Short yardage running back?

[granola82]

Has anyone heard anything about the team picking up someone to fill the role of a short yardage back. I know that we tried to use Betts in a few cases but I recall some talk of trying to get a larger sized RB to pick up those critical 1 and 2 yards in key situations.

[Redskins1974]

I don't think it's a cruitical need but I'm sure they're exploring all options.

[patjam77]

I don't think it's a cruitical need but I'm sure they're exploring all options.

actually, i think it is pretty damn crucial... i can count several times that portis got stuck on 3rd and inches... the skins need a bruiser to get in there and stick it. i know betts is there and i am not even suggesting signing anyone... i'm talking about sellers... put him in there and let him rumble. even if the guy has only 10 carries all year, hopefully 9 of them will be for 1st down and a couple of touchdowns.
my 2 cents.

[FatPat]

Ideally if we were to go for one I would love too see Najeh Davenport (251 lbs) from Green Bay. Brett Favre said that the only thing keeping Davenport from leading the league in rushing is Ahman Green. With that said there is no way we could afford him but in an ideal world I think he would be a nice fit for that role (also i dont think he would accept that role..he would probably like to be a starter somewhere). He is also a RFA meaning we would have to give up a 4th or 5th round pick as compensation.

[JansenFan]

Good thing about him, is you wouldn't have to look far for someone to take a dump in your laundry basket.

[FatPat]

What can I say the man is all class...

[genuswine hoglover]

I don't think it's a cruitical need but I'm sure they're exploring all options.

actually, i think it is pretty damn crucial... i can count several times that portis got stuck on 3rd and inches... the skins need a bruiser to get in there and stick it. i know betts is there and i am not even suggesting signing anyone... i'm talking about sellers... put him in there and let him rumble. even if the guy has only 10 carries all year, hopefully 9 of them will be for 1st down and a couple of touchdowns.
my 2 cents.

Stongly agree with PJ, it is very critical. These situations were incredibly frustrating last year. Not only did we suck on 3rd and 4th and short, but we could not punch it over the goal line on those short goal to go situations.

[BossHog]

An improved offensive line will help all runners in all situations. The addition of Rabach, locking up of Samuels, and return of Jon jansen is definitely reason to believe that the 2005 o-line will fare much better than the 2004 version.

Offensive lines make short yardage.

Having said that, it certainly doesn't hurt to have someone who's more willing to stick their nose in there. Sellers is an interesting possibility, and definitely has the size to bruise. It'd be nice if Betts could be the guy. So far nobody in the stable has looked good in those situations.

I also think that portis had a lousy year. he got 1300+ yards in a lousy year. I think he's the kind of back that will flourish with better results and will want to be the 'guy' when they get down there. He just needs to have more success to justify keeping him in there.

But I'll add that I'm the kind of guy that HATES to see a back march a team all the way down the field and then gets brought out for someone else to cash in a one or two yard touchdown. So maybe my opinion is jaded.

[Riggo44]

I have to agree w/ BH. I don't think we need a short yardage specialist.. I think we need a better performance from our O-line in those situations. Portis is capable of getting those yards, but not with blocking like he got last year.

[air_hog]

But I'll add that I'm the kind of guy that HATES to see a back march a team all the way down the field and then gets brought out for someone else to cash in a one or two yard touchdown. .

Yeah, if you lead the team down there you should get to score.

PS: it also hurts your fantasy stats

But I also agree with you about the O-Line. Ive heard Rabach is a great Run blocker and with Jansen and a happy Samuels, we should be set.

[Redskins1974]

Oline is the key to Joe Gibbs' offense - More than ANY other position, this is critical. That's more what I meant above by saying a short yardage back isn't critical when we have other needs. With a healthy Oline and the addition of Rabach, hopefully I could bust through that line

[SkinsFan4Life]

Good thing about him, is you wouldn't have to look far for someone to take a dump in your laundry basket.

Is there something about Navenport I haven't heard about?

[patjam77]

An improved offensive line will help all runners in all situations. The addition of Rabach, locking up of Samuels, and return of Jon jansen is definitely reason to believe that the 2005 o-line will fare much better than the 2004 version.

Offensive lines make short yardage.

Having said that, it certainly doesn't hurt to have someone who's more willing to stick their nose in there. Sellers is an interesting possibility, and definitely has the size to bruise. It'd be nice if Betts could be the guy. So far nobody in the stable has looked good in those situations.

I also think that portis had a lousy year. he got 1300+ yards in a lousy year. I think he's the kind of back that will flourish with better results and will want to be the 'guy' when they get down there. He just needs to have more success to justify keeping him in there.

