Grahamburn
Footballguy
Why will MJD get more carries? Fred Taylor is the starter. He's going to be getting the majority of the touches between the twenties. MJD had a better season than Clinton Portis because Clinton was injured. The reference to LAST season really has no bearing on the situation for this year. Looking at last season's statistics is of course important in evaluating the best fantasy players for this year, but it shoudn't be the only reference. A fluke shoulder injury and a fluke hand injury is what sidelined Portis. His tendonitis "injury" seems to have disappeared two weeks before the regular season. Interesting considering what happened to him last year. MJD is an extremely talented player, but we know he's going to share the ball with Fred Taylor.MJD was much better than Portis last year. This year he will get more carries and is healthy, unlike Portis. Last year splitting time MJD had a better year than any Portis has had in Washington. Why does Portis have more upside?Conservative about injuries - but what about Fred Taylor and his new contract? I like MJD's skills but people seem to ignore the fact that one of the better RBs of his time is splitting time with MJD.[quote name='Grahamburn' In a traditional league I would pick MJD, Benson, Brandon Jacobs and a topflight WR before Portis. I don't see how Portis has more upside than MJD (15 TDs last year not in full time, will see more carries this year and if Taylor gets his annual injury look out) or Benson (a lock for 320 carries if he stays healthy and he scored 6 TDs last year in only 157).But that's just my opinion. I may be more conservative about injuries.
Ironically, I also am playing to win my league. If we're talking about going for upside I think that McNabb is a better risk.
Benson? What have we really seen from him. Yeah, he will get the rock. Will it be for much (or any) more than 3.5 ypc?
And Jacobs? I am a Giants homer. I wish I were convinced. I am far from it. Looks like a Plodder with great speed when he gets into the open. Which he won't very often.
Portis has risk, but he has more upside than all three of those other RBs combined, unless F. Taylor retires.
Benson produced at the same rate as Thomas Jones last year with the same # of TDs in far less carries. He's the dead lock #1 with absolutely no time splitting option in sight on a Super Bowl contender who led the league in carries last year. To me that's at least as much upside as Portis' situation.
I'm not the only one who feels that Benson has upside. Here is FBG's own Dodds on him: "if he stays healthy, he has the opportunity to be a top 5-7 RB because the Bears will get him the carries. My gut is telling me he responds to the critics and has a break-through season."
To me, Cedric Benson runs with little power for the type of runner many perceive him to be. After watching some of his runs against the Colts the other night, I wouldn't go anywhere near him with my second round pick. He runs like a fairy. I also wouldn't want any player who would take himself out of the biggest game of the year. He had a chance to showcase his skills on the biggest stage in all of sports in the Super Bowl and didn't have the heart to play.
When I look at Clinton Portis, I see a player who had four 1,300+ yard rushing seasons in his first four years with double digit touchdowns in three of those. Of the players you've mentioned, none of them have shown this kind of consistency. If I can grab a player with a pedigree like that in the second round, I'm jumping on it. Clinton Portis was a consensus top five pick just last year. Ladell Betts and knee tendonitis have made him fall this far? Really?! Oh well, I'll snatch him up and laugh all the way to the bank.
 
	 
 
		 
 
		 
 
		 
 
		 
  
 
		 
