Will Redskins acquire a BIG back?

[Luxorreb]

Jerome Bettis, Stephen Davis, Ron Dayne, etc?
Will the Redskins acquire a short yardage back?
I think if we could add Jerome Bettis it would help incredibly!



Even though he fumbled in a crucial moment today.

[Redskins8588]

Originally Posted by Luxorreb

Jerome Bettis, Stephen Davis, Ron Dayne, etc?
Will the Redskins acquire a short yardage back?
I think if we could add Jerome Bettis it would help incredibly!



Even though he fumbled in a crucial moment today.

Bettis is done after this year...

[Luxorreb]

K Well question still is:

Will the Redskins acquire a BIG BACK?

[offiss]

I don't beleive a big back is neccasarily the answer for short yardage, 2 things have to happen, 1 our linemen have to be able to knock linemen backwards, or at least nutralize the point of attack, 2 our offensive game plan has to become more deceptive, we can't allow defenses to have a pretty good idea what's coming, no defense feared our run when it was 3rd or 4th and 2 or more.

I was watching what Seattle did when we ran the ball, they were sending 7 to 8 players right at Portis with no regard for any misdirection, pretty much what defenses have done to us for the past 2 years, we were able to back them off towards the end of the year, but as soon as we hit the Eagles that defensive game plan was back in play, and guess what? We didn't have an answer for it! Even Aikman said it looked like to him Seattle knew what was coming, where have we heard that before?

Big back's aren't going to make holes appear, run through D-linemen, and punch holes through a stacked box, they need help to.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by offiss

I don't beleive a big back is neccasarily the answer for short yardage, 2 things have to happen, 1 our linemen have to be able to knock linemen backwards, or at least nutralize the point of attack, 2 our offensive game plan has to become more deceptive, we can't allow defenses to have a pretty good idea what's coming, no defense feared our run when it was 3rd or 4th and 2 or more.

I was watching what Seattle did when we ran the ball, they were sending 7 to 8 players right at Portis with no regard for any misdirection, pretty much what defenses have done to us for the past 2 years, we were able to back them off towards the end of the year, but as soon as we hit the Eagles that defensive game plan was back in play, and guess what? We didn't have an answer for it! Even Aikman said it looked like to him Seattle knew what was coming, where have we heard that before?

Big back's aren't going to make holes appear, run through D-linemen, and punch holes through a stacked box, they need help to.

I think that was said about Washingtons D early in the game.

[skinsttw]

I think we are set at RB. We have needs in other areas: WR, O line, DE.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

A big Ron Dayne type back couldn't hurt. What about trying to work Sellers into the running game a bit more? I know he almost fumbled into the endzone earlier this year when he did get a short yardage chance, but that could have been because he never gets carries. He has even said that he considers himself more of a true fullback than an H-back, so let's see what he can do on 2nd and goal from the 2.

[Schneed10]

I think Portis would be fine to continue in the short-yardage role. What we don't have is a good lead-blocker. Sellers is a decent blocker at the edge of the line, in a TE type of spot. Cooley can block decently, but he's not great at it. We need someone that can pave the way for Portis coming out of I's or offset-I's.

If we had Randy Thomas healthy for the playoffs, I bet this thread never would have started. When he is healthy, the Redskins get out on the edge behind him and move it very effectively. He's great at pulling, and you don't need much of a lead-blocking back when you can get Thomas into space. He was one of the biggest reasons we made the playoffs this year.

[Beemnseven]

If they go out and look for a "big back" then the 4th round pick of Manuel White (when they could have taken Chris Canty, DE, Virginia) is even more of a complete waste that it already was. Plus they've still got Nehemiah Broughton.

offiss was right. The O-line never really did take control of a game when Gibbs called on them to do it. Losing Randy Thomas and a hobbling Chris Samuels didn't help the situation either. There has to be a draft pick devoted to a solid lineman in reserve. I'm still not convinced on Derrick Dockery, and Casey Rabach didn't exactly light the world on fire either. I think we've seen the best this O-line has to offer -- and it's not quite enough.

[ST21]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I think Portis would be fine to continue in the short-yardage role. What we don't have is a good lead-blocker. Sellers is a decent blocker at the edge of the line, in a TE type of spot. Cooley can block decently, but he's not great at it. We need someone that can pave the way for Portis coming out of I's or offset-I's.

If we had Randy Thomas healthy for the playoffs, I bet this thread never would have started. When he is healthy, the Redskins get out on the edge behind him and move it very effectively. He's great at pulling, and you don't need much of a lead-blocking back when you can get Thomas into space. He was one of the biggest reasons we made the playoffs this year.

I love Clinton Portis....he's my favorite Skin....but is it just me or does it seems like he's always stummbling when he hits the line of scrimmage, just seems in Denver he ran more up-right....... I think we our line needs to be stronger.....

[MTK]

Nemo?

[SUNRA]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Nemo?

Nemo or Manuel White. Manuel White was injured for the entire season but should make some noise during the preseason. Nemo must hold on to the ball. Ladell Betts should pack his bags. He gave us some joy but more headaches and dissapointment.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by SUNRA

Nemo or Manuel White. Manuel White was injured for the entire season but should make some noise during the preseason. Nemo must hold on to the ball. Ladell Betts should pack his bags. He gave us some joy but more headaches and dissapointment.

Betts is no more than a spot-back. He's good for 12-15 carries just to give Portis a breather now and then. I'm not sure what his cap implications are, but if jumps ship it's no great loss. Same goes for Cartwright. Both of them aren't as reliable with fumbling the ball either.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Betts is no more than a spot-back. He's good for 12-15 carries just to give Portis a breather now and then. I'm not sure what his cap implications are, but if jumps ship it's no great loss. Same goes for Cartwright. Both of them aren't as reliable with fumbling the ball either.

12-15 carries a game is pretty good for a change up back! That is exactly why you have Betts or Cartwright. I don't believe you get rid of both of them. Maybe one or the other, but I believe we also need to get Nemo into the equation and see if we can develop him...because as far as size is concerned, he's exactly what Gibbs would love to see in the lineup!

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by Luxorreb

Jerome Bettis, Stephen Davis, Ron Dayne, etc?
Will the Redskins acquire a short yardage back?
I think if we could add Jerome Bettis it would help incredibly!



Even though he fumbled in a crucial moment today.

Jerome Bettis is going to retire after this season Luxorreb. If he doesn't, he'll more than likely remain a Steeler for one more season THEN retire. As far as Stephen Davis, well, Gibbs' past history will tell you he's a mastermind at revitalizing running backs' careers (George Rogers, Earnest Byner.) I always felt it was a dumb move getting rid of Stephen Davis. I understand that he didn't fit into the Spurrier project, but Davis could have lots of success under a Joe Gibbs system.

What about developing Nemo? He's a big back and could fit into Gibbs' offense nicely. Plus, he's young and we could have him for a number of years. I believe we already have your answer.