1. Should they play Clinton Portis again?
It’s easy to see why the coaches would want to play him again. They’re fighting for their jobs at this point. And the running back situation is not a desirable one. Portis would help. However, it’s hard to understand why Portis would want to play. He’d run behind a line that isn’t good for a team heading nowhere. His concussion will sideline him for a third game Sunday, which clearly illustrates the severity of the injury. What is the risk should he return? And are those risks worth it for a team that could finish with double-digit losses?
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2. How badly will Gregg Williams want to beat his old team?
Anyone who ever chatted with the New Orleans defensive coordinator for about, oh, five minutes realizes the massive chip he carries on his shoulder and the pride he has, not to mention the competitive streak. And, maybe you’ve heard, he wasn’t pleased with how Washington treated him after Joe Gibbs retired. He won’t turn this into a Pete Carroll moment; but he will want to prove a point. Come to think of it, he’ll want Sean Payton to prove one, too, by tearing up his former defense.
3. How much more can Jason Campbell survive?
So the Redskins try to land another starting quarterback in the offseason, then they put Campbell behind a line with unproven depth (read: stocked with too many guys who would not have made many rosters; at least not of playoff wannabes). Thanks for the love, guys. Seriously, the Redskins will start three linemen Sunday who would not be on the roster of a playoff team. Behind this, Campbell is supposed to salvage his career (and save Jim Zorn’s). He hasn’t proven he can be a franchise quarterback, but has shown an awful lot the past three games, even if his passer rating does not reflect it. But he’s getting pummeled. Anytime he takes more than a three-step drop, he gets crunched. He’s tough, but he’s not indestructible.
