Preseason...

[Chris Luva Luva]

Even though the poll is about CP, what changes need to be made in lieu of last preseasons debacle?

[Mursilis]

Of course you have to play him. Obviously not the whole game, but you have to play him at least some, to get him used to full contact, etc. I understand that after what happened last year, people would be reluctant to see him in meaningless games, but that's just one of the risks each team faces as it prepares for the regular season. Heck, LeCharls Bentley, one of the Brown's big free agent pick-ups last year, was lost for the season (knee) on the first day of practice. Stuff happens, unfortunately. If you start coddling one player, where does it end? Should Moss not play? Taylor? ey? Campbell? They're all pretty important.

[ArizonaHOG]

He needs to play a little to get his timing down with his blocking and to get a few hits in so he is ready for contact. But he needs to be smart about it. If the QB throws another bone-head interception that is being run back for a TD he should not try to chase the guy down and tackle him....let him go, it's preseason. A few carries a game is enough.

I have a feeling he will still be doing "rehab" on his shoulder so he won't play much, if at all. Since he is still doing "rehab" is won't seem like he is being treated special.

[Chris Luva Luva]

How do you guys feel about the argument that LT doesn't play and he kills every year....?

[ArizonaHOG]

LT is arguably the best player in the league so he get a free pass. I love CP but he is not, at least not yet, at the level of LT. Ladell did a fine job replacing CP last year. I don't think there is any back in the league who could replace LT.

[Mursilis]

How do you guys feel about the argument that LT doesn't play and he kills every year....?

Seriously? LT takes no snaps at all in preseason? I hadn't known that.

[brad7686]

He's probly gonna complain so much they won't play him anyway. Thats his style.

[Chris Luva Luva]

He's probly gonna complain so much they won't play him anyway. Thats his style.

When has he complained about anything aside from not seeing the importance of preseason games which is not an issue unique to him.

[brad7686]

I don't know, how hard practice is, if he gets too many carries, little nagging injuries seem to bother him, how the team treats him, that sort of stuff

[SkinsFreak]

Hey Chris, I think you also saw CP on NFLTA the other night, so help me out with this. If I'm not mistaken, didn't he say something about entering the preseason with the wrong attitude last year? I thought he said something like that. He did say that he would do whatever Gibbs wanted him to do, play or not play, and was heading in with a more positive attitude this year, which was good to hear.

As far as my opinion, I think he should probably play a series or two in a few games at most. He didn't play much at all last year so he may need a few hits to get back into the rhythm. I would use him very sparingly and I think Gibbs will do just that. We've already seen many changes in the overall philosophy taken by the coaches so far this year that seem to be for the better. I believe Gibbs knows the value Portis brings and won't over work him.

[brad7686]

Hey Chris, I think you also saw CP on NFLTA the other night, so help me out with this. If I'm not mistaken, didn't he say something about entering the preseason with the wrong attitude last year? I thought he said something like that. He did say that he would do whatever Gibbs wanted him to do, play or not play, and was heading in with a more positive attitude this year, which was good to hear.

As far as my opinion, I think he should probably play a series or two in a few games at most. He didn't play much at all last year so he may need a few hits to get back into the rhythm. I would use him very sparingly and I think Gibbs will do just that. We've already seen many changes in the overall philosophy taken by the coaches so far this year that seem to be for the better. I believe Gibbs knows the value Portis brings and won't over work him.

I think he realizes he needs to have a better attitude because if he wants to be a prima donna, he now knows that he can be easily replaced.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Hey Chris, I think you also saw CP on NFLTA the other night, so help me out with this. If I'm not mistaken, didn't he say something about entering the preseason with the wrong attitude last year? I thought he said something like that. He did say that he would do whatever Gibbs wanted him to do, play or not play, and was heading in with a more positive attitude this year, which was good to hear.

