When Clinton Portis ran onto the field carrying a “21” flag yesterday, who knew that would nearly be his rushing total?
The Redskins pregame ceremony for the late safety Sean Taylor seemed sterile. So was the offense in the 23-7 loss to the New York Giants. As gloomy as the weather, the Redskins recent offensive malaise continued for their third loss in four games.
Portis delivered his worst outing since 2006 with 22 yards on 11 carries. When Washington gambled on fourth-and-one with 9:37 remaining, Portis couldn’t get the needed three feet as fans began a mass exodus from FedEx Field that was nearly empty aside Giants backers over the final minutes.
A jammed neck in the second quarter didn’t help given Portis is already a walking medical chart of ailments. But, Portis was so hoping for a tribute game for his fallen friend. One year after Taylor’s slaying, Portis still dresses each day by his former teammate’s locker. The first game last season after Taylor’s death was harder than yesterday, Portis said, but there were some teary-eyes around him before the game.
This wasn’t how the Redskins wanted the honor the late Pro Bowler. They wanted a statement game to strengthen their wild card chances by beating the best team in football. Instead, Washington was once again silenced by a real Super Bowl contender.
“I really don’t think we got established on offense — period,” Portis said. “The plays were there. We just didn’t capitalize.”
The Redskins (7-5) need Portis to carry them in the final weeks. Instead, he finished the game on the bench in pain. A grinding season may have sapped him after 255 carries and 1,228 yards. The offensive line isn’t helping. Neither is the passing game.
Portis was once strong enough to carry the offense himself. Indeed, he led the Redskins over Seattle one week earlier with 143 yards. He claims mounting injuries won’t overcome him.
“You come to the realization, ‘I’ve got all offseason to recover,’” Portis said, “and I don’t want to go home early. If I can find a way to keep pushing week in and week out, keep fighting with my teammates. … If I take a blow that takes me out, then it takes me out. But if I can continue to fight back, I’ll fight back.”
Now that type effort would make Sean Taylor proud.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
