Running Game

[GTripp0012]

For the record, I think the biggest single difference is that Portis is not the explosive player he once was.

There are other minor differences (Cooley was a better blocker last year, for example), but we need an explosive runner to get in behind this line and make it work.

Portis offers a lot of value to a pass-first team with his disciplined running style and effort he puts in on pass blocking. And he'll probably be the starting running back in 2010 as well. But it's time to find the next great Redskins' back. And no, Mason and Alridge don't count.

[Dirtbag59]

I still haven't figured out how responsible a running back is for the actual success of a running game in relation to the quality of the O-Line. I know that there are O-Line's that can make any running back look good (Chiefs line during the Holmes/LJ era) and then there are Running Backs that make their O-Lines look better then they are (a la the Lions with Kevin Smith this past Sunday).

However with that said I don't think Portis is the type that can go above and beyond the call of duty. Then again it takes longer for O-Lines to gel and usually most running games don't hit their peek until the end of the year. So with that said there's still time but I wouldn't say it's exactly promising.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

However with that said I don't think Portis is the type that can go above and beyond the call of duty. .

I think he has and that is the problem. Since he has been here he has been a workhorse. We have ran him into the ground. That being said I think he still has some left in the tank. Anytime he can tie Landry in a race he must still has some speed. Endurance I don't know about that. But the O-line is garbage. Plain and simple. When they start playing better you will see. Not too many RBs can run without a O-line besides Barry Sanders.

[skins89moss]

Anyone who has watched the games this season , how can you blame Portis for our struggles in the running game. He has no space when he gets the ball. Our O-line most of the time are on the ground or pushed in the back field. We better try spreading teams out which may give him more space to beat 1 defender. Portis may have lost a step but he will run for tough yards if he has some holes. It is clearly the O-Line has struggle to run block. Example 4th 1 back to back games and can't get any push.

[Chico23231]

So which is? Portis and the backs, Oline and there issues, or Zorn,Buges, and coaching staff? Id say the most likely the Oline. The right side is garbage trying to run the ball. But I would also say we mos def need someone new back there running the ball. Portis and Betts are similar runners, we need somebody who is quicker out of the backfield. Im in favor of giving Mason, Aldridge more carries to see what we have, and if we can improve and I completely support a using one of the first pics on someone new (the other on a lineman of course).

[Green1]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

So which is? Portis and the backs, Oline and there issues, or Zorn,Buges, and coaching staff? Id say the most likely the Oline. The right side is garbage trying to run the ball. But I would also say we mos def need someone new back there running the ball. Portis and Betts are similar runners, we need somebody who is quicker out of the backfield. Im in favor of giving Mason, Aldridge more carries to see what we have, and if we can improve and I completely support a using one of the first pics on someone new (the other on a lineman of course).

The Oline and Zorn. Zorn calls the same stretch play ever 1st down. The D knows what is coming. Oline is not blocking anyone.

[MTK]

The blocking has been mediocre at best (short yardage though has been brutal). The bigger issue is the offense hasn't been on the field long enough to establish the run.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

The blocking has been mediocre at best (short yardage though has been brutal). The bigger issue is the offense hasn't been on the field long enough to establish the run.

Thats because they cannot convert 3rd downs and the D cannot stop 3rd down conversions.

[SirClintonPortis]

It seems Philly's short yardage problems last year has transferred over to the Skins' red zone running game.

[Zerohero]

Bad blocking, same running plays, average running backs. Our change of pace rb is a slower Portis who doesnt run as hard. That 4th and 1 run was beyond pathetic, Portis fell down. He wasnt tackled, HE FELL DOWN.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by Zerohero

Bad blocking, same running plays, average running backs. Our change of pace rb is a slower Portis who doesnt run as hard. That 4th and 1 run was beyond pathetic, Portis fell down. He wasnt tackled, HE FELL DOWN.

Actually I think he got shoe string tackled. Sayign that the O-line should have blocked better. I agree with everything you said besides that and Clinton is a little above average. But our O-line would makes anyone look average. But you are correct. All Betts is good for is catching the ball out the backfield. But we all know the Betts Rock lovefest will continue.

[Zerohero]

Originally Posted by dmvskinzfan08

Actually I think he got shoe string tackled. Sayign that the O-line should have blocked better. I agree with everything you said besides that and Clinton is a little above average. But our O-line would makes anyone look average. But you are correct. All Betts is good for is catching the ball out the backfield. But we all know the Betts Rock lovefest will continue.

Thats kind of the point, on a 1 yard play you dont go down on a shoestring attempt of a tackle. It's just pessimism on my part, right now everything looks bad and everyone sucks. All seriousness, Clinton does not have it anymore, and i think last years fast start was more on the Oline healthy and clicking.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by Zerohero

Thats kind of the point, on a 1 yard play you dont go down on a shoestring attempt of a tackle. It's just pessimism on my part, right now everything looks bad and everyone sucks. All seriousness, Clinton does not have it anymore, and i think last years fast start was more on the Oline healthy and clicking.

Okay. Lets think about this. We are on the 1 yard line. Clinton gets tackled. O-line obviously wasn't blocking well. Obviously they were in the backfield. Think about it a shoe string tackle on the 1 yard line. Which means he was hardly back to the line of scrimmage before he was getting tackled. The guy would have to be in the backfield. That's why we need to run up the middle. That was a bad play call. We need our power running game back. Or is our o-line that soft? I would say yes.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by saden1

What happened to it?

In the opening game against the Giants Portis broke off 34 yds. and the running game has been virtually non existent since that time.

The running game has no versatility, I've only seen one running play and that's portis left. This is not going to change because every team in the league knows we're going to run left. Show run formation, defenses slant to their right, play over. Run game needs an influx of creativity.

[NicknacK89]

I think this isn't all the o-lines fault. Call me crazy but Portis is a bit of a sass-monster, and I love his swagger when he's pulling out 180 yard games, but not when he tries to turn the corner on short yardage plays. He just needs to cut up field on those short yardage plays and lower is head. Now hear is where I'll probably make some enemies. The biggest knock on Mason is that he doesn't block or catch particularly well for a runner, but there is no denying he can run. I love his upfield running style, where you see him wait for a whole and then explode through it. Don't get me started on Betts, he's done, but I would like to see Mason get some touches. Let the criticism begin...