 
		 Also, as has been mentioned before, consider the following:Ladell Betts had 871 rushing yards in the final 8 games and averaged 4.8 yards per carry in that time. Before last year, he averaged just UNDER 4 yards per carry.Portis averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his career before last season.What made Betts average 20% more yards per carry than before? He had 6 carries all season of over 20 yards, with the longest being 26 yards. I don't think his breakaway speed raised his average... I submit to you all that Washington's Oline improved dramatically to allow for this increase. I rode Betts to my league's championship, so I watched a good amount of his carries. He ran through HUGE holes many times.Portis had 3 carries over 30 yards last year (and a 74 yard reception), in about 1/2 the touches. While playing hurt.What would Portis have done with the same opportunities that Betts had in the second half last year?HUGE numbers is the correct answer.Thus, Portis has HUGE upside. Coaches play their best players; there will not be a 50/50 split if Portis is healthy. IMO, Portis' health is the only thing to worry about, and I won't be worrying about that in the 3rd or 4th round.
  Also, as has been mentioned before, consider the following:Ladell Betts had 871 rushing yards in the final 8 games and averaged 4.8 yards per carry in that time. Before last year, he averaged just UNDER 4 yards per carry.Portis averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his career before last season.What made Betts average 20% more yards per carry than before? He had 6 carries all season of over 20 yards, with the longest being 26 yards. I don't think his breakaway speed raised his average... I submit to you all that Washington's Oline improved dramatically to allow for this increase. I rode Betts to my league's championship, so I watched a good amount of his carries. He ran through HUGE holes many times.Portis had 3 carries over 30 yards last year (and a 74 yard reception), in about 1/2 the touches. While playing hurt.What would Portis have done with the same opportunities that Betts had in the second half last year?HUGE numbers is the correct answer.Thus, Portis has HUGE upside. Coaches play their best players; there will not be a 50/50 split if Portis is healthy. IMO, Portis' health is the only thing to worry about, and I won't be worrying about that in the 3rd or 4th round.
		 
 
		 Also, as has been mentioned before, consider the following:Ladell Betts had 871 rushing yards in the final 8 games and averaged 4.8 yards per carry in that time. Before last year, he averaged just UNDER 4 yards per carry.Portis averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his career before last season.What made Betts average 20% more yards per carry than before? He had 6 carries all season of over 20 yards, with the longest being 26 yards. I don't think his breakaway speed raised his average... I submit to you all that Washington's Oline improved dramatically to allow for this increase. I rode Betts to my league's championship, so I watched a good amount of his carries. He ran through HUGE holes many times.Portis had 3 carries over 30 yards last year (and a 74 yard reception), in about 1/2 the touches. While playing hurt.What would Portis have done with the same opportunities that Betts had in the second half last year?HUGE numbers is the correct answer.Thus, Portis has HUGE upside. Coaches play their best players; there will not be a 50/50 split if Portis is healthy. IMO, Portis' health is the only thing to worry about, and I won't be worrying about that in the 3rd or 4th round.
  Also, as has been mentioned before, consider the following:Ladell Betts had 871 rushing yards in the final 8 games and averaged 4.8 yards per carry in that time. Before last year, he averaged just UNDER 4 yards per carry.Portis averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his career before last season.What made Betts average 20% more yards per carry than before? He had 6 carries all season of over 20 yards, with the longest being 26 yards. I don't think his breakaway speed raised his average... I submit to you all that Washington's Oline improved dramatically to allow for this increase. I rode Betts to my league's championship, so I watched a good amount of his carries. He ran through HUGE holes many times.Portis had 3 carries over 30 yards last year (and a 74 yard reception), in about 1/2 the touches. While playing hurt.What would Portis have done with the same opportunities that Betts had in the second half last year?HUGE numbers is the correct answer.Thus, Portis has HUGE upside. Coaches play their best players; there will not be a 50/50 split if Portis is healthy. IMO, Portis' health is the only thing to worry about, and I won't be worrying about that in the 3rd or 4th round.
		 
  
 
		 
 
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		 I wouldn't even bother going to med school.  Just take your boards and you're IN!
I wouldn't even bother going to med school.  Just take your boards and you're IN! 
 
		 I don't understand NYGiants point of view...especially w/ all the latest news reports. Broken record I guess
  I don't understand NYGiants point of view...especially w/ all the latest news reports. Broken record I guess  
 
 
		 , but I just don't see CP lasting through all 16 with this knee   ...not to mention whatever else could go down.
  , but I just don't see CP lasting through all 16 with this knee   ...not to mention whatever else could go down. 
  
 
		 
 
		 
 
		
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