How the Backfield Shakes Down.

[redskins56]

Make no mistake about this deal. This trade was made for no other reason than to add one extra body in Washington's backfield.

The fact of the matter is that the chance that Portis will play in every game this year aren't very good. He played through terrible shoulder problems throughout much of las season, and has already messed up his left shoulder in 2006, and the season hasn't even started yet. How do you think its going to feel 300 (or if his workload is like last year's 350) carries from now.

Ladell Betts is a very serviceable backup, but he's never been able to stay healthy. He has never even gone into a seaon the team's top back, and has still been unable to take the pounding that upper echelon backs are used to.

Duckett is a standout short-yardage and goal-line rusher who might get 5-10 carries a game. Betts is still going to be Portis' backup, and in Saunders' offense will still serve as a pass-catching threat. Duckett's only carried the ball 20 times on three occasions in his career and gone for more than 100-yards once. He's not a starter, or a feature back.

Rather he's an insurance policy. Whether Portis is ready for week one or misses a few games doesn't matter. Betts is Portis' backup and Duckett is a situationally used option. On 3rd-and-1 Duckett will be in the game. On 3rd and goal from the 2, Duckett will be in the game.

Both Rock Cartwright and Mike Sellers will still make the team. Their roles as tailbacks will certainly diminish, but Sellers will still get a few touches here and there. They'll both continue to serve as stellar special teamers, and find ways to contribute in other departments.

This deal can only make the Redskins better. It may irritate a few of the backup tailbacks backups, but this team is trying to add depth in an effort to make a run at the Super Bowl.

The bottom line is that Washington's backfield is stronger and deeper today than it was last time you watched them play.

[yupchagee]

Both Rock Cartwright and Mike Sellers will still make the team. Their roles as tailbacks will certainly diminish, but Sellers will still get a few touches here and there. They'll both continue to serve as stellar special teamers, and find ways to contribute in other departments.

I've thought they belong at FB all along.

[redskins56]

I agree as well.

I can see both Sellers and Rock getting time offensively as the up-back in two back formation. I could see Saunders lining them up like ey was when in the backfield last year... offset in a split-back formation.

To further that point it might be neat to see a Power-I with Duckett as the up-back and Portis behind him. Teams would have to gameplan against Duckett up the gut or Portis off tackle, or on those patttented Saunders strech runs to the outside.

[yupchagee]

I agree as well.

I can see both Sellers and Rock getting time offensively as the up-back in two back formation. I could see Saunders lining them up like ey was when in the backfield last year... offset in a split-back formation.

To further that point it might be neat to see a Power-I with Duckett as the up-back and Portis behind him. Teams would have to gameplan against Duckett up the gut or Portis off tackle, or on those patttented Saunders strech runs to the outside.

Does anyone know how Duckett is as a blocker?

[Fios]

Apparently, he's less than stellar in that department











Shameless self promotion

[yupchagee]

Apparently, he's less than stellar in that department

The ATL columnist you referenced seems to have a chip on his shoulder only slightly smaller than the state of GA. Not sure how much stock to put on that.

[Fios]

In the limited write-ups I could find on Duckett, the opinions on his blocking were pretty negative, plus the columnist thinks TJ could excel with another system, which he has now. I found the piece to be pretty reasonable.

[SkinzCanes]

On 3rd-and-1 Duckett will be in the game. On 3rd and goal from the 2, Duckett will be in the game.

I don't necessarily agree. Based on Saunders' use of his running backs in KC I think that Portis will still get a lot of carries in those types of situation. IMO Duckett will get about 5 carries a game as a change of pace for Portis.

[yupchagee]

In the limited write-ups I could find on Duckett, the opinions on his blocking were pretty negative, plus the columnist thinks TJ could excel with another system, which he has now. I found the piece to be pretty reasonable.

I guess when someone suggests trading a solid player for snack food, I have trouble taking him seriously.

[yupchagee]

On 3rd-and-1 Duckett will be in the game. On 3rd and goal from the 2, Duckett will be in the game.

I don't necessarily agree. Based on Saunders' use of his running backs in KC I think that Portis will still get a lot of carries in those types of situation. IMO Duckett will get about 5 carries a game as a change of pace for Portis.

I doubt if we would have given up a 3rd rounder, especially since we have already given up our 2nd & 4th, to get someone who will carry the ball only 5 times a game.

[Deadskins]

IMO Duckett will get about 5 carries a game as a change of pace for Portis.

Usually a change-of-pace back brings more speed, not less.

[yupchagee]

IMO Duckett will get about 5 carries a game as a change of pace for Portis.

Usually a change-of-pace back brings more speed, not less.

Where do you find a RB with more speed than Portis? The option is to change the pace with more power.

[Deadskins]

IMO Duckett will get about 5 carries a game as a change of pace for Portis.

