Were this a regular-season game, Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis might approach facing his former team with more intensity.
Though his competitive side would love to show the Denver Broncos what they traded away this spring, priority belongs to Portis' logical side, which enters tonight's Hall of Fame Game at Canton, Ohio, seeking a solid debut and execution of coach Joe Gibbs' offense. Besides, the schedulemaker will decide if and when Portis gets to make his case.
"It's a great opportunity, but it's an exhibition game and I'm really not taking it so serious," said Portis, 22. "It'll be fun seeing those guys again, and I'll try to make the best of it. Even if I do play, you're not going to see me out there a whole lot."
But as Portis' first two NFL seasons have shown, he will be seen soon enough. He has rushed for at least 1,500 yards each year, making him not only the third NFL back to do so — along with Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James — but also one of its most prolific ball carriers.
A higher profile is expected in Washington under Gibbs, who believes offense starts with a power running game. That led the Hall of Fame coach to trade Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round draft pick to Denver in March for Portis, who earned his first Pro Bowl selection after rushing for 1,591 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
Though the 5-11, 210-pounder appears smaller than past Washington standouts such as Stephen Davis and Hall of Famer John Riggins, don't be fooled. Portis' thick legs give him tremendous drive on runs up the middle, and his knack for hitting defenders as hard as they hit him explains why he averages nearly 116 rushing yards in 25 career starts.
He also protects the ball, but what has impressed Gibbs and teammates this summer is Portis' cutback ability. They saw hints of it on videotape, but the live version on display in training camp has shown them the camera only told part of the story.
"He makes my job a whole lot easier," tackle Chris Samuels said. "If I can give him a crease, I know he can take it the distance. He's just a fast guy, a smart guy, a great runner and particularly a great cutback runner. He's been one of the best at this level for a while, and we're glad to have him here."
"Having him was a priority," said Gibbs, who plans a lot of carries for Portis. "Clinton's a proven product, he's had two years with 1,500 rushing yards and all the other things he's done. He's extremely quick, plus he's a real tough guy."
Portis said his only adjustment has been getting used to wearing pads this early in camp, which didn't seem like much until a heat wave passed through last week and contributed to a groin pull that kept him out of several workouts. On balance, he played football in worse humidity in his native Florida, first at Gainesville High and later at the University of Miami. Draining as those days were, Portis looks back on them fondly because they prepared him.
That approach carried him through his exit from Denver, which caught many by surprise because he seemed primed to be a fixture there.
"It was a situation where I probably wore out my welcome, so it ended up being a great trade for both teams," he said. "You won't know who got the better end of it until the season is over, but I think everything will work out."
Redskins fans certainly hope so after just one playoff appearance in the 12 seasons Gibbs was out of football. That means scrutiny of Portis, who confidently responds that he's up to the challenge.
"People can't put pressure on me," he said. "I'm going to go out and be myself. I know what's expected of me, and that's what I'm going to do."
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