Who will start at Running Back this Sunday????

[skinsfan#33]

Portis, when he got hurt last season, was leading the NFC in rushing td's despite inconsistent line play (oline didn't gel until later in the season) and having MB04 as the qb.

Didn't he get hurt in the 1st pre-season game?

Yes, but still played some of the games in the first half of the season and some guy named LT was leading the league in TDs when Portis got hurt (the second time) Portis might have been leading the NFC?

[por-tiz2skins]

Portis is healthy I believe and The injury is officially gone.,

[brad7686]

Betts needs to start not that I think of it. Portis needs to come in and spell Betts until his conditioning is up. I'd rather have Betts start so that he can get into a rhytym early.

Have to disagree with you. Portis, when healthy, and I think that he is 100% healthy and this "tendinitis" was just an excuse to keep him out of preseason to avoid what happened last season, is a far superior back than Betts. Sure Betts did a very commendable job filling in for Portis last season, but talent wise there is a big difference between the two. Portis, when he got hurt last season, was leading the NFC in rushing td's despite inconsistent line play (oline didn't gel until later in the season) and having MB04 as the qb. When Betts took over the oline had started playing better and defenses were forced to at least think about the vertical passing game. Even with all of the yards that Betts racked up, he still couldn't put the ball in the end zone and fumbled far too much (top 3 in the NFL among rb's in fumbles I believe). However, the main reason that I think that Portis should start, even in not all the way there with his conditioning is the Miami defense. Last season most of the success that Betts had came against some of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL. Well the Dolphins have one of the best rushing defenses in the league so we need our main guy in there imo. Even more significant for this week is the difference in pass blocking ability between Portis and Betts. Portis is one of the best, if not the best, pass protecting rb's in the NFL. Betts, on the other hand, is a very poor pass protector. The Dolphins have a mean pass rush and with our oline just now having all the starters together, I think it is very important to have Portis' pass blocking skills in the game.

Honestly? Clinton Portis is a shell of his former self, and his former self was a bit overrated considering he played under Shanahan. He is AT BEST slightly better or as good as Betts is at this point in his career. I still can't believe it when people come on here talking this stuff, they were selected FIVE PICKS apart in the same draft. If someone thinks portis is a better back than betts, i have no problem, but when someone says he is a "far superior" back, they obviously weren't paying attention last year.

[CanesSkins26]

Honestly? Clinton Portis is a shell of his former self

An idiotic statement at best. What on earth do you have to support this claim? The fact that he got injured last season? One injury and the guy is no longer a stud running back? Nonsense. The fact is that only 2 seasons ago Portis broke the Skins single season rushing record. And despite a separated shoulder and some other bumps and bruises, Portis was leading the NFC in rushing td's with 7 at the time that his season ended. That was in only 8 games (and CP didn't even play fully in all of those games). Despite playing in all 16 games and carrying the ball about 100 more times than CP, Betts only managed 4 td's. He did manage to fumble the ball 6 times (CP had 0 fumbles last season), which was enough to tie him for second among all NFL running backs in 2006 for the most fumbles.

and his former self was a bit overrated considering he played under Shanahan.

So what that he played for Shanahan? The only other back that has played for Shanahan and put up similar numbers to CP was Terrell Davis. Since the Broncos traded CP none of their running backs have come close to matching Portis' production.

He is AT BEST slightly better or as good as Betts is at this point in his career.

Not even close dude. Portis is quicker, has better vision, scores more, fumbles less, and pass protects better than Betts. Additionally, Portis has breakaway speed and Betts doesn't. The only area in which Betts is better than CP in is pass catching. Portis has been a stud for 5 NFL season, while Betts has done well in a handful of games while playing against some of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL. And even while playing against bad defenses, with a better qb, and with a line that was blocking better towards the end of the season Betts still couldn't match CP's scoring output and managed to singlehandedly lose the game against the Rams with that bonehead fumble.

I still can't believe it when people come on here talking this stuff, they were selected FIVE PICKS apart in the same draft.

