Washington Redskins All-Decade Team - Time To Talk Running Backs
by Sugar on Feb 5, 2010 12:51 PM EST
in Redskins Analysis
27 comments
The first flakes of this snowstorm are falling, and I am already tired of talking about this snowstorm. So I am pulling out one of the bigger guns in this debate. We have established the quarterbacks, cornerbacks, offensive linemen and punter. Today we put someone behind that O-line.
We love our running backs in this town. And we have had a few very good ones over the last decade. This position speaks to the "continuity" that this team has had in certain places over the last 10 years. Stephen Davis was the starter from 1999-2002, Trung Canidate won the job in 2003, and Clinton Portis has been the #1 guy ever since. These, of course, are the opening day starters - other guys have started games in that time period. Before we figure out who to hand the rock to, let's see where we stand - 17 roster spots have been handed out. (up-to-date All-Decade roster and RB discussion after the jump)
Washington Redskins All-Decade Team (so far)
Offense
QB: Brad Johnson, Jason Campbell, Mark Brunell
OL: Chris Samuels, Jon Jansen, Tre Johnson, Randy Thomas, Casey Rabach, Derrick Dockery, Ray Brown, Ethan Albright
Note: I am extremely pleased that Ray Brown beat out Cory Raymer in the recent vote. There is simply no denying Ethan Albright's right to be on this team. When we get to the end, we can decide if Cory Raymer should be added as a 9th OL, or if we need to beef up the team at another position.
Defense
CB: Champ Bailey, Darrell Green, Shawn Springs, Fred Smoot, DeAngelo Hall
Special Teams
P: Hunter Smith
I get the easy job of putting Stephen Davis and Clinton Portis on this team. Coming out of Auburn, Stephen Davis was a 4th round draft pick for the Redskins. That bears repeating: 4TH ROUND DRAFT PICK. They plugged him in at fullback and put him in the backfield in front of Terry Allen until finally giving him a chance in 1999. He took advantage of the opportunity, leading the NFC with 1,405 rushing yards, and leading the league in yards per carry (4.8) and scoring by a non-kicker. He had a great start to the 2000's with the Skins, but was deemed "expendable" by a certain Ball Coach who shan't be named (on an unrelated note, my 6-month old just took a Spurrier in her diaper...it stunk.) The following season (2003), Davis helped lead the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl. Serenity Now!
As for C.P., everyone here knows how happy I have generally been to have him as our primary back since 2004. His first carry as a Redskin was a long-distance touchdown run. His combination of speed, power, and personality made him a lot of fun to watch - admittedly more so when we were winning. Although I had my doubts that he would come back next season (and uncertainty still remains), I will be happy to see #26 on the field next season in burgundy and gold. (That said, I still think it would be irresponsible to fail to bring in a young back to platoon with Betts and Portis...Stephen Davis...cough cough...4th rounder.)
With Davis and Portis in the fold, our running game should be POTENT. In today's poll, we will take the 2 highest vote-getters and add them to our roster. I am very open to carrying 5 running backs, so if there is a big sentiment for the 5th guy, I won't argue.
I will throw some support behind Larry Centers (who I loved as Redskin.) He and Brad Johnson work well together, both in real life as well as on paper for this team we are building. He is one of the greatest 3rd down backs in history, and in 2000, I believe he caught 81 balls. Not too shabby, since we are going to need a guy out of the backfield to catch for us.
Other than that, some of the other players to consider are Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright, Mike Sellers and Kenny Watson. As always, write-in votes are encouraged in the comments section. (I see Sellers pulling in Ethan Albright-esque numbers on this poll.)
What I really want to talk about with you all is who is our #1 back: Davis or CP? I think that should be a good discussion.
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Cp is #1
I was not at all impressed by CP this year and I’ve always liked Stephen Davis but after looking at their careers I think CP was the better back if you compare them when they were both in their prime.
My question is: Mike Sellers??!?!?! I don’t get it…as a FB, isn’t that another position?
Have to take Portis over Davis, warts and all.
Kind of a crap shoot for the other spots, eeny meeny miny moe…..Betts and Sellers.
I have to say that voting for Portis wasn’t that easy due to recent years, sort of like swallowing throw-up.
I'd have to go with
CP as our #1 when you think about all he’s done for this team while he’s been here.
And as far as CP possibly being here next year or not, this is what Bruce Allen said:
He offered few specifics but when he was asked about Clinton Portis’ status with the team, Allen noted that the running back has met with Coach Mike Shanahan, and “we’re looking forward to seeing Clinton help us win,” Allen said.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/bruce-allen/allen-were-going-100-mph-getti.html
I am pretty sure that Clinton has to show up
for every off season program and camp, be in top shape, and ready to go. If not, I think he is the sacrificial lamb.
