Redskins Name Stump Mitchell Assistant Head Coach-Running Backs

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Originally Posted by firstdown

You say Earnest did an excellent job here so what did he do? Didn't portis have fumble issues this year? What happened to Betts? If he is that great of a running coach I'm sure he will get snatched up anytime now. OK, yes he was a Skin and I dod like having former players on the coaching staff but only if they are helping the team so please explain.

Here's my explanation: Although CP fumbled more this year than most (although only 1 more time than 2004), the Redskins have been very effective running the ball under Byner's leadership. The stats* are as follows:

2007 -- 8th in the league rushing
2006 -- 4th in the league rushing
2005 -- 7th in the league rushing
2004 -- 21st in the league rushing (Byner's 1st year as the coach)

*Source: NFL.com - Official Site of the National Football League.

So even factoring in his 1st year (which was also his 1st year coaching that position ), we have averaged 10th in the league in rushing. And our passing game has not been stellar during that period, which means that we've averaged these numbers when every team knows we're going to run AND when we play two teams twice per season (Dallas and Philly) which have excelled in run defense during that entire time. In addition, CP had significant injury issues last year and yet our running game did not slip when he went out -- not many teams can boast that kind of consistency in the backfield. Betts did not need to step it up this year because CP was healthy and getting the job done. The key here is to make sure that we are consistenyly a top-10 rushing team and Byner did that.