What does this have to do with anything?? So they where drafted only a few spots apart. So were Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. Where a player was drafted doesn't matter at all, it's all about production and Portis has vastly outproduced Betts. 7752 career yards and 56 career tds for Portis. In the same number of season Betts has managed 12 td's and 11 fumbles. The numbers don't lie.

I'm glad that we have Betts and all as a backup, but that's all that he is. Portis is a stud NFL running back and it's ridiculous that people can forget about all that he is done after one injury and him missing half of a season. The guy singlehandedly carried this team to the playoffs and now all of a sudden Ladell Betts is as good as Portis?? Nonsense.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I still believe that Portis is the best back but his conditioning is at LEVEL 0. Both he and LT were held out of the preseason, they're the same right? WRONG! LT practices, CP didn't/couldn't.

CP is going to get winded as will Samuels, but Samuels has to be in, CP doesn't.

So until CP is properly conditioned, we need to have Betts start the games and get into a good rythym. Screw Portis's pride or whatever pedestal people put him on. A RB needs a good rhythm and what good will it be to get Portis into one if he's exhausted and then have to put a cold Betts in?

I've been a HUGE CP supporter during the off season but we need to put the best players on the field at the time and CP is not conditioned yet.

[VetSkinsFan]

First off, there are a few details that have been left out. In addition to the "gel of the Oline," JC also came in around the same time. Replacing MB, JC was able to stretch the defense, therefore giving Betts a little more room to run with the long ball threat.

To condemn CP for one injury laden year is not giving him the benefit or the record year he had the year prior. You're able to call his record year a fluke, but his injury laden year is his true self? This is not even taking into consideration his stats while in Denver, regardless of the 'system' he was in. He's got the flash for a big play while Betts is more of a workhorse. They both are a compliment to our offense, but CP is the man IMO. If he has another injury prone year, THEN we can start worrying IMO, but an off year should be considered an unfortunate chain of events that we have put in our past.

[skinsfan#33]

Honestly? Clinton Portis is a shell of his former self

An idiotic statement at best. What on earth do you have to support this claim? The fact that he got injured last season? One injury and the guy is no longer a stud running back? Nonsense. The fact is that only 2 seasons ago Portis broke the Skins single season rushing record. And despite a separated shoulder and some other bumps and bruises, Portis was leading the NFC in rushing td's with 7 at the time that his season ended. That was in only 8 games (and CP didn't even play fully in all of those games). Despite playing in all 16 games and carrying the ball about 100 more times than CP, Betts only managed 4 td's. He did manage to fumble the ball 6 times (CP had 0 fumbles last season), which was enough to tie him for second among all NFL running backs in 2006 for the most fumbles.

and his former self was a bit overrated considering he played under Shanahan.

So what that he played for Shanahan? The only other back that has played for Shanahan and put up similar numbers to CP was Terrell Davis. Since the Broncos traded CP none of their running backs have come close to matching Portis' production.

He is AT BEST slightly better or as good as Betts is at this point in his career.

Not even close dude. Portis is quicker, has better vision, scores more, fumbles less, and pass protects better than Betts. Additionally, Portis has breakaway speed and Betts doesn't. The only area in which Betts is better than CP in is pass catching. Portis has been a stud for 5 NFL season, while Betts has done well in a handful of games while playing against some of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL. And even while playing against bad defenses, with a better qb, and with a line that was blocking better towards the end of the season Betts still couldn't match CP's scoring output and managed to singlehandedly lose the game against the Rams with that bonehead fumble.

I still can't believe it when people come on here talking this stuff, they were selected FIVE PICKS apart in the same draft.

What does this have to do with anything?? So they where drafted only a few spots apart. So were Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. Where a player was drafted doesn't matter at all, it's all about production and Portis has vastly outproduced Betts. 7752 career yards and 56 career tds for Portis. In the same number of season Betts has managed 12 td's and 11 fumbles. The numbers don't lie.