Clinton
Was on NFL Network today and he basically said that he is willing to do what it takes in order to be on this team. I feel that he was genuine when he said he was going to “bust his butt” and do what needed to be done in order to be apart of this team because I think he realizes that his best chance of success is here with the Redskins. Plus, I think he now sees that Snyder is taking a step back and isn’t the one making the decisions any longer so he probably feels like he’s on his own now so he has to work hard just like everybody else.
Here’s the video:
http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/02/05/portis-looks-forward-to-reunion-with-shanahan/
Portis also talks about the Sellers and Campbell incidents in the video.
in the same interview he bashed former teammate lavar arrington. now i think cp is a great running back for the team for the decade i think we should say goodbye and good luck to cp
Is it me
or does every interview he has sound like he’s defending himself??? That’s a sure sign of what people think of you when you always have to say how much of a “stand-up guy” you are. Watch that clip and close your eyes. You’d swear you were listening to Terrell Owens.
And it was contradicting. He went to the media about Jason Campbell before speaking directly to Jason Campbell, but then says “if anyone has a problem with me, they know where my locker is”. I’ve been a fan of his since the “U”, but I’m sorry, he’s wearing out his welcome.
If were talking running back.....it's Betts
The guy had a thousand yard season with less than a full year to do it and he has looked good from time to time when he got his chance behind the ball hog Portis. Even last year until he got hurt, I remember being excited about watching him play.
Maybe you should up this to 4 spots if Betts doesn’t get in. If he wasn’t behind Portis he might have been a 8K-10K yard back for his career. Not bad for the third best running back. Just a thought.
I agree......
Betts has been here for a good part of this decade….and has played a major role. As mentioned above……he had a breakout year and saved our ass when Portis got hurt. He is a role player…..doesn’t make a fuss about taking a back seat and performs admirably when he gets his shots. I love Cartwright….but I don’t think he has done enough. Centers is a great back……but that was with the Cardinals. He didn’t lend to any significant success for our team. I know he did well hear….but I think the overall body of work as a Redskins supports Betts. As far as Sellers…..if your third position is strictly for full back……okay…..otherwise…..he can’t hold Betts jock. I like Sellers….but my opinion of him soured greatly this year. He got his big money and stopped blocking.
Since I can't vote for Trung Canidate
I’ll vote for Sellers (or Sellars depending on who you talk to).
No Marcus Mason?
For shame!
Although I’d take Betts, Centers, and then sneak Cartwright in as a Special Teams Player.
On the vote
where is the “None of the Above” option?
Mike Sellers if a FB.
So I don’t count him in my mind. I think it has to be Ladell Betts. He’s really been our second running back all these years. Cartwright is special teams, so I don’t count him either.
To be honest, I can’t find any other reasoning for Betts except that he’s been loyal as a backup to a ballhog—can’t blame him for that.
Complaining is good for you as long as you're not complaining to the person you're complaining about. - Lynn Johnston (I don't know who that is...but it's a good quote.)
We are choosing these players in there prime right?
Even if that was with another organization? If so it has to be Larry Centers. Nobody on the list even comes close.
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by Knubles and Bits on Feb 6, 2010 3:03 PM EST reply actions
K&B us right
if we’re prime, which I’m pretty sure we are, Centers is the run away winner. Hell, we didn’t never even had him in his prime, and he’s still better than the rest. No, he’s not the prototypical bulldozer at FB, but he’s one of the most productive pass catchers of all time out of the backfield. And we don’t need him lead blocking, since STEPHEN DAVIS didn’t have a lead blocker.
Yep, that’s right, I said Stephen Davis. First of all, he was a Redskins from the start. He worked his way up the depth chart, which earns him points in my book. Next, he’s a MUCH better fit for “Redskins Football.” Sure, Portis’ numbers are better, but Davis’ are comparable. But he had more touchdowns. And, like I said, he was true SMASH MOUTH, which is the embodiment of “Redskins Football.”
Now, here’s where this “in his prime” argument is flawed. Sorry to throw a monkey wrench in your poll here Sug, but if we’re truly talking about guys “In their prime” then Shaun Alexander would lead the list. Ha, gotcha.
Yeah
I would’ve too. I just wanted to see if I had caught you slipping. Of course, if you included Alexander, you’d also have to include not only TJ Duckett, but the likes of Adrien Murrell, Donnell Bennett and, let’s not forget, the IMMORTAL SULTAN McCULLOUGH!
Ki-Jana Carter, duh.
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by Knubles and Bits on Feb 8, 2010 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
player has to have played this past decade
SpottieOttieDopaliscious
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