Portis - punches above his weight

Watching Portis pound it, play after play, just shows great commitment to the team. Given his size he really does smash into tacklers and fights for every inch - not something you would expect from a guy with his moves and speed. Surely no one can doubt the wisdom of the trade to get him? My only concern is how he can withstand this battering. I winced a couple of times as he came off limping. If he stays injury free, the skins can ride this guy to the playoffs.

I agree. Portis is certainly not a dainty prima dona. He blocks, fights for yards and seems to hustle on every play. I do hope he can keep healthy over the long term.

However, as long as Betts can hold onto the ball, I think we actually have a good combination at running back and that putting Betts in from time to time will help keep Portis healthy and productive.

Betts definitely gives a good option and can be used to keep Portis fresh. When we are 35 early in the third against the Giants I'd like to see Betts come in to rest Portis!

Betts definitely gives a good option and can be used to keep Portis fresh. When we are 35 early in the third against the Giants I'd like to see Betts come in to rest Portis!

I could live with that!

I gotta say I think I like watching Portis as much when he DOESN'T have the ball as when he does. The guy is constantly hurling his body into the gaps and pass blocking for Brunell. It's just incredible to watch that "little" guy nailing these linemen - I'm convinced he's a vital part of our pass protection, and doing a damn fine job of it.

I just love seeing a player working so hard and doing so much when he's NOT in the spotlight - the consummate team player: working his ass off whether he's got the ball or not.

Portis limps off the field at least 2-3 times per game. He's as tough as nails though.

Aikman asked CP what part of him was most sore after a game, and CP said his shoulders. Aikman said that meant that he was running straight into piles and making his body do things it wasn't really capable of, and that this caused Aikman to question whether CP could maintain that level of play for many years.

Is there any truth to that (about reading all that into "my shoulders hurt")?

thats a real concern. i honestly don't know how Portis plays that way an entire game - (being a lineman and used as a straight ahead back), much less a whole season. much much less a bunch of seasons. get that guy behind Sellers. CP's shoulders hurt because he's carrying too much of the offensive burden.