I'm glad that we have Betts and all as a backup, but that's all that he is. Portis is a stud NFL running back and it's ridiculous that people can forget about all that he is done after one injury and him missing half of a season. The guy singlehandedly carried this team to the playoffs and now all of a sudden Ladell Betts is as good as Portis?? Nonsense.

Honestly, I think CP was overated when he came over from Denver too, but only a little bit. At that time he was the third best RB in the AFC West (behind LT and the Priest).

I agree that where a player is drafted means nothing!

Portis is quicker, has better vision, scores more, fumbles less, and pass protects better than Betts. Additionally, Portis has breakaway speed and Betts doesn't. The only area in which Betts is better than CP in is pass catching.

Yes on quicker, not sold on better vision, yes he scores more, a way better pass protector, but Betts sets up his blockers better and has more patience. I am extremely glad we have both of them.

I would love to see CP make someone miss in the open field. I have seen him get tackled by the last guy to beat AND he had a blocker! CP is a very good back - he is not an ellite back and never was - I don't care what the stats say.

Now that doesn't change the fact that I love the guy and want to see him on this team for years to come, but he needs to stop comparing himself to LT because that is just rediculous. CP isn't even in the same level of back as S. Jackson. I also would put Betts into that very good back category if he would stop caughing up the ball!

I get stoked every time I see CP level a LB when he is kept back into block and I love the passion that he plays with.

[brad7686]

Honestly? Clinton Portis is a shell of his former self

An idiotic statement at best. What on earth do you have to support this claim? The fact that he got injured last season? One injury and the guy is no longer a stud running back? Nonsense. The fact is that only 2 seasons ago Portis broke the Skins single season rushing record. And despite a separated shoulder and some other bumps and bruises, Portis was leading the NFC in rushing td's with 7 at the time that his season ended. That was in only 8 games (and CP didn't even play fully in all of those games). Despite playing in all 16 games and carrying the ball about 100 more times than CP, Betts only managed 4 td's. He did manage to fumble the ball 6 times (CP had 0 fumbles last season), which was enough to tie him for second among all NFL running backs in 2006 for the most fumbles.

and his former self was a bit overrated considering he played under Shanahan.

So what that he played for Shanahan? The only other back that has played for Shanahan and put up similar numbers to CP was Terrell Davis. Since the Broncos traded CP none of their running backs have come close to matching Portis' production.

He is AT BEST slightly better or as good as Betts is at this point in his career.

Not even close dude. Portis is quicker, has better vision, scores more, fumbles less, and pass protects better than Betts. Additionally, Portis has breakaway speed and Betts doesn't. The only area in which Betts is better than CP in is pass catching. Portis has been a stud for 5 NFL season, while Betts has done well in a handful of games while playing against some of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL. And even while playing against bad defenses, with a better qb, and with a line that was blocking better towards the end of the season Betts still couldn't match CP's scoring output and managed to singlehandedly lose the game against the Rams with that bonehead fumble.

I still can't believe it when people come on here talking this stuff, they were selected FIVE PICKS apart in the same draft.

What does this have to do with anything?? So they where drafted only a few spots apart. So were Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. Where a player was drafted doesn't matter at all, it's all about production and Portis has vastly outproduced Betts. 7752 career yards and 56 career tds for Portis. In the same number of season Betts has managed 12 td's and 11 fumbles. The numbers don't lie.

I'm glad that we have Betts and all as a backup, but that's all that he is. Portis is a stud NFL running back and it's ridiculous that people can forget about all that he is done after one injury and him missing half of a season. The guy singlehandedly carried this team to the playoffs and now all of a sudden Ladell Betts is as good as Portis?? Nonsense.

Actually, I would say Stephen Jackson completely obliterating our defense lost us the rams game, and it would not have even been a close game were it not for Betts. I'm not gonna bring up Betts ypc last year vs. portis ypc since hes been a redskin and the extreme differencial because i bring that up all the time. I like Portis and all, but the redskins had a lame single season rushing record anyway. I expect someone to break it very soon. But i mean it is unfathomable that anybody would still think Portis is leaps and bounds above somebody that came in and completely dominated last year.

