New role for Portis-From SI.com

I always believed that when healthy he is a top tier back in the company of the best. I think a lot of non Skins fans have forgotten that.
I don't think that is true. Thing is our o line gets banged up too often and it really got whacked last season especially, hurting Clinton's effectiveness, and folks knew that. I don't think non Skins discount Portis, but they discount everything else about the team. Been a pretty messy situation with our team since 2000. Hard for a non Skins NFL
fan to take us too seriously lately. We seem to generate a lot of issues that would impede any great individual effort, CP included. Just hope that our o line stays relatively healthy.

This is different offense than Gibb's offense. Zorn is hoping to involve Portis more in the passing game, which can hopefully allow us to effectively use Portis better than what we have in the past few seasons. Think in terms of Roger Craig and how he was used in San Fran in the 80's (if you're old enough to remember that.) It's the same way Zorn wants to use Portis, and I think it's a great idea.

I'm also still stumbled on how a 26 year old guy can be playing past his prime. I'm 33, you guys must think I'm ancient!

I was wondering when this was going to happen. IMO Portis has been used incorrectly the entire time. I never saw him as a north to south runner. I think this change is actually what he wants being a quick back. I also get the feeling he is more excited about the new playbook and scheme and I think that will be seen out on the field in the form of stats, and most of all points.

I was wondering when this was going to happen. IMO Portis has been used incorrectly the entire time. I never saw him as a north to south runner. I think this change is actually what he wants being a quick back. I also get the feeling he is more excited about the new playbook and scheme and I think that will be seen out on the field in the form of stats, and most of all points.

do you guys think "I" was used enough...?

Sure, Clinton Portis in the passing game looks pretty good but lets not forget how Portis has helped us when he didnt even touch the ball. Splitting him out or sending him on a route will leave JC vulnerable. If they keep the same blocking schemes, which involved Portis as one of the best blocking RBs in the game, it will not be good. Portis is almost invaluable in the backfield as a blocker. No one works harder than him. It would be nice to see that hard work applied to running and recieving, but we are going to need someone esle to step up in the blocking aspect of the backfield.

do you guys think "I" was used enough...?

tell me about it, that guy's a freakin idiot ;)

Sure, Clinton Portis in the passing game looks pretty good but lets not forget how Portis has helped us when he didnt even touch the ball. Splitting him out or sending him on a route will leave JC vulnerable. If they keep the same blocking schemes, which involved Portis as one of the best blocking RBs in the game, it will not be good. Portis is almost invaluable in the backfield as a blocker. No one works harder than him. It would be nice to see that hard work applied to running and recieving, but we are going to need someone esle to step up in the blocking aspect of the backfield.

That someone else is actually a line, the offensive line. :twocents:

He's had abusive seasons, but luckily for us, Clinton didn't see a whole lot of carries in the playoff game.

He is past his prime years, but as long as we treat his workload properly, he can still tote the rock for us for the next 4 years.

Past his prime? Has his numbers been showing that hes been falling off as a dominant back in the league? Give me a break. Clinton has atleast 3-4 more solid years in the NFL as a STRONG #1 back. He is the main reason that we have even seen the playoffs in the past 3 years. He is a WINNER and is the type of RB that will put the team on his back and get a win when it is most important.

I was wondering when this was going to happen. IMO Portis has been used incorrectly the entire time. I never saw him as a north to south runner. I think this change is actually what he wants being a quick back. I also get the feeling he is more excited about the new playbook and scheme and I think that will be seen out on the field in the form of stats, and most of all points.

I agree with Chris. I think Portis was never a North South runner. I always called him a squirt back. I never saw him push a pile backward. I always saw him run INTO the pile then bounce off. I know he like to get low and squirt through the lineman legs to gain a few yards. I saw him do it alot in the first 2 years than the last 2. I never thought Portis was a Gibbs type of back. I thought Portis would be the weakest link for Gibbs 2.0. I should say that I believe Portis is an elite back in the NFL. I just thought he was never a good fit for what Gibbs likes to run. I think the last 4 years showed that. I do believe however that Zorn should make more use of Portis tremendous skills.


I would also like to say that this is my opinion, but I couldnt resist jumping on the "I" wagon. I hope you dont mind. :cheeky-sm

Am I the only one a little worried for Clinton? During the Gibbs era he got a lot of carries, took a lot of hits, sounds like nothing is changing. I hope we put Betts out there to keep Clinton as healthy as possible.

I can see Betts being more involved, especially in the receiving game, though they're looking for route-runners at RB, it never hurts to have a nice check-down/screen/short dump back. I'm not really worried about Portis, he can handle his and hopefully he'll stay healthy. I think what will surprise most is that we're keeping the blocking schemes, though guys like Walsh did use your typical man-blocking. That's not to say we'll be going gut play after play though. CP is a threat off tackle and wider, would love to see some plays that took advantage of this more than we've seen recently.