But I'll add that I'm the kind of guy that HATES to see a back march a team all the way down the field and then gets brought out for someone else to cash in a one or two yard touchdown. So maybe my opinion is jaded.

completely agree on your points BH... a few added notes though.
on sellers i want to only see him in there on 3rd and 2 inches not 3rd and 2 yards... sellers could do that i have no doubt. that guy plays downhill the whole game. i'm talking about bringing back the jumbo package on 3rd and short. bring in the "hogs" and even though the def. knows what is coming, they still won't be able to stop it.
i also know how you feel about a RB marching a team down the field but i want to see 20 or more points on the score board more than just a few times this year. don't forget the byner, ervins, riggs combo.

[JansenFan]

Good thing about him, is you wouldn't have to look far for someone to take a dump in your laundry basket.

Is there something about Navenport I haven't heard about?

Let's just say he's a true scat back

Former UM player Davenport arrested

BY MARISSA SILVERA

msilvera@herald.com

Former University of Miami football player Najeh Davenport was arrested by Miami Shores police Monday on suspicion of burglary and criminal mischief for allegedly defecating in a Barry University student's dorm-room closet in April.

Davenport, 23, surrendered Monday afternoon at the Dade County Jail after an arrest warrant was issued July 1. He posted bond for $6,500 and was released at 5:30 p.m. after spending four hours in jail.

According to the police report, alleged victim Mary McCarthy said she woke up around 6 a.m. on April 1, ``to a strange sound, and discovered Mr. Davenport, an individual unknown to her, squatting in her closet defecating into her laundry basket.''

She called campus security, who tried to stop the defendant and later identified him as Davenport from a University of Miami football yearbook.

According to the detective's affidavit, Davenport left the scene with a companion who had visited the victim at the time of incident. After a campus security officer identified Davenport, McCarthy picked Davenport from a photo lineup.

Davenport, a 6-2, 248-pound running back and former Miami Central High standout, was selected by the Packers in the fourth round of April's NFL draft and had been training in Green Bay, Wis.

Reached by phone Monday evening, he said he returned to Miami three days ago and found out about the warrant when he went to a credit union to deal with a credit-card fraud investigation.

''Somebody had taken my identity and was using my credit cards,'' he said. ``I turned myself in as soon as I found out.''

Davenport would not confirm or deny the allegations, only saying, ``I am still trying to find out what happened.''

Davenport's attorney, Richard Sharpstein, said his client does not know McCarthy, but he wouldn't elaborate on the allegations.

''As far I know, Najeh is innocent,'' Sharpstein said Monday evening. ``He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. We will confront the issue and prove his innocence.''

At UM, Davenport rushed for 830 yards and 13 touchdowns in four seasons. He graduated in May 2001 with a degree in theater.

An arraignment date has not been set.

[chicosbailbond]

But I'll add that I'm the kind of guy that HATES to see a back march a team all the way down the field and then gets brought out for someone else to cash in a one or two yard touchdown. So maybe my opinion is jaded.[/quote]

Me too... I play fantasy football and we call those guys...

Vultures....

but if it helps the skins td conversion percentage i'm all for it... I just wouldn't want to be a portis owner in fantasy football...

[hkHog]

It's funny, I read an article a few months ago about the Portis/Bailey trade and how it worked out over the first season. In the article they noted that losing Bailey made almost no difference to the'Skins D and the loss of Portis did nothing to the Broncos offense EXCEPT that they now have trouble on short yardage situations. The article said that nobody could convert those situations like Portis once did. It's funny because after last season we have all said that Portis cannot do this and yet he is really quite good in these situations. This just shows that Boss is right, football is a team game and you need an O-line AND a running back to make short yardage. Portis was actually very good at this (or at least better then the other Bronco RBs). Remember, in his first two years he also averaged 5.5ypc and last year his average was under 4. The way I see it, our O-line is the problem, hopefully adding Rabach and a healthy Jansen will have us converting every time and have portis back above 5ypc.

[trey53]

Totally agree Hk. On third and 1 the trenches win the battle. When we didn't make it Portis was hit in the backfield. With Rabach in the middle and Jansen back that will be a different story this year.

[SkinsFan4Life]

Thanks, JansenFan. After reading the article, I don't think we should get Navenport. And I agree with the other posters that an improved OL will certainly help Portis in short-yardage situation.

[chicosbailbond]

Good thing about him, is you wouldn't have to look far for someone to take a dump in your laundry basket.

Is there something about Navenport I haven't heard about?

Let's just say he's a true scat back

Former UM player Davenport arrested

BY MARISSA SILVERA

msilvera@herald.com

Former University of Miami football player Najeh Davenport was arrested by Miami Shores police Monday on suspicion of burglary and criminal mischief for allegedly defecating in a Barry University student's dorm-room closet in April.