[SkinsJock]

... CP is a very good back - he is not an ellite back and never was - I don't care what the stats say.

hard to find fault with someone who does not care what the stats say and I don't plan to

Portis (and his stats) will show the NFL and some fans of the NFL that he is one of the better RBs in the NFL and a lot better than anyone else on our roster

I will say that we are very lucky to have both Portis and Betts but also I think that Betts needs Portis more than Portis needs Betts for us to be very good on the ground and especially in the pass blocking part of the game

[riggofan]

I still believe that Portis is the best back but his conditioning is at LEVEL 0. Both he and LT were held out of the preseason, they're the same right? WRONG! LT practices, CP didn't/couldn't.

I hadn't really thought about that comparison, Chris, but you're right.

I can understand CP staying away from the preseason games, but I wish he'd been practicing in August.

I predict that Portis will have a mediocre game against Miami and everyone will proclaim him over and done with. Then he'll bust out for 140 yds and 2 TDs against the Iggles on Monday night.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I still believe that Portis is the best back but his conditioning is at LEVEL 0. Both he and LT were held out of the preseason, they're the same right? WRONG! LT practices, CP didn't/couldn't.

I hadn't really thought about that comparison, Chris, but you're right.

I can understand CP staying away from the preseason games, but I wish he'd been practicing in August.

I predict that Portis will have a mediocre game against Miami and everyone will proclaim him over and done with. Then he'll bust out for 140 yds and 2 TDs against the Iggles on Monday night.

And thats why I suggest starting Betts and allowing CP to get some reps by giving Betts a breather. A RB needs a rhythm and CP won't have the stamina to utilize one if he gets it, then we'll stick in an ice cold Betts.

[1niksder]

I still believe that Portis is the best back but his conditioning is at LEVEL 0. Both he and LT were held out of the preseason, they're the same right? WRONG! LT practices, CP didn't/couldn't.

I hadn't really thought about that comparison, Chris, but you're right.

I can understand CP staying away from the preseason games, but I wish he'd been practicing in August.

I predict that Portis will have a mediocre game against Miami and everyone will proclaim him over and done with. Then he'll bust out for 140 yds and 2 TDs against the Iggles on Monday night.

And thats why I suggest starting Betts and allowing CP to get some reps by giving Betts a breather. A RB needs a rhythm and CP won't have the stamina to utilize one if he gets it, then we'll stick in an ice cold Betts.

How will he get his rhythm spelling Betts? Let him go as long has he can go then let Betts spell him. If nothing else it will give the Skins a good idea as to where CP is at as far as conditioning prior to facing two inter-division games in the coming weeks.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I still believe that Portis is the best back but his conditioning is at LEVEL 0. Both he and LT were held out of the preseason, they're the same right? WRONG! LT practices, CP didn't/couldn't.

I hadn't really thought about that comparison, Chris, but you're right.

I can understand CP staying away from the preseason games, but I wish he'd been practicing in August.

I predict that Portis will have a mediocre game against Miami and everyone will proclaim him over and done with. Then he'll bust out for 140 yds and 2 TDs against the Iggles on Monday night.

And thats why I suggest starting Betts and allowing CP to get some reps by giving Betts a breather. A RB needs a rhythm and CP won't have the stamina to utilize one if he gets it, then we'll stick in an ice cold Betts.

How will he get his rhythm spelling Betts?

My fear is that he may get one but will his stamina allow him to utilize it? I want this win badly and I just think I'd rather have Betts in there and allow Portis to spell him and get used to game conditions slowly. I'd insert him as the starter for week 2 after 2 weeks of practice and the one game.

[Fios]

When did CP's physical conditioning become a concern?

