Preseason Week 2: Pittsburgh

Tonight marks my first trek back to Fed Ex Field since the 2003 Dallas game, where the Redskins were shellacked 27-0 in a driving freezing rain. That was the last game before college and before we gave up our season tickets, but now I have them back. Nosebleed, Section 414, Row 16, Seats 7 and 8. I couldn’t be more pumped about a preseason game, just because I love going to see the Redskins live more than almost anything. Tonight is also the true debut of my good buddy Doug Roberts as a member of the Washington Redskins marching band, so if you’re in attendance tonight, make sure to yell for that cool kid playing the trombone. Congrats Doug!

Alright, down to business…the defending world champion Pittsburgh Steelers come to town in a game many people could care less about, but it was only 9 months ago when we all had to endure the Terrible Towel debacle on Monday Night Football. As many of you know, my sister married into a Pittsburgh family, and my generalizations about the city of Pittsburgh and their teams do not apply to my brother-in-law. He’s never been an ass about how successful Pittsburgh has been in recent years when it comes to just about anything football or hockey. However, beyond the family ties, Pittsburgh fans REALLY piss me off. Not only is the DMV populated by millions of transplants from Western Pennsylvania, but they all love to tell you how DC is such a shithole and how Pittsburghers are far more loyal and vastly superior in every way to someone from this area (we’ll refer to this complex as Pittsburgh Transplant Syndrome OR PTS). Here are some of the things that REALLY piss me off about ‘burghers when a Washington vs. Pittsburgh game comes up on the schedule:

1. There are more Northern Virginia-raised kids that I can count that have managed to find some reason to be Steelers fans: a la “my family’s from there” or “my best friends mom’s dog was born there”…you get the point…it’s all bullshit. They all find the need to fly their black and gold allegiances and tell you how much DC teams suck, even though they were born and raised around here.

2. Their fans not only show up to away games, but they show up in DROVES and all seem to suffer from PTS AND Diarrhea of the mouth. Neither of these make for fun conversation in the stands.

3. Speaking of conversation, every one with a Pittsburgher ends in some sort of put down about how ugly Alex Ovechkin is (or how he doesn’t backcheck or kiss Gary Bettman’s ass like Crosby), how they have twice as many Super Bowl victories as us, or how the traffic around this area blows (to which they contribute significantly) . Fans from every city have their shtick arguments, but I just tend to hear the one from Pittsburgh more than any other.

4. Their goddamned towels that go everywhere...and Dan Snyder finds the need to copy…and are obnoxious.

5. That stupid guy in the pink polo shirt (and a popped collar) at the Caps/Oilers game last February who heckled Ovi the whole game for all of the items mentioned in #3. Get a life and watch a game where your team is actually involved.

6. The word yinz, which doesn’t make any freaking sense and should never be used in any context EVER.

7. Their quarterback has two Super Bowl rings, but apparently he doesn't know what hockey team plays in their city.

Ok, deep breaths. I’m really pumped about the game tonight, but I don’t want to listen to Pittsburgh fans. That’s the gist. As far as the game, it looks as though we’ll get to see Albert Haynesworth and Clinton Portis, and the starters could see about a quarter and a half of play. Here are a few things to keep an eye on:

· Haynesworth’s disruptiveness: It’s only preseason, but keep an eye on how many snaps Haynesworth gets and what he does with them. Additionally, look to see how his presence affects the pass rush and how long the Steeler have to hold onto the football.

· Portis’s health: Let’s see how hard Clinton hits the hole tonight. Everyone knows his feelings on preseason, but he didn’t look healthy at the end of last year, and he needs to have fresh legs to start this season. Although he hasn’t hit 30 yet, he’s got enough wear on his tires to run like someone older, so it will be interesting to see if he can keep his play up to his high standards.

· Orakpo’s development: How will #98 perform in his second live-action setting? He seemed to settle in pretty well against Baltimore, and really has potential to be a star in Greg Blache’s defense. If he can perform well again tonight, the town is really going to start some buzz about him.

· Nickel corner: Who won’t shit the bed this week against Pittsburgh’s receivers? I see Justin Tryon getting absolutely shredded by Limas Sweed tonight.

· Fred Davis’s hands: Will Fred hit that snooze button again tonight? The fumbles have to stop.

· Points: The offense HAS to put up something, or Jim Zorn is really going to hear it. Two shutouts in a row won’t go over well…especially if I have to sit out in the rain to watch this game.

I think that’s everything. I’ll be back with a recap tomorrow morning.

Prediction:
Redskins 23
Steelers 16

Last Week's Poll: Redskins Rushers are a Strength

It looks like this week’s poll showed quite a bit of confidence in the Redskins rushing attack. Although our voter turnout was not where I would like it (here's staring at YOU casual reader), those that did decide to participate have a positive outlook on how Clinton and his gang will perform this season. 62% of voters considered Joe Bugel's "Dirtbags" to be capable of blocking for a top 1/3 NFL rushing attack, which would put them on par with the last few seasons. Losing Pete Kendall for the younger, and probably more athletic Derrick Dockery seems to be one of the biggest boosts according to a few friends that I've spoken to. Not one person voted for the Redskins to be a bottom-of-the-barrell group, but the other 38% consider them to be relatively average, which would be more in like with the perceived aging of the line and Portis's legs. I tend to agree with the "6th to 10th" group, as I believe that rushing attack may be more consistent this season (relatively good over sixteen games instead of a great first eight and terrible last eight), but they might not get the same publicity that they received a year ago.

