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Originally Posted by Ramseyfan
I posted this in another thread with regard to Portis:
Portis will likely have 2,600 to 2,700 yards in his first two years as a Redskin. That is pretty damn impressive; regardless of what he racked up in Denver. While he's not the 2nd best running back in the league, he's probably the 2nd back I'd take in the league (Tomlinson being the 1st). People think of his contract in today's NFL dollars. That's the wrong approach.
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Yeah, but what's his average getting those 2600 to 2700 yards? More importantly, what's his average against NFC East opponents, in the games that matter most? Right now, it's not even 4 yards a carry.
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Originally Posted by Ramseyfan
First, Portis, unlike James or other great backs in the NFL today, is 24. 24 years old is damn young, in fact there are a lot of rookie running backs who are 24.
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For running backs, the life-span in the NFL can be shorter than you think. Sure, he could be in prime condition for another five years, but I doubt it.
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Originally Posted by Ramseyfan
Second, there are a lot of great backs in the NFL who aren't as versatile as Portis. I bet you will be very hard pressed to find a running back that can pick up blocks, catch passes out of the backfield or from the line, or make plays like Portis can. Either they are great runners (i.e. Larry Johnson) or they are great receivers (i.e. Westbrook) or they are great blockers, but rarely do you find a back that can do all of the above.
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Versatility is great, as long as you do the things you were brought in to do first. Right now, even with an improved offensive line, Portis has yet to be a game-changer, he has yet to be the threat to totally take over the game like he was in Denver. I don't think any rational person will try to argue that we are seeing everything we hoped for from Clinton Portis.
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Originally Posted by Ramseyfan
Third, if you look at guys like Alexander, Johnson, or James, Portis isn't running behind the kind of offensive lines or offenses that they are. You'll be hard pressed to find a back that is posting the kind of numbers that Portis is in an offense that is as inconsistent as ours. The only ones who comes close are Willis McGahee and Reuben Droughns and I'd take Portis over either of those two in a heartbeat.
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My argument to this is that Portis was supposed to be the running back that transformed our offense into levels like those of the Colts or Seahawks. He was supposed to get past 7 and 8 man fronts, and make defenses pay by opening up the passing game. Right now, our opponents have no reason to respect the threat Portis poses.
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Originally Posted by Ramseyfan
Fourth, Portis has a great attitude; he's a "team" guy despite his antics. Shaun Alexander threw a hissy fit because he was one yard behind Curtis Martin for the rushing title last year.
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Hmmm, Clinton Portis with the transgender dress-ups on Thursdays versus Shaun Alexander's hissy fits? With 1339 yards and 20 touchdowns so far, I'll take Mr. Hissy Fit, thank you very much.
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Originally Posted by Ramseyfan
You find me a 24 year old back, who can catch, run, block, and even pass who can run behind a mediocre offense without griping and then I'll consider the trade to be a bad one. Until then, Portis is a stud in my book.
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I firmly believe that when the history books are written, the Portis trade will rank just below the Herschel Walker and Scott Mitchell moves in terms of one team getting a raw deal.