The Best Running Back in the NFC

[D'ohmer Simpson 0]

yeah, he's SOOOO good that he's rushed for just a measely 1000 yards how many times?

Thousand yard rushing seasons mean little, especially to the players. Even they acknowledge that.

 

~ 40 ~

 

[surferskin 30]

Thousand yard rushing seasons mean little, especially to the players. Even they acknowledge that.

yeah, because it's normally an easy feat for the best in the league. but westbrook has NEVER done it. c'mon, he's the best back in the NFC and has never run for 1000 yards?

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

What a silly thread with even more sillier arguements.

 

As a RB, Portis is better than Westbrook.

Regarding importance to the offense, Westbrook is more important to the Eagles offense.

 

Neither guy is better than Shaun Alexander.

 

He's the reigning MVP. Sure, he's dinged right now. Prior to the injury, he played in 99 straight football games. Neither Westy nor Portis can say that, and it's a safer bet that neither will even reach a streak like that (not even half of that number for that matter).

[D'ohmer Simpson 0]

yeah, because it's normally an easy feat for the best in the league. but westbrook has NEVER done it. c'mon, he's the best back in the NFC and has never run for 1000 yards?

Again, it means little, especially to the players. And at least according to people that announce and live football and who are not homers like us, Westbrook is the best.

 

What a silly thread with even more sillier arguements.

meh, when you shoot one down they make up others

[CookieG 4]

Neither guy is better than Shaun Alexander.

 

You beat me to it -- Potis, Barber & Westbrook when all are healthy are still in a class behind SA. Until this injury, you just cannot touch his production and consistency.

 

I was wondering how the argument of Westy & Clinton got broadened into an SA comparison -- then i noticed the thread title again, is BESt RB in NFC.

 

He doesn't have the division schedule that those other backs have.. but not a big enough caveat there, IMHO.

 

Surfer, i'd bust a nut if Portis banged out SA class numbers this year -- just stay healthy and hungry CP.

[surferskin 30]

What a silly thread with even more sillier arguements.

 

As a RB, Portis is better than Westbrook.

Regarding importance to the offense, Westbrook is more important to the Eagles offense.

 

Neither guy is better than Shaun Alexander.

 

He's the reigning MVP. Sure, he's dinged right now. Prior to the injury, he played in 99 straight football games. Neither Westy nor Portis can say that, and it's a safer bet that neither will even reach a streak like that (not even half of that number for that matter).

i don't think alexander has ever been considered the best back...he's a very good running back with the best line in the league(our at least before hutchinson left).

 

 

 

Again, it means little, especially to the players. And at least according to people that announce and live football and who are not homers like us, Westbrook is the best.

meh, when you shoot one down they make up others

what the hell are you arguing? that rushing yards don't matter to a running back?? how bout total yards and TD's? portis has more of those too.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

i don't think alexander has ever been considered the best back...he's a very good running back with the best line in the league(our at least before hutchinson left).

 

No offense, but are you focking kidding me?

 

Faulk had a long reign as the best back in the NFC for quite a long time. Once his game went downhill, it has been Alexander. The numbers and team success don't lie.

 

Besides, you point out Seattle's offensive line. Last time I checked, Portis doesn't exactly have a bunch of stiffs blocking in front of him.

 

Keep telling yourself Portis is better than Alexander. That should do wonders for your credibility on this bored.

 

 

You beat me to it -- Potis, Barber & Westbrook when all are healthy are still in a class behind SA. Until this injury, you just cannot touch his production and consistency.

 

I was wondering how the argument of Westy & Clinton got broadened into an SA comparison -- then i noticed the thread title again, is BESt RB in NFC.

 

He doesn't have the division schedule that those other backs have.. but not a big enough caveat there, IMHO.

 

Surfer, i'd bust a nut if Portis banged out SA class numbers this year -- just stay healthy and hungry CP.

 

Don't get me wrong, Portis is a talent. He is capable of SA numbers. So is Westbrook. However, neither has done it, neither guy can stay healthy for a complete season, and that should be the end of the arguement.

[surferskin 30]

No offense, but are you focking kidding me?

 

Faulk had a long reign as the best back in the NFC for quite a long time. Once his game went downhill, it has been Alexander. The numbers and team success don't lie.

 

Besides, you point out Seattle's offensive line. Last time I checked, Portis doesn't exactly have a bunch of stiffs blocking in front of him.

 

Keep telling yourself Portis is better than Alexander. That should do wonders for your credibility on this bored.

alexander's line plus his yearly trash schedule make him a fantasy stud but today and GOING FORWARD i'll take portis. i've never said that portis has had better career but i don't think it's stretch to think portis couldn't have produced similar #'s if he was in seatle.

