RB Question

by Elway's Ghost on Aug 26, 2010 5:07 PM EDT

Quick question for you "in the know" Washington fans: What is the current status of the running back situation? I would assume that Portis would be the hands down starter, given his history in the Shan Man's zone blocking system and his ability as a blocker, but the only information I can find says it is still a battle between LJ (????), the player fromerly known as fast Willie Parker, and maybe Ryan Torain (that I can understand a little given his relative youth and knowledge of the zone blocking system). Is Portis really so far gone that LJ and FWP are threats to take carries away?

I'm hoping real Redskin fans will have more insight to offer than the general mainstream media which seems to only care about your talented, fat, injured, cry-baby of a DT.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

PS -- As a lifelong Broncos fan, I find myself now also rooting for the Redskins since you not only have my favorite coach, but also a ton of the Glory Years Broncos as coaching interns (TD, Atwater, etc). Good luck this year!

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

After Portis it is pretty much up in the air...

Shanny is giving “all” of the RBs a start and Larry Johnson looked pretty bad in his start against Baltimore (combo of our line not playing great and LJ). We haven’t seen much of Willie but he will start tomorrow against the Jets.

Torain and Keiland Williams have looked pretty good during the preseason, especially Torain (Williams has been a bit of a TD Vulture). If we were just keeping 3 RBs then I would guess it would be Portis, LJ, and Torain…

by Parks Smith on Aug 26, 2010 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

While you're correct in the linup for the next game...

I wouldn’t bet on either LJ or Willie making the club. Also consider that Torain and Williams have been playing against the scrubs on the opposition and well….

The major thing Torain has going is that he hasn’t screwed up…yet…and Shanahan drafted him in Denver and brought him here too so he had an eye on him.

by DudleyDoright on Aug 26, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t bet on either LJ or Willie making the club. Also consider that Torain and Williams have been playing against the scrubs on the opposition and well….

You don’t think I realize who is playing against the starters and who are playing against the back ups?

by Parks Smith on Aug 27, 2010 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Easy Killer

by DoWork on Aug 27, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Well its common sense and the post doesn't make any sense

“Don’t bet on LJ or Willie” Ok, fair enough

“Consider Torain and Williams have been playing the backups” OK

Alright then who are our RBs? That leave us with Clinton Portis

by Parks Smith on Aug 27, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

"Alright then who are our RBs? That leave us with Clinton Portis"

That pretty much sums up the situation.

by BayAreaBullet on Aug 27, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

This is a good post

I was thinking to myself that the biggest mistake we have made to date in the off-season has been acquiring a bunch of old RB’s. WTF!

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

by GeoFly on Aug 28, 2010 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't say that...

What I said is don’t count on the two vets making the active roster. One hasn’t looked good in the game he played and the other hasn’t looked good in practice. We’ll see how he does tonight. Personally I think the only reason they were brought in was Shanahan’s way of telling Portis “I shipped you out once and I’ll do it again” if you pull this prima donna crap, that and the possibility that one of them might have something left.
As for the two “rookies” the only one I see with a shot is Torain for the reason specified. That’s not to say Williams won’t make it onto the roster. AND I was pointing out that they are doing the bulk of their work against guys unlikely to make the opposition roster. Don’t get your shorts in a wad. Everybody here is entitled to an opinion even if it differs with yours. So yes…much as I don’t really care for him, that leaves Portis as the running back.

by DudleyDoright on Aug 27, 2010 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Portis is by far the best blocker

Given we have a rookie LT and a QB with a history of injuries and with whom the success of our season rides, this puts Portis in the #1 Slot. Torraine gets the edge at #2 due to his relative youth and familiarity with the blocking scheme. We’ll know more about LJ and WP after tonight.

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

by Scott E on Aug 27, 2010 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

I'd love to see Willie go off and show some old school speed tonight...

But I’m not holding my breath

by Parks Smith on Aug 27, 2010 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks!

Appreciate the insight guys!

by Elway's Ghost on Aug 27, 2010 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

Keep Keiland Williams, Portis, Torain and try to trade fast Willie and maybe Johnson too
we need pass rushers ……..

by juanpan on Aug 30, 2010 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

RB Answer

Portis is the 2010 starter. He’ll be the every down back since he can pickup blocks and has sure hands. Johnson kept his roster spot as the backup to Portis with his performance in the Jets game. He’ll be called upon to give Portis a breather, but also in the same role. Torain will be the change of pace back. Williams will be kept for depth. Parker will be cut.

by rcboulter on Aug 31, 2010 10:28 AM EDT reply actions