BGO.C.D.: The Legacy of Clinton Portis

[Boone]

The smart money in Washington, D.C. agrees on only one thing when it comes to their Redskins – we’ve likely seen the last of running back Clinton...

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[Ax]

Well I, for one, hope he's able to come back and play for us.

His off field antics have frustrated me, at times, as much as anyone. But his on field efforts have been a joy to watch.

Get Well CP.

 

[bird_1972]

Well I, for one, hope he's able to come back and play for us.

Provided he plays more of a secondary role (ie, 3rd down back), I would be cool with him coming back.

No way can he be the starter that we rely on for next season, though.

We should also consider seeing if he'd redo his contract. Can't pay him starter money anymore.

 

[ntotoro]

Well I, for one, hope he's able to come back and play for us.

If he does, then not as a starter. He's physically unreliable anymore. Not sure if we have a definitive starter, but we may not in this system. Next year (assuming there is a season) is one I've always felt will truly be the telling one.

 

[the Omniscient]

In Shannahan's final years in Denver, he did not have a definite starter. It was more of a commitee approach, and it did quite well. As long as we have an o-line, this will make sense. I do not mind seeing Clinton as the third down back.

Also, I think more teams are going to go the commitee approach next year beacuse of the 18 game schedule. There is no way a team survives without at least two decent running backs and a solid o-line. For this reason alone, I think that Portis makes it back, with a huge pay cut.

 

[Neophyte]

I'd really like to see him get a crack at both 10K yards for his career and at the Redskins record as well. I think he has earned that much.

Although I agree, something has to be done about his contract. And if I were in his shoes I would recognize that and approach the team about redoing it voluntarily so I could stay here to get the two milestones mentioned above. But that is just me and I happen to still think a couple million is a lot of money.

 

[Elephant]

I guess I am in the minority here, but I feel it is time to see Clinton Portis go. I can appreciate his efforts here, but it is time to fill his position with someone who can stay on the field. You guys forget his slide like a QB earlier in the season when he was afraid to take a hit? I was pleased to see him give effort in the first couple of runs upon his return after the time off, but he has shown he is no longer capable of staying on the field. Time to go.

Teams that have been successful in this league over the past 10 years, i.e. Eagles, Patriots, are willing to make the tough decisions to let players go, who have served well, but who can no longer produce.

 

[the Omniscient]

It is funny that you bring up the Pats El. They use vet backs every year.....Corey Dillion, Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk....they relish the vet back. If CP is cut, he will be a Pat next year.

I have to think that is why Shannahan brought in the vet backs this offseason. He went to the Pats camp last year and saw the vet backs doing well and said, I need me one or two or three, we do not need the youngsters at this position.

I think he learned his lesson.

 

[Elephant]

It is funny that you bring up the Pats El. They use vet backs every year.....Corey Dillion, Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk....they relish the vet back. If CP is cut, he will be a Pat next year.

I have to think that is why Shannahan brought in the vet backs this offseason. He went to the Pats camp last year and saw the vet backs doing well and said, I need me one or two or three, we do not need the youngsters at this position.

I think he learned his lesson.

Do you mean veterans like Benvaris Green Ellis or Danny Woodhead? Or Lawrence Maroney or Sammy Morris? Because these are their leading rushers over the past 5 years! Look my point is that the Pats have consistently released players who had given a lot to their team but had nothing left in the tank. I can almost guarantee you that Fred Taylor will not be on the roster for the Pats next year!

Portis has nothing left. He was given time to recuperate from his concussion and came back to give little this year before being injured and subsequently place on IR for the second consecutive year.

It is time for us to realize that no matter what a Veteran may have done in the past, value must be placed on what he can do now. Successful teams in the NFL are doing this, we should too.

 

[Neophyte]

We have different views of his production this year, El. He has averaged 4.2 ypc for us this year which is just shy of his best as a Redskin and done it behind a patchwork line in the process of being rebuilt. He has also averaged 11 yards per catch, his best since his rookie year in the league when he averaged 11. Seems to me, assuming the line gets better, Portis might still have something to offer.

 

[Boone]

He's had to go on injured reserve three of the last five seasons. I could be dead wrong - but talent means nothing if you can't stay on the field. I think the Redskins move on after this season.

 

[Elephant]

Neo, I think Boone answered your question. That is the telling statistic, 3 out of 5 seasons on IR. He just can't stay on the field. Now, as has been suggested, if used in a limited role can he be productive? The question should be, do we maintain a roster spot for someone who may be productive?

I simply believe it is time to move on.

 

[the Omniscient]

Do you mean veterans like Benvaris Green Ellis or Danny Woodhead? Or Lawrence Maroney or Sammy Morris? Because these are their leading rushers over the past 5 years! Look my point is that the Pats have consistently released players who had given a lot to their team but had nothing left in the tank.

I understand your point, but when it comes to runningbacks, the Pats always have a veteran or two on hand. This Sammy Morris guy you are talking about has been around since early 2000, I consider that a veteran. Same with Faulk, who prior to this year was the best third down specialist in the league. Maroney was poor and traded.

If Faulk had not gotten hurt early in the year, we might not even know who Woodhead is.

Also, the Pats use a commitee approach. The only reason BGE or Woodhead are getting as many carries is because of the injuries to Taylor(I agree he will not be with them next year) and Faulk. Early in the year Taylor was the 1st and 2nd down guy and Faulk was the great third down specialist that he has always been. BGE and Woodhead did not sniff the field early.

The Pats seem to like the vet RBs the past couple of years. Outside of the veteran runningbacks, I agree that the Pats get rid of players at the right time. They like to collect the occasional over the hill RB.

I would like to see Portis come back to this team in a third down role much like that of Kevin Faulk. I think he can be valuable. Of course this is based on whether or not he agrees with the price cut he will recieve.

 

[McD5]

Please not again. We knew he had no chance of staying healthy this year. These new injuries, and one more year of age aren't going to improve his chances next season. Enough is enough. I doubt any team in the league will take the risk of him playing only 3 games next year.

 

[Sarge]

Unfortunately, aside from blocking, this is what I think of when I think of Clinton Portis