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Al Saunders OC for Washington (1 Viewer)
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Me & My Uncle
Footballguy
Is he the #1 pick? No way. Does he have a legit shot at being #1 in that offense? Oh yeah...Let's not forget that this offense also produced Faulk's amazing run, and that was with pass-happy Martz.I would say his chances are as good as anyone's to finish #1, but with more risk than SA, LT, and LJ.
Jason Wood
Zoo York
Unless he's bringing Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Tony Gonzalez and friends with him to D.C....Portis most definitely doesn't equal #1 
-OZ-
Footballguy
How did I forget about Randy Thomas? 
Is it possible he performs as #1?
FWIW, Bob's comment also works for LJ, if Roaf or Shields retire.
On one hand, I agree, OTOH it helps, and Portis isn't THAT far from the big dogs anyway.Would I draft him ahead of LT, LJ or Alexander (as a Hawk)My sentiments precisely. One coaching change does not a #1 RB make.Unless he's bringing Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Tony Gonzalez and friends with him to D.C....Portis most definitely doesn't equal #1
Is it possible he performs as #1?
FWIW, Bob's comment also works for LJ, if Roaf or Shields retire.
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Gibbs won't suddenly adopt Vermeil's scheme. I think you're forgetting Gibbs influence and even assistant head coach Greg Williams'. IMO Al's gonna have to learn a new O and figure out how to succeed within that system. Portis has been a 1300 yard back every year and well I see no reason why that would stop. However, I don't think expecting him to be Priest or LJ is so wise.
He wont be number 1 in the league. His TD numbers will go up a bit. At this point I'd say he could finish next year at #4, maybe #3 but next year will probably look like SA, LJ, LT2 in whatever order you like. followed close by Portis.Of course Clinton has been banged up for a good part of the year too. So if he stays healthy he could jump up to #2....but then again that is just the Skins fan in me talking lol......
The_Hunchback
Footballguy
IF Saunders gets to install his offense my question becomes this about the offensive line. How well do they move? Are they athletic and able to trap and pull from one side of the line to the other, still able to make impact blocks when getting to the other side? The Chiefs line moved and pulled a lot so if in fact Saunders does install the offense then the Skins line will be asked to do the same.I also think if Saunders does in fact install his offense it will take a couple years to get going so to expect more from Portis than he is already doing is a stretch.
I don't know about drafting Portis in the 1st, but I think I'll throw a late flyer out on Ladell Betts now.With Al Saunders the OC in Washington how much does Portis move up? Saunders obviously did wonders with Holmes and LJ can he do it in Washinton? If those two were product of system and that system is coming to Washington with Portis's talent he could be #1
They move really well. Saunders and Gibbs offense are very similar anyway since they both got their starts in the 70's together. Samules and Jansen can do almost anything they are asked, Samules in particular does a good job getting outside. Thomas is amazing at trapping and pulling, Dockery is still young but turning into quite the stud, so I wouldn't think it would take a couple of years. Since the offense is really not going to change all that much they guys should pick it up pretty quick
fatness
Footballguy
Washington just needs some good backups on the O-line, not starters. The starters play well and move pretty well, but when backups go into the game the quality of play drops greatly. They already figured out more ways to get Portis some space to run this year, and I'm sure that will be the main thing Saunders works on ------ getting Portis room to break longer runs. This looks good for the Skins running game.
Jason Wood
Zoo York
In many ways, Gibbs already runs Saunders system. They're both Don Coryell acolytes, although admittedly Gibbs has taken the Coryell system and made it his own on his way to becoming one of the best NFL head coaches in league history.
diesel7982
Footballguy
Does Samuels, Thomas and Cooley = #2?Unless he's bringing Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Tony Gonzalez and friends with him to D.C....Portis most definitely doesn't equal #1
jurb26
Footballguy
I see a far greater amount of disparity between the QB play than I do the play of the guys Wood just named.Does Samuels, Thomas and Cooley = #2?Unless he's bringing Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Tony Gonzalez and friends with him to D.C....Portis most definitely doesn't equal #1
Jason Wood
Zoo York
A more interesting aspect of this...Gibbs is going to give up play calling for the first time in his head coaching history. Now THAT is an enormous endorsement of his faith in Saunders abilities.
Bob Henry
Footballguy
Absolutely, OZ.. that said, I also agree with you that Portis isn't far behind anyway in terms of his pure talent. I don't think the Skins or Chiefs will have as much opportunity that LJ had this year, or Priest in the past couple years. The Chiefs o-line should still be good, but it's tough to argue that they can sustain the level of play we've seen out of them the last few years. You could also argue the Skins line is coming into it's own under Gibbs. They do have a pair of rock solid tackles and some talent there. Alexander hopes the Seahawks resign Hutchinson, too. BIG TIME.How did I forget about Randy Thomas?
