Time for a good look at Shaun Alexander

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by LMsexyAO

We can't forget that WHOEVER is our RB is going to have a serious dose of pass protection all night long. JLC mentioned this a few days ago, after Portis and Betts we have a HUGE reduction in pass blocking RBs. Shaun just isn't very good at it and Rock is undersized and has never really done it before.

Running the ball is just half of what Portis brings to our offense and even though Betts would be a GREAT backup if he's ready to go, even he is half the pass protector that Portis is.

Not that I'm supporting this idea, but if worse came to worse, could Sellers pass block?

[diehardskin2982]

I rather have portis out and hope the others can step up because we need a healthy Portis if we go to the play offs. I DON'T WANT PORTIS IN THIS GAME!!! If the Cowgirls smell blood in the water I don't think they will hesitate to take portis out

[schndr_tdd]

marcus mason should be on the roster

[over the mountain]

CP lead the league in rushes last year was leading this year and how hard he runs its no surpirse he is dinged up . . . i would have liked to have seen betts share some carries over the past 4 games but the timing of betts injury just never allowed it.

kinda sucks to have one of the best backup rbs in the league then for the 4-6 game window he would be relied upon he isnt available. just bad luck and timing, no way to avoid the inevitable injury to portis . . . . very frustrating to have to go to your back up back up plan for such a big game and stretch in the season.

[MTK]

This doesn't sound good for Portis:

ESPN - Stephania Bell Blog

Portis has a grade 2 medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain that could sideline him this week, according to the Washington Post. We all know that Portis has been taking his share of hits with his big workload so far this year and has proved extremely resilient, but a grade 2 MCL sprain is a compromising injury for a running back.



The Post reports that Portis said on John Thompson's radio show that he was having more pain in his knee late last week, which led to further evaluation and the ultimate diagnosis. Portis also stated that as of Tuesday he was just starting to bend his knee and could not fully straighten it, either. This is not unusual for an MCL injury, as some of the ligament fibers are stretched when the knee is bent and others are stretched when the knee is extended. As the ligament is trying to heal, it is important not to overstretch those fibers, so initially the knee is restricted from the extremes of the range of motion.



If Portis was still lacking range of motion Tuesday, it's almost impossible to imagine that he could regain full motion and have enough strength and stability to perform in a game. Remember Willie Parker just returned (against the Redskins, in fact) after missing about a month with a similar injury. LaDainian Tomlinson tried to play in the 2007 AFC Championship game but lasted only a few plays because of a grade 2 MCL injury. Running backs' rapid directional changes stress the MCL significantly, and pain or a sense of instability will render them far less effective. This injury typically requires a few weeks of recovery, but a grade 2 (moderate) sprain represents a big range in terms of the extent of damage to the tissue -- the time frame for recovery is not automatic. If Portis is able to participate in practice late in the week, it bodes well for an earlier recovery, but even then, it would be a big surprise to see him in the lineup Sunday.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

This doesn't sound good for Portis:

ESPN - Stephania Bell Blog

Portis has a grade 2 medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain that could sideline him this week, according to the Washington Post. We all know that Portis has been taking his share of hits with his big workload so far this year and has proved extremely resilient, but a grade 2 MCL sprain is a compromising injury for a running back.



The Post reports that Portis said on John Thompson's radio show that he was having more pain in his knee late last week, which led to further evaluation and the ultimate diagnosis. Portis also stated that as of Tuesday he was just starting to bend his knee and could not fully straighten it, either. This is not unusual for an MCL injury, as some of the ligament fibers are stretched when the knee is bent and others are stretched when the knee is extended. As the ligament is trying to heal, it is important not to overstretch those fibers, so initially the knee is restricted from the extremes of the range of motion.



If Portis was still lacking range of motion Tuesday, it's almost impossible to imagine that he could regain full motion and have enough strength and stability to perform in a game. Remember Willie Parker just returned (against the Redskins, in fact) after missing about a month with a similar injury. LaDainian Tomlinson tried to play in the 2007 AFC Championship game but lasted only a few plays because of a grade 2 MCL injury. Running backs' rapid directional changes stress the MCL significantly, and pain or a sense of instability will render them far less effective. This injury typically requires a few weeks of recovery, but a grade 2 (moderate) sprain represents a big range in terms of the extent of damage to the tissue -- the time frame for recovery is not automatic. If Portis is able to participate in practice late in the week, it bodes well for an earlier recovery, but even then, it would be a big surprise to see him in the lineup Sunday.

Doesn't look too good for CP. I think we should sit him down the next couple of weeks and let this thing heal up. Let Rock and Alexander carry the ball and have Thomas or Thrash return kicks. We'll be fine.

[Chief X_Phackter]

I'd rather have CP obviously, but I think that we may be pleasantly surprised by what Shaun Alexander can still do if he gets the nod.

[Beemnseven]

Of the few carries that I've seen from Shaun Alexander, I've seen nothing from him to indicate that we'll have any semblance of a running game on Sunday night.

I'll bet Rock Cartwright looks a thousand times better than Alexander does.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Of the few carries that I've seen from Shaun Alexander, I've seen nothing from him to indicate that we'll have any semblance of a running game on Sunday night.

I'll bet Rock Cartwright looks a thousand times better than Alexander does.

Every time I think of Deion's nickname for SA, I can't help but laugh out loud. The Tiptoe Burglar! HA!

Seriously though, SA's first few games with us were essentially training camp/pre-season for him. He's got fresh legs and he's totally injury free, so there's a chance he looks okay for us this Sunday. I sure hope so.

[CRedskinsRule]

He had one 9 yard run. He may not be Portis, but I don't think opposing D's can disregard him with our line. And Dallas' D has been soft, so he should be able to provide a good running game for us.

[MTK]

I'll give Alexander a pass for his first few games, now he should have his legs back under him and he should be familiar enough with the running game to be effective. If he wants to prove he can still play, here's his chance.

That said, I'm still hoping Betts can play and be effective.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I'll give Alexander a pass for his first few games, now he should have his legs back under him and he should be familiar enough with the running game to be effective. If he wants to prove he can still play, here's his chance.

That said, I'm still hoping Betts can play and be effective.

I agree with that. I was'nt crazy about signing Alexander but if Portis can't go, and I'm not convinced he won't, Alexander might surprise some people. I would feel alot better with Betts in there though.

[47FAN]

as bad as it sounds sit clinton for this game amd us the other backs that you have spent all this money on sellars can run or run block hes 280+ and if not put two backs back there with jason make them stack the box and let moss. cooley and jason burn them up

[SirClintonPortis]

Alexander fought his way back to the line of scrimmage in Detroit on a play that appeared to end in a loss. If the OL can get some actual holes, I'm not that pessimistic about the running game.

On the Field for Practice - 11/12 « The Official Blog of The Washington Redskins
Also, this is from the above url.

# Ladell Betts, however, was back out, practicing with the running backs. He looked better than I expected — I had forgotten, during his injury, what a strong (what Zorn would probably call “violent”) runner he is — but Coach Zorn said after practice that he was still lacking burst. Betts, Shaun Alexander and Rock Cartwright all took some snaps with the first team.
# Alexander, incidentally, continues to look good, and not at all reticent to hit the hole or even block — he was getting as into the diving block drill (above) as anyone. Zorn described his play as “improved,” noting that “The way we we play is a little different than what we asked him to do in Seattle.”

[VABCHSKINSFAN]

I'm on the sellers bandwagon. I know he wants the ball. GIVE IT TO HIM!