Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post

joecrisp · 10-17-2004, 08:49 PM

Your thoughts are appreciated, dragon! Don't worry about being long-winded-- I'm guilty of that myself on most occasions. As long as your posts are coherent and have a point, that's all most people want.

I think you make some valid points. I understand the coaches' desire to keep Portis healthy for the regular season, so I can't really blame them for holding him back in the preseason, but I think it did have a negative effect on his ability to mesh with the linemen and vice-versa. Overall, I'd rather have a healthy Portis, and let him find his groove in the regular season.

But I think Portis's lack of productivity was also due in large part to playcalling. You'll notice Gibbs made an effort to get Portis outside quickly against the Bears, throwing in some quick pitches. He also mixed up the formations (including more 3-TE and 3-WR sets) and used the H-backs more in the fullback role. The running game is giving the defense more looks than it was in previous games, not allowing the defense to key on particular formations-- which had been a huge problem in previous games, particularly against Cleveland and Baltimore.

It also helps that Chicago simply does not have a very good defense. But hopefully, this game gives the offensive line and Portis some confidence and chemistry that they can build on.

10-17-2004, 08:49 PM	#3
joecrisp The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Charlottesville, VA Age: 49 Posts: 1,501	Your thoughts are appreciated, dragon! Don't worry about being long-winded-- I'm guilty of that myself on most occasions. As long as your posts are coherent and have a point, that's all most people want. I think you make some valid points. I understand the coaches' desire to keep Portis healthy for the regular season, so I can't really blame them for holding him back in the preseason, but I think it did have a negative effect on his ability to mesh with the linemen and vice-versa. Overall, I'd rather have a healthy Portis, and let him find his groove in the regular season. But I think Portis's lack of productivity was also due in large part to playcalling. You'll notice Gibbs made an effort to get Portis outside quickly against the Bears, throwing in some quick pitches. He also mixed up the formations (including more 3-TE and 3-WR sets) and used the H-backs more in the fullback role. The running game is giving the defense more looks than it was in previous games, not allowing the defense to key on particular formations-- which had been a huge problem in previous games, particularly against Cleveland and Baltimore. It also helps that Chicago simply does not have a very good defense. But hopefully, this game gives the offensive line and Portis some confidence and chemistry that they can build on.