Portis Injuries

[44ever]

I know Portis got pretty banged up this season. But, in the last 4-5 games it seemed like he was getting hurt almost every time he carried the ball.

My questions are:

1)what is the seriousness of the injuries
2)how do you feel about his health going into next season?
3)what's our plan if his injuries continue to hinder?

Found this interesting: notice how his injuries went from mostly soft tissue prior to 07 to more serious joint and tendon starting from 07 to the present.

Is he breaking down? You decide
SI.com - NFL - Clinton*Portis Injuries

[GMScud]

Off the top of my head, he had an MCL sprain, sprained neck, bruised ribs, sprained ankle, bruised hand, a hip flexor strain... I'm sure there's more.

Good news is it's nothing some rest can't cure, and nothing requires any offseason surgery.

As far as next season, we have to find a complimentary back able to give us 10+ quality carries a game. We've got to keep Portis fresh. He played at a high level in the first half of the season, but we pounded him too hard, and as his bumbs and bruises mounted, his production went down. Of course Samuels' injury didn't help either.

Is Ladell Betts that compliment to CP? One of two things are happening with Betts - he either A) isn't good enough to get enough carries to sufficiently keep CP fresh, or B) the coaches are just dead set on feeding Portis over and over until his wheels prematurely fall off, so to speak.

I'm the captain of the Darren Sproles fan club.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Off the top of my head, he had an MCL sprain, sprained neck, bruised ribs, sprained ankle, bruised hand, a hip flexor strain... I'm sure there's more.

Good news is it's nothing some rest can't cure, and nothing requires any offseason surgery.

As far as next season, we have to find a complimentary back able to give us 10+ quality carries a game. We've got to keep Portis fresh. He played at a high level in the first half of the season, but we pounded him too hard, and as his bumbs and bruises mounted, his production went down. Of course Samuels' injury didn't help either.

Is Ladell Betts that compliment to CP? One of two things are happening with Betts - he either A) isn't good enough to get enough carries to sufficiently keep CP fresh, or B) the coaches are just dead set on feeding Portis over and over until his wheels prematurely fall off, so to speak.

I'm the captain of the Darren Sproles fan club.

I must be the co-captain of the Sproles fan club. I don't think Betts is what this team needs as a compliment to Portis, he's the same type of back. He's not going to break many (any) long runs, he's got ok but not elite hands, he's got ok speed and doesn't do anything special. We need someone in the vein of Sproles or Leon Washington to spell Portis and have that explosive potential, not a plodder who needs 15 carries a game to be effective.

Portis is an elite back-when healthy-but his history has shown that as the season goes, so does his health. He's a warrior to play thru some of those injuries but we've got ourselves fooled into thinking he's a 'big back' or a 'pound the rock back' as some call him. He was a speed back when we got him, we've made him into a hammer (to the detriment of his health) and it takes it's toll.

[maroonandblack30]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I must be the co-captain of the Sproles fan club. I don't think Betts is what this team needs as a compliment to Portis, he's the same type of back. He's not going to break many (any) long runs, he's got ok but not elite hands, he's got ok speed and doesn't do anything special. We need someone in the vein of Sproles or Leon Washington to spell Portis and have that explosive potential, not a plodder who needs 15 carries a game to be effective.

Portis is an elite back-when healthy-but his history has shown that as the season goes, so does his health. He's a warrior to play thru some of those injuries but we've got ourselves fooled into thinking he's a 'big back' or a 'pound the rock back' as some call him. He was a speed back when we got him, we've made him into a hammer (to the detriment of his health) and it takes it's toll.

yes.

[Skinny Tee]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Off the top of my head, he had an MCL sprain, sprained neck, bruised ribs, sprained ankle, bruised hand, a hip flexor strain... I'm sure there's more.

Good news is it's nothing some rest can't cure, and nothing requires any offseason surgery.

As far as next season, we have to find a complimentary back able to give us 10+ quality carries a game. We've got to keep Portis fresh. He played at a high level in the first half of the season, but we pounded him too hard, and as his bumbs and bruises mounted, his production went down. Of course Samuels' injury didn't help either.

Is Ladell Betts that compliment to CP? One of two things are happening with Betts - he either A) isn't good enough to get enough carries to sufficiently keep CP fresh, or B) the coaches are just dead set on feeding Portis over and over until his wheels prematurely fall off, so to speak.

I'm the captain of the Darren Sproles fan club.

I fully agree with this.

There's no reason we can find a quick change of pace back in the vein of a Jerious Norwood. We shouldn't need any FA help at RB.

Portis should benefit and if we solidify our OL in the offseason we could enhance the output of any lower grade RB's selected in the draft.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Off the top of my head, he had an MCL sprain, sprained neck, bruised ribs, sprained ankle, bruised hand, a hip flexor strain... I'm sure there's more.

Good news is it's nothing some rest can't cure, and nothing requires any offseason surgery.

As far as next season, we have to find a complimentary back able to give us 10+ quality carries a game. We've got to keep Portis fresh. He played at a high level in the first half of the season, but we pounded him too hard, and as his bumbs and bruises mounted, his production went down. Of course Samuels' injury didn't help either.

Is Ladell Betts that compliment to CP? One of two things are happening with Betts - he either A) isn't good enough to get enough carries to sufficiently keep CP fresh, or B) the coaches are just dead set on feeding Portis over and over until his wheels prematurely fall off, so to speak.

I'm the captain of the Darren Sproles fan club.

Betts is legit. He only got 61 carries all year... Matt Ryan ran 55 times and Flacco 51 times.

Anyone who can go over 100 yards 5 games in a row is a quality RB. I'd use both interchangeably (like McClain and McGahee), using Portis exclusively on the goal line and I'd sprinkle in a little Rock Cartwright on 3rd downs. I'd like to see what he could do with a screen pass like the one Westbrook took for 71 yards and a TD against the Vikings. The better teams spread the ball around and get everyone involved in the offense.

[maroonandblack30]

Portis is on the down side, we need a young RB to start carrying most of the load. Give CP 15 carries a game.

Betts looked pretty good in 06 not sure why he doesn't get more touches.... he seems to be a better pass catcher than CP too.

I think Snyder is in the tank for CP and makes sure he stays happy.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by maroonandblack30

Portis is on the down side, we need a young RB to start carrying most of the load. Give CP 15 carries a game.

Betts looked pretty good in 06 not sure why he doesn't get more touches.... he seems to be a better pass catcher than CP too.

I think Snyder is in the tank for CP and makes sure he stays happy.

Yup, as evidenced by the $20M in guarantees CP received before the start of this past season. For that kind of money, I don't see CP becoming the secondary RB to anyone anytime soon. IMO he should still be our primary ball carrier, but limit him to 20 touches and make sure we have a speedy change of pace back also getting significant work.

[44ever]

I agree with a Sproles type back 100% As stated earlier, his quikness serves as a change of pace that can help facilitate in the breakdown of the Defrensive timing as well as preserve Portis' longevity and effectiveness.

[MTK]

CP's injuries were nothing that would require surgery, so that's a good thing I guess. I love CP but Zorn would be wise to commit to a true two back approach next year to keep him fresh.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

CP's injuries were nothing that would require surgery, so that's a good thing I guess. I love CP but Zorn would be wise to commit to a true two back approach next year to keep him fresh.

What are your thoughts on Laurence Maroney...just out of curiosity

For that matter, Edge

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

What are your thoughts on Laurence Maroney...just out of curiosity

For that matter, Edge

love Maroney! is he not nicked or something?
Edge......don't ask him to block

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

What are your thoughts on Laurence Maroney...just out of curiosity

For that matter, Edge

I like Maroney when he's healthy, he seems to always be nicked up.

Edge, no thanks. I know he's playing well right now but he's clearly on his last legs.

[44ever]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

CP's injuries were nothing that would require surgery, so that's a good thing I guess. I love CP but Zorn would be wise to commit to a true two back approach next year to keep him fresh.

This might explain some things. Like why we ran him in the ground and why we didn't see more of Betts

Http://www.examiner.com/r-4893935~Cl...500_Yards.HTML

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by 44ever

This might explain some things. Like why we ran him in the ground and why we didn't see more of Betts

Http://www.examiner.com/r-4893935~Cl...500_Yards.HTML

I think this is the problem right here. I think Betts is a good back, he just can't get any chances with Portis wanting to get his numbers. Zorn wanted to play Betts in Baltimore and got trashed by Portis in the press because of it. I know some people hate to hear anything bad about Portis. He gives it his all when he's on the field. He's also thrives on attention and is a prima donna. These traits can co-exist in the same player.