I didn’t happen to catch the Thursday night matchup between the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens, but I did watch it over the weekend when it re-aired on NFL Network. As a Dallas Cowboys fan I was curious to see if the Redskins improved over the off-season, but it was the claim made by former rival Clinton Portis that caught my attention the most.
“It’s only right that I talk about the running back position,” Clinton Portis told The Washington Post during the Redskins Thursday night game. “We have guys that’s proven; I mean, probably the best group in the NFL when you look at Rob Kelly, Chris Thompson, Matt Jones and then you go out and get Samaje Perine. This guy can really play. Mack Brown also.”
The funny thing is, Clinton Portis was absolutely serious and believe it or not kept a straight face while making such a bold claim. Take a look below to see what I mean.
https://twitter.com/recordsANDradio/status/895823569837584384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Fdc-sports-bog%2Fwp%2F2017%2F08%2F11%2Fwait-did-clinton-portis-suggest-the-redskins-have-the-nfls-best-running-backs%2F
Clinton Portis is without a doubt a little bit biased when talking about the Washington Redskins and their current stable of running backs. He spent seven seasons wearing burgundy and gold and I guess it’s a little hard to distance yourself from a team you played for. But, one thing is for sure… he was a better player than he is an analyst.
It’s absolutely absurd to think the Washington Redskins have the best running backs in the entire NFL. They don’t even have the best RBs in the NFC East division. That honor would without a doubt be bestowed to the Dallas Cowboys. This entire statement is laughable.
The Washington Redskins finished 21st in the NFL in rushing yards per game and tied the seventh in yards per carry in 2016. It’s a little bit difficult to believe that last year’s carryovers and the addition of Samaje Perine will improve the Redskins rushing attack very much this season.
The Redskins current stable running backs have combined for 2,320 career rushing yards. That’s only 689 more rushing yards than Ezekiel Elliott ran for in his first year in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. If that doesn’t put things into perspective than nothing well.
While I commend Clinton Portis for sticking up for his former team, I think he would be better served keeping those opinions to himself. Especiallly if any of them are as ludicrous as his claim that the Washington Redskins RBs are the best in the NFL.