[CanesSkins26]

My fear is that he may get one but will his stamina allow him to utilize it? I want this win badly and I just think I'd rather have Betts in there and allow Portis to spell him and get used to game conditions slowly. I'd insert him as the starter for week 2 after 2 weeks of practice and the one game.

Who knows where CP's conditioning actually is. I think that Gibbs and the rest of the staff have a better idea of the shape that CP is in and if he is going to start then I trust that he is in good enough shape to go out there and get the job done. Not all of the practices are open to the public so who knows how much work CP has been getting and what he has and hasn't been doing. Betts didn't really get very many carries in preseason either so I seriously doubt that he is all that far ahead of CP.

[Chris Luva Luva]

When did CP's physical conditioning become a concern?

Since he hasn't practiced for about over a month. He didn't start back up until Monday. Riding a stationary bike isn't going to cut it. Even Gibbs said he's not going to be able to take the workload of a full game and that Betts will get a bulk of the carries.

I was simply suggesting a different way of inserting them into the game.

Who knows where CP's conditioning actually is. I think that Gibbs and the rest of the staff have a better idea of the shape that CP is in and if he is going to start then I trust that he is in good enough shape to go out there and get the job done. Not all of the practices are open to the public so who knows how much work CP has been getting and what he has and hasn't been doing. Betts didn't really get very many carries in preseason either so I seriously doubt that he is all that far ahead of CP.

Well, I can only go by the reports from Redskins park that CP's 1st practice was Monday. Take that up with the lunch with Skins crew.

Like I said above, Gibbs even stated that his conditioning isn't up to speed due to the lack of work. The same goes for Samuels but we can't switch him out the game like Betts.

Betts only had 14 carries this preseason how far ahead do you think he is of Portis as far as game condiitioning goes?

But Betts practiced all off season long, unlike Portis. LT is held out of preseason but he practices every day. There is a difference. If conditioning for football was achieved just by simple exercises we could just buy 53 stationary bikes and have injury free practices.



http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=28636

Portis has had limited practice work over the last month, but he has tried to stay in shape with cardio workouts, including riding a stationary bicycle daily. He had returned to practice last Tuesday.

It seems he returned to practice before this Monday but what I read was that Monday was the 1st time with a full work load.

I'm only going by what Gibbs has said about his conditioning not being up to par yet (on John Riggins show) and was just offering a my opinion on what I would do in the situation.

[1niksder]

My fear is that he may get one but will his stamina allow him to utilize it? I want this win badly and I just think I'd rather have Betts in there and allow Portis to spell him and get used to game conditions slowly. I'd insert him as the starter for week 2 after 2 weeks of practice and the one game.

Betts only had 14 carries this preseason how far ahead do you think he is of Portis as far as game condiitioning goes?

[jmooney]

Had to check, the title of the thread before posting. Based on pre-season performance Mason "should" start(l know,l know) but Portis will start and he will get a surprising amount of playtime as well, based solely on his blocking ability. However Mason was our only pre-season back with a 4+ YPC avg. I missed the game on Thursday, was that against Jax starting D?

Did someone hack your account? Is this what you brought to the table tonite?

As much as like what Mason brings to the table, I do not see him playing Sunday. He averaged 4+ ypc against guys who no longer are on their respective NFL rosters. He did not play against their #1 D either. As for this discussion, its open to who ever feels should start. Hell, if someone wants to say Mark Brunell should start (Redeemed, this is for you), we allow it. And we don't blow people up for it. Well at least not in this forum. Head to smack and have it out all you want. Just not heya.

[jmooney]

I knew somebody would bust me on that, I wasnt serious about starting him, however I was impressed by his efforts in pre-season.

and could someone please tell me how to quote someone in my own post , kinda new at this

[Redskin in Canada]

and could someone please tell me how to quote someone in my own post , kinda new at this

Press here:

on the message you wish to quote.

Portis will start and run for over 100 yards. Betts will come in during the second half and add about 80 more. Seriously.

[yupchagee]

Portis will start. Betts will also see a lot of action. I expect both to be productive this year.