Is This Guy For Real?

If Gibbs prefers big backs then why did he go out and trade for Portis??

Makes no sense.

Gibbs has seen how the league has changed over the years. Speed is such an asset in today's game, and for a smaller back Portis does play with surprising power as well.

Listen guys... my comment wasn't that he had to get a big back... or couldn't win without one... just that he preferred them. Did you not understand my point about Hearst not being big, but being a potentially good backup?

Gibbs will win with Portis as long as Portis stays healthy. He's just worried that he won't because of his intention to use him 30+ carries a game. A bigger back might be able to handle that load a little better.

I believe that he is uncomfortable with the backups. We've heard the same thing from other sources. None have shown him the ability to chew up turf and stay healthy.

guys,have you ever heard fatass pastabelly lenny p say 1 good thing about the redskins?i rest my case.he's a sexually frustrated bill parcels/jerry jones/cowbooy fan
with delusions of nfl godhood.

Well I hear what you're saying EEich. My beef with lenny p's comments were primarily that Portis isn't the perfect fit for the Gibbs offense. I don't think Gibbs offense is about who's lining up behind the O-Line, it's the O-Line itself.

Vinny wouldn't be doing his job, or whatever it is he does, if he wasn't looking for ways to improve the team but personally I don't think replacing Betts with an older, slightly smaller Hearst is the answer.

Gibbs will win with Portis as long as Portis stays healthy. He's just worried that he won't because of his intention to use him 30+ carries a game. A bigger back might be able to handle that load a little better.

I believe that he is uncomfortable with the backups. We've heard the same thing from other sources. None have shown him the ability to chew up turf and stay healthy.

Eeich, I guess your second statement here could possibly be true - but I have not seen anything like that from any reliable source. (LP is DEFINITELY not reliable - he and Prisco generate enough cow dung to fertilize the entire midwest.) But your first statement is another story. What evidence could you possibly have the "He's just worried that he won't..." You are not only putting words in the man's mouth, you are trying to put thoughts in his head. Where are you getting this stuff? Why do you think Gibbs is trembling in his office at the prospect of having Portis carry a heavy workload?

And by the way, this Gibbs history of a heavy workload is a myth. Yes, for one or two seasons, Riggo was getting many, many carries. But for all the rest of his time here, Gibbs was known for successfully splitting the workload among his backs - none were overworked. Look it up. I think he made that "tongue hanging out" comment in jest. We'll see.

Now back to the real world. Betts is the only decent backup they have. I sure hope he can stay healthy!!!!!!

The backup situation is a concern but Gibbs bigest strength is adapting his system to whoever he has. If a standout back comes available then we may pick him up thats what teams do.

I'm putting words into his mouth and you're taking them out of his mouth. Go figure. I'm thinking he's trembling at the idea that he's like Portis to carry a heavy workload without a solid backup. He also said that he plans on keeping three quarterbacks all season, unlike one recent head coach. Joe likes to play it safe.

I think he made that "tongue hanging out" comment in jest. We'll see.

I do think it's safe to say Gibbs will have his eye on the waiver wire for these final rounds of cuts for any surprises, only because of Bett's history of injuries. But then that means Rock, Simon and McCullough would all be out.

Wow, Lenny sure knows how to stir our pots, doesn't he?

Pasquarelli's assertion that Portis might not be a good fit are waaaaaaayyy off base. He's making this assumption based on misperceptions of Gibbs' past tendencies, as well as underestimating Gibbs' well-documented ability to adapt his system to the athletes he has available. It's impossible to draw any conclusions based on the preseason, because we've hardly seen Portis, and when he has played, it's been in a very scaled-down and basic version of the offense Gibbs will run this season. In fact, I would be inclined to say that most of the plays Gibbs has been running are more reflective of his original playbook, and that when he opens up his regular season package, there will be a pretty heavy infusion of new wrinkles tailored for the strengths of this group of players, in particular the runningbacks and quarterbacks.

Keep in mind, the media has been barred from watching practices since the public portion of training camp closed on August 11th, so any whispers Pasquarelli is hearing could only be referring to Portis' inability to adapt to the way Gibbs lines up his players for stretches-- which is the only portion of practice the media really gets to see, aside from a few special teams drills.

Now as far as the backups go, of course Gibbs and Cerrato will be watching the waiver wire for decent backups-- what good personnel department doesn't do that? There are question marks about the depth chart behind Portis, and Gibbs will certainly want to solidify that area before heading into the regular season. Why? Because Gibbs has consistently made good use of the depth at runningback, spelling the primary runner frequently, while plugging in specialty backs (Mitchell, Bryant, Riggs, etc) based on game situations. If there is a runningback available that offers an improvement in that area, Gibbs will certainly try to get him.

In fact, I would be inclined to say that most of the plays Gibbs has been running are more reflective of his original playbook, and that when he opens up his regular season package, there will be a pretty heavy infusion of new wrinkles tailored for the strengths of this group of players, in particular the runningbacks and quarterbacks.

Very, very good point, Joe. Gibbs, more than anything, has always been a master of innovation and adjustments. He did it from game-to-game any time teams would come up with something to counter his latest offensive innovation, and on a few occassions, he did it even at halftime when neccessary. How is it that these so-called experts have not realized he will CERTAINLY do it after all these years away, and after he spent so much time in the film rooms studying the latest strategies and techniques of the NFL teams. His genius has not suddenly disappeared. Maybe not all of his latest innovations that are yet to be unleashed on his opponents will be successful, but he will keep working until he has plenty that ARE.

I also agree, they will have their eyes open for waiver wire surprises and for an opportunity at a good deal to improve the depth. One thing I have found interesting is that early on, Chad Morton was identified as the guy that would be the 3rd down back, and that recently we have not seen him in that role. Even his personnel decisions are cloaked in secrecy. No one outside the team knows the plan. I love it!!!! I can't wait to see what is unveiled next weekend.