As far as my opinion, I think he should probably play a series or two in a few games at most. He didn't play much at all last year so he may need a few hits to get back into the rhythm. I would use him very sparingly and I think Gibbs will do just that. We've already seen many changes in the overall philosophy taken by the coaches so far this year that seem to be for the better. I believe Gibbs knows the value Portis brings and won't over work him.

Yeah he said that but he's far from a complainer. When I think of someone constantly complaining I think of how Lavar acted before he left.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I think he realizes he needs to have a better attitude because if he wants to be a prima donna, he now knows that he can be easily replaced.

By who? Betts? LOL.

[frankcal20]

I think that he has to play some so that he can get his body used to taking hits before the start of season, not to mention he needs to work with Jason. I wouldn't play him any more than the first qtr. I would play Betts a qtr and then run Cartright the rest of the game as well as any other RB we may have in camp.

[PulpExposure]

I think he realizes he needs to have a better attitude because if he wants to be a prima donna, he now knows that he can be easily replaced.

By who? Betts? LOL.

Oh crap did I drop the ball....again??

[SkinsFreak]

Hey Chris, I think you also saw CP on NFLTA the other night, so help me out with this. If I'm not mistaken, didn't he say something about entering the preseason with the wrong attitude last year? I thought he said something like that. He did say that he would do whatever Gibbs wanted him to do, play or not play, and was heading in with a more positive attitude this year, which was good to hear.

As far as my opinion, I think he should probably play a series or two in a few games at most. He didn't play much at all last year so he may need a few hits to get back into the rhythm. I would use him very sparingly and I think Gibbs will do just that. We've already seen many changes in the overall philosophy taken by the coaches so far this year that seem to be for the better. I believe Gibbs knows the value Portis brings and won't over work him.

Yeah he said that but he's far from a complainer. When I think of someone constantly complaining I think of how Lavar acted before he left.

Oh, totally agree. I never thought of Portis as a complainer. He actually said the whole locker room had the wrong attitude, but by the end of the season, most had bought into Saunders scheme.

Just in general, I know the recent history makes a few very pessimistic, and rightfully so, but I really think we are going to see the beginnings of something very special this year. And for the first time in a long while, my optimism did not stem from some huge free agent signing that was supposed to take us to the promised land. I really see and feel a change for the better coming.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Hey Chris, I think you also saw CP on NFLTA the other night, so help me out with this. If I'm not mistaken, didn't he say something about entering the preseason with the wrong attitude last year? I thought he said something like that. He did say that he would do whatever Gibbs wanted him to do, play or not play, and was heading in with a more positive attitude this year, which was good to hear.

As far as my opinion, I think he should probably play a series or two in a few games at most. He didn't play much at all last year so he may need a few hits to get back into the rhythm. I would use him very sparingly and I think Gibbs will do just that. We've already seen many changes in the overall philosophy taken by the coaches so far this year that seem to be for the better. I believe Gibbs knows the value Portis brings and won't over work him.

Yeah he said that but he's far from a complainer. When I think of someone constantly complaining I think of how Lavar acted before he left.

Oh, totally agree. I never thought of Portis as a complainer. He actually said the whole locker room had the wrong attitude, but by the end of the season, most had bought into Saunders scheme.

Just in general, I know the recent history makes a few very pessimistic, and rightfully so, but I really think we are going to see the beginnings of something very special this year. And for the first time in a long while, my optimism did not stem from some huge free agent signing that was supposed to take us to the promised land. I really see and feel a change for the better coming.

One thing that Portis mentioned and it's been a consistent complaint is the turnover. During that interview he stated that theres been a lot of change and he and other players have said they felt that Gibbs offense didn't need to be replaced. Thats just common for HUMAN BEINGS to not like change and to feel down about it. We all go thru that at work at times too.

I agree that its going to be an exciting year.

[brad7686]

I think he realizes he needs to have a better attitude because if he wants to be a prima donna, he now knows that he can be easily replaced.

By who? Betts? LOL.