This Week's Poll: What team do you expect to win the Atlantic Division in the ACC? Let us know what you think!

Redskins 2009 Preview: Running Backs

Through July, I will be running positional breakdowns for the Washington Redskins. Each assessment will be broken down into four areas: Past Statistics, Experience/Potential, Positional Competition, and Intangibles.

Today we’ll be looking at the Running Backs on the Redskins’ roster for 2009. Washington’s rushing attack was one of the most effective in the entire NFL, even record-breaking at points. However, the rushing game, along with the entire offense seemed to fall apart after October and there was quite a bit of strain between Clinton Portis and Coach Jim Zorn. How will they fare in 2009?

Statistics

The focal point of the Redskin offense is Clinton Portis, who has been the team’s leading rusher four out of the last five seasons. Portis has rushed for 6,101 yards over the past five years and has averaged about 4.1 yards per carry since joining the Skins after the now infamous Champ Bailey trade. Portis finished fourth in the entire league in 2008 in total rushing yards, tenth in rushing touchdowns, and third among running backs in first downs (75). However, Portis had of five games early in the season where he rushed for over 700 yards and failed to break 300 for the final five games (four losses) of the season. Which Portis will show up in ’09? He was plagued with injuries after his early season workload, and that has to be a concern for the coaching staff.

Experience/Potential

Portis is now entering his eighth season in the NFL, and has racked up over 9200 yards rushing in his first seven years. While many people say that the shelf life of an NFL running back goes until age 30, Portis has the mileage of a 30 year old rather than a 28 year old. That being said, Portis has a huge competitive streak; probably a more tenacious personality than the Redskins have had at running back in a long time. Time will tell how long he can keep up his consistency. That will determine his legacy in Washington. Ladell Betts spent the 2006 season spelling Portis as the starter, and flourished with over 1000 yards rushing. He managed to put up those numbers without an entire season’s workload. Betts continues to have fresh legs because that season was his last major contribution to the team, and has only been used in spot duty over the past two seasons (after earning a fat contract too). He does have the experience to step in when needed. Rock Cartwright has been known to stand in well when needed, but he’s entering his 8^th season and hasn’t made a huge impact on offense to date, so his impact will largely remain on special teams. Third-year player Marcus Mason was re-signed after spending 2008 with the Baltimore Ravens, and he seems to have the biggest upside of any back on the Redskins roster. He was a training camp/preseason wonder in 2008 and many people were sad to see him be released. It will be interesting to see where he fits in this year.

Positional Competition

Clinton Portis is the unquestioned starter in this spot, and I don’t expect anyone to challenge that (as much as Betts feels he should be the no. 1). Betts seems to have the backup spot solidified, at least with his contract, but the interesting question falls with Cartwright and Mason. Cartwright has been a fan favorite for many years, and seems to be one of the big character guys in the locker room. After losing a guy like Jon Jansen this past offseason, it’s hard for the coaching staff to justify dumping another vocal leader after camp, but Mason has an opportunity to make Cartwright expendable. Mason is explosive and strong, albeit diminutive. He showed some evasiveness last season and was only cut due to a numbers game. I expect him to come into camp with a chip on his shoulder, and I would not be surprised to see him unseat Rock in the depth chart, if not on the roster altogether.

Intangibles

The big question at running back this season will be how Clinton Portis and Jim Zorn manage to coexist. Portis is a huge competitor, but has been known to quit for coaches that don’t seem to understand him. Zorn, entering his second year, does not have the hall of fame resume to lean on like Joe Gibbs, and therefore does not have as much room to give Clinton Portis all the freedoms he wishes (like taking himself out of the game when he feels like it). How Zorn manages Portis’s ego will go a long way to determining how this season will turn out. If Portis remains happy, he will play hard and perform. If things go even a little awry, Portis might be lost for the year and the offense could go in the tank. If Portis agrees to it, I believe that spelling him a little more often will go a long way to keeping everyone happy and fresh. Betts and the other two (or one depending on how it shakes out) are perfectly capable of sharing the load, so it would be prudent for Zorn to try and utilize them.

Final Assessment

Running Back SHOULD be one of the strong suits for the Redskins going into 2009, but there are a lot of factors that could derail the rushing offense before it gets off the ground. I believe that Portis’s durability might become a bigger issue than his attitude, but if Zorn can manage his carries while still managing to keep him happy, it could be one of the biggest strengths for the team. I believe that Mason will beat Cartwright out on the depth chart, but Rock will stick around for his special teams value (at least for this year). I think that the Redskins should, and will have a top 10 rushing offense that could jump to top 5 if it’s utilized properly.

