Portis, Betts Impress During Opening Half

[1niksder]

Zorn Says He May Use Them Together

By Andrew Astleford
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, August 10, 2008; Page D17

Surrounded with new responsibility following the introduction of Coach Jim Zorn's West Coast system, veterans Ladell Betts and Clinton Portis made productive returns to the field for the first time this preseason.

Betts ran for 41 yards on five carries, Portis had 18 yards on seven attempts, and each scored a touchdown during the Washington Redskins' 17-14 victory over the Buffalo Bills last night at FedEx Field.

Portis didn't play past the first quarter, and Betts didn't play after the second. For Zorn, however, their play was a welcome sight after both missed last Sunday's preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

"Very impressed with our run game," Zorn said. "I was really excited that Clinton Portis came in. You watch as you see the suddenness of his moves, and his ability to move and then re-accelerate, you can see what kind of a special back he really is.

"I didn't know that Ladell was going to play as much as he did. He did a wonderful job too. We have two strong running backs there."

As expected, Portis's night didn't last long. On Thursday, offensive coordinator Sherman Smith said Portis needed live game experience in the system but would play a limited role. Portis went longer than Smith's prediction of 10 plays, staying in the game for two drives during which he caught one pass for five yards in addition to his run production. He capped his night with a one-yard touchdown run on fourth down to give the Redskins a 7-3 lead with 51 seconds left in the first quarter.

Portis's brief play was more than during the entire 2007 preseason. Because knee tendinitis and a separated shoulder hampered his agility in training camp, Portis didn't take one preseason handoff

But Washington didn't hesitate to call upon Portis during a variety of first-quarter scenarios last night. His first two carries occurred during mid-range second-down plays, during which he gained three yards. Then on second and 10 from the Buffalo 29, Portis burst through the middle for 11 yards, his longest run of the night.

He also took part in play-action, getting open in the flat to the right of Jason Campbell and catching a five-yard pass to open the 12-play, 53-yard drive that resulted in his touchdown run.

"It was good to be out there," Portis said. "I just wanted to go out there and perform well mentally. I just wanted to make sure that I got the right reads, picked up my assignments, ran the right routes, had the right depth and just got a feel for the game."

Betts shouldered a majority of the backfield production in the second quarter. His longest run was for 12 yards through the heart of the defense to the Bills 16 in the opening quarter. Then about midway through the second quarter, Betts cradled a short pass from Todd Collins and tight-roped the right sideline before slipping into the end zone to give the Redskins a 14-3 lead.

Betts's night ended after the second quarter. On the last play of the half, he caught a 17-yard pass from Collins and picked himself from the ground favoring his left leg. At the beginning of the second half, Betts came out of the tunnel without pads. Afterward, Zorn said Betts wasn't seriously hurt.

Zorn has said he could utilize sets with both Portis and Betts in the backfield during the regular season to confuse defenses. If their performances last night were any indication, it could be a productive year in the Redskins' backfield.

"It's good for us to move the ball like we want to," Betts said. "We're running base plays, but we're running the ball pretty much like we want to."

Portis showed he didn't want to be out there last night. I don't think he needed to play but because he did he should have "played"

[Skinna Mob]

Its only preseason...blah blah blah. But its good to see confidence in the team, the players, and the coaches.

[Gibbs4Life]

Haven't looked at the scores around the league but is it a trend that the home team is coming away with these preseason games? I'm hoping we can go 5-0 in preseason action, this franchise has learned that preseason attitude carries over into the real show.

[tribeofjudah]

Betts wanted to make a statement....he did
Portis was playing cautious....didn't impress me but I know what he can do.

[Cappster]

Portis made a nice block on a blitz pickup. He gave enough effort to protect his quarterback.

[Irn-Bru]

It was great to see Portis out there. I just want him to be in shape come the start of the regular season.

[joebagadonuts]

The best part about seeing Portis out there was that Zorn 'told' him to to, and he didn't complain about it. Many other players would have made it into a media war. I agree that the only plays that it seemed Portis was running hard was the TD, and the blitz pick-up.

[yupchagee]

Betts wanted to make a statement....he did
Portis was playing cautious....didn't impress me but I know what he can do.

I think he needed to after the way Rock & Mason played the previous week.

[VetSkinsFan]

Betts wanted to make a statement....he did
Portis was playing cautious....didn't impress me but I know what he can do.

I think he needed to after the way Rock & Mason played the previous week.

Betts isn't going to lose his spot to Mason and Rock this year....

[yupchagee]

Betts wanted to make a statement....he did
Portis was playing cautious....didn't impress me but I know what he can do.

I think he needed to after the way Rock & Mason played the previous week.

Betts isn't going to lose his spot to Mason and Rock this year....

Unlikely, but he had to have noticed how well they played. Stranger things have happened.

[VetSkinsFan]

Betts wanted to make a statement....he did
Portis was playing cautious....didn't impress me but I know what he can do.

I think he needed to after the way Rock & Mason played the previous week.

