How many starting RBs are worse than Portis?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

Anyone who thinks Portis is a leading contributor to the bad start to the season is, I feel, sadly mistaken.

When you compare what he did in the first 6 weeks of 2008 to this season, the only glaring difference is the total number of touches.

In 2008 in the first 6 weeks Portis averaged 4.7 ypc.
In 2009 in the first 6 weeks Protis averaged 4.2 ypc.

Not a big difference there, if a RB is averaging over 4 yards per carry, I say let him play.

No, the big difference in 2009 is that in 2008 at this point in the season, Portis had 30 more carries in 2008 after 6 weeks than he has in 2009. And last year at this point, everyone and thier grandmother already had Portis starting in the Pro Bowl. He had an awesome first half of 2008.

Now I know 2009 has been a less than desirable start, but, from what I see the Redskins have never been blown out, and they have never really been so far out of a game that they needed to abandon the run to play catch up, which in most cases is the 4th quarter anyway.

Keep feeding him the rock, and that will keep defenses honest and help the passing game out to boot.

But Portis isn't anywhere close to where he was last year at this time in total value, when he was in the midst of a 5 game 120+ yards per streak. Also, 0.5 YPC isn't particularly close. And he has one rushing TD, despite ample opportunity.

Portis has actually been in decline since 2006, but behind an offensive line that played very well for 5 weeks at the beginning of last year, and defenses that were putting considerable resources to stopping the pass, he put together a really good stretch. At this point though, he's a grind em out power runner who doesn't really even finish his runs any more.

He's the best RB on the team, and still has considerable value, but he doesn't set up his blocks well, and he doesn't finish runs, and he fumbles. You can't argue that he deserves any more carries than he is getting.