 

No offense, but are you focking kidding me?

 

Faulk had a long reign as the best back in the NFC for quite a long time. Once his game went downhill, it has been Alexander. The numbers and team success don't lie.

 

Besides, you point out Seattle's offensive line. Last time I checked, Portis doesn't exactly have a bunch of stiffs blocking in front of him.

 

Keep telling yourself Portis is better than Alexander. That should do wonders for your credibility on this bored.

Don't get me wrong, Portis is a talent. He is capable of SA numbers. So is Westbrook. However, neither has done it, neither guy can stay healthy for a complete season, and that should be the end of the arguement.

he played all 16 games last year. HTH

[cbfalcon 825]

Portis has to have at least 4 more years of numbers like this to even approach Alexander. No way that happens, and as the one dipshit showed, even his average yearly stats don't match up.

 

Portis will never win an MVP or score 28 touchdowns either, has he ever won a playoff game?

 

Alexander's Rick James, Portis' Charlie Murphy

 

no...Portis only needs 4 years of 500 yard seasons and he'll have the same yardage numbers as Alexander at age 29 (and we all know RB's don;t do alot after that age).

 

If Portis stats go something like 1300, 1200, 1000, 900 for the next 4 years, Portis will be over 10,000 yards at age 29...Whereas Alexander sits at 8000 yards at age 29.

 

and those are assuming a steady drop with Portis starting now

[TimmySmith 2,782]

Alexander has had twice the career Portis has, one month doesn't change that.

 

 

Alexander gains nearly half his yards and TDs in 6 divisional games every year. He had 14 tds last against his weak division. Look at his playoff stats. Huge dropoff against good competition when game really count.

[NewbieJr 541]

Alexander is WAY better as a fantasy back than he is as an NFL back.

 

He is a top 1 or 2 fantasy back, but there are probably ten backs that are better than him, from an actual football standpoint.

 

Think Olandis Gary. Guys who are great in the right situation.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Alexander is WAY better as a fantasy back than he is as an NFL back.

 

He is a top 1 or 2 fantasy back, but there are probably ten backs that are better than him, from an actual football standpoint.

 

Think Olandis Gary. Guys who are great in the right situation.

 

So he's the reigning NFL MVP because of his fantasy output?

[TerrySilver 0]

its unfair to compare westy's rushing stats to clinton's, because the eagles dont use westbrook as a typical rb. westbrook gets alot of these 2 yard passes that he breaks for big yards, because in reid mind he considers that to be the same as a rush attempt. to be fair, you should compare total yards from scrimmage to get a better feel for things.

 

but the bottomline is that both the redskins and eagles use their prospective runningbacks extremely well, in that if you switched portis to the eagles and westbrook to the redskins, they both wouldnt be as good as they are.

 

they are equally talented, but different.

 

 

but of course, you are a blind homer to redskins, so you're just gonna disagree with me anyway, so i dont know why i even bother. you probaly think that brunell is better then mcnabb too

[cbfalcon 825]

It can never be proved, but it's my honest opinion that if you put Portis on Seattle, he could do what Alexander does...but I don't believe Alexander would be as successful as Portis in Washington.

 

I honestly believe that the "most talented" RB's in the NFL are:

 

1. LT

2. Clinton Portis

 

Not sure where I'd rank Alexander...probably in the 4-7 range...I'd love to see what McGahee could do in a better situation. I know that much.

 

Just like I'd have ranked Emmitt way behind Barry and Thurmon as far as talent..but I'd have taken Emmitt's situation every single time and drafted him.

 

But it's a hard argument to make I guess.

[surferskin 30]

its unfair to compare westy's rushing stats to clinton's, because the eagles dont use westbrook as a typical rb. westbrook gets alot of these 2 yard passes that he breaks for big yards, because in reid mind he considers that to be the same as a rush attempt. to be fair, you should compare total yards from scrimmage to get a better feel for things.

 

but the bottomline is that both the redskins and eagles use their prospective runningbacks extremely well, in that if you switched portis to the eagles and westbrook to the redskins, they both wouldnt be as good as they are.

 

they are equally talented, but different.

but of course, you are a blind homer to redskins, so you're just gonna disagree with me anyway, so i dont know why i even bother. you probaly think that brunell is better then mcnabb too

yeah, it's blind homerism...why don't you just compare total yards and TD's?

 

both rookies in 02

 

Portis -

yards rushing 6167

yards receiving 1246

total yards 7413

total TD's 53

 

Wesbrook -

yards rushing 2491

yards receiving 1901

total yards 4392

total TD's 32

 

there's blind homerism here...but it ain't with me.

