Portis v. Betts: The Grass is Always Greener

[dgack]

Interesting. Apparently that *wasn't* true in 2005 (ypc dropped from 4.3 -> 4.1 -> 4.0 as carries increased), and in 2006 it was only true of carries 11-20, as carries 21-30 plummet to lower averages than the 1-10 mark. In 2004 it was somewhat inverted, with his ypc dropping badly from 4.6 to 3.3 and then recovering slightly to 3.6 in carries 21-30.

What's really odd is that his early Bronco years don't show that "rule" to be much more true (for example, in 2002, his 1-10 ypc was 6.4; 11-20 was 4.7; 21-30 was 3.4, so that's getting weaker as the game goes on) but then in 2003 his 1-10 ypc was 4.8; 11-20 ypc was 5.5; 21-30 ypc was an astounding 7.4).

So, I'm not sure that this proves much other than to say that it may take CP a while to get started. And that regardless of whether he gets stronger as the game goes on, looking at his career ypc splits in Denver, and here, it looks like his best years are long behind him, IMO.

In any event, my point in referencing that so-called phenomenon at all was to point out that Ladell needs more carries to establish himself in the run game, and improve his ypc. Clinton's getting plenty of action, so I don't think he really has any excuses in that department.