Davenport, 23, surrendered Monday afternoon at the Dade County Jail after an arrest warrant was issued July 1. He posted bond for $6,500 and was released at 5:30 p.m. after spending four hours in jail.

According to the police report, alleged victim Mary McCarthy said she woke up around 6 a.m. on April 1, ``to a strange sound, and discovered Mr. Davenport, an individual unknown to her, squatting in her closet defecating into her laundry basket.''

She called campus security, who tried to stop the defendant and later identified him as Davenport from a University of Miami football yearbook.

According to the detective's affidavit, Davenport left the scene with a companion who had visited the victim at the time of incident. After a campus security officer identified Davenport, McCarthy picked Davenport from a photo lineup.

Davenport, a 6-2, 248-pound running back and former Miami Central High standout, was selected by the Packers in the fourth round of April's NFL draft and had been training in Green Bay, Wis.

Reached by phone Monday evening, he said he returned to Miami three days ago and found out about the warrant when he went to a credit union to deal with a credit-card fraud investigation.

''Somebody had taken my identity and was using my credit cards,'' he said. ``I turned myself in as soon as I found out.''

Davenport would not confirm or deny the allegations, only saying, ``I am still trying to find out what happened.''

Davenport's attorney, Richard Sharpstein, said his client does not know McCarthy, but he wouldn't elaborate on the allegations.

''As far I know, Najeh is innocent,'' Sharpstein said Monday evening. ``He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. We will confront the issue and prove his innocence.''

At UM, Davenport rushed for 830 yards and 13 touchdowns in four seasons. He graduated in May 2001 with a degree in theater.

An arraignment date has not been set.

That is why his nickname is

Najeh Davenpoop

scat back... that is hilarious...

[The Hogster]

I think a big back would be a good idea. The reason why teams do that is because in short yardage situations, the defenses crowd the box with 8 or nine defenders. It comes down to the O-Line and leverage. A big back obviously has a better opportunity to fall forward for those extra inches. Besides, Clinton is only 205, we don;t want to punish him...too many millions invested in him.

[Deadskins]

I wish they would use ey more in those situations.

[genuswine hoglover]

But I'll add that I'm the kind of guy that HATES to see a back march a team all the way down the field and then gets brought out for someone else to cash in a one or two yard touchdown. So maybe my opinion is jaded.

BH: Yes your opinion is jaded (IMO). With a true team approach, why would it matter if we substitute a short yardage back? That is Joe Gibbs football. To me, one of his signatures is bringing in someone like Gerald Riggs to pound it over with a jumbo package. Or someone like Otis Wonsley to lead block. THAT is truly the definition of "CORE" Redskin everyone has been seeking to define. It is not the Coles and even the Smoots, but the blue collar role player with no chip on his shoulder or no interest in padding his stats.

[BossHog]

I didn't say it had anything to do with stats, and by all means when you have a guy who does the job much better in short yardage situations than your every down back (like Riggs did), go ahead.

But we don't.

I'm talking about situations like when Barry Sanders was in Detroit and they'd take him out to put some nobody in... and with marginal success. If you don't have a 'specialist' then I think you should give it to the guy who got you down there.

[Deadskins]

I didn't say it had anything to do with stats, and by all means when you have a guy who does the job much better in short yardage situations than your every down back (like Riggs did), go ahead.

But we don't.

I'm talking about situations like when Barry Sanders was in Detroit and they'd take him out to put some nobody in... and with marginal success. If you don't have a 'specialist' then I think you should give it to the guy who got you down there.

I tend to agree boss. I thought it was criminal when Ditka elected to let the Fridge get a TD in the Superbowl when Walter Payton had moved the ball down the field, but I disagree that we don't have anyone who could fill that Gerald Riggs' role currently on the team. I feel like Joe did not explore that option at all last year. I think ey could be very effective in that role, and should be given a chance.

[Hogfather]

An improved offensive line will help all runners in all situations. The addition of Rabach, locking up of Samuels, and return of Jon jansen is definitely reason to believe that the 2005 o-line will fare much better than the 2004 version.

Offensive lines make short yardage.

Having said that, it certainly doesn't hurt to have someone who's more willing to stick their nose in there. Sellers is an interesting possibility, and definitely has the size to bruise. It'd be nice if Betts could be the guy. So far nobody in the stable has looked good in those situations.

I also think that portis had a lousy year. he got 1300+ yards in a lousy year. I think he's the kind of back that will flourish with better results and will want to be the 'guy' when they get down there. He just needs to have more success to justify keeping him in there.

But I'll add that I'm the kind of guy that HATES to see a back march a team all the way down the field and then gets brought out for someone else to cash in a one or two yard touchdown. So maybe my opinion is jaded.

As usual, I agree with the Boss man 100%