I really don't think I am being sentimental here, Lanky. Granted, I'm a Portis fan but I was also a Jansen fan and knew it was time for him to move on as well. Most of Portis' touches came early in the year when the line was seriously struggling yet he still averaged 4.2 yards per carry to Williams 4.0 yards per carry. He also averaged 11 yards per reception to Williams 7.9 (granted, Williams has significantly more receptions so it is fair to assume CP's numbers might have come down some).
Portis has something that can't be coached and doesn't deteriorate with age that I just don't think Torain or Williams have . . . vision. He just sees things better than the other two. This and his decisiveness make him a better back in Shanahan's run game than the other two. Even having lost a step, he is as quick or quicker than either Williams or Torain and he makes more decisive decisions on his cut.
Ha, its funny how different people see things some times - I've been worried about Portis' open-field vision since 2005. He has great vision to make the first cut, but once he's past the first level, he's got some of the worst vision I've ever seen. When he had his speed in Denver (and for awhile in Washington), he just out ran everyone. But as age caught up to him, you stopped seeing the long runs as often because he always ran the wrong direction around a blocker, or took a bad angle. Several plays jump to mind, but there was a screen against the Broncos that sticks out in particular in my mind.
Portis had Samuels out in front, bulldozing the only guy between him and the endzone. All Portis had to do was go left around Samuels to the end zone. Inexplicably, Portis decided to *not* do that, and ended up being tackled at the 5 or so. Williams, on the other hand, had at least one long receiving TD, in which he weaved around blockers and found his way to the endzone. Nitpicking? Maybe...
No, he isn't the Clinton Poritis of even 3 years ago and certainly not a premier back anymore like a Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson but the point is that Shanahan has never needed one of those premier backs in his system, isn't it?
I suppose...at this point in his career though, I'd much rather see some young & hungry rookies come in and fight for the job. If he'll come back at a discount, sure - let him battle for a spot in training camp. But if not, so long CP.
He is also known for reaching on running backs. Bell and Clarett come to mind right off.
True, but for every Clarrett there is a Mike Anderson or a Peyton Hillis.
This isn't the draft of the mid 90s anymore. Gems are much more rare in the later rounds or rookie free agency. A guy like Terrell Davis would not last to the later rounds now, at least I don't think he would.
I think scouting has gotten better so you might be right - but Davis went to Georgia, its not like he was at some small D2 school or something. Are gems fewer and far between now? I'm not sure...that would probably require some in-depth research that I don't have the time to do. I think we can all agree, however, that the important part is drafting RBs - the Skins have had an aversion to that in recent history.
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