Redskins in Review: RUNNING BACKS

if "splitting carries" means using Portis and Betts interchangeably during a game, then I think its a bad idea. The idea is that if one guy is in there, he's going to get the "feel" of the defense and wear it down. I'm not saying one back should be on the field for every offensive snap, but one guy should be there for an entire series or quarter at a time. Someone somewhere suggested making Betts the "feature back" in about 4 games next year. Portis would still play in these games, but he would just play a series or two here and there. This would take the load off portis and keep him fresh for December (and hopefuly January). I like that idea alot. What do you guys think?

This would be unconventional but who's to say it wouldn't work? I don't like the idea as much as them just splitting carries.

To your first point, if you watched the games this year when Betts played it was either as 3rd down back or for a whole series in the 2nd quarter. I liked the plan, they just didn't keep Betts in enough to follow through w/it. I agree you want each back to get a feel for the game, but they should be able to do that w/a couple of series. Bottom line is if you run the ball well there will be plenty of carries for 2 guys.

ive discussed this so much in similar threads but this is new... CP & BEANIE WELLS would be a sick tandem.

Portis is a ProBowl player. When he is healthy and fresh Portis is a top 3 RB in the NFL. That being said Portis is reaching an age that most RB start to be become less productive due to injuries. Portis has a lot of miles on him. I am not sure how long we can rely on him to be our #1. I would bet all my chips on him to keep this up much longer. We need to have a young RB waiting in the wings. Currently we do not have one. But we have two young WR's. Nice going FO.

Betts has a reoccuring knee problem. Betts is a talented RB with the skills to be an excellent backup. But I think he has had only one or two seasons where he has not missed games due to injury. His first couple of seasons he could not stay healthy at all. It was a major problem. He has a knee that he injures every so often. the more you use him the more it becomes a problem.

Bottom line - we need to get a young RB to prepare for Portis' eventual decline and departure. After 28 years of age RB's age in dog years.

We have differing opinions on our backup RB. I see them both as slower, smaller versions of Portis. I know that people love Rock, but to me he's just a guy. He's not special in any of his abilities. He's not exceptionally fast, quick, elusive or powerful. He's a hard worker and a tough SOB but he's not a difference maker in any regard.

I wouldn't associate 'quick' nor 'nifty' in regards to Betts. I don't know that I've ever seen him shake a defender in the open field, rather he just puts his head down and tries for an extra yard or two. He just seems to be more of what we already have. I'd much rather have a Sproles, Leon Washington, Chris Johnson, Norwood type of pure speed-explosive type back to represent a true 'change of pace'.

Betts looks quicker than Portis to me, but I concede that him and Rock are no spring chickens. Neither is Portis for that matter. It couldn't hurt to look for a complimentary back in the middle to late rounds. Leon, Norwood and Sproles were all 3rd or 4th round picks. Michael Turner was a 5th rounder.

RBs can be found anywhere, so I don't think they need to chase any in free agency, especially with Portis' salary already on the books.

if "splitting carries" means using Portis and Betts interchangeably during a game, then I think its a bad idea. The idea is that if one guy is in there, he's going to get the "feel" of the defense and wear it down. I'm not saying one back should be on the field for every offensive snap, but one guy should be there for an entire series or quarter at a time. Someone somewhere suggested making Betts the "feature back" in about 4 games next year. Portis would still play in these games, but he would just play a series or two here and there. This would take the load off portis and keep him fresh for December (and hopefuly January). I like that idea alot. What do you guys think?

I don't know what the formula should be, but I think they should do whatever it takes to figure it out. Other teams have figured out a way to do it, so why not the Skins? I guess at the end of the year, I'd like to see Portis with 200 plus carries and Betts with 100 plus (and at least 40 receptions). I'd like to see Portis get ALL the goal line carries. I still think Rock can get some reps on passing downs.

I'd even like to see Betts AND Portis on the field at the same time a few plays each game. Don't Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown share the backfield every once in a while?

Someone said having fresh backs would help against tired defenses in the 4th quarter... much like teams ran the ball on our defense to run out the clock late in games. I concur.

We could have had CPs successor this year in the 2nd round instead of 3 recievers. Steve Slaton.

Rock is set were he is. He is a special teams player. That's it. It would have been nice to keep Mason around as the fourth but we didn't. I really think a third back is in order this year. I know we don't have many draft picks though, so maybe a cheaper veteran Rb who is in for all of training camp until we draft one in '10. I think the guys on the page who are discussing another RB are on to something, CP and Betts just arent enough to keep the guys fresh. Who knows maybe Zorn has figured that part out after one year in his system here in DC. I think we need a third.