bigger role for Betts this year?

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

With the way things are being reported it looks like this would be the case, especially if the decision was made today. I just read about Alridge just learning how to field punts within the past week or so -- has there been any news about him in the KR game?

I don't think it will be a problem for Alridge. He was a PR/KR in college as well as a RB. He also caught passes out of the back field or lined up as a WR. I think this is what your refering to and not only did Dorsey have trouble but Alridge and some of the others participating did also.

Redskins Insider - There's a Catch to Moving to NFL for Dorsey

They had to hold onto a couple of footballs and try to catch the incoming ball. Dorsey's issue is he played in Canada which has some different rules and he's having remember the American style of football where you can fair catch the ball.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by vallin21

They're definitely not long shots, there's a reason why Zorn got 2 RB's that are speed backs and 1 whose a tweener, so I think it's pretty obvious they're looking for an upgrade. We just don't know what these guys can do yet. I'd bet a pretty penny Rock gets cut after Preseason.

I get the same feeling also. Either Betts or Rock goes and since Rock is only taking on one role and the team likes players who fill several roles I can see Rock being let go....so long as the replacement is half decent.

I also think Zorn did not know exactly what he had as players. Not saying he did not look at film or know a little about the player prior to him becoming HC just that he did not understand each players specific abilities totally. I think he stayed status quo since the running game somewhat worked for Gibbs and he needed atleast some part of the offense to lean on. I think after last yr he better understands what he has and wants to tweek the running game.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by 30gut

Those backs that were brought in are long shots to even make the team, much less become a featured part of the offense.

When you speak about what the team is apparently thinking i'll take me ques from the OC:

"The guy that's been standing out to me is Ladell Betts," Smith said of the running back who serves as Clinton Portis's backup. "To me, he's stepped his game up. He's preparing like he's a starter. He's taken a leadership role, which I'm not saying he wasn't a leader before, but I just think he's a very good player. He's jumped out to me.

Redskins Insider - Smith: Offense Up To Speed -- And Watch Betts

Interesting.....so since Zorn spoke highly of Mason last night in interviews saying that he has great talent and he wished he didn't let him go last yr...does that mean he's a shoe in since Zorn is above the OC?

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

Interesting.....so since Zorn spoke highly of Mason last night in interviews saying that he has great talent and he wished he didn't let him go last yr...does that mean he's a shoe in since Zorn is above the OC?

That's true, but to be fair, he also said that it was a good position to be in to have to cut good players. Apparently they think there is a lot of talent at that position and we can't keep them all. I would think Sherman Smith and Stump Mitchell would have a lot to say about it.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

That's true, but to be fair, he also said that it was a good position to be in to have to cut good players. Apparently they think there is a lot of talent at that position and we can't keep them all. I would think Sherman Smith and Stump Mitchell would have a lot to say about it.

I'm just poking fun. Honestly does anyone even think the Coach's would put anything less then the best player on the field. I get uptight sometimes when people slam Mason or say he "did it against 2nd stringers" but I know out of all the RB's he was let go for a reason. Perhaps the talent level was just so good they had to pick the RB with the least talent or the one not performing several duties. I don't know. What I do know is they kept him and put him on the practice squad for a reason. They had to let someone go in order to bring someone else in at another position. Then we lost him. I'm sure he's gratefull to be able to have a second chance at making the team and I hope he does well. Plus I would like for us to get younger as well as have a RB being developed for the future. One Portis can work with. Although the other two are vetrans they are older then Portis and I can see all three retiring at the same time causing us to have to find a replacement. It would be nice to have that replacement learning already. Maybe even getting a play here or there.

As far as the speedsters....I believe we need atleast one of them. Call it what ever you want but we have not had a RB that could take it to the edge in a long while. Years. We need someone who can do that.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

Interesting.....so since Zorn spoke highly of Mason last night in interviews saying that he has great talent and he wished he didn't let him go last yr...does that mean he's a shoe in since Zorn is above the OC?

You really know how to take a statement and run wild with it huh?

I was responding to a poster that was saying that Aldridge and Dorsey were brought in to become the 'change of pace backs'.

i was just pointing out that for me, i'll look to the player the OC likes to become a 'change of pace back' rather then a couple of longshots


Yeah, sure, of course it means that Mason is a shoe in to start.
-JK

Zorn also said that when you have to cut good players like Mason it speaks highly of the talent already on the team.

[Meks]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

totally agree w/Matty & Daseal.

Does anyone have a theory as to why Betts hasn't gotten may carries the last 2 years, even as the coaches seem to always praise him in training camp & the team re-signed him to a nice deal?

because we lost to the giants on the goal line and portis WASNT, on the field.

images/memorys do burn into brains...

betts is OK, but i cant really imagine a starter on ne other team he's better than off hand.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Meks

because we lost to the giants on the goal line and portis WASNT, on the field.

images/memorys do burn into brains...

betts is OK, but i cant really imagine a starter on ne other team he's better than off hand.

