Portis v. Riggins

Let me just preface this thread with the comment that Portis has not yet proven that he is going to be as valuable to this franchise as John Riggins. However, I do believe Portis will turn into the most productive back in team history, will set a number of records, and will ultimately become the best tailback in 'Skins history.

In nine seasons with the Redskins, John Riggins had just 4 seasons in which he carried the ball over 200 times in a season. In 1978, appearing in 15 games, Riggins rushed 248 times for 1,014 yards (4.1 ypc) and 5 TDs. In 1979, appearing in 16 games, Riggins rushed 260 times for 1,153 yards (4.4 ypc) and 9 touchdowns. In 1983, appearing in 15 games, Riggins carried the ball 375 times for 1,347 yards (3.6 ypc) and a whopping 24 touchdowns. In 1984, appearing in 14 games, Riggins carried the ball 327 times for 1,239 yards (3.8 ypc) and 14 touchdowns.
All told, in his nine seasons with the Redskins, Riggins rushed 1,988 times for 7,472 yards (3.76 ypc) and 79 touchdowns.

In his first season in Washington, Clinton Portis rushed 343 times (more than Riggins did in 8 of his 9 seasons), for 1,315 yards (more than Riggins did in 8 of his 9 seasons), for 3.8 yards (.04 yards per carry more than Riggins' career average as a Redskin), and for 7 receiving and rushing touchdowns.

Now mind you, Portis wasn't rushing behind guys like Grimm, Jacoby, Bostic, George Starke, or Mark May. Nope, instead he was rushing behind Dockery, Samuels, Thomas, Friedman/Raymer, and Brown/Jones/Wilson. Moreover, instead of rushing with a fantastic passing attack (a Gibbs trademark), Portis rushed with 8 or 9 defenders stacking the box because our passing attack was as anemic as an Ethiopian vegan.

Statistically, when you compare Portis to Riggins, Portis had a damn good year. I understand Portis didn't show us the consistent ability to get 3.5 yards - especially on 3rd and short. However, when you consider the line play, the passing attack, this was Gibbs' first year back in the league, opposing defenses were stacking the box, and Portis is a good 30 pounds lighter than Riggins, I'd say one has to recognize that Portis had a good year.

So quit this trade/release talk, it's non-sense.

Amen!!!
Your forgot one thing!!! Now listen to this closely!!!!

PORTIS IS ONLY 23 YEARS OLD!!!! By the start of next season he will be 24!!!

WOW!!!! Not only is he good but he is young and not on his way out of the league!!!!!

I think Portis will work out fine in the long run (no pun intended)...Gibbs will figure it out. My only real concern about Portis is his effort. At the 49ers game he didn't seem to care or run with any passion. I hope he doesn't develop an attitude of "do it my way or i won't try hard."....so to speak. just my two cents.

I think Portis, like the rest of the offense, was a bit frustrated. I'm sure he's asked for certain blocking techniques, or at least be allowed to use his speed a few times a game. He's also never really been on a "losing" team has he? U of M, Denver, now welcome to Washington where every year we're going to the super bowl, but always seem to fall short of the playoffs.

I think Portis will work out fine in the long run (no pun intended)...Gibbs will figure it out. My only real concern about Portis is his effort. At the 49ers game he didn't seem to care or run with any passion. I hope he doesn't develop an attitude of "do it my way or i won't try hard."....so to speak. just my two cents.

this was the first and only game i could ever question Portis's effort. every other time i've seen him he was throwing his body into everyone.

i'm pretty sure Portis was hurt that game. he only played a half after that, and he made it known since then he had been playing through a bad right shoulder.

Ramseyfan:

Let me be explicit here: I do NOT want Portis traded or cut or demoted or anything else.

The Riggins stats from 78 and 79 are most comparable to Portis' season this year. In 78 and 79 the Redskins were mediocre; Russ Grimm and Mark May and company had not yet arrived. That's kinda what Portis had this year in DC.

The difference that I see between Riggins and Portis is that I can never recall Riggins appearing to "take a play off" let alone "take a weekend off". But I sure got that impression from Portis a couple of times this season and that is not a good sign at all.

Anyone else find it ironic that SC's icon happens to be Sean Taylor?

Anyone else find it ironic that SC's icon happens to be Sean Taylor?


LOL. You mean Meathead?

Anyone else find it ironic that SC's icon happens to be Sean Taylor?
LOL

ahhh the irony!

My father called me a meathead so many times that I lost count. So I know a meathead when I see one...