With star running back Clinton Portis already sidelined as he deals with the aftereffects of a concussion, the Redskins were hoping backup running back Ladell Betts could shoulder the load. Instead, Betts left in the first quarter Sunday against Dallas with a knee injury. As it turns out, Betts has torn the medial collateral ligament in his knee and will probably miss at least a month. Portis will also reportedly miss next week's game as well, meaning Rock Cartwright will be the featured back for the Redskins against the stingy Eagles' run defense in Week 12.
Sunday, Cartwright filled in admirably for Betts (and Portis). He ran the ball 13 times for 67 yards (5.15 yards per carry), but was also greatly involved in the passing attack. He caught seven passes for 73 yards.
For this week's edition of the FanHouse fantasy football podcast, Tom Herrera and Matt Snyder went through an edition of Sink or Swim. Each team has at least eight games in the books, so we can start drawing conclusions about 2010. Which big names that were drafted in the first few rounds will continue to fail to meet expectations? Can Greg Jennings, Dwayne Bowe and a bevy of others start living up to their draft slot? Also, we come with our weekly Starting Six Pack (Pierre Thomas, anyone?) and Albatross (hello, Clinton). In closing, Mr. Herrera has a few more things to say about his beloved T.O. Take a listen after the jump.
In the days since his release, speculation has been rampant as to where former Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson would eventually end up. Almost immediately, the Washington Redskins were a hot rumor. The shoe fit because Dan Snyder likes signing big names -- even if they are washed up has-beens -- and starting running back Clinton Portis recently went down with a concussion.
Portis took a couple of hard shots on a running play, with Atlanta's Chevis Jackson and Thomas DeCoud each landing blows -- at least one of which appeared to be helmet-to-helmet. No penalty was called on the play.
Portis stayed down on the field at the end of the play, then walked unsteadily to the sideline. He sat on the Redskins' sideline with a towel over his head while backup running back Ladell Betts replaced him. Jason Campbell threw an interception on the next play that was returned by the Falcons' Tye Hill for a touchdown.
In news sure to cause knee-jerk reactions from many, Jason Reid of the Washington Post has confirmed that Clinton Portis and Mike Sellers got into a "heated verbal exchange" Monday at Redskins Park. Apparently, Sellers heard Portis requested Sellers be removed from Sunday's game due to his missing a few blocks on Portis runs. The two got into an argument and had to be restrained by other players and coaches. It has been emphasized there were no punches thrown.
Yawn. There is absolutely nothing wrong with two football teammates getting into a disagreement on a Monday -- especially considering how poorly the Redskins have fared offensively thus far. They play a testosterone-packed powder keg of a sport, and sometimes things don't go their way. Thus, they blow off steam. In fact, this could be construed as a good thing for the Redskins.
No one would really blame any player on the Washington Redskins for being less than chipper at this point in the still-young 2009 NFL season. After all, thus far they've gotten worked by a division-rival, squeaked out a 2-point home win against one of the worst teams in the NFL and most recently became the first team to lose to the Detroit Lions since 2007. Anyone from the outside could understand any negative feelings emanating from the locker room.
It's going to be Monday Night Football. The Cowboys are taking on the Carolina Panthers, who haven't yet shown a good run defense. Felix is a home run hitter, as evidenced by his 56-yard run last week, his 98-yard kick return touchdown last season and his career 8.9 yards-per-carry average on 43 carries. Give him 15 carries a week, and the sky is the limit. When news of Barber missing 1-2 weeks popped, it appeared the stars were aligning for Felix's breakout party. Now, it's looking like Barber might suit up and play. If he does, it would be like refusing to leave your friend alone with a girl at a bar. There's a hyphenated word for that, Marion, and the second part is "block." Don't be that guy. Back off and allow your buddy to get his.
Before John Riggins became a radio personality he was an NFL running back. He spent most of his career with the Redskins, earning Super Bowl XVII MVP honors. In addition to being a workhorse, he was also something of an eccentric. Which makes his public feud with current Redskins' running back Clinton Portis sort of peculiar.
When the Washington Redskins got the ball back with 1:32 left in the game, they were just three kneel-downs away from their first win of 2009. They were playing at home, yet there was an audible smattering of boos. On a victory? What gives?
Allow me to take a wild guess -- the Redskins ended the game with 362 total yards, gained 21 first downs and failed to score a touchdown against a Rams team that lost 28-0 last week to the Seahawks. Of course, the booing wasn't overwhelming; probably because most fans realized how fortunate their favorite team was to escape with a victory.
It's time for a little CP26. Last week, we knew Clinton Portis had a rough week ahead of him, facing an incredibly stout Giants run defense. This week? He gets to play at home against the St. Louis Rams. The same Rams who let Julius Jones get loose for a 62-yard touchdown and 136 total yards from scrimmage.
You don't need us to tell you Portis is a much better back than Jones. That's common knowledge. Expect Portis to outperform nearly every other running back this week. You'll find him ranked only below the obvious number one.
With star running back Clinton Portis already sidelined as he deals with the aftereffects of a concussion, the Redskins were hoping backup running back Ladell Betts could shoulder the load. Instead, Betts left in the first quarter Sunday against Dallas with a knee injury. As it turns out, Betts has torn the medial collateral ligament in his knee and will probably miss at least a month. Portis will also reportedly miss next week's game as well, meaning Rock Cartwright will be the featured back for the Redskins against the stingy Eagles' run defense in Week 12. 
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It's time for a little CP26. Last week, we knew 
