Gibbs says Portis/Betts to share (1 Viewer)

[tribecalledjeff]

Update: Portis (shoulder) will remain the starting tailback next season, but the workload probably will be shared more evenly with Ladell Betts, the Washington Post reports. "I think the load will probably be a little bit more balanced between the two," coach Joe Gibbs said.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=roto...mp;type=fantasy

 

[cscmtp]

I don't for the following reasons:

-Betts fumbles at crucial times. He's done that his entire career.

-Portis has a 5th gear that Betts doesn't.

-Portis is a FAR superior (not even close) pass blocker. With a young QB, you think Joe would prefer Betts to protect Campbell when Portis is healthy and available? NO WAY

-Portis has a MUCH bigger contract, he's the francise player.

-Portis is just a better RB. Nothing against Betts, he is a nice player, but there are only a couple of backs in the entire league that have all the skills that Portis does.

I've said it all along, IF Portis wants a breather, or the Skins make the kind of turn around I'm praying for, and have big leads in the second half, SURE, then I could see Betts getting a LOT more carries. But if Portis wants the ball, he's gonna get it.

 

[Routilla]

downgrade Portis, upgrade Ladell

 

[nygiants56]

I don't for the following reasons:

-Betts fumbles at crucial times. He's done that his entire career.

-Portis has a 5th gear that Betts doesn't.

-Portis is a FAR superior (not even close) pass blocker. With a young QB, you think Joe would prefer Betts to protect Campbell when Portis is healthy and available? NO WAY

-Portis has a MUCH bigger contract, he's the francise player.

-Portis is just a better RB. Nothing against Betts, he is a nice player, but there are only a couple of backs in the entire league that have all the skills that Portis does.

I've said it all along, IF Portis wants a breather, or the Skins make the kind of turn around I'm praying for, and have big leads in the second half, SURE, then I could see Betts getting a LOT more carries. But if Portis wants the ball, he's gonna get it.

I disagree. since being traded to the Redskins, Portis has averaged a scant 4.0 yards per carry, down from his 'heyday' of 5.5 per carry in Denver. He simply doesn't look like the same guy he was in Denver.

Betts is a MUCH better fit for the offense that OC Al Saunders employs.

Betts is a MUCH better pass catching RB, and that is a major part of Saunders' offense.

Betts also runs better inside than Portis. He might not have Portis' speed, but the guy is patient with his blockers, unlike Portis.

Betts doesn't try to run outside on every play, either..

Portis is injury prone, has only played 2 full seasons since turning pro in 2002, and has a bum shoulder that won't be healed until the summer. It probably won't be 100% when the season begins. for a Rb who loves to hit defenders, this could be a death blow. I like Portis, but I'm worried that his shoulder could cause serious problems for him.

also, considering Betts ran well when Jason Campbell was at QB, someone who was a first time starter, his rushing stats become even more impressive..defenses stacked the line, daring Campbell to throw. Betts somehow managed 4.7 yards per carry. Yes he's fumbled, but so did Tiki Barber until Coughlin changed the way he holds the ball.

Betts' fumbling problem can be changed, too.

shoulder injuries are usually tough to overcome for RB's.

I don't think Betts would have agreed to stay on in DC, without being promised a larger piece of the pie.

 

[cstu]

I'm from Iowa and watched Betts in college - he's not nearly as good as last year's numbers are leading people to believe. He's a one year wonder and Portis will light it up this year.

 

[Blackjacks]

I'm really surprised to hear this out of Gibbs' mouth. I thought he'd come out and say "Bett's did great last year and we signed him to a big contract but he isn't gonna play alot for us this year." Think about it guys what do you expect him to say. He wants to keep Betts motivated and maybe trying to light a spark under Portis's butt.

 

[NorrisB]

I'm from Iowa and watched Betts in college - he's not nearly as good as last year's numbers are leading people to believe. He's a one year wonder and Portis will light it up this year.

Its about as funny as people thinking Blaylock would split carries with Holmes

 

[fsufan]

it would not surprise me if it is RBBC. Look at the 2 Superbowl teams. They made it to the Superbowl using RBBC

 

[Pipes]

While I don't think it's going to be an all out RBBC in Washington I think you're foolish if you don't think Betts won't cut into Portis' carries this year.