Or it could be the fact that we called the same damn play 4 times in a row. That was one of my most frustrating moments as a Skins fan. I was cussing my brains out. My Dad was at that game. Poor guy had to see that mess in person.

[Meks]

yea i wasnt .... exactly serious .... but partially lol.

[53Fan]

Wasn't sure where to put this and didn't want to start a new thread for it so I'll put it here. I was watching Sportsnite tonight and they were talking to Jason Reid of the WP. Seems there were reports of Portis calling Zorn out in front of other players during OTA's. Reid said he called a couple of players and was asked why it was a big deal. They said they didn't see it, but everyone knows Portis doesn't like Zorn because he holds him accountable. When the reporter commented that there wasn't much Zorn could do because of Portis's contract and his relationship with Danny, Reid said what he can do, and what he thinks he will do, is tell Portis they are going to play guys who are going along with the program. Reid said he expects to see a lot more of Betts this year. He said everyone knows Zorns job is "shaky" and if he goes out, he'll go out swinging. I'm just reporting what I heard. I don't know how shaky Zorns job is, but I think this is an important year and the offense should show a lot of improvement for Zorn to be retained. If these reports are true, I'm behind Zorn all the way.

[sportscurmudgeon]

53fan:

You have identified THE most important issue that the Skins face this year with regard to their offense. The OL may not be fixed; the WRs may still be mediocre; Jason Campbell may not improve by leaps and bounds. So what? Here is the BIG ISSUE:

Will Clinton Portis become the Washington version of a diva a la T.O and/or Chad 85 and/or Plaxico Earp?

If he does, none of the other things matter even a little bit.


Clinton Portis is a damned good RB. Over the last year or two, he has also become a hell of a diva. If you listed the top 5 divas in the NFL, he would not make everyone's list, but he'd be on some of them; if you listed the top 10 divas, he makes every list there is. At least part of that " 'tude" comes from the access to Danny Boy that he has had as one of "Danny's Boys". If Portis decides to play his cards against Zorn, look for all of this to blow up in the team's face sometime around Halloween - - Thanksgiving at the latest.


What Portis seems not to realize is that if he wears out his welcome here, there is NO other owner in the league that is going to pay him like he's paid here in Washington AND coddle him as he has been coddled here in Washington. He may succeed in gettng Zorn fired, but if a Super Bowl winning coach comes here to replace Zorn (Shanahan, Holmgren, Cowher, Gibbs) and Portis tries his diva act with the new coach, it will be like the title of the movie from a year or two ago:


There Will Be Blood

[GTripp0012]

Portis could very easily be the Edgerrin James to Zorn's Ken Whisenhunt.

[sportscurmudgeon]

GTripp:

That's fine if it gets the team to where James/Whisenhunt got last year...


However, it could also be Chad 85/Marvin Lewis...

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Wasn't sure where to put this and didn't want to start a new thread for it so I'll put it here. I was watching Sportsnite tonight and they were talking to Jason Reid of the WP. Seems there were reports of Portis calling Zorn out in front of other players during OTA's. Reid said he called a couple of players and was asked why it was a big deal. They said they didn't see it, but everyone knows Portis doesn't like Zorn because he holds him accountable. When the reporter commented that there wasn't much Zorn could do because of Portis's contract and his relationship with Danny, Reid said what he can do, and what he thinks he will do, is tell Portis they are going to play guys who are going along with the program. Reid said he expects to see a lot more of Betts this year. He said everyone knows Zorns job is "shaky" and if he goes out, he'll go out swinging. I'm just reporting what I heard. I don't know how shaky Zorns job is, but I think this is an important year and the offense should show a lot of improvement for Zorn to be retained. If these reports are true, I'm behind Zorn all the way.

I know people hate this source but take it for what it is:

ProFootballTalk.com - Portis Becoming A Major Problem For Zorn

My 2 cents, yeah CP can be a pain in the ass. It would be stupid to deny such at this point. But in the end the guy does go balls out on game day. Nobody can dispute that.

I don't see him blowing up into a major problem, but it's probably something to keep an eye on.

By the way, anyone else get a little kick out of Riggo calling someone else a headache? In many ways Riggo and CP are the same kind of guy. A bit of an enigma off the field, nothing but a baller on it.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

GTripp:

That's fine if it gets the team to where James/Whisenhunt got last year...


However, it could also be Chad 85/Marvin Lewis...

Well, I think that will rely on Campbell becoming Warner, which would rely on Zorn becoming Whisenhunt.

Or some other really strange circle of events.