Thoughts on Fred Davis and Run Blocking

Cooley is only 10 lbs heavier and Davis is only about 14 or 15 lbs heavier then Paul. I guess that little bit of weight could make a huge difference but I'd think it still would boil down to technique, leverage, and actually blocking the person your supposed to block. How big was Portis? he seemed to be a really decent blocker and he really didn't lock up with too many DE's.

Good points. When you think back to CP blasting anyone who stepped into the backfield it kind of amazes that Davis can't pancake people.

Big difference between blitz pickups and blocking on the line and having to lock horns with a DE and steer him out of the way.

I do miss Portis blasting guys. Man he was nasty.

Big difference between blitz pickups and blocking on the line and having to lock horns with a DE and steer him out of the way.

I do miss Portis blasting guys. Man he was nasty.

Me too -- Portis seemed to relish sticking it to folks when blocking (makes sense, as they were they same guys tackling him when he had the ball). He was the best RB blocker since Sweetness (who was once quoted as saying that for him, the perfect play was to crush a blitzing LB so his QB could throw a long TD pass -- amazing from the one-time all-time leading rusher in the league). Miss that guy too, come to think of it. Still cannot believe that he's gone.

Barring injury (or I guess suspension), our TEs will almost definitely be Davis, Paul, and Paulsen.

Cooley's battling for a spot with Morris really
Interesting, Paulsen over Cooley huh? I wouldn't be shocked at this since the #3 TE is rarely used as a receiving option but at his salary and with Paulsen being a better blocker I guess I can see it. Pretty clear that Shanahan wants Paul to be the #2 TE and since he's much younger and cheaper than Cooley it makes sense. Let's not forget that Paul got a ton of snaps last year at WR even though he wasn't targeted much.

Fred Davis is more of a receiving tight end. But I doubt seriously if he's lacking in his blocking ability.

Barring injury (or I guess suspension), our TEs will almost definitely be Davis, Paul, and Paulsen.

Cooley's battling for a spot with Morris really

If this was true, choosing between a $6 million dollar veteran leader vs. young RB with flashes of potential... At this point I'd have to go with Morris. Our RB situation has a lot of injury red flags / unknowns. Morris still needs to learn blitz pickup - I think he's the reason RG3 fumbled, right?

If this was true, choosing between a $6 million dollar veteran leader vs. young RB with flashes of potential... At this point I'd have to go with Morris. Our RB situation has a lot of injury red flags / unknowns. Morris still needs to learn blitz pickup - I think he's the reason RG3 fumbled, right?

Well the RB situation may actually help Cooley's status

http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/redskins-watch/2012/aug/22/cooley-misread-defense-sackfumble-vs-bears/