Oh crap did I drop the ball....again??

compare their stats last year, pay particular attention to betts yards per carry compared to portis' both this year and since he's been here

[Redskin in Canada]

I voted no. Because ...

... he needs the time to recover fully. No need to waste him for a few meaningless games when it does not count.

[air_hog]

I don't think we should play CP until games 3+4.

He's hurt and it's not worth it to risk the shoulder when it's already limp.

But the pre-season is important because it gives the offense + defense time to gel, with nothing really at stake.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I think he realizes he needs to have a better attitude because if he wants to be a prima donna, he now knows that he can be easily replaced.

By who? Betts? LOL.

Oh crap did I drop the ball....again??

compare their stats last year, pay particular attention to betts yards per carry compared to portis' both this year and since he's been here

It's not a fair comparison!

Different QB's.
Different offenses.
Different blocking schemes.
Different WR's.

We can't begin to compare the two until after this season.

How did Betts do under Gibbs offense?
Who has the Skins single season rushing record?
Who got that record with 8 guys in the box and virtually one WR on the field?

Portis
Portis
Portis

I like Betts. But he won't touch the ball anymore if he keeps fumbling. It's like he fumbles once a game at least. Didn't he fumble the ball at the end of a game last season? Who cares how many yards he gets when he's turning it over to the other team for 7 points?

[1niksder]

I like Betts. But he won't touch the ball anymore if he keeps fumbling. It's like he fumbles once a game at least. Didn't he fumble the ball at the end of a game last season? Who cares how many yards he gets when he's turning it over to the other team for 7 points?

You might like him but you're not being fair to him. He Fumbled 6 times in 16 came and the Skins only lost half of them, you post like he lost more fumbles than he actually had. Throw out the Tampa game and week one and he only fumbled in games where he carried the ball 20 or more times. He won't carrie a load like that with CP back in action. His career average is 1 every 55 carries or so and that doesn't take into account he's caught over 100 pass during this time.

FOR THE RECORD: He has been in Washington for 5 years with only 566 carries and 105 catches you can throw in another 80 times he's handled the ball as a kick returner, thats 751 touches over 64 games. Seems more like he fumbles about once every 68 touches or one evry six games. He's never had more than 3 in a year, and most come later in the game/season. A healthy Portis will do wonders for Betts.

[SkinsJock]

I voted No! There is no real benefit to those games and I don't think anyone should play who does not want to

The reserves and guys who are not likely to make the team could get a great opportunity to show what they have - heck, we might find a bunch of stars like that group we put together during the strike season

Gibbs might want to rest some key players till a little later in the regular season too when we really need them

maybe some of these guys do not need to practice when there is any hitting involved - they might get hurt



Why would a key player think that his health is more important than playing with the guys who are trying to get their timing down with each other to make everyone better?

[PulpExposure]

I like Betts, as a player and a teammate. He really took a below-market deal to stay in DC, and I think we're really lucky to have him.

But come on 1niksider. He did fumble last year more than a good RB should, and they were late in games (when it's most damaging).

He had 6 fumbles last year. He has 11 career fumbles (5 lost) in his 566 carries. As you wrote, that's 1 every 51 carries. Last year, it was 1 every 41 carries...that's awful imho.

Portis has 16 career fumbles (2 lost) in 1385 carries. 1 every 87 carries. Clinton's worst year for fumbling was as a rookie, and he had a fumble every 54 carries. His worst year is better than Betts' career average. That's a huge difference

In a game where turnovers spell defeat, you can't put the ball on the turf like Betts did last year. Especially when you couple the turnover with our defense forcing an NFL historic low....

Btw I know what you're saying below, but I just had to bust your balls on it

You might like him but you're not being fair to him. He Fumbled 6 times in 16 came and the Skins only lost half of them,

He's never had more than 3 in a year, and most come later in the game/season.

[1niksder]

I'm just saying it wasn't a issue until he had to carry the full load. He won't have to do that in 2007