[CookieG 4]

I think a big aspect of what makes Alexander so special is his size.. his ability to move, have great vision and cut well and be the short yardage bulldozer when he needs to.

 

Westbrook can be a marvel when he gets in the open field and he's so versatile. He's just not a real between the tackles runner and he need to be lifted a lot when tough yards are needed. . His tendency to have to sit out a lot of games often hurts his team and his FF value. When he's on, he's sensational.

 

I'm starting to really appreciate Clinton Portis ability. He seems like the complete back lately and he can get to the corner better than nearly anybody. Wouldn't suprise at all if he evolved into a Payton, Sanders, Emmitt type -- can the Skins put the best system & personnel around him to do that? Seems like he's maturing and his talent is that good.

 

Those are my rambles guys -- have fun with the comparisons. They all bring a good bit to the table.. after awhile it starts to become a Ford versus Chevy thing and there is just no right answer until many more games get played.

[TerrySilver 0]

yeah, it's blind homerism...why don't you just compare total yards and TD's?

 

both rookies in 02

 

Portis -

yards rushing 6167

yards receiving 1246

total yards 7413

total TD's 53

 

Wesbrook -

yards rushing 2491

yards receiving 1901

total yards 4392

total TD's 32

 

there's blind homerism here...but it ain't with me.

 

 

yeah, portis came out right from his rookie and became a beast immediately. and for westbrook, he gradually became the starter. and due to that, portis numbers are greater.

 

but lets compare numbers since 2004, when westbrook became the fulltime starter:

 

westbrook:

28 games

rush yards: 1685

rec yards: 1483

Tot Yards: 3168

TD's: 21

 

portis:

34 games

rush yards: 3068

rec yards: 568

tot yards: 3636

TD's: 22

 

so their numbers are very comparable, with westbrook playing 6 less games (remember he was benched the last 2 reg season games during their superbowl season).

 

all i can say is that their numbers are too similiar to say one is better then the other.

 

with this being said, i will agree that portis is more skilled at being a prototypical rb, but westbrook's versatility and him causing match up problems makes him stand out as well.

 

again, they are both equally as valuable to the prospective teams. lets put it this way; hypothetically if the redskins offered to trade portis to the eagles for westbrook straight up (or vice versa) each team would flat out deny the trade offer

 

again, each player fits their team's offense extremely well

[RealDeal5781 0]

LOL, yeah sure let's omit Portis's first couple years simply because he was more prepared coming out of school

 

Portis is the better running back. Portis is the more durable running back. Portis will have a longer career.

 

And finally, Brian Westbrook may find himself like Dom Davis come 2007 with his knee issues. Philly will take a between the tackles RB early in the draft or acquire one via free agency.

[surferskin 30]

LOL, yeah sure let's omit Portis's first couple years simply because he was more prepared coming out of school

 

Portis is the better running back. Portis is the more durable running back. Portis will have a longer career.

 

And finally, Brian Westbrook may find himself like Dom Davis come 2007 with his knee issues. Philly will take a between the tackles RB early in the draft or acquire one via free agency.

[TerrySilver 0]

LOL, yeah sure let's omit Portis's first couple years simply because he was more prepared coming out of school

 

Portis is the better running back. Portis is the more durable running back. Portis will have a longer career.

 

And finally, Brian Westbrook may find himself like Dom Davis come 2007 with his knee issues. Philly will take a between the tackles RB early in the draft or acquire one via free agency.

 

 

please dont ever compare brian westbrook to dom davis. you lose any credibility that you may have by doing that.

 

and any rb in the league can have a knee problem by next year, so that arguement is pretty stupid.

 

 

 

but whatever. all i'm trying to say is that A.) both westbrook and portis is the best option for their prospective team, and if they traded teams neither would be as good as the other on it. and B.) each player has had comparable numbers to each other since 2004, when westbrook became a fulltime starter.

 

 

but if you want to continue to believe that clinton portis is the second coming of jesus christ, and westbrook is dog sh!t, go ahead. i cant argue with blind homers/eagles haters like surferskin anyway. its like talking to a wall

[TD Ryan2 316]

Westbrook is a phenominal athlete.

But he can't control a game with his running. This has been a problem for PHI for a while now. When they need to pound the ball and bleed a clock, they don't have a guy to do it.

 

Is Westy more electric? more entertaining? a better pass catcher? I'd say yes on all accounts.

 

 

But a better Running Back (than Portis or Alexander)... no way.

 

and why does Tiki Barber get left out of the NFC Running Back debate? I'll buy that he's a bit older this year but in his prime, Tiki was what Westy hoped he could be... a 3rd down type RB that developed the ability to pound between the tackles.

[surferskin 30]

please dont ever compare brian westbrook to dom davis. you lose any credibility that you may have by doing that.