Betts isn't going to lose his spot to Mason and Rock this year....

Unlikely, but he had to have noticed how well they played. Stranger things have happened.

Betts is a solid player, and I don't think ANY preseaon showing will be influential enough to take his spot. The ONLY way I see Betts lsoing his spot is if he pisses off the coaches, which I've heard nothing bad about his attitude or work ethic.

[SkinsHead56]

Portis showed he didn't want to be out there last night. I don't think he needed to play but because he did he should have "played"

The last time Portis "played " in a preseason game he separated his shoulder making a tackle on an interception return. No sir, I do not want CP to "play" these games.

In the preseason, I would much rather see CP line up correctly, make his assigned blocks take a couple of carries. Then get to the sidelines take off the shoulder pads and cheer the young guys on.

I want to see CP "play" on Sept. 4th.

[VetSkinsFan]

Portis showed he didn't want to be out there last night. I don't think he needed to play but because he did he should have "played"

The last time Portis "played " in a preseason game he separated his shoulder making a tackle on an interception return. No sir, I do not want CP to "play" these games.

In the preseason, I would much rather see CP line up correctly, make his assigned blocks take a couple of carries. Then get to the sidelines take off the shoulder pads and cheer the young guys on.

I want to see CP "play" on Sept. 4th.

I concur.

[scottcacciatore]

Portis in the best shape of his career. The Skins with alot of weapons on the outside which will help to open up running lanes. New west coast offense will make Campbell very efficient and force defenses to respect the pass. The result: Clinton Portis runs for 1500 yards along with 500 years receiving. He makes a run at the MVP and he will be a top 3 fantasy player this season. Scott Cacciatore has em ranked LT, Stephen Jackson, Portis, Westbrook, Addai, A Peterson

[VetSkinsFan]

Portis in the best shape of his career. The Skins with alot of weapons on the outside which will help to open up running lanes. New west coast offense will make Campbell very efficient and force defenses to respect the pass. The result: Clinton Portis runs for 1500 yards along with 500 years receiving. He makes a run at the MVP and he will be a top 3 fantasy player this season. Scott Cacciatore has em ranked LT, Stephen Jackson, Portis, Westbrook, Addai, A Peterson

I wouldn't put Portis in front of Westbrook. Another thing that opens up lanes is that we have bigger WRs to block better (in theory) for the running game.

[GSPODS]

Portis in the best shape of his career. The Skins with alot of weapons on the outside which will help to open up running lanes. New west coast offense will make Campbell very efficient and force defenses to respect the pass. The result: Clinton Portis runs for 1500 yards along with 500 years receiving. He makes a run at the MVP and he will be a top 3 fantasy player this season. Scott Cacciatore has em ranked LT, Stephen Jackson, Portis, Westbrook, Addai, A Peterson

Portis is in the best shape of his career? According to whom?
The Redskins have a lot of weapons on the outside? Again, according to whom? The new WCO isn't new, and doesn't earn respect just because a team uses it. It also doesn't make a QB efficient. Nor does the system force opposing defenses to respect the passing game.

It is entirely possible Clinton Portis will have 1500 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving, but not based upon the speculative reasoning in this post. Rushing begins and ends with the offensive line, not with the WCO or the wide receivers on the outside. Do "The Smurfs" ring any bells?

Finally, whether I agree or disagree with the rankings of the named running backs, in my opinion, that post would be better addressed in the Fantasy forum, as opposed to the HogWash forum. Again, my opinion alone, and, as anyone will be thrilled to point out, I'm not a Staff member.

Again, in my opinion, quotes from Redskins coaches, players, front office personnel, etc. are very helpful in backing opinions. They are also nearly a requirement in HogWash, because without sourced information, any post looks like nothing more than unfounded opinion.

Portis may be in the best shape of his career. Is there a quote or a link to back the statement?

The Redskins have a lot of potential weapons on the outside. As of this minute, not even the coaching staff can say the team has a lot of actual weapons on the outside. For one thing, Thomas just came back from a hamstring, and Kelly is still out. For another thing, nobody, including the coaching staff, knows who will or will not make the final roster aside from the obvious starters. If it was cut-and-dried, there would be no need for 80 player training camp rosters.

Because this thread is specific to Clinton Portis, I'll stop there. A lot of Redskins fans think Portis could have a career year. Portis averages 4.5 yards per carry for his career, so for him to have the 1500 yard rushing season predicted, he would have to carry the ball @ 350 times.
The most carries Portis has had in a season was 352 in 2005 under Joe "I never met a one point lead I wouldn't try to run the clock out on" Gibbs.
I don't see Portis having that many carries in a Jim Zorn WCO. I would guess closer to 300 than to 350. That would give Portis roughly 1350 rushing yards for the season. I think Portis will have more than his career total of 47 receptions in the Jim Zorn offense, and I think 1800 total yards is within reason. Then again, nobody is paying me to think about the Redskins, so take that with a grain of salt. Or a salt lick. Or a block of salt. Or a salt mine.