Portis/ Parker Combination?

I honestly expect Clinton Portis to be a different player this year. Look, he just watched two of his best friends get booted from the team, he's a whisker away from being the all-time leading rusher in Redskins history; a feat, mind you, that would be huge for a guy that might not make to Canton. I also think he's looking forward to transitioning to a system that suits his true running style.

Sure he's had a couple of spats with some ex-Skins and traded barbs with Jason Campbell, but no one ever accused the guy of laying down on game day. This is it for Clinton Portis. Either he makes it happen this year as a Redskin or he bounces around the league for the remainder of his career.

I agree with this. I dont think we will see the Same Portis this year as we saw last year. If he doesnt come to workouts in shape, if he doesnt work hard like Shanahan wants, he will be def be benched or (less likely) cut and Portis knows that. Shanahan traded Portis when he was at his best what makes you think he wouldnt just sit him now that we've seen him at his worst. I think the new regime is gonna get portis more focused due to the points above.

Everyone thinks he's washed up and to a "superstar" (his thinking) that hurts him and puts that chip on his shoulder. And his desire to pass John Riggins on the Redskins all time leading rushers is also going to motivate him.

To clear up the confusion, we currently have 3 RB's on our roster, Portis, Alridge (who i think the new RB Coach Bobby Turner can help him with his fumbles) and when Bruce Allen first signed on for the Redskins, they signed a young Bruising back in PJ Hill. So we'll hafta see what happens with our backfield but i know we wont go into the 2010 season with Portis, Parker, Hill, Alridge, AND Blount/Hardesty so we'll see.

I won't deny he's slowed down a LOT, but there was:

4hWBnl6ZyiY


If he had blocking like that all season, he'd be in the Pro Bowl if healthy.

Lets see how much he REALLY has left if he works hard and gets a little help from the new line. I still think he needs another regularly-used RB (like Parker or a rookie) to cut down his workload and injury risk, but maybe he can still be a contributor.



edit: looks like Rabach was holding... :oink:

Rabach was indeed holding haha, got up the field well though. I still was screaming "CUT RIGHT PORTIS G-D IT!"

I won't deny he's slowed down a LOT, but there was:

4hWBnl6ZyiY


If he had blocking like that all season, he'd be in the Pro Bowl if healthy.

Lets see how much he REALLY has left if he works hard and gets a little help from the new line. I still think he needs another regularly-used RB (like Parker or a rookie) to cut down his workload and injury risk, but maybe he can still be a contributor.



edit: looks like Rabach was holding... :oink:


Great blocking by Heyer and Caveman (even Cooley!) on that play. I was about to say good blocking by Rabach too, ha ha. He was way down the field anyway...

Rabach was indeed holding haha, got up the field well though. I still was screaming "CUT RIGHT PORTIS G-D IT!"

Sellers and Fred Davis were awesome getting down the field to block too.

Yes, that clip could both show that CP has lost a step...but it could also show that he has enough left in the tank to be productive if blocked for. Tough to decide, but I think he deserves the chance to win a job just like Campbell and everyone else. Shanahan won't put up with laziness and if Portis is starting, I trust the new coach that he's there because he earned it.

Bringing in a RB like Parker who could be on par with Portis would make it a real competition. If Parker is finally healthy again and comes into camp and performs well, he'll get a big chunk or the edge over Portis, but they can both be solid parts of the offense. Keep in mind, even if Portis isn't the runner he used to be, he is still one of the best-blocking RBs in the game and has saved Campbell's head many times. We could use him for pass protection and 10 or so carries a game (good on goal line) if we can find a solid complimentary back or if Shanahan installs his RB system like he had in Denver where ANYONE can succeed.

Great blocking by Heyer and Caveman (even Cooley!) on that play. I was about to say good blocking by Rabach too, ha ha. He was way down the field anyway...

ARE kept his guy tied up as well

It was Kansas City!

It was Kansas City!

Their fans are probably saying "we couldn't even stop Washington!"

Neither team was any good last year.

yeah...i dont know if we can count a long run against one of the league's worst teams.

Detroit, who statistically WAS the worst team, stuffed him pretty easily..

^That is as much about CP as it is about the Oline... They work together to get yards.

Willie Parker is not an improvement over Ladell Betts or Rock Cartwright. All of these backs are on the downside of their careers. Betts and Parker are coming off injury shortened seasons. I prefer Quinton Ganther over all these guys. I would prefer to see Shanahan draft a running back in the 3rd or 4th round. A backfield of Portis, Ganther and a rookie would be preferable.