Portis just isn't a durable enough back to carry the ball 300+ times a season.

 

[Tag]

it would not surprise me if it is RBBC. Look at the 2 Superbowl teams. They made it to the Superbowl using RBBC

So we can expect San Diego, Rams and Chiefs all to to a RBBC because it worked for Chicago and Indy?

 

[cscmtp]

I think its premature to call Portis injury prone. When a starting RB misses 1 or 2 games a year max, for the first 4 years, is that really that bad? I don't think so. Last year was a fluke thing when he made that tackle and hurt his shoulder. Like CSTU said, Betts did great last year, but he's not the all world back you think he is. If you watched him during his entire career with the Skins, you'd know that. And I believe one of the main factors in Betts having such a good year last year was that the o-line was healthy, and more importantly, the Skins made a QB change. They actually had someone who could escape a blitz, and throw the ball further than 15 yards downfield. THAT is what opened up the running lanes. I'm telling you, Portis is going to have a HUGE year this year, as long as he's healthy. He and Betts will be a great tandom for sure.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

This was speculation last season,

but with Gibbs saying it now, it totally makes sense.

Portis is not built to withstand the punishment.

He needs to be in a RBBC.

This should work out fine for the Skins.

 

[-OZ-]

The split will probably be closer to 70/30 than 50/50

 

[popeye]

The split will probably be closer to 70/30 than 50/50

Resting the primary back is good. Nothing wrong with this if Portis is getting 70% or more of the carries.

 

[cscmtp]

70/30 - 75/25, sure. But 50/50? NO WAY.

 

[zamboni]

I also see it more in favor of Portis, but don't think for a second that Betts' performance last year carrying the load will be dismissed by the coaching staff. There's no reason why Portis needs to carry the ball 25 times when they have a high-quality backup.

 

[gman8343]

Portis is going to be great value this year.

 

[Football Jones]

Anyone else think Betts is the better RB? It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Betts as the feature back in '08 with Portis being traded next offseason.

 

[NorrisB]

Portis is going to be great value this year.

 

[fsufan]

it would not surprise me if it is RBBC. Look at the 2 Superbowl teams. They made it to the Superbowl using RBBC

So we can expect San Diego, Rams and Chiefs all to to a RBBC because it worked for Chicago and Indy?

you are reading into my options a little to much when is the last time a RB won the rushing title and won a superbowl?1998 and 1999, Denver with TD 2000, The rams with Faulk- not the rushing titel but the best RB in the NFLdid E. Smith win the rushing titel any of the 3 years the Boys won the SB.

 

[thayman]

They will split a bit, not a whole lot, around 60/40 70/30ish range. Portis is the better of the two, this is just Joe Gibbs changing his philosophy of one RB for 300+ carries per year. That just doesn't work so well anymore.

 

[jurb26]

They will split a bit, not a whole lot, around 60/40 70/30ish range. Portis is the better of the two, this is just Joe Gibbs changing his philosophy of one RB for 300+ carries per year. That just doesn't work so well anymore.

If healthy, Portis will have over 300 carries this year. Easily.

 

[Ned]

Portis is going to be great value this year.

threads like these are gold to keep the price down.

 

[Banger]

This ones easy. Go with the talent. Portis >>> Betts Betts is being waay overrated IMO.

 

[DAG]

I don't see why the Redskins wouldn't want to split the carries up more evenly for next season. The truth is, Portis has been able to soldier through a lot of dings his entire career, but his games started stats are a little misleading. Even in Denver he missed portions of games with various bumps and bruises, and before the broken hand last season he was coming out of games pretty frequently with minor dings. I think there's good reason to believe the workload Gibbs has given him has worn down his body, and I think, regardless of how much FF folks love Portis, the Redskins coaching and training staff have closer knowledge of his durability concerns. Because of the relatively cheap contract they signed Betts to, the Redkins have a low-cost, elite RBBC. Why would they voluntarily choose to shorten Portis' career, when Betts put up top 10 stats last season? Moreover, in ppr leagues, I really think Betts will get most of the 3rd down action, and that'll cut into Portis' value significantly. Even last season, they were bringing Betts in a lot on 3rd down. I agree that Portis is priced well for his talent, but in dynasty leagues I think he's less attractive than ever before.

