Washington is 21-5 when back rushes for more than 100 yards
ASHBURN – One play into his season Clinton Portis anticipated another triple-digit day, reaching a number he hasn’t sniffed in a while. A 34-yard run, three yards longer than any carry last year, prompted grand visions.
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And Portis dared to dream.
“After that run I’m thinking, ‘Ooooo, 150,'” Portis said.
It didn’t happen. He managed just 28 yards on his next 15 carries. And so he anticipated what has come next: questions about if he got the ball enough. With Ladell Betts taking most of the third-down snaps, Portis’ opportunities decreased.
He still touched the ball 17 times, with one reception for 10 yards, but he only finished with 72 total yards.
And when Portis isn’t productive, the offense typically stalls. It’s obvious that a team will win more games when its top backs finish with a lot of rushing yards. His yards per carry is telling as well: Since 2004, when Portis averages at least four yards a carry, the Redskins are 24-11. It’s a sign they’re in control.
“It’s real important with all the play-action stuff we have,” Redskins receiver Antwaan Randle El said.
“That’s how we get big plays,” Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell said. “Clinton is a big part of what we do and we’ll put him in position to make plays. But it’s important to get all the guys going, not just Clinton.”
But getting Portis going means the running game is powering the offense, and the game. They’re 21-5 when he surpasses 100 yards since he joined the team in 2004.
“I would love to tell you I can carry this organization,” Portis said, “but we have a lot of talent on the field. I can’t be selfish and say, ‘Give me the ball.’ You know I want the ball. Coach knows I want the ball. But if we only have 40 plays, there’s nothing he can do about it.”
Nor is he upset about coming out on third downs. He, and the Redskins, hope that playing Ladell Betts on third downs keeps Portis from wearing down. Portis did not think the Redskins became predictable, despite a heavy percentage of runs when he was in the game (16).
“I’m all for Ladell being a third-down back,” Portis said. “‘Oh, Clinton, he can’t carry the team, he’s banged up.’ They’re giving me an opportunity to stay fresh the whole season.
“Once it picks up, you really see the gist of what we’re trying to do and then it’s going to be like, ‘Oh, the Redskins are spreading the ball around.’ When it’s Clinton, Clinton, Clinton, all the callers and reporters say they need to do more, Clinton can’t do it all. Now that we’re trying to do more, it’s, ‘Doing more isn’t working, get the ball back to Clinton.'”
Not that he’s satisfied with what happened Sunday, personally or for the team.
“Hopefully,” he said, “this is my breakout week.”
