season. AND ESPECIALLY WHEN he signs a contract that is way below market value to stay with the team.

Look I love Portis. He plays his ass off and he seems like a fun guy to be around. But Gibbs is doing no one any favors by playing a guy thats as banged up as Portis. If anything his career is getting shorter everytime he takes a handoff from Campbell to the point where he might only have one good year left.

I said it before and I'll say it again. Portis is the new Brunell.

Portis isn't worth his contract at all; That is my only issue with it all. I'm sure though that if the redskins had a healthy offensive line, everyone would be looking a lot better. Even then though, Portis isn't worth all that money. He should be used a lot more than that split back theory. Thats why you pay that guy big bucks. If you want to have the running backs split the carriers, get ladell and another runner who signs for a reasonable contract. You don't have your "superstar" sharing the load with someone else.

Portis finds the endzone

Following last season, Portis gave a great interview on the John Thompson Show on SportsTalk 980 in DC and strongly defended Gibbs. He talked about how Gibbs has an open door policy and at meetings encourages people to voice their complaints.

The running game was fine when our backup had 1,000 yards rushing in half a season in 2006. And it was fine when Portis set the franchise rushing record and he and the defense carried the team to the playoffs in 2005

Yeah, Portis also said in that interview, I believe, that other players ask him to go to Gibbs because of the strong rapport they have. I can't remember exactly but Portis said basically that people use him as a messenger with Gibbs.

So MTFan, I think you are off base with your prediction.

What I don't understand is why we aren't utilizing a two back approach more. It seems like since the Miami game - by far Betts' most succesful outing - Portis has gotten the overwhelming majority of the carries. Why not try and balance the attack more, especially since Portis hasn't been that productive?

Portis doesn't have any passion for his game any longer from what I can tell. NFL running backs have an average lifespan of 6 years in the NFL. Portis might have already seen his best days. The Skins need to start looknig for other options.