[la73hof]

Originally Posted by Ramseyfan

I happen to believe that Portis is one of the league's best backs. But if you do not believe that the Denver system makes backs look damn good, you are in denial and need help.

Well, this is my intervention. The formerly-Alex Gibbs-coached Denver line makes Quentin Griffin, Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis, Terrell Davis and just about every other back look awesome. Sure Terrell Davis and Clinton Portis were/are both great backs, but there's no doubt that the system made them really shine.

Portis averaged just 3.0 yards per carry (excluding that awesome 64-yard cut back for the TD) last week. Many said, you can't take away the 64-yard TD run. True enough, he got it, he's good, end of story as far as that week's stats are concerned. BUT, taking away the 64-yard run was useful in examining how good the run-blocking really was and how quick Clinton was in hitting those holes.

Many then said, well, it was Tampa Bay's defense that limited Portis. Okay, well then, why was it that the Giants defense limited him to less than 70 yards and a 3.5 yards-per-carry average? The Giants defense has not been a powerhouse in awhile and the Eagles had a pretty easy time running ball in Week 1.

To give you some perspective, Troy Hambrick fared better last year in his ypc than Portis did last week against the G-men (or against the Bucs if you take away the 64-yarder). The running game is stinking up the stadiums and needs to improve for Gibbs to be successful.

For those of you who are about to have a sh-t-fit, take a deep breath. I know that Portis is great, I know that Bugel will shore up the run-blocking, and I know that it's only week 2. But, if you are not a little concerned about Portis' low ypc stat, Portis' apparent slowness in hitting the holes (when they exist), and the poor run-blocking, you should be.

I borrowed this from a Cowboys board and it describes what I have preached to a "T"

Inside the Numbers... C.Portis analysis
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Portis has the barry sanders effect on his team... the majority of his runs are for low yardage totals, with a big run or 2 a game. not exactly what you want out of your RB. He does make some big runs but certianly not worht Champ Baily + a second rounder IMHO.

Game1:
3 or less yards: 20 rushes
4+ yards: 10 rushes
Game2:
3 or less yards: 13 rushes
4+ 7 rushes

Game1
64,21,16,9,7,7,5,5,5,4,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,2,2,2,1,1,1,1 ,0,0,0,-1,-2,-4,,

minus: 3
0-3: 17
4-10: 7
10+: 3

167 on 30 carries - 5.5 yards per rush

Game2
21,11,8,6,5,5,4,3,3,2,2,2,1,1,1,1,1,0,-2,-1,
minus: 2
0-3: 11
4-10: 5
10+: 2

74 yards on 20 carries 3.7 yards per rush\


Totals:

50 rushes for 241 yards
minus: 5
0-3 : 28
4-10: 12
10+ 5