What do you think? Can Zorn manage Portis’s ego all season or will there be a blow-up? Who will carry the load this season and beyond? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Part Two: Running Backs

Part Two will cover both Running Backs as well as fullbacks, mostly because I don't think Fullbacks need their own section. The Redskins have one of the deepest crops of Running Backs in the NFL, with Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright all posting 100-yard rushing performances in their careers, and with Portis and Betts both with the potential to rush for 1200 yards in a starting role. Portis has been knocked in recent years because the Redskins traded Champ Bailey away to acquire him, and his performance is not what it was in Denver. I disagree with this. I'll admit that I've had times when I've missed Champ a lot, but his play hasn't been nearly as strong the last two years in Denver. He's been making the Pro Bowl more on his reputation, while his passing defense consistently ranks at the bottom of the league. Clinton Portis (save 2006) has been a stabilizing force for the Redskins rushing attack, and the Skins have been one of the strongest rushing teams in the NFL in recent years. If they expect to make the playoffs again, the rushing attack will be the most important factor for the offense. Here are some things to look for going into summer:

Shaping Up: Portis has had injury troubles the last few years, and many people are beginning to think he's not a very durable back. Many people are reporting that Portis is in the best shape of his Redskins career this offseason, and is poised for a very strong 2008 campaign. This may have been derailed a little bit when Portis and Safety LaRon Landry decided to race after practice one day, and Portis came out of it with a strained hip flexor. Hopefully the coaches are right in saying he should be ready for camp, but fans should be a little concern about his injury tendencies the last few years.

Out in the Flat: Because of the implementation of the West Coast offense, look for Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts to catch the ball more out of the backfield. Both have proven to be pretty good receivers out of the backfield, but the offensive rhythm will rely on their hands as much as their legs now. Portis actually had his best receiving season in 2007 with the most catches (47) and yards (389) of his career. Betts had 53 catches for 445 yards in 2006 when he was in the starting role for a majority of the season. Jim Zorn will rely much more on their receiving abilities than Joe Gibbs did, and they need to perform well in order for the offense to work.

Yards Per Carry: Portis has also been knocked because his career YPC has dropped to 3.9 since he joined the Redskins. Last year, he was very up and down with his YPC varying greatly from month-to-month (September-4.7, October-3.1, November-4.5, December-3.5). The Redskins need to keep him above 4.0 to consistently win games. Zorn needs to find a way to keep Ladell Betts' average up, as it dropped from 4.7 in 2006 to 3.6 in 2007. If the running game can consistently gain over four yards-a-carry, they will be very difficult to defend overall.

Positives: Clinton Portis (26) and Ladell Betts (28) are both in the primes of their careers, and should have a strong season, especially if Zorn balances their carries well. Betts should be able to spell Portis in order to keep them both healthy, and they seem to have a good relationship, so they shouldn't bicker over carries too much. On top of this, Portis is the best blocking running back in the NFL, so he allows Zorn to keep him on the field in obvious passing situations. He and Betts allow for a very diverse offense. If one or both goes down, Rock Cartwright is a strong 3rd option, and Mike Sellers provides a lot of brute force in the short yardage game. Overall, this is one of the strongest if not strongest units on the roster, and should go a long way towards a 2008 playoff push.

Negatives: Portis has been nicked up the last few years and his YPC stats can be a little scary in some outings. The Redskins need to see much more consistency from game-to-game if they want to see a strong season as a whole (rather than a late surge to put them in as a wild card). If they expect to compete for the division, they must stay healthy, must catch well, and must make the most of their opportunities. If the running backs don't play well, it could be a very long season.

Grade Review:

• Skill- This backfield doesn't have the home-run ability as some (Adrian Peterson) but they hit a lot of singles and doubles, and like to grind down the opposing defense. While none of them is very big, they are physical and quick, which is a good combination
• Athleticism- Clinton Portis is not only a strong back, but a great blocker and receiver. His body adjustments and versatility allow for him to be one of the most athletic backs in the NFL
• Depth- The Redskins have a Pro Bowl caliber back in Portis, a strong starter in Betts, and a quality backup in Cartwright. Sellers is a solid Fullback as well as a punishing runner. All of them are experienced with their line and quarterback. That counts for a lot
• Experience- Clinton Portis has rushed for over 7700 yards in his 7 NFL seasons, and seems to be in the best shape of his career. Betts has a season of starts under his belt and has been on the roster since 2002. Portis began his career in Denver in the West Coast, so that should allow him to have a very big year
• Intangibles- These guys don't really have to run with a chip on their shoulders, but Portis is itching to get back to the Pro Bowl and prove to people that Denver did not make him a great back. Their major motivation is to carry the Redskins to the playoffs and stabilize Jason Campbell's offense

Overall: Like I said earlier, this is one of the best units on the tean (if not the league), and they will be the driving force behind a playoff run. If they have an OK season, the Skins make a playoff push. If they have a great season, the Redskins could challenge for the division, or maybe even the NFC. We just need to see some consistency.

Next Section: Wide Receivers

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