Portis v. Betts: The Grass is Always Greener

Portis. just took him half the season to get back into playing shape

It's funny that 2 weeks ago Portis was "washed up," has been "worn down by injury," has "lost his vision," is "no better than a 3rd down back," etc. and now people are saying that he wasn't irredeemable. Eat your crow like a man and admit that you were wrong; Portis's career wasn't done like so many implied or expressly stated.

It's funny that 2 weeks ago Portis was "washed up," has been "worn down by injury," has "lost his vision," is "no better than a 3rd down back," etc. and now people are saying that he wasn't irredeemable. Eat your crow like a man and admit that you were wrong; Portis's career wasn't done like so many implied or expressly stated.

He's rushed for 333 yards the last 2 games. Not bad for a 3rd down back.

He's rushed for 333 yards the last 2 games. Not bad for a 3rd down back.

I know this isn't what you guys are specifically calling out, but to me this just proves one of my original theorems -- that prior to the last 2 games, we have been calling the wrong plays for an effective run game with the staff we have.

I think even CP was saying this a few weeks ago, that the playcalling has been anything but productive for him.

I also still think that we're leaning too hard on him and that's dangerous. As I said several posts ago, we are getting CP his yards through quantity -- he's carried a whopping 66 times in the past 2 games! When you consider the most heavily worked RB in the league -- Willie Parker -- gets 23.6 carries a game, I think we should all be a little concerned about CP seeing 30 and 36 carry games.

However, it appears that Ladell's penchant for coughing up the ball in key situations is still very much an issue, so certainly it's difficult to say right now he should be in there instead of Clinton. That said, Portis has the dubious honor of being tied for 8th on the NFC's fumbles leader list (ugh, J-Cam is first), so it's not as though Betts is alone in his woes here.

In any event, IMO, the important numbers of the past two games are the rushing average and the long runs. I hope these continue to climb while the actual number of carries fall, because we are still WAY down the charts on big rush plays and could be doing a lot better in yards per carry.

He's rushed for 333 yards the last 2 games. Not bad for a 3rd down back.

Betts lost a drive-killing fumble on his only run of the day. We were lucky McNabb gave it right back to us, but Ladell belongs on the bench when CP is healthy.

Makes this poll look pretty stupid. :D

Betts lost a drive-killing fumble on his only run of the day. We were lucky McNabb gave it right back to us, but Ladell belongs on the bench when CP is healthy.

Makes this poll look pretty stupid. :D

I agree. Betts is a fumbler. Last year his fumbles cost us two games.

Ladell got one carry yesterday, fumbled.

This arguement is over!! After Clinton's previous two games IMO we can put this to bed.

More hard evidence against Betts, from the obsessive maniacs at PGH:

Does Ladell Betts have fumblitis? (http://www.postgameheroes.com/?p=1636)

This arguement is over!! After Clinton's previous two games IMO we can put this to bed.

If only it were that simple.