Usually a change-of-pace back brings more speed, not less.

Where do you find a RB with more speed than Portis? The option is to change the pace with more power.

Then someone needs to look up the definition of "pace."

[yupchagee]

IMO Duckett will get about 5 carries a game as a change of pace for Portis.

Usually a change-of-pace back brings more speed, not less.

Where do you find a RB with more speed than Portis? The option is to change the pace with more power.

Then someone needs to look up the definition of "pace."

Think baseball. When a pitcher wants to change the pace, he throws a slower pitch. Change doesn't mean faster, it means different.

[SKINS#1]

How do you think this effects the future of Nehemiah Broughton and Manuel White with the Redskins?

[Redskin in Canada]

How do you think this effects the future of Nehemiah Broughton and Manuel White with the Redskins?

No problem. But the rest of the team is in real trouble. Did you not hear about it?

The front office has decided that our roster will include 53 RBs.

Sorry.

[Deadskins]

IMO Duckett will get about 5 carries a game as a change of pace for Portis.

Usually a change-of-pace back brings more speed, not less.

Where do you find a RB with more speed than Portis? The option is to change the pace with more power.

Then someone needs to look up the definition of "pace."

Think baseball. When a pitcher wants to change the pace, he throws a slower pitch. Change doesn't mean faster, it means different.

No, "change" doesn't mean "faster." But then again, we were discussing the word "pace," and you had equated it with "power," not speed.
As for the baseball pitcher analogy, re-read my original reply.

You don't have to disagree with me all of the time.

[Mursilis]

How do you think this effects the future of Nehemiah Broughton and Manuel White with the Redskins?

Let's just say I hope they kept all thier boxes from the last move!!

[yupchagee]

IMO Duckett will get about 5 carries a game as a change of pace for Portis.

Usually a change-of-pace back brings more speed, not less.

Where do you find a RB with more speed than Portis? The option is to change the pace with more power.

Then someone needs to look up the definition of "pace."

Think baseball. When a pitcher wants to change the pace, he throws a slower pitch. Change doesn't mean faster, it means different.

No, "change" doesn't mean "faster." But then again, we were discussing the word "pace," and you had equated it with "power," not speed.
As for the baseball pitcher analogy, re-read my original reply.

You don't have to disagree with me all of the time.

OK, you're saying that "pace" is a terminalogical inexactitude. I agree with that, but I'm not sure what word would be correct there.

[redskins56]

when someone drops terminalogical inexactitude, my services to a thread normally end. haha - nice vernacular!

You can say good by to Nemo and Manny White. They'd just better be on the lookout for the turk starting next Sunday.

[yupchagee]

when someone drops terminalogical inexactitude, my services to a thread normally end. haha - nice vernacular!

You can say good by to Nemo and Manny White. They'd just better be on the lookout for the turk starting next Sunday.

We may keep 1 on PS.

[Braden]

Here in KC, when LJ and Priest were both healthy, Priest was the starter, but they would sub Larry in every couple of series, thereby keeping Priest fresh, even later in the game. I could see them doing the same thing with Portis, Betts, and Duckett. Overall, I think this just gives them an insurance policy. If Betts and Portis get hurt at the same time (which has been known to happen), who else do we have? In KC, Priest went down last year in the San Diego game. The offense would have been dead without LJ being back there. Even though the defense stunk and they didn't make the playoffs, they still won ten games, and LJ rushed for ~1700 yards while only starting nine games after Priest went down (they won six of those). Who, on our roster at RB, could keep our offense going like it needs to be if Portis goes down? I love Rock & Sellers as much as the next guy, but they're not going to be 1000-yard backs in the NFL. Just my $0.02...

[redskins56]

Well said Brandon.

I can't tell if you are a Chiefs fan or a Skins supporter but it doesn't matter. Your points are wise and accurate.

Good luck to whatever team you call yours!

[Braden]

Well said Brandon.

I can't tell if you are a Chiefs fan or a Skins supporter but it doesn't matter. Your points are wise and accurate.

Good luck to whatever team you call yours!

I grew up a Redskins fan, living in various parts of VA and NC. I spent most of my life in Northern Virginia, and then moved out to Kansas City, MO in 2000. I married into Chiefs Season Tickets, and I figure it can't hurt to root for an AFC team, even though the 'Skins will always come first.

[yupchagee]

Well said Brandon.

I can't tell if you are a Chiefs fan or a Skins supporter but it doesn't matter. Your points are wise and accurate.

Good luck to whatever team you call yours!

I grew up a Redskins fan, living in various parts of VA and NC. I spent most of my life in Northern Virginia, and then moved out to Kansas City, MO in 2000. I married into Chiefs Season Tickets, and I figure it can't hurt to root for an AFC team, even though the 'Skins will always come first.

Be carefull. Mixed marriages can be dangerous