SI Ranks Offensive Backfields

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

Agreed 100%, the performance of any skill player relies on the OL. Early in 2008 our OL played great and was healthy, JC & CP lit it up. Second half injuries/age/poor play by the OL killed the whole offense. To blame JC is to ignore that Portis' numbers were dismal also.

These lists are pretty much a waste of storage and webspace. Just something to generate web-hits and kill time until Training Camp.

When did Campbell light it up in the 1st half? Portis played great but I wouldnt go out on a limb and say Campbell lit it up also. He played solid managing the game but their was only 3 games last year where I thought Campbell actually played great (one of them was in Detroit).

While I agree the OL is key to skill players success I also think the OL wasnt the only reason why the team fell apart in the 2nd half of 08. Injuries were a factor near the very end of the season but the injuries imo didnt have anything to do with the Skins problems for the most part of the 2nd half. The age factor I dont think factors in because they were old when they were playing well. It wasnt like the line got old overnight.

The poor play was the whole offense not just the line. Many times last year I saw Campbell make a bad throw when he had enough time in the pocket. The slight problem I have with Portis is that he needs the offensive line to play great to make plays. If the line has even a slight problem he seems to become a different RB. I still think Portis is a damn good RB but his play gets on my nerves at times.

Overall I think the whole offense in general had problems last year. Campbell, Portis. the WRs, Cooley, and the offensive line. In the 2nd half the Skins regressed as a whole and honestly the biggest reason was Jim Zorn and his inability to adapt to what the defense is doing.