Toss Up: Clinton Portis vs. Marion Barber

I'm looking forward to today's "Toss Up" post because it's a classic rivalry between the Redskins and the Cowboys. And in my opinion it doesn't get much better than seeing those two teams with those two uniforms on the same field.

I'm not a fan of either team, and yet I still feel this way. That's when you know a rivalry is good. But this rivalry also extends to fantasy, where Clinton Portis and Marion Barber are two running backs you could be deciding between in the second round of your draft.

In our most recent experts mock draft, Barber went No. 18 overall and Portis was off the board by No. 21. Was that the right order? Let's take a closer look at Portis vs. Barber to find out:

With Barber, his finishing around the goal line is probably his biggest strength. Before he was hampered by a toe injury last year, Barber had no problem posting double-digit touchdowns in 2006 and '07. His career-high of 16 TDs in '06 was something to behold as the Barbarian ran over and through people on his way to the end zone.

If Barber can return to those levels after scoring "just" nine touchdowns like he did last year then that will be the key. Because although Barber is two years younger than Portis, there's no question Portis gets more carries.

That will likely be true even if Ladell Betts cuts into Portis' workload more often this season. Portis topped 20 carries in 12 games last season, including the last three weeks when most fantasy owners will tell you he faded.

Meanwhile, Barber had 20-plus carries just four times last season and will likely continue to share touches with Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, who proved his worth as a late-season injury replacement.

Of course, it's the heavy workload that has some owners worried about Portis' ability to stay healthy. There's some strong evidence -- and colleague Brad Pinkerton will have more on this on Friday -- that running backs who cross the 345-carry threshold have problems staying upright the following season. Portis had 342 carries in '08.

But you can't argue with Portis' track record, and he has been relatively durable lately. Portis has topped 1,000 yards rushing in six of his seven seasons, and he has played in 16 games in three of the last four years. (He missed time in '06 due to a shoulder injury.)

Barber has never had a 1,000-yard rushing season, but he makes up for that with his touchdowns and work in the passing game.

The Redskins seem less inclined to use Portis in the passing game as his receptions dropped to 28 last season. Meanwhile, the Cowboys could use Barber more now that Terrell Owens is gone. And even in a year when he missed time due to injury Barber still had 52 receptions last season.

So here we are at decision time, and it really comes down to whether you like proven production and touches or upside with boom-or-bust touchdowns. I'll stick with the proven guy (Portis), but I have to admit I agonized greatly over this pick.



(sportingnews.com)