 

[redman]

I don't see why the Redskins wouldn't want to split the carries up more evenly for next season. The truth is, Portis has been able to soldier through a lot of dings his entire career, but his games started stats are a little misleading. Even in Denver he missed portions of games with various bumps and bruises, and before the broken hand last season he was coming out of games pretty frequently with minor dings. I think there's good reason to believe the workload Gibbs has given him has worn down his body, and I think, regardless of how much FF folks love Portis, the Redskins coaching and training staff have closer knowledge of his durability concerns. Because of the relatively cheap contract they signed Betts to, the Redkins have a low-cost, elite RBBC. Why would they voluntarily choose to shorten Portis' career, when Betts put up top 10 stats last season? Moreover, in ppr leagues, I really think Betts will get most of the 3rd down action, and that'll cut into Portis' value significantly. Even last season, they were bringing Betts in a lot on 3rd down. I agree that Portis is priced well for his talent, but in dynasty leagues I think he's less attractive than ever before.

Good analysis. I agree that Portis plays "harder" than his body is built to do, which is why he always is dinged. The good news is that no injury that I'm aware of has had any long term implications on his career or ability to perform, e.g. an ACL injury, degenerative condition, etc. He should theoretically enter next season at 100%. I think what you say should happen. Portis should be kept to less than 300 carries on the year. I think that's optimal. But Gibbs definitely likes to choose a horse and ride it. When he's got the ball with 4 minutes left in the game and a small lead, and he wants to run out the clock by pounding the ball, he's not the kind of guy IMHO to look at the number of carries Portis has in the game and decide to replace him with Betts based upon that. If it comes down to holding Portis to under 20 carries in the game or putting in the guy that gives him the best chance to win, he'll choose the latter all day long just as virtually any NFL coach would. Gibbs, OTOH has never had a RB tandem this good and certainly not this explosive, and that includes both Byner/Riggs in 1989-91, as well as Joe Washington/Riggins in 1981-83. Betts is also as good of a receiver out of the backfield as anyone he's coached (Joe Washington and Kelvin Bryant would be the only comparisons, and they were heavily used as receivers, especially for their era) so if any tandem figures to get more balanced use, it woudl be this one based upon those factors. This is just a really difficult thing to read. Something that occurs to me is this though: Gibbs is known for coaching teams that peak in December and January. Funny enough, that's happened all three seasons he's been back, including the 2004 6-10 season and the 2006 5-11 season. A hallmark of his teams during the month of December is to pound the ball in the cold, wet weather. To me that means that if there's a time when the carries start to skew towards Portis and away from Betts (assuming no injuries of course) it's later in the year. That's when he'll ride his horse the hardest. If that's an influence that I'm reading correctly, that would mean that Betts would have relatively more value early in the year, and Portis would have relatively more value later on. Portis may be a good "buy-low" candidate come October or early November.

 

[kensat30]

As long as Portis gets 300 carries, who cares?

Washington was producing some bigtime numbers at RB last year. I definitely want a piece of that action.

 

[TBD]

it would not surprise me if it is RBBC. Look at the 2 Superbowl teams. They made it to the Superbowl using RBBC

So we can expect San Diego, Rams and Chiefs all to to a RBBC because it worked for Chicago and Indy?

6 of the 12 playoff teams did use RBBCindyNEChiDallasNYJNO

 

[Fodasme69]

it would not surprise me if it is RBBC. Look at the 2 Superbowl teams. They made it to the Superbowl using RBBC

So we can expect San Diego, Rams and Chiefs all to to a RBBC because it worked for Chicago and Indy?

6 of the 12 playoff teams did use RBBCindyNEChiDallasNYJNO

But the question that needs to be asked isid thse teams make the playoffs because they are a RBBC team? I'm leaning towards NO. JMHO though

 

[Double_J]

I'm from Iowa and watched Betts in college - he's not nearly as good as last year's numbers are leading people to believe. He's a one year wonder and Portis will light it up this year.

