themurf Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Ryan O'Halloran breaks down a position each day heading into the start of Washington Redskins training camp Sunday. Tuesday — Running backs. Key statistic 4 — Rushes by the Redskins last year — in 498 attempts — that gained 20 or more yards. What happened last year The Redskins ranked 12th in rushing yards a game (116.9) but 22nd in yards a carry (3.8). Clinton Portis led the NFL with 325 carries, was fourth with 11 touchdowns and was sixth with 1,262 yards. Ladell Betts' work sunk to 93 carries, and Mike Sellers was used primarily as a blocker (26 carries). Rock Cartwright had two carries. Who's back Portis, Betts, Sellers and Cartwright are all back in the fold. Cartwright re-signed with the team early in free agency, and his first priority is as a kickoff returner. Rounding out the camp roster are second-year player Marcus Mason, who spent last year on the practice squad, and fullback Nehemiah Broughton, who spent last season on injured reserve. Click here for full article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveStrongSkins Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Man 4 carries for over 20 yards the whole season? Thats ridiculous and hopefully has more to do with the predictable nature of our offense last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thinking Skins Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 I think that low stat in yards per carry is a big reason why our O-line was ranked so low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrenkels Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Portis dropping some weight and a different style offense will bring Clintons numbers up this season. Portis was never really comfortable with running between the tackles. Betts and Sellars are more of the pound the rock style runners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
authentic Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Man, I can't wait for camp to begin! This next few days will be sooooo long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Bit of a sobering stat, though there were the often discussed issues with the oline that probably helped with some of that. However, I tend to look at all those stats together and it seems things weren't quite as bad as all that. However, there is room for improvement,(isn't there always/), and will be interesting to see how things work out this coming season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfitzo53 Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 I'm hoping that Portis can come off of that workhorse season and still play at a healthy, high level. Getting him out into space should help with that, and I'm sure Zorn has plenty of plans for utilizing Portis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bzapf Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 This is why I don't understand why they are "keeping the running game exactly the same". I thought they just meant no change in terminology but in a lot of player interviews they said it will stay the exact same. Doesn't seem to make sense to me with Portis's running style but I could be way off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loyal2Washington Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 This is why I don't understand why they are "keeping the running game exactly the same". I thought they just meant no change in terminology but in a lot of player interviews they said it will stay the exact same. Doesn't seem to make sense to me with Portis's running style but I could be way off. Style has nothing to do with it, Portis and the ground games success will depend upon Zorn's play calling and JC's ability to run the WCO. If defense's have to play honest and are kept off balance by Zorns play calling Portis will exploit a defense regardless of what running play is called. Likewise if Zorn is predictable, like Gibbs, and JC struggles, like he did at times last year, then CP will be bogged down again regardless if the O-Line zone blocks or pulls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sisko Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 This is why I don't understand why they are "keeping the running game exactly the same". I thought they just meant no change in terminology but in a lot of player interviews they said it will stay the exact same. Doesn't seem to make sense to me with Portis's running style but I could be way off. It's an issue of time/manpower. Zorn was hired late due to Gibbs' unexpectedly stepping down and the somewhat long search process. Also, Zorn is wearing a lot of hats. That plus having the players learn a new system meant it was best to wait until next season to revamp the running game. I agree it needs to change though. Portis excelled in Denver's one cut and go running attack and then Gibbs brought him here and tried to change him into J. Riggins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDSKNfaithfull Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Portis dropping some weight and a different style offense will bring Clintons numbers up this season. Portis was never really comfortable with running between the tackles. Betts and Sellars are more of the pound the rock style runners. Seeing Clinton on NFL Network recently he doesn't look like he has dropped any weight. I think he said he is still around 220 hopefully camp will get him down to around 205 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zguy28 Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Hopefully Portis has recaptured that "lightning in a bottle" we saw when we first signed him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBass1724 Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 The bottom line is that if our O-line stays healthy, Portis and co. will thrive. If there are more key injuries then it could be a long year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLongshot Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 I don't think the running game does have to change all that much as far as playcalling goes. I think having a more consistent passing game is going to improve things in the running game, not to mention having a healthy line. Kinda hard to run when the other team knows where and when you are going to run. I think Zorn is going to mix things up more and also try to get Portis more involved in the passing game. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jweisk1 Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 nobody ever mentions that fact that we have tiny little WR trying to block downfield...I think that Kelly and Thomas will be helpful in this department Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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