 

and any rb in the league can have a knee problem by next year, so that arguement is pretty stupid.

but whatever. all i'm trying to say is that A.) both westbrook and portis is the best option for their prospective team, and if they traded teams neither would be as good as the other on it. and B.) each player has had comparable numbers to each other since 2004, when westbrook became a fulltime starter.

but if you want to continue to believe that clinton portis is the second coming of jesus christ, and westbrook is dog sh!t, go ahead. i cant argue with blind homers/eagles haters like surferskin anyway. its like talking to a wall

just stop...noone said westbrook is shiit but he IS the 3rd best back in the division. also, i find it hard to believe that the eagles wouldn't trade westbrook in new york minute for portis. portis has already proved that he's not just product of the system he's in.

[TerrySilver 0]

just stop...noone said westbrook is shiit but he IS the 3rd best back in the division. also, i find it hard to believe that the eagles wouldn't trade westbrook in new york minute for portis. portis has already proved that he's not just product of the system he's in.

 

 

the eagles would never trade westbrook for portis. sorry.

 

and it not because westbrook is a better player; its just that he fits the eagles offensive scheme perfectly. portis just wouldnt be as efficient in the eagles pass happy scheme. yeah portis (which i already admitted) is a better "typical" rb, but westbrooks excels in receiving, route running, and just general causing of matchup problems.

 

again, portis is the best fit for the redskins offense, and westbrook is best for the eagles. thats all it is to it

[TD Ryan2 316]

... it not because westbrook is a better player; its just that he fits the eagles offensive scheme perfectly. portis just wouldnt be as efficient in the eagles pass happy scheme.

 

chicken or the egg?

 

are the Eagles a pass happy team because that's their scheme? That's specifically what they want to be?

OR

because that's what their personell does best? that's their only choice with their players' skillset?

 

 

IMO, the Eagles would benefit greatly if the could reduce this pass happy tactic of theirs. But they can't because they don't have a RB that can add that extra dimension to their scheme.

 

 

and please understand, I love Westbrook. He's a phenominal football player and by every means a "weapon".

But he lacks one very important dimension for RB in the NFL.

 

and on top of all that, he has trouble staying healthy.

[cbfalcon 825]

If Portis was an Eagle, he'd rush for 1500 yards and score 17 TD's...and the Eagles would be the clear Super Bowl favorite in the NFC.

 

Reid would love to have a RB he could hand the ball off to. Look how fat Reid is. Fat coaches love running games.

 

If Westbrook was a Redskin, his numbers would drop greatly as I don't think he'd be worth much in a non-west coast offense.

[NewbieJr 541]

If Portis was an Eagle, he'd rush for 1500 yards and score 17 TD's...and the Eagles would be the clear Super Bowl favorite in the NFC.

 

Reid would love to have a RB he could hand the ball off to. Look how fat Reid is. Fat coaches love running games.

 

If Westbrook was a Redskin, his numbers would drop greatly as I don't think he'd be worth much in a non-west coast offense.

Reid could definitely pass farther than he could run.

[TerrySilver 0]

If Portis was an Eagle, he'd rush for 1500 yards and score 17 TD's...and the Eagles would be the clear Super Bowl favorite in the NFC.

 

Reid would love to have a RB he could hand the ball off to. Look how fat Reid is. Fat coaches love running games.

 

If Westbrook was a Redskin, his numbers would drop greatly as I don't think he'd be worth much in a non-west coast offense.

 

 

i tend to doubt this. reid has been quoted as saying in the past that "if i could pass on every down, i would"

or something like that.

 

running the ball just isnt his thing

[TD Ryan2 316]

reid has been quoted as saying in the past that "if i could pass on every down, i would"

or something like that.

running the ball just isnt his thing

 

 

which is why he ended up with 3ints and a pile of puke instead of a Lombardi Trophy.

 

 

1. Andy Reid is a smart football coach. I can't believe that there isn't more to the context of his above quote.

 

2. One dimensional offenses never have and never will dominate the NFL. If you can't run the ball, you are in for big ups and big downs.

[CookieG 4]

the eagles would never trade westbrook for portis. sorry.

 

Dude you're on crack -- The Eagles would take that exchange in a f'in heartbeat. Portis would fit or they'd make a shceme that would make it all work -- Like another poster said above.. Portis' numhbers would be sick on Philly and they'd have finally have a guy who could eat clock --

 

Portis' is also coming into his prime -- Westy, while not an old guy, injures like an old guy and won't be around for too many more years.

 

I'm a Giant fan.. so i could care less.. if i didn't have Portis on my FF team, i wish they'd both lose their legs in a thresher accident -- bottom line is #26 is a better RB.