The rushing total against one of the NFL’s top defenses got him noticed. Clinton Portis ran patiently behind his offensive line, cut at the right time and ignored any shoulder woes when slamming through the middle.
And, yet, the play that stands out by him in Washington’s 36-30 win over Jacksonville is one where he never touched the ball. It also resulted in a touchdown. It also showed what separates Portis from any other running back on the Redskins, not to mention most backs in the league.
On a pass over the middle to Santana Moss, Portis sprinted downfield, blocked Jags safety Deon Grant and hit the ground. Moss continued on, cutting his way through the defense. Meanwhile, Portis shot back up, raced down again and, at the 10-yard line, blocked 6-foot-7, 325-pound defensive tackle John Henderson.
“That kind of effort,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said, “is what makes him special.”
To Portis, it was no big deal.
“When the adrenaline is flowing,” he said, “what happens on the field, I can’t describe.”
Sunday, Portis returns to the Meadowlands, site of his career-low 6-yard rushing day (on four carries) last season. But Portis returns with his value to the Redskins’ offense at an all-time high. Since his return to full-time duty, Washington has scored 67 points and gained a combined 976 yards.
It’s no coincidence.
“It’s the toughness that he brings,” Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels said. “He’s just a talented guy. We give him a little crease and he can take it the distance.”
Associate head coach/offense Al Saunders said, “He was worth 1,700 yards last year to this offense. That’s a big chunk to take out of there. He is a special back.
“When you have someone like that in the game, they have to account for him. His presence is as [important] as him getting the ball in his hands.”
Portis plays with emotion, too. He was miffed at Jaguars’ linebacker Mike Peterson for predicting before the game they’d hold him to less than 20 yards rushing.
“Only one person can hold me in the teens,” Portis said, “and that’s coach Gibbs and that’s by not giving me the ball.”
Portis understands his value in this offense goes beyond rushing totals.
“I showed the way I influenced people around me,” Portis said. “I don’t go out and say, ‘You’ve got to step your game up.’ The way I play and the excitement I play with, it elevates guys.”
Week 5 Notes
» Santana Moss will finally have a chance to do something Sunday in New York he hasn’t done in years: watch his younger brother play in person. His brother, Sinorice, is a rookie receiver with the Giants.
Sinorice Moss, a second-round pick from Miami, has one catch for four yards. Like his older brother, Sinorice Moss has speed – he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds.
Santana Moss said the last time he watched his brother play in person was when Sinorice was playing for Carol City High School in Opa Locka, Fla..
“It’ll be special,” said Santana Moss, who also has a younger brother who plays for Florida International. “Once I started playing football, I came home and told them everything, both of them. I’m still feeding them more knowledge because I didn’t have that growing up.”
» The NFC East is apparently home to the NFL’s best offenses. While Washington is third in the NFL in total offense, the Redskins don’t even crack the top two in their division. Philadelphia has the NFL’s best offense with New York second. Dallas has the sixth-rated offense.
