ESPN.com's Top RB Duos No Portis/Betts

Coming off the injuries he suffered in 2006 how in the world can you consider the OVERALL production last season of CP poor....? That makes no sense.

If you want to look at that narrow of a picture of his so called sub par YPC at 3.9 and 6 fumbles, not that these are great numbers BUT coming off the injuries in 06 I don't think anyone really knew how strong CP would perform last year to begin with.

Look at the window of his last 4 games leading us into the playoffs, of course with help from Todd and the rest of the offense and really good D. But CP came down the stretch hot when we really needed him.He played very well down the stretch.

Your original assertion was that he had a great year. That is downright incorrect, at least by the standards Portis set for himself. He had a pair of nice games in November, and then finished strong with a great final three games. There was certainly flashes of brilliance throughout, but again, his entire body of work was the least impressive he's had since 2004.

I did give the injury earlier as a potential excuse; but it was a broken hand so I'm not sure how much that's supposed to affect his running.

Also, I don't know how you can argue that overall production isn't important in determining if he had a good year or not. Your modified assertion, that his year was average all things considered: that I can get on board with. He just happened to have a lot of bad games last year.

what's about Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhal. These two guys are going to be a force for years to come.

He got the most carries (325), so he had the very best chance to be No. 1 in both categories.

6th in rushing yards with the most carries is very poor. You can't put all the blame on Portis here: it's hardly all his fault. But we do have to call a spade a spade.

I still wouldn't call it a poor year.

You can also use your most carries argument to explain why he fumbled so much.

You can also use your most carries argument to explain why he fumbled so much.Yes, we certainly can.

As I said, I'm not worried about the fumbles for the future, he's been pretty good at holding the ball over the most of his career. Still, a fumble per 54 carries is a lot, and contributed to a rough all around year for CP.

I'll repeat this so I'm not misunderstood: I think he's going to be very good in 2008. I just don't think it was smart to guarantee his 2009 salary ahead of time. Tons of stuff can happen to make the investment look horrible in hindsight and bring the haters out in full force.

what's about Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhal. These two guys are going to be a force for years to come.Parker is not a runner I would say is in the top 25 in the NFL. In his career year (2006), he posted a 4.4 YPC. This year, he was down to 4.1 and he broke his leg, which is something you need to run. Behind the exact same line last year, Najeh Davenport got 4.7 per carry, with a sample size of more than 100.

I think Mendenhall will be a very good replacement for Parker in the future, and though they will split carries this year, it's hard to really call them a dynamic duo.

The next good thing about the Redskins Jeremy Green says will be the first. Let's revisit this list in November when it's actually based on production rather than speculation.

how are Barber and Jones on there?
But Portis and Betts didnt do anythng to prove that they are a good running back duo..BUT STILL, HOW ARE BARBER AND JONES ON THERE???

julius jones and tj duckett?

wtf?

betts is better than both of them, combined.

And your basing your he can only pop out one more good year on what? Why would you think a 26 year old back that is coming of a great year especially with the o-line situation and healing from injuries ( and still producing 1300 yards rushing, 400 receiving...not bad huh) not be able to have at least three really solid seasons minimum left? Please explain that one.

And when Betts came in for 9 game starts in 2006 when CP went down, he had 1154 yards, 4.7 YDC not bad for a 2nd back, other than that not to much I guess. Just your generic middle of the road tandem......

Yes Betts was great in those 9 games but like I mentioned, thats the only thing he's ever done thats note-worthy. 9 games does not a great back make.

I dont think his year was great. It was good but not great and if he keeps that up he will be doing better than most backs and Skins fans will be happy. My problem is he has been having injury problems these past few seasons and I just dont see the o-line getting that much better (sure some of the injured guys will be back but they are a year older and likely will go down again) so I think what CP is doing now is the best he can do (which aint bad) but IMO his career has peaked and he is on the down-side now.

Yes Betts was great in those 9 games but like I mentioned, thats the only thing he's ever done thats note-worthy. 9 gamesdoes not a great back make.

I dont think his year was great. It was good but not great and if he keeps that up he will be doing better than most backs and Skins fans will be happy. My problem is he has been having injury problems these past few seasons and I just dont see the o-line getting that much better (sure some of the injured guys will be back but they are a year older and likely will go down again) so I think what CP is doing now is the best he can do (which aint bad) but IMO his career has peaked and he is on the down-side now.

I didn't say he was a great back, thats why he's #2 on the depth chart. But I certainly think your assessmest as Betts being just to weak is way off.

I think overall we have a very solid tandem.