Clinton Portis sprints around, cutting to the side of his injured knee, running pass patterns and doing everything he’s done in the past. Yet he can’t dodge the questions: can he do all this in a game?
Pete Kendall spots a blitz coming in practice and, without needing to hear anything, slides over to pick it up, preventing a disaster. Yet the questions surround him, too: how quickly can he mesh with his linemates in a game?
As the Redskins head into the season, these are two of the biggest questions they face.
But, in some ways, they’re not all that worried about them. Ladell Betts proved last year that he’s more than acapable backup. And Kendall’s experience is soothing as well.
So, too, is the return of left tackle Chris Samuels. The Redskins actually enter the season healthier than they’ve been all summer.
“It was nice not to see all those strangers [in the huddle],” center Casey Rabach said.
Portis is the biggest question mark after having rested almost all of training camp with tendinitis in his knee. But he’s practiced for the past week and will start Sunday. However, it’s likely that Betts will end up with more carries.
Those around the NFL who wonder how much Portis can contribute immediately aren’t alone. Portis’ teammates, and coaches, wonder the same thing.
“I’m waiting to see just like you are,” corner Shawn Springs said. “He’s a competitor and he’s worked really hard. I hope he performs and runs fro 150 yards. Clinton knows his importance to our team and what to expect. We need him for our offense to do well.”
Quarterback Jason Campbell said, “For Clinton, it’s an opportunity … to just get back into a rhythm.”
The left side of the line is equally unsettled. Samuels and Kendall are both proven guys, as is Rabach. But Rabach, pointing out the blitz pickups in practice, said Kendall’s experience makes the transition easier.
“I’d be real worried if we did this move and he was a third, fourth year guy,” Rabach said. “But he’s been around and seen it all and knows what to expect. So far, so good.”
Kendall has experience in quick transitions. He signed with the Jets in early August of 2004.
“We started 5-0 and wound up winning a rushing title,” Kendall said. “I’m not trying to take credit, but it went OK. … This is a veteran group. We’ll do whatever it takes to speed up the learning process.”