On one hand, I agree, OTOH it helps, and Portis isn't THAT far from the big dogs anyway.Would I draft him ahead of LT, LJ or Alexander (as a Hawk)My sentiments precisely. One coaching change does not a #1 RB make.Unless he's bringing Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Tony Gonzalez and friends with him to D.C....Portis most definitely doesn't equal #1
Is it possible he performs as #1?
FWIW, Bob's comment also works for LJ, if Roaf or Shields retire.
Balco
Footballguy
No team in the NFL has an offensive line like the CHiefs, they are loaded with pro bowl/all pro players. But the Skins line has players to work with. Randy Thomas has always been considered one of the best pulling guards in the league (along with the Chiefs Shields and Brian Waters and the Panthers Mike Wahle), and he should thrive leading portis in Saunders offensive schemes. Dockery is more of a road grader and is hit or miss (literally) when asked to pull. The Skins are set at tackle and one guard position. They need to increase the athleticism at center and the other guard spot. With that said, Portis could be even better with Saunders' schemes.
great coryell point, but I always figured alot of NFL teams have used some version of it at some point like the WCO being a copycat league and all.Did Chiefs O and Skins O seem similar to you? If you could imagine merging them, what would you expect?
for example Moss did way better than any chiefs WR in recent years. Gibbs' WRs have been pretty good throughout history IIRC. I can't recall a Gibbs TE being a major part. Vermeil's Ram WRs were awesome and his Chief WRs stink by comparison but TEs differred similarly in those two places.
What's adjusting to personnel and what's different philosophy?
Saunders is not Vermeil; while I understand that, what's that mean from an offensive philosophy standpoint?
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I don't see the Redskins getting any new starters on the OL. They just signed Rabach last year. They have at times raved about Dockery. I think the Redskins have plenty of talent on the OL, but there is still the small matter of putting it all together into a coherent unit. They made good strides this year.Brown retired. There was a big drop in play in when Cory Raymer went in for Brown against Seattle. Depth at guard is an issue. I don't know who the backup tackles are since they never played this year.
nygiants56
Footballguy
not sure i'd consider Tomlinson the best in the game..he's been missing alot of games lately, or parts or games..he seems to score in bunches, going for 170 yards and 4 tds in one week, and 17 rushes for 61 yards and no tds the next week. He is very inconsistent in that regard, and has been that way the past few seasons.he failed to rush for just 76 yards in 9 different contests in 2005, thats alarming, IMO..
during the last 8 games of 2005, he failed to score a td in 4 straight games during the month of december, i.e., fantasy football playoff season... he also had two 3 td games during that span,along with two 1 td games....again,he gets things in bunches. his reception totals were down big time in 2005, with only 2 rec tds to go with his mundane rushing stats..while he is a very good fantasy rb, I wouldn't put him ahead of LJ,SA, and with Al Saunders coming to Washington, I'm not sure I'd put him ahead of Portis , either.
GreedoShotFirst
Footballguy
there is a link on the blogger to an ESPN article saying that Gibbs will hand the play calling over to Saunders.
Warpig
Footballguy
I'd say it depends on the O-line. Does Washington have a good line? I'd say Priest and LJ succeeded because of their all pro O-line...not necessarily Saunders.With Al Saunders the OC in Washington how much does Portis move up? Saunders obviously did wonders with Holmes and LJ can he do it in Washinton? If those two were product of system and that system is coming to Washington with Portis's talent he could be #1
Don't you think Saunders as the OC had something to do with the OL? Such as getting the players, coaching them, devising schemes, game planning, etc.?I'd say it depends on the O-line. Does Washington have a good line? I'd say Priest and LJ succeeded because of their all pro O-line...not necessarily Saunders.With Al Saunders the OC in Washington how much does Portis move up? Saunders obviously did wonders with Holmes and LJ can he do it in Washinton? If those two were product of system and that system is coming to Washington with Portis's talent he could be #1
-OZ-
Footballguy
There was some talk about Saunders today on 610 AM, some in the organization say the offense performed well despite Saunders, others say he was responsible. Sounds to me like many in the organization just have sour grapes. Regardless of that, the point was made that Roaf came over labeled "washed up", a has-been, not worth the money. Saunders played a large role in getting him to where he is now, and Saunders might just be able to do the same with a fairly talented line in Washington. Then again, maybe the critics are right?Don't you think Saunders as the OC had something to do with the OL? Such as getting the players, coaching them, devising schemes, game planning, etc.?I'd say it depends on the O-line. Does Washington have a good line? I'd say Priest and LJ succeeded because of their all pro O-line...not necessarily Saunders.With Al Saunders the OC in Washington how much does Portis move up? Saunders obviously did wonders with Holmes and LJ can he do it in Washinton? If those two were product of system and that system is coming to Washington with Portis's talent he could be #1
fatness
Footballguy
Saunder's press conference will be on any minute.
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dgreen
Footballguy
Saunders suggested that one of the reasons Gibbs came to him is that Gibbs doesn't think it's best for the team for him to do everything. Since Gibbs is kind of the GM, too, and with the league the way it is today, Gibbs just no longer feels comfortable taking on the entire offense.