Its about as funny as people thinking Blaylock would split carries with Holmes

Yeah, idiots......Oh wait, LJ cut into Holmes production BIG TIME.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I'm from Iowa and watched Betts in college - he's not nearly as good as last year's numbers are leading people to believe. He's a one year wonder and Portis will light it up this year.

Its about as funny as people thinking Blaylock would split carries with Holmes

Yeah, idiots......Oh wait, LJ cut into Holmes production BIG TIME.

only after Holmes got injured

 

[fsufan]

it would not surprise me if it is RBBC. Look at the 2 Superbowl teams. They made it to the Superbowl using RBBC

So we can expect San Diego, Rams and Chiefs all to to a RBBC because it worked for Chicago and Indy?

6 of the 12 playoff teams did use RBBCindyNEChiDallasNYJNO

But the question that needs to be asked isid thse teams make the playoffs because they are a RBBC team? I'm leaning towards NO. JMHO though

i say nomade it due to QBs(but for the Bears ), solid DEF and coaching

 

[Double_J]

I'm from Iowa and watched Betts in college - he's not nearly as good as last year's numbers are leading people to believe. He's a one year wonder and Portis will light it up this year.

Its about as funny as people thinking Blaylock would split carries with Holmes

Yeah, idiots......Oh wait, LJ cut into Holmes production BIG TIME.

only after Holmes got injured

Numbers before Holmes got injured:LJ-75 carries for 399 yards and 4 touchdowns 5.32 ypcHolmes-119 carries for 451 yards and 6 touchdowns 3.79 ypcHolmes did have 21 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown to LJ's 6 catches for 67 yards and 0 touchdowns.Still, I would say that LJ cut into Holmes production well before the injury.

 

[Banger]

I'm from Iowa and watched Betts in college - he's not nearly as good as last year's numbers are leading people to believe. He's a one year wonder and Portis will light it up this year.

Its about as funny as people thinking Blaylock would split carries with Holmes

Yeah, idiots......Oh wait, LJ cut into Holmes production BIG TIME.

The situations aren't similar whatsoever except that LJ and Betts were backups. Portis >> Betts

 

[fatness]

I hate to interrupt a good thread about Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, but Portis will get 60-70% of the RB touches for the Redskins this year, and Betts will get the rest. Portis is a bettter RB than Betts; most Redskin fans will tell you this.

 

[BigRed]

Pardon if this has already been said but "a little bit more balanced between the two" doesn't mean Betts will be getting 50% of the carries. Only A LITTLE more than he got before (ie while Portis is healthy anyway). Basically, BFD.

 

[kevinray]

it would not surprise me if it is RBBC. Look at the 2 Superbowl teams. They made it to the Superbowl using RBBC

So we can expect San Diego, Rams and Chiefs all to to a RBBC because it worked for Chicago and Indy?

you are reading into my options a little to much when is the last time a RB won the rushing title and won a superbowl?1998 and 1999, Denver with TD 2000, The rams with Faulk- not the rushing titel but the best RB in the NFLdid E. Smith win the rushing titel any of the 3 years the Boys won the SB.

When was the last time a QB won the passing title and won a super bowl? It’s a team sport but success is not limited to teams that split carries between two backs. It works for some teams and it’s getting a little more popular but its influence is also a little over blown. There are only a few real running back by committees and most of those last year involved young rookies who aren’t normally given the full load their first years anyway. A team using mostly one back can be just as good or better as teams using two or more. It just all depends on the situation and players.I won't believe Gibbs till I see it. Portis is better, and in the end you want your best guy out there. Gibbs is historically not a RBBC guy and I think things will look a lot like they did before Portis got hurt last year. If Betts goes over 175 carries I'd be surprised.

 

[Banger]

I hate to interrupt a good thread about Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, but Portis will get 60-70% of the RB touches for the Redskins this year, and Betts will get the rest. Portis is a bettter RB than Betts; most Redskin fans will tell you this.

