Eagles' plan is to limit 'Skins Portis
Rushing defense has gotten stingy
PHILADELPHIA -- Sometimes porous and sometimes parsimonious, the Eagles' run defense has become more consistently stout over the past three weeks - a trait that should come in handy Sunday night.
Their plan to stop the Washington Redskins' offense revolves around their ability to contain running back Clinton Portis, who regained his footing last week after some midseason struggles. He gained a total of 54 yards rushing over two weeks - one of which was the Redskins' 28-6 loss at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 21 - but rebounded to rush for 148 yards in last Sunday's victory over the New York Giants.
It is up to Portis to take pressure off young Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey, and the Eagles know this. After all, they know taking away an opponent's running game can hinder even the most unflappable quarterbacks, as witnessed last week in their dismantling of Green Bay. By limiting Packers running back Ahman Green to 37 rushing yards, the Eagles were free to harass Brett Favre all evening.
Even though Portis found little space in his first meeting against the Eagles, their defensive unit is ready for him this week. "He's a great football player and our team respects the heck out of him," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "We know what he can do when given the opportunity, so you try to limit his opportunities."
Over the past two seasons the Eagles have let several opposing rushers explode for big days, but it hasn't always cost them victories. With their offense so dangerous this year, the defense doesn't have to fret so much whenever a running back is allowed to run free.
Four times in the Eagles' first seven games, the opposition accumulated more than 100 rushing yards. But it was only perceived to be a problem after Nov. 7, when Jerome Bettis rumbled for 149 yards and Pittsburgh handed the Eagles their only defeat.
In the four games since, the Eagles have given up one 100-yard-plus rushing performance, to Tiki Barber and the Giants on Nov. 28.
A big reason for that is the emergence of Jeremiah Trotter, who was inserted into the starting middle linebacker's job after the loss to the Steelers and has helped fortify the run defense.
"It's good that you can come in and help out and make a difference," Trotter said. "It's a great feeling."
Still, the unit will have to deal with some changes along the line. With defensive end Derrick Burgess out for Sunday's game, Hugh Douglas will be counted on more often to stop the run. Meanwhile, tackle Paul Grasmanis is expected to see his first game action of the season, rotating in behind Corey Simon and Hollis Thomas.
On Friday, tackle Sam Rayburn suffered a strained knee in practice and was added to the injury report, listed as questionable, but Reid believes Rayburn will be able to play.
The line shuffling, coupled with the fact the team's previous meeting is still fresh in the Redskins' minds, concerns Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.
"It's a two-edged sword," Johnson said. "They kind of know what we're going to do, and maybe they're going to change right away. On the other hand, we want to change just a little bit. We don't want to be exactly what we were last time. Our game plan has changed."
They've allowed for the idea that a resurgent Portis could do some damage.
"Is he going to gain yards? He's going to gain yards because he's a great player," Reid said. "You just try to limit it as best you can."
Notable
Guards Jermane Mayberry and Artis Hicks both practiced Friday and appear ready to start Sunday. Mayberry (calf) missed the Green Bay game and Hicks has sat out since suffering a sprained knee in the first meeting against the Redskins. "I'm ready to get back out there," Hicks said. ... Trotter said he sees no reason to be excited about returning to FedEx Field, his home stadium the past two seasons. "It isn't anything special," he said. "There was more of a feeling when they came [to Philadelphia]." ... Reid said running back Reno Mahe (ankle) would likely not play this weekend despite practicing much of the week.
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