Redskins RB's

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mudloggerone

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rotoworld,
The Redskins are rotating Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson with the first-team offense during OTAs.

Willie Parker and Ryan Torain appear to be rotating with the third team. L.J. began Tuesday's OTA as the starter, but was replaced by Clinton Portis shortly thereafter. We'd still consider Portis at least the slight favorite to win this competition, but Johnson is clearly getting a long look.
Source: Matt Terl on Twitter
 
(nfl.com)The Washington Post reports that Redskins RB Larry Johnson could have trouble fitting in with coach Mike Shanahan's system. Shanahan is implementing a zone-blocking scheme that relies on its running backs to read a play and make the right cuts toward openings. The paper reports that Johnson's strengths are as a downhill runner, but he expects to make the adjustment in Washington. "I think it's definitely still downhill, because we're not actually running sideways," Johnson said. "We're waiting for one or two cuts and we're in there. People know I'm going to run downhill. As long as we stretch, stretch, stretch and then bring it downhill, there's going to be holes on the backside." Johnson is competing with Clinton Portis and Willie Parker for carries with the Redskins.
 
rotoworld,
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday that Clinton Portis will be the Redskins' starting tailback heading into training camp.

"Heading into training camp" leaves the door open for a camp battle, but Portis remains the best bet to emerge as Washington's best option at running back. While Larry Johnson is getting some first-team OTA reps, his most likely role is change of pace back. Willie Parker is on the roster bubble, and may be competing directly with Ryan Torain for No. 3 back duties.
Source: Rick Maese on Twitter
 
Ryan Torain is the sleeper in this picture. Shanny LOVED him in Denver and he was heir apparent when Travis Henry and Selvin Young were making noise.

The injury gods frowned on Torain, though, and he never got his chance.

Look for Torain to be given every chance to start for this club.
 
Could be Tekie but I'd bet against it. They brought in LJ and Parker and are courting Westbrook. I doubt very much all that would have taken place if they had a gem on the bench.
 
The little i have seen of Ryan Torain running the ball i liked, his biggest obstacle is injuries.

Gotta trust Shanny's RB instinct
 
rotoworld,
According to Comcast SportsNet Washington, Willie Parker has shown little burst on the Redskins' practice field at OTAs.

"He probably looks a lot like he did the last two years in Pittsburgh when he averaged 3.8 yards a carry," observed beat writer Rich Tandler. Tandler predicts that Parker won't make the final roster, and that Ryan Torain is likely to be No. 3 behind Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson. These are damning words for Parker, who may be on the brink of falling out of the league if cut.
Source: Comcast Sports Washington
 
cctekguy said:
Ryan Torain is the sleeper in this picture. Shanny LOVED him in Denver and he was heir apparent when Travis Henry and Selvin Young were making noise.

The injury gods frowned on Torain, though, and he never got his chance.

Look for Torain to be given every chance to start for this club.
Click to expand...

Very true teckie. I doubt Parker will make the roster. I forsee Portis going down with an injury due to enormous amount of miles he has on him. My favorites, if you can call a RB in a Shanny system a favorite, are LJ and Torain.
 
Although Clinton Portis is currently the Redskins' starting tailback, Larry Johnson is working with the first team in goal-line drills.
 
rotoworld,
Clinton Portis said Thursday that he wanted out of Washington before coach Mike Shanahan accepted the head coaching position.

It was no secret that Portis didn't like playing for former coach Jim Zorn. Portis routinely skipped practices and showed very little respect for Zorn. Had Portis' contract not been guaranteed this year, he likely would have gotten his wish earlier this offseason.
Source: Washington Post
 
rotoworld,
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan indicated that he's comfortable with Clinton Portis as the third-down back if the team does not sign free agent Brian Westbrook.

"The first thing you want from a third down back is you want a guy who can block," Shanahan said. "We have the best blocker as a back in Clinton Portis that I've been around. I think we do have a third-down back." Portis is no longer an asset as a receiver, but staying in on third downs could help him get back to the 25-30 range in receptions. Staying healthy is another story altogether.
Source: csnwashington.com
 
rotoworld,
Beat writer Ryan O'Halloran predicts that Willie Parker won't make the Redskins' final roster.

O'Halloran has Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Ryan Torain in front of the aging Parker. We agree that Parker is on the outside looking in right now and will likely need an injury to secure a roster spot. He doesn't play special teams and isn't as effective as Johnson on early downs or Torain on third-downs.
Source: csnwashington.com
 
(Rotoworld) Although Clinton Portis is expected to enter training camp as the No. 1 tailback, coordinator Kyle Shanahan indicated that the Redskins coaches haven't even talked about a depth chart.
Analysis: "I just said that because I assume he is," Shanahan said. "It really doesn't matter. Whoever is best for that defense that week. There's no two or three. There's really no four or five. ... So no one really knows until cuts come." Portis remains the best bet to open the season as the starter, but this could easily become a "hot hand" situation depending on who is healthy and producing. We don't have any of the Redskins backs projected among the Top-40 at the position.
 
(TheHuddle) Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said the team already has a third-down running back, reports The Washington Post's Rick Maese. Shanahan said, "First thing with a third down back is you want a guy who can block. We have the best blocker as a back in Clinton Portis that I've ever been around. So I think we do have a third down back."
Analysis: That would appear to give Portis a leg up in his competition with Larry Johnson and Willie Parker for touches in Mike Shanahan's offense. Of course, given that it's a two-Shanahan attack, it's entirely possible that carries will be determined by a Magic 8-Ball on the sidelines before each play.
 
rotoworld,
Clinton Portis is "expected to hold off Larry Johnson and Willie Parker for the starting job," team sources tell the Washington Post.

The Post's sources were glowing in their praise of Portis, who accepted Mike Shanahan's challenge to improve his conditioning. The 29-year-old is down to 217 pounds after playing near 230 last season. While Portis is a poor bet to regain his explosiveness and stay healthy for 16 games, he's reportedly in tip-top shape and "highly motivated" entering training camp.
Source: Washington Post
 
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