Totally agree (although I'm not a Skins fan ) I'm surprised by the # of posters on this board that are considering Betts a serious threat to Portis. Last year was a lost year for Portis which began with the shoulder injury and ended with a broken hand.

 

[Buckna]

I'm from Iowa and watched Betts in college - he's not nearly as good as last year's numbers are leading people to believe. He's a one year wonder and Portis will light it up this year.

Its about as funny as people thinking Blaylock would split carries with Holmes

Yeah, idiots......Oh wait, LJ cut into Holmes production BIG TIME.

only after Holmes got injured

Numbers before Holmes got injured:LJ-75 carries for 399 yards and 4 touchdowns 5.32 ypcHolmes-119 carries for 451 yards and 6 touchdowns 3.79 ypcHolmes did have 21 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown to LJ's 6 catches for 67 yards and 0 touchdowns.Still, I would say that LJ cut into Holmes production well before the injury.

Is Portis 31 years old? Is Betts a former 1st round pick? Here's another fun difference for you: Betts is actually 2 years OLDER than Portis. Completely apples and oranges.Betts is another in a long line of backup RB's that filled in when the starter went down and will now fade back to obscurity.

 

[redman]

I hate to interrupt a good thread about Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, but Portis will get 60-70% of the RB touches for the Redskins this year, and Betts will get the rest. Portis is a bettter RB than Betts; most Redskin fans will tell you this.

Totally agree (although I'm not a Skins fan ) I'm surprised by the # of posters on this board that are considering Betts a serious threat to Portis. Last year was a lost year for Portis which began with the shoulder injury and ended with a broken hand.

In terms of the sum total of his talents, Betts is firmly part of the second tier of RB's in the league that, in the right situation can start and be successful, but more often is a backup to someone else. In recent years, such RB's (again, in terms of overall quality, not skillset) have included Lamont Jordan, Dominc Rhodes, Mike Anderson, Reuben Droughns, Correll Buckhalter, Najeh Davenport, Tatum Bell, etc. In other words while they have some talent, even remarkable talent, there are serious flaws or limitations in their game which hamper their abilities enough for their teams to want someone else at the position. He, like Rhodes was behind Edge, is a great guy to have in the rotation at RB, but you won't rely upon him over the course of a season if you have a better option, and the Redskins have that option in Portis.

 

[NorrisB]

I'm from Iowa and watched Betts in college - he's not nearly as good as last year's numbers are leading people to believe. He's a one year wonder and Portis will light it up this year.

Its about as funny as people thinking Blaylock would split carries with Holmes

Yeah, idiots......Oh wait, LJ cut into Holmes production BIG TIME.

Im glad you think Betts = LJMaybe Im delusional but I think he's closer to Blaylock

 

[buster c]

bottom line? Portis, like many runners, gets stronger as the game goes on. And he is not a fumbler, like Betts. This all points to Portis getting 20-25 carries per game and Betts no more than 5.

 

[turkishkamel]

I hate to interrupt a good thread about Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, but Portis will get 60-70% of the RB touches for the Redskins this year, and Betts will get the rest. Portis is a bettter RB than Betts; most Redskin fans will tell you this.

Totally agree (although I'm not a Skins fan :X ) I'm surprised by the # of posters on this board that are considering Betts a serious threat to Portis. Last year was a lost year for Portis which began with the shoulder injury and ended with a broken hand.

In terms of the sum total of his talents, Betts is firmly part of the second tier of RB's in the league that, in the right situation can start and be successful, but more often is a backup to someone else. In recent years, such RB's (again, in terms of overall quality, not skillset) have included Lamont Jordan, Dominc Rhodes, Mike Anderson, Reuben Droughns, Correll Buckhalter, Najeh Davenport, Tatum Bell, etc. In other words while they have some talent, even remarkable talent, there are serious flaws or limitations in their game which hamper their abilities enough for their teams to want someone else at the position. He, like Rhodes was behind Edge, is a great guy to have in the rotation at RB, but you won't rely upon him over the course of a season if you have a better option, and the Redskins have that option in Portis.

100%

 

[AnonymousBob]

Coachspeak down?