Portis Alexander Update

[Mookie4ever]

Halfway through the season I thought that it might be good time to update the values of SA and Portis.

Rushing

yards SA 719 CP 663
Avg SA 4.9 CP 3.9
TD SA 7 CP 2
Fmbl SA 0 SP 3

Receiving

yards SA 100 CP 140
Avg SA 8.3 CP 6.1
TD SA 3 CP 1

The purpose of this is not to point out that if we were to rerank right now SA would probably be the third or fourth rated RB and CP around #10. The purpose is to point out that a less talented RB can be more valuable in fantasy terms if he is in the right system with the right team.

Is it any surprise that the out-of-nowhere breakout games have come from teams with great O-lines and good systems? Look at Moore, Derrick Blaylock and Droughns. If SA went down would there be any doubt that Morris would outperform a number of more talented backs on lesser teams?

[Bowie]

I was watching all of those talent vs. situation debates during the pre-season and tended to think like you do. Given a great offense to work in, any NFL caliber RB can put up reasonably good stats. There are very few RBs in the NFL, however, who can overcome bad situations through talent alone (i.e. Tomlinson-in years past esp.).
Looking at 1/2 years stats for only two players is definitely too narrow in focus to pretend this argument has been settled, but given that many of these preseason threads revolved around Alexander vs. Portis, it certainly is interesting.

[arrbez]

i'm sure you'll get a lot of argument about alexander being an inferior runner to portis (don't forget that portis only put up big numbers in THE system in devner). personally, i would rate them about equally in talent. They both have different strengths and weaknesses. But yeah, i think the big difference in stats is defintly caused by portis being in a crappy running situation

[Justifiable_Sin]

Your main points are well taken ....

but in regard to Morris's case... due to his size ...he would likely split the load with Evans and Strong

let's just hope Alexander "doesn't" go down

[CC]

I'd easily give Portis the edge in talent, actually Alexander would be at the bottom of my top 10 in RB talent and Portis would be top 5. However, looks like you and bago were right Mookie.

[Fast Eddy]

This is exactly why proven, known quantity players are usually better picks than good players changing teams.

[Free Bagel]

Since when was this debate EVER about whether or not RB's relied on the system around them?

It was more a debate on whether or not Portis could stay healthy and whether or not Washington would be a good system. I thought it would, but thus far some injuries to the oline and a fair amount of ineptitude by the highly regarded Joe Gibbs have led to the opposite. There was some debate as to whether or not Portis was just a product of the Denver system, which I still don't think he is. He didn't go from Denver to your average run-of-the-mill offense, thus far Washington's offense has been completely inept except for Mr. Clinton.
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[no1cowboysfan]

CP has more talent than SA? Really?

Now, Portis is FASTER, but he is in no way better.

[goleafsgo96]

CP has more talent than SA? Really?

Now, Portis is FASTER, but he is in no way better.

i disagree bigtime. I think that CP is easily more talented, he is faster but i think hes more than that. Alexander is an obviously talented back, but i dont think his talent reaches the "elite" level. He is simply in a near ideal system with near ideal surroundings.

i will admit i thought portis would have a slightly better year than SA.

[THL Titan]

Look, some can say the system suites him, but look at this year. Hasselback has had a horrendous year, and Shaun is still producing like a champ. He's no Priest, but he has gotten ten td's so far this year. He even produces when they announce he's gonna carry the offense like last week, and I don't see his production slowing down for the rest of the season. I picked him up seventh in my draft, and I couldn't be more pleased.