Who will back up Clinton Portis?

Shane · 03-19-2004, 12:26 PM

I think that to give Clinton Portis a chance to be fresh and to minimize the workload he gets to keep him healthy, we need a halfback that can be a serious threat to partner with him and take on 15-20% of the carries.

I think Sultan McCullough has a chance to be a very good running back. He showed some real flashes, and I think that he will really show something when he gets a chance in preseason. McCullough potentially is that kind of breakaway threat you would like in Portis' backup.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 03-19-2004, 12:40 PM

Word is that Gibbs likes McCullough (I can't remember my source).

I don't think we've got problems at tailback anymore. We've got Trung, Ladell, Chad, Rock, and Sultan to help carry the load. Of those, Trung will probably be the only one cut. Ladell is still a work in progress and Gibbs likes guys like Betts. Chad Morton got a $2.5 million SB so he's not going anywhere; besides Gibbs loves special teamers. Rock is a fan favorite and has showed he can be a very good change-up back.

skinsfanthru&thru · 03-19-2004, 02:27 PM

I liked what McCullough showed in the preseason but lets not forget that was the preseason against back up defenses. Aside from errors in picking up the blitz or running into the qb on the hand off in his first year, I think Betts could be a solid back up. He'd be a bit of a change of pace back and he has a solid frame for pounding it up the middle a bit which we all know Gibbs loves to do. He's shown he can catch well and he has decent speed too. Like someone posted a while back, his injuries were bone related which heal well unlike a muscle or ligament injury that could linger. Plus, I don't know about the rest of u, but Rock showed me last year that if he's needed he can carry the load. sure he had a couple bad fumbles but every player is gonna have things like that happen every once in a while especially if they r suddenly starting at a position they haven't gotten much playing time at in about 4 years. That guy has a motor and it seemed he was breaking atleast one tackle every other carry. With Patrick johnson gone though, who do you guys see to come in as the 4th or 5th wr and/or back up returner?

illone · 03-19-2004, 02:45 PM

i see betts emerging soon

skinsguy · 03-19-2004, 03:19 PM

I would say Betts would be a decent back-up for Portis. Maybe Cartwright can help out too like he did last year.

jbcjr14 · 03-19-2004, 04:16 PM

Betts will be the backup....Cartwright will be the starting fullback with Johnson in the rotation....also look for Sellars and Chamberlain to play some H-back a la Clint Didier back in the late 80's in the power running game.

Ade Jimoh Fan Club · 03-19-2004, 05:01 PM

Here's a different angle: Betts will be the backup, and Sultan the backup-backup. Rock will back-up Sultan, and Morton can back-up him. Oh yeah, Trungie can back-up to the exit door.

SmootSmack · 03-19-2004, 05:22 PM

I hear they're thinking of converting Jimoh and going to a two back offense, Portis and Jimoh

Gibbs has said he sees Betts as a third-down back, and I can see Cartwright as the fullback and in goal line situations. I have a feeling Sultan will emerge this summer as the primary backup. Morton will be a change of pace back, draw plays, pitch outs, etc. Trung will have a change of address

I see Seller and Bryan Johnson at H-Back

Paintrain · 03-19-2004, 05:32 PM

I don't see them carrying 7 ruuning backs on the roster (Portis, Betts, Morton, McCollough, Rock, Johnson, Sellers).. I think Sellers or Johnson may be cut during camp..

SmootSmack · 03-19-2004, 06:38 PM

I think financially it makes the most sense to cut Trung over any of the other backs, at least that's what I've heard

skins009 · 03-19-2004, 06:44 PM

I think we need to pick up at least one power back to grind out the short yards, when we can to give portis a rest. Were not gonna need a change of pace back. Portis already has enough speed for anything. We might need a change in power back though.

Longtimefan · 03-19-2004, 06:45 PM

Ladell Betts will in all likelehood back up Clinton Portis, but let's not chase Trung out the door so swiftly. He could very well be the perfect 3rd down back a la Joe Washington, Kelvin Bryant. So much untapped potential on the team having gone unrecognized because we had no one to coach them. Running Trung between the Tackles for 25 carries a game wont cut it. Perfect as a situational back.

Shane · 03-19-2004, 07:30 PM

The Saints just sent an offer sheet for Bryan Johnson - we have of course 7 days.

azskinsfan2 · 03-19-2004, 07:39 PM

With so many backs to choose from, unless it's a lousy deal I think we'll probably let him go.
Trung and Betts did great playing the rotation game until they both got hurt. Also, like said earlier, with the proper coaching and game plan, Spurrier could care less about the run, Trung could emerge as a great back up to Portis. Give them all a chance in training camp and see who deserves to stay.

Shane · 03-19-2004, 07:45 PM

I think that Canidate could well end up as a good player in the right situation, but on this team there are too many running backs that can do what he does best - run fast.

Sellers is a tight end. We need a short yardage specialist - Rock you're the front runner there, but Betts could fill that role. Betts is a good all purpose back who can hopefully do well on special teams. McCullough I like as the primary backup for Portis, if he earns it in preseason. Yes, Morton is a good change of pace/3rd down back.

We may wait until preseason and see about trading one of our backs. If Johnson goes, we have:

Portis*
McCullough*
Morton*
Rock C. *
Betts*
Johnson (RFA to N.O. Saints)
Canidate (likely released)
John Simon (likely released)
Jimoh

*on roster - my projection

03-19-2004, 12:26 PM	#1
Shane Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 277	Who will back up Clinton Portis? I think that to give Clinton Portis a chance to be fresh and to minimize the workload he gets to keep him healthy, we need a halfback that can be a serious threat to partner with him and take on 15-20% of the carries. I think Sultan McCullough has a chance to be a very good running back. He showed some real flashes, and I think that he will really show something when he gets a chance in preseason. McCullough potentially is that kind of breakaway threat you would like in Portis' backup.

03-19-2004, 03:19 PM	#5
skinsguy Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Posts: 5,998	I would say Betts would be a decent back-up for Portis. Maybe Cartwright can help out too like he did last year. __________________ Not the same Skinsguy that posts on ES.

03-19-2004, 05:22 PM	#8
SmootSmack Mad Men Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 43,096	I hear they're thinking of converting Jimoh and going to a two back offense, Portis and Jimoh Gibbs has said he sees Betts as a third-down back, and I can see Cartwright as the fullback and in goal line situations. I have a feeling Sultan will emerge this summer as the primary backup. Morton will be a change of pace back, draw plays, pitch outs, etc. Trung will have a change of address I see Seller and Bryan Johnson at H-Back __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

03-19-2004, 06:38 PM	#10
SmootSmack Mad Men Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 43,096	I think financially it makes the most sense to cut Trung over any of the other backs, at least that's what I've heard __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

03-19-2004, 07:39 PM	#14
azskinsfan2 Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tucson, Arizona Age: 55 Posts: 232	With so many backs to choose from, unless it's a lousy deal I think we'll probably let him go. Trung and Betts did great playing the rotation game until they both got hurt. Also, like said earlier, with the proper coaching and game plan, Spurrier could care less about the run, Trung could emerge as a great back up to Portis. Give them all a chance in training camp and see who deserves to stay. __________________ Long live Sonny J!!! Rock on Redskins!!!!!!

03-19-2004, 12:40 PM	#2
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 34 Posts: 8,317	Word is that Gibbs likes McCullough (I can't remember my source). I don't think we've got problems at tailback anymore. We've got Trung, Ladell, Chad, Rock, and Sultan to help carry the load. Of those, Trung will probably be the only one cut. Ladell is still a work in progress and Gibbs likes guys like Betts. Chad Morton got a $2.5 million SB so he's not going anywhere; besides Gibbs loves special teamers. Rock is a fan favorite and has showed he can be a very good change-up back.

03-19-2004, 02:27 PM	#3
skinsfanthru&thru Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 32 Posts: 3,504	I liked what McCullough showed in the preseason but lets not forget that was the preseason against back up defenses. Aside from errors in picking up the blitz or running into the qb on the hand off in his first year, I think Betts could be a solid back up. He'd be a bit of a change of pace back and he has a solid frame for pounding it up the middle a bit which we all know Gibbs loves to do. He's shown he can catch well and he has decent speed too. Like someone posted a while back, his injuries were bone related which heal well unlike a muscle or ligament injury that could linger. Plus, I don't know about the rest of u, but Rock showed me last year that if he's needed he can carry the load. sure he had a couple bad fumbles but every player is gonna have things like that happen every once in a while especially if they r suddenly starting at a position they haven't gotten much playing time at in about 4 years. That guy has a motor and it seemed he was breaking atleast one tackle every other carry. With Patrick johnson gone though, who do you guys see to come in as the 4th or 5th wr and/or back up returner?

03-19-2004, 02:45 PM	#4
illone Camp Scrub Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2	i see betts emerging soon

03-19-2004, 04:16 PM	#6
jbcjr14 The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Age: 43 Posts: 2,001	Betts will be the backup....Cartwright will be the starting fullback with Johnson in the rotation....also look for Sellars and Chamberlain to play some H-back a la Clint Didier back in the late 80's in the power running game.

03-19-2004, 05:01 PM	#7
Ade Jimoh Fan Club Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 410	Here's a different angle: Betts will be the backup, and Sultan the backup-backup. Rock will back-up Sultan, and Morton can back-up him. Oh yeah, Trungie can back-up to the exit door.

03-19-2004, 05:32 PM	#9
Paintrain Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Age: 42 Posts: 4,528	I don't see them carrying 7 ruuning backs on the roster (Portis, Betts, Morton, McCollough, Rock, Johnson, Sellers).. I think Sellers or Johnson may be cut during camp..

03-19-2004, 06:44 PM	#11
skins009 Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 528	I think we need to pick up at least one power back to grind out the short yards, when we can to give portis a rest. Were not gonna need a change of pace back. Portis already has enough speed for anything. We might need a change in power back though.

03-19-2004, 06:45 PM	#12
Longtimefan Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Germantown, Md. Posts: 4,832	Ladell Betts will in all likelehood back up Clinton Portis, but let's not chase Trung out the door so swiftly. He could very well be the perfect 3rd down back a la Joe Washington, Kelvin Bryant. So much untapped potential on the team having gone unrecognized because we had no one to coach them. Running Trung between the Tackles for 25 carries a game wont cut it. Perfect as a situational back.

03-19-2004, 07:30 PM	#13
Shane Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 277	The Saints just sent an offer sheet for Bryan Johnson - we have of course 7 days.

03-19-2004, 07:45 PM	#15
Shane Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 277	I think that Canidate could well end up as a good player in the right situation, but on this team there are too many running backs that can do what he does best - run fast. Sellers is a tight end. We need a short yardage specialist - Rock you're the front runner there, but Betts could fill that role. Betts is a good all purpose back who can hopefully do well on special teams. McCullough I like as the primary backup for Portis, if he earns it in preseason. Yes, Morton is a good change of pace/3rd down back. We may wait until preseason and see about trading one of our backs. If Johnson goes, we have: Portis* McCullough* Morton* Rock C. * Betts* Johnson (RFA to N.O. Saints) Canidate (likely released) John Simon (likely released) Jimoh *on roster - my projection

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Who will back up Clinton Portis?

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