I'm so tired of every FanPost on the site being dedicated to a quarterback controversy that shouldn't exist. There are so many more interesting storylines with this team that will ultimately prove to be much more important this season. Then we'll feel stupid for having wasted our energy trying to decipher punctuationless postings instead having a constructive discourse about our favorite team.

That being said, I'd like to talk about our running backs. I think it is safe to say that in Jim Zorn's version of the West Coast offense, the running game is the cornerstone. In the first half of last season, Clinton Portis was the league's #1 rusher and was neck in neck with Jason Campbell in league MVP discussions. No seriously, our team was actually getting praise last season, remember?

via misterirrelevant.com

In Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh, the running game was again the most impressive aspect of the first team's performance. Portis and Betts combined for 18 yards on two consecutive plays to bring us into the redzone. Portis finished his work with 5 carries for 26 yards. He also made me chuckle with his reaction to the bullshit roughness penalty on Deangelo Hall.

However, I am having some doubts that CP can carry the load as successfully this season. I actually advised a friend of mine not to take Portis too early in our fantasy draft cause I think his production will drop off. Now, there are a couple different reasons why this might happen and not all of them would spell doom and gloom for this team.

If Ladell Betts can step up to his 2006 production level and successfully spell Portis on a regular basis, then Portis' legs will remain fresh into January. If Rock Cartright can demonstrate that he can produce outside of special teams, it will be an added bonus. If Dominic Dorsey or Anthony Aldridge can show the semblance of a spark as a change-of-pace back in the preseason one of them might make the team. Maybe Marcus Mason might make the most of his moments. Whoever it ends up being, someone else needs to step up, because I'm not sure that Clinton can make it through another workhorse season.

It seems like the team is of the same mindset. Last week, the Washington Post reported that Ladell Betts will be the Redskins' official third down back. I heard on the radio that the team confirmed this decision, but I can't find a link to that. This move has a lot of implications. First, Zorn must be very confident in Betts, not only in his rushing, but also in his pass catching and blocking. Second, Zorn, conversely, must not be so confident in Portis-- perhaps in his pass catching but probably also in his ability to withstand the whole season. The question will be, is Portis ok with this move?


via redskinsblog.files.wordpress.com

I think that he would have to be. Portis loves the ball, loves to put the team on his back. He was very vocal last year about how he disapproved of being benched in the second half of the Ravens game. However, Portis has to know that he is getting older and if he wants to be productive for even another couple years he has to cut back on his carries. If the team is making an official decision and announcing it this eary, you have to think they have consulted Portis. Right? Then again, I wouldn't be all surprised if they hadn't.

When I first heard this, I immediately approved. I really want Portis' carries to be limited this year, at least early on, in order to keep him fresh at the end of games and at the end of the year. I like Betts; even if he has had ball security problems, I think he could start on another team. Plus, we were one of the only teams in the league that didn't operate with a committee of backs last year, which is a league trend that we would be stupid not to follow.

I also felt like "Official Third Down Back" wouldn't necessarily be a hard-set strategy that would be employed regardless of field position, scoreboard, or game clock. Its Third and One on the 3 yard line, Portis gets the ball, right? Well, maybe not. That exact scenario occured on Saturday. The result: Ladells Betts, no gain, field goal.

Now, because it's preseason we have no way of knowing whether the same play will be called come September 13. Maybe Zorn just wanted to see whether he could count on Betts in that situation. But that shouldn't stop us from speculating, criticizing, and getting way too worked up about it. So, what do you think?