Longtimefan
11-07-2005, 08:41 PM
Jim Brown told Paul Brown & Blanton Collier, you pay me to run, not block. I never saw Jim Brown throw a block and I watched his entire career from 1956 to 1965. While Portis is a good and serviceable running back who will block and do all the little things it takes to win games, I'm still not convinced he's a good back to run against NFC East teams. It's not always easy to run outside all the time as some has suggested, and in close games when you're trying to protect a one possession lead it becomes neccessary to run the ball inside which is not Clinton's strongest suite. I do however like the one-two combination of he and Betts providing the latter can stay healthy long enough to continue making significant contributions.
Beemnseven
11-07-2005, 08:54 PM
Jim Brown told Paul Brown & Blanton Collier, you pay me to run, not block. I never saw Jim Brown throw a block and I watched his entire career from 1956 to 1965. While Portis is a good and serviceable running back who will block and do all the little things it takes to win games, I'm still not convinced he's a good back to run against NFC East teams. It's not always easy to run outside all the time as some has suggested, and in close games when you're trying to protect a one possession lead it becomes neccessary to run the ball inside which is not Clinton's strongest suite. I do however like the one-two combination of he and Betts providing the latter can stay healthy long enough to continue making significant contributions.
The other problem with Betts is his tendency to fumble the ball.
I agree about the blocking. Every player on the team at some point has to throw a block, that's a part of the game that cannot be avoided. So while it's good that Portis has proven to be a effective blocker, that's supposed to be a bonus, not his reason for being in a Washington uniform. Same goes for wide receivers. Yes you want them to block effectively. But that's secondary to their overall purpose on the team.
A back of Portis supposed talent was to get big time yardage. He hasn't done that. I've lost faith in the "they're not calling the right running plays" argument. At one time, I thought that could have been a factor, but come on. He didn't avoid the middle in Denver. They weren't all toss sweeps that Shanahan was calling. Another part of it is that this offensive line, while improving steadily, isn't quite at a powerhouse, Top Five level quite yet.
Dirtbag
11-07-2005, 09:45 PM
We absolutely have to run more sweeps to Portis. He's so dangerous on those plays.
We also need to get David Patten involved more. He had zero catches again yesterday.
skinsguy
11-07-2005, 09:51 PM
We do go to David Patten, he's just got to make the most of the opportunities when they're thrown his way. So far, guys like Cooley and Sellers are making the most of the opportunities presented to them. I can definitely see Sellers becoming more involved in the passing attack.
railcon56
11-10-2005, 12:43 PM
and this post isn't reactionary at all considering you're totally willing to change your views on dockery cause of one single play ;)
Dockery does deserve a game ball tho...was probably one of the biggest plays this season...
That Guy
11-10-2005, 06:14 PM
Dockery does deserve a game ball tho...was probably one of the biggest plays this season...
yeah, any time you see a n OL running that fast its pretty impressive.
VishsSkins
11-10-2005, 06:23 PM
As long as we keep running the ball, we will be ok. Just the fact that we run is good enough because it makes defenses have to respect that part of the offense instead of dropping 7 or 8 guys in coverage. I forgot where I read this stat but we actually run up the middle on a fewer percentage of our running plays than anyone else in the league (i think its 38%).
Hail2em
11-12-2005, 11:25 AM
Im concerned with the running game as well and i to think they should have running plays to portis strengths which is to the outside...it's obvious becuase he can pick his holes whereas you run him in the middle and hes got dancy feets and i hate that type of running. this is what i think. I think if they're going to run up the middle so much keep betts in the game because he's a better inside runner then portis. They go out an spend all this money for portis and dont use him to his strenghs and that's silly as hell and if we can't run the ball there's no shot of going far in the playoff..... point blank period.
Skins fan 4 life!!