Portis proving he’s not just another tailback

[24champ]

ASHBURN, Va. – The little yellow piece of paper handed to Clinton Portis contained nine names. When he pored over them, his sleepy eyes went wide as silver dollars, and he chuckled softly as he ticked off the names on the list.

Reuben Droughns … Mike Anderson … Tatum Bell … Cecil Sapp … Mike Bell … Travis Henry … Selvin Young … Andre Hall … Michael Pittman.

He knew the common thread immediately. The list bore the names of nine running backs who have started at least one game for the Broncos since Portis was traded by that franchise before the 2004 season. Players that, as the logic went at the time he was dealt to the Washington Redskins, could simply be plugged into Denver’s system with the same megawatt results Portis delivered his first two seasons in the NFL.

“It’s all about the system, right?” Portis said with a grin. “Well then, I guess right now they are trapped in the system.”

Four and a half seasons have passed, and the Broncos still haven’t found an adequate replacement for their onetime superstar. But this isn’t about revisionist history. Even Portis isn’t foolish enough to suggest Denver made a mistake dealing him for cornerback Champ Bailey. Instead, as he stands at the latest peak in his career – and holding a commanding lead in the league’s rushing race with 818 yards – the 27-year old Portis believes he is delivering a salient rebuttal to NFL theory. One that teammate Shaun Alexander summed up best.

“You can find running backs,” Alexander said. “But can you find great ones?”

It was a rhetorical question. As the former league MVP Alexander learned, the NFL sucks the lifeblood from its runners and unceremoniously discards the carcasses. But in the rare event a franchise finds a lasting, consistent star, it often protects him like plutonium. And Portis is making his case as one of the enduring elements of his era, off to the best start of his seven-year career and on pace to rush for 1,869 yards and 16 touchdowns. With the Redskins paving a road as NFC Super Bowl contenders, those would be MVP-type digits, even as the league splits at the seams with bloated quarterback statistics.

That success is a shot across the bow of Portis’ past critics, a cadre of fans and media analysts who forecasted his demise as an injury-prone player and criticized his practice dedication under former coach Joe Gibbs. But there was a shift this offseason, when