But Zorn is finding out what Joe Gibbs and Al Saunders discovered the previous two years. Sellers can be a good change-up to throw at a defense. In Sunday’s 20-17 win over Seattle, the Redskins used Sellers more in the passing game as he caught four passes for 30 yards (he also dropped one). He also ran one time for five yards.

He entered the game with four catches and one carry. For this reason:

“Each play is so critical,” Zorn said. “What if on one of those three or four plays I called to Mike, had I given it to Clinton he would have gained 20 yards.”

And more often than not, Portis is gaining those 20 yards because he’s following Sellers. That’s who he trailed on his 23-yard carry against Seattle in the second quarter. Two plays later Sellers led Portis on a seven-yard gain. And Portis hitched a ride behind Sellers on two consecutive isolation plays in the first quarter that gained a combined 16 yards. In the fourth quarter, from their own 4-yard line, the Redskins ran that isolation play to Portis three straight times and, with Sellers in the lead, it gained a combined 40 yards.

“It’s like having six offensive linemen out there,” center Casey Rabach said. “As big and as physical as he is, to have him in there and do what he does, that’s when we’re operating at our best.”

Sellers also lined up wide in the left slot on one occasion, blocking for Santana Moss on a slip screen that gained 24 yards. And Sellers even caught a screen pass — that gained 12 yards.

Zorn said Sellers got more opportunities because of Portis’ health. They wanted to give him a break and Sellers could provide that, along with Ladell Betts. It’s likely part of the reason they released Shaun Alexander on Tuesday — re-signing defensive tackle Ryan Boschetti — because Sellers could fill the role in a pinch.

“No one knew I was calling the screen and all of a sudden I called the screen and everyone’s going, ‘Oh, no, Mike’s in there!’” Zorn said. “It was wonderful that Mike had so much success doing different things.”