Can Clinton Carry the Load?

In no uncertain terms, Clinton Portis stated that "He's ready to carry this team". I totally agree. Anyone who thinks yesterday was a result of playing a week defense, think again. I think he's just said enough is enough. And I'll bet this offensive line and more importantly, Clinton Portis, are brimming with smash mouth confidence right now.

I'm starting to wonder, however, if Clinton is also reaching a level of, not frustration with the two back tandem, but a give me the god damn ball already mentality. No more nice guy share the load crap.

I've thought all along that he needs somewhere in the neigborhood of 25-30 touches to do his thing. If the Redskins are going to grind it out for the final eight games, Portis will have to start ripping off a few more 100 yrd performances. Sorry, love Betts to death, but Portis is the heart and soul of this team. We desperately need to hang our hat on something or someone! I have all the confidence in the world in Jason Campbell, but I think the reality is, Portis' legs and Campbell's arm must work together in concert; and in that order.

I also wonder if Portis is drawing motivation from Adrian Peterson? During an interview he said how two years ago, he'd be finishing off runs like Peterson is doing right now. In the meantime, I'm very content with Betts making sparse appearances for breathers. But CP has to be the center piece of this offense if we want to be taken serisouly as a playoffs contender.

Next on deck: Philly

good thread and post 12th man, portis' performance yesterday plus his comments after the game really deserve some earnest discussion. i like the fact that we stuck with and played our true smashmouth football. we need to work on some things (connecting on the play actions, getting 6 when were in teh red zone) but the formula we used yesterday is the recipe to this teams success.

rabach coming back was huge for us as well. like the washington post article said a few weeks ago, he is the guy that reads the D and directs our O line.

can clinton carry the load? yes he can but he will need help and a commitment to him from coaches

I'm starting to wonder, however, if Clinton is also reaching a level of, not frustration with the two back tandem, but a give me the god damn ball already mentality. No more nice guy share the load crap.

I agree with just about everything you said 12th, except for what I qouted above. I do think that Portis should be in the 25+ range as far as carries, but at the same time, I think he's perfectly content with Betts getting in for a five or six play stretch. He pulls himself out on occasion, and if Betts is able to pick up 5+ yards for a few carries, then by all means, let him run it to the half yard line, and then bring Portis back in to touchdown vulture Betts.

I love it. This is what our football team is all about. Portis is the man, and has not had the O line working well. I know this Jets Defense was not the best. But who cares. We needed this after the drubbing we took last week. We need to work on our play action, and maybe one day JC and Moss will hook up on one of these deep balls.

I hope our coaches realize this is our team's identity. Al I'm looking at you. And to anyone who likes to bash coach Gibb's. just back the hell of until the we see how this year will turn out. No one outside of the guys and gals on this board thought our team would do anything this year. But look at us now sitting at 5-3, and back to playing the kind of footbal the Skinz are known for. Philly your next!! HAIL!!!

Yesterday was a statement performance from CP. He wants the ball, saddle him up and let's ride.

Here is the breakdown of carries per game:

Win vs. Miami - Portis: 17, Betts: 17
Win vs. Philly - Portis: 17, Betts: 6
Loss vs. Giants - Portis: 14, Betts: 7
Win vs. Detroit - Portis: 18, Betts: 8
Loss vs. Green Bay - Portis: 20, Betts: 3
Win vs. Arizona - Portis: 18, Betts: 3
Loss vs. New England - Portis: 11, Betts: 3
Win vs. Jets - Portis: 36, Betts: 9

From the looks of things, this hasn't been a two-back tandem. Aside from Game 1, Portis has been asked to carry the load, and yesterday was the first time he got more than 21 carries. And aside from Game 1, Betts hasn't seen the ball more than 9 times in a game.

Was it a case of a lighter load because of his preseason? Who knows. Can Portis carry the load? Of course. However, the team needs to be committed to letting him carry the ball. For the offense to be successful, Portis needs to get the ball 25+ times, and Campbell needs to be around 60% on pass completion. Betts needs to be a 1-2 play breather, and 4th quarter mop up duty from here on out.

haha after yesterday hes #7 in the league in rushing yards... pretty quick turn around from where he was headed....he still might have a shot of finishing with 1500 + yds... but i see 1300 as of now..

Here is the breakdown of carries per game:

Win vs. Miami - Portis: 17, Betts: 17
Win vs. Philly - Portis: 17, Betts: 6
Loss vs. Giants - Portis: 14, Betts: 7
Win vs. Detroit - Portis: 18, Betts: 8
Loss vs. Green Bay - Portis: 20, Betts: 3
Win vs. Arizona - Portis: 18, Betts: 3
Loss vs. New England - Portis: 11, Betts: 3
Win vs. Jets - Portis: 36, Betts: 9

From the looks of things, this hasn't been a two-back tandem. Aside from Game 1, Portis has been asked to carry the load, and yesterday was the first time he got more than 21 carries. And aside from Game 1, Betts hasn't seen the ball more than 9 times in a game.

Was it a case of a lighter load because of his preseason? Who knows. Can Portis carry the load? Of course. However, the team needs to be committed to letting him carry the ball. For the offense to be successful, Portis needs to get the ball 25+ times, and Campbell needs to be around 60% on pass completion. Betts needs to be a 1-2 play breather, and 4th quarter mop up duty from here on out.

Yeah it's been clear for a while now that this isn't a 2 back tandem.

Most importantly we need to run plays that CP likes and what he runs well. He's never liked the outside zone blocking stuff. Yesterday we ran it inside a lot more and the results speak for themselves. Give him a hole and let him go.

Here is the breakdown of carries per game:

Win vs. Miami - Portis: 17, Betts: 17
Win vs. Philly - Portis: 17, Betts: 6
Loss vs. Giants - Portis: 14, Betts: 7
Win vs. Detroit - Portis: 18, Betts: 8
Loss vs. Green Bay - Portis: 20, Betts: 3
Win vs. Arizona - Portis: 18, Betts: 3
Loss vs. New England - Portis: 11, Betts: 3
Win vs. Jets - Portis: 36, Betts: 9

From the looks of things, this hasn't been a two-back tandem. Aside from Game 1, Portis has been asked to carry the load, and yesterday was the first time he got more than 21 carries. And aside from Game 1, Betts hasn't seen the ball more than 9 times in a game.

Was it a case of a lighter load because of his preseason? Who knows. Can Portis carry the load? Of course. However, the team needs to be committed to letting him carry the ball. For the offense to be successful, Portis needs to get the ball 25+ times, and Campbell needs to be around 60% on pass completion. Betts needs to be a 1-2 play breather, and 4th quarter mop up duty from here on out.

I'm not really questioning the distribution of carries, but as you've said we yanked CP before he really got winded or any type of rhythm.

Just to clarify the title of thread: I'm not speaking only in terms of carries, but also can Portis carry the emotional load. I get the feeling that's where he's coming from too.