Why does Clinton Portis always trip

[dan_snyder69]

Yea Daseal, I know a good private investigator who can "look into" why Portis stumbles from time to time. He should have the report on my desk tomorrow. LOL, all kidding aside I thought Portis played well. Maybe as our O-line starts to play better, Portis won't be so excited everytime he sees a little day light that he stumbles over himself.

I am not near as worried about how this game went as most of us are. This season, each week will be better than the last generally speaking. The Giants should enjoy this one, because we're gonna get after 'em pretty hard when they come down to FedEx. We might even start out the game with the same defensive strategy we had in the second half.

[prinzeofmoval]

Give the man props..he's the only bright spot on this offensive roster right now.

[cpayne5]

He has good body control in open space, but loses it when he gets near would-be tacklers. I think it has to do with his focusing on trying not to fumble. He tends to cover up the ball well when tacklers get near, but this also makes him easier to topple over as he is unable to use his arms to balance himself (arms protecting the ball).

Go outside, cross your arms over your chest, and try to make some quick cuts while sprinting while not moving your arms.

[Cowell]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

He has good body control in open space, but loses it when he gets near would-be tacklers. I think it has to do with his focusing on trying not to fumble. He tends to cover up the ball well when tacklers get near, but this also makes him easier to topple over as he is unable to use his arms to balance himself (arms protecting the ball).

Go outside, cross your arms over your chest, and try to make some quick cuts while sprinting while not moving your arms.

I noticed this little "stumbling" issue myself. But if you watch Clinton most of the time he is holding the ball with two hands. He NEVER stiff arms. This could be a big part of it.

[4thGenRedskin21]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

He has good body control in open space, but loses it when he gets near would-be tacklers. I think it has to do with his focusing on trying not to fumble. He tends to cover up the ball well when tacklers get near, but this also makes him easier to topple over as he is unable to use his arms to balance himself (arms protecting the ball).

Go outside, cross your arms over your chest, and try to make some quick cuts while sprinting while not moving your arms.

Dont forget to hold a rock or football in your hand as well. You will trip, id rather portis fall than fumble

[Redskin Warrior]

84 yards the first game when Tuck and others were behind the line it seemed on every snap to tackle him not bad.

[MTK]

Most of the yards he got were on his own too. Dumb thread.

[saden1]

One thing I have noticed is that he has become more conscious about not fumbling which means running for as many yards as possible isn't his top priority.

[hucapn]

Portis was a zone blocking cut-back specialist. Gibbs made hime buy into being a north/south workhorse and now he has forgotten about the explosiveness. When you harness a thouroughbred will he ever run the same as before he was tamed???? time will tell

[Rajmahal33]

I have noticed that portis does stumble a lot, BUT he always seems to stumble FORWARD so you can't really complain. It seems like he gets 3-4 yards on the forward fall alone. I feel like he prepares to hit the line hard and biases his body weight forward for this. So when you see him bursting through the line of scrimmage untouched, he is effectively falling forward b/c he doesn't get the anticipated impact. It seems like it takes him two or 3 strides to get his center of gravity under his legs. The alternative could be that he goes to a traditional style of running and when he hits that wall at the line of scrimmage he would be stopped for no gain or maybe even a loss...This would be no good. I guess it's just his style of running but as long as he is producing i see no problem with it.

[jrocx69]

its not retarted or dumb at all, portis for the broncos takes this to the house, and portis for the skins, always stumbles. when did anyone say he's not a good back?? he just stumbles more than any other back in the nfl and most of those stumbles cost us yards. i have a feeling its his own insecurity to not fumble the ball and he always makes cuts with two hands on the ball and he loses balance.

[Monkeydad]

Betts is the one who trips. If he doesn't trip, he fumbles.

[4thGenRedskin21]

Originally Posted by Buster

Betts is the one who trips. If he doesn't trip, he fumbles.

ding ding ding

or getting tackled for a loss