Peter King Praises Portis, Taylor, and Williams

Offensive Player of the Week:
Washington RB Clinton Portis. I know. Culpepper threw for 425 last night, but you and I both know we could probably give Culpepper this nod every week. Portis was absolutely The Man at Soldier Field. In a game the Redskins had to have, or Joe Gibbs was going to walk back to Virginia, Portis took the whole thing on his shoulders, running a career-high 36 times for 171 yards.

FROM TEN THINGS I THINK:

Great, great play by Sean Taylor, catching a bootlegging Quinn for a sack from behind to kill a second-half drive. What speed on the kid.

I think one of the things I like about Chicago coach Lovie Smith is the appreciation for his job and the world he works in. The other day, someone asked him about coaching against Joe Gibbs, and he said, "How can you not like a guy like Joe Gibbs? It's an honor for me to coach against a guy like that."

I think Gregg Williams has to be the major candidate for coach of the year. I don't care if he's only a coordinator. You only have to see the Redskins to know how great a job he's done choreographing a defense so punishing he's turned two semi-softies, Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot, into not only cover corners but excellent and hard-hitting (as hard as they can, anyway) corners.

Nice to get some love for Portis but Culpepper would get my vote for player of the week, the guy is just off the hook sick. What's he got now, like 18 TD's?? He's on a crazy pace, plus he's hitting on about 72% overall, he's gotta be the early vote for league MVP.

Taylor's speed on that sack was amazing. His acceleration is amazing for someone his size. He's got linebacker size with DB skills, I really think in 2-3 years he could be the premier defensive player in the league.

As for Williams I can't argue, he's turned a horrible unit completely around and look at who he's doing it with! Arrington, Barrow, Daniels, Lott, Bowen... all out! Guys like Ryan Clark and Lemar Marshall have stepped in and the D hasn't missed a beat.

Did anyone see Culpepper lose the ball on a bad snap, get dogpiled on, then make the tackle of a DB about 30 yards down field. Excellent effort.

Williams is fantastic. I never dreamed we'd be this good on defense, love what I'm seeing so far and if Barrow and Arrington come back after the break we could be even better.

Sean Taylor is a freak of nature. I really think once LaVar gets back Taylor's play will skyrocket. Our second half turnaround will be sparked by those two guys. They seem to be the only ones capable of forcing turnovers so far.

I liked the fact that he mentioned Smoot in there because IMO he's having a breakout season. Yesterday on offense it's a no brainer that Portis was the player of the game. It showed what kind of heart he has to go in there after being banged up & carrying the offense in a much needed win. Although he has'nt put up the #'s in every game, his blocking has been solid.

Smoot IMO deserved the game ball yesterday on defense. When the smallest guy on the field is out their throwing his body around like that it could only fire up his teamates. I think that hit in the 1st quarter pretty much set the tone. And he also showed a lot of heart playing with a injured shoulder that looked pretty bad.

:biggthump

I Bet It Really Hurt Peter King To Say That.you'll Never Get Fatass Pastabelly To Say Something Like It.

I love watching this defense. We really have some "no names" on our defense that are doing a great job. Springs and Smoot are having pro bowl years...

you know whats crazy? Culpeper weighs 265! more than Shockey or Bettis!!

i agree with the mr. king. oh and culpepper is on pace for 60 td's this year..... not too shabby! brunell is on pace for giving opposing defenses 17 td's this year! good job mark!

Anyone catch any of the Denver game? That TE they've got - Carswell - 6'3" and 290 pounds? Anyone see him make the Oakland LB whiff? Then he jumped for a great TD catch, amazing hands for a guy his size.

Led me to think, who are the biggest players in the NFL at their position, and what kind of a team would it produce?

Culpepper at QB
Carswell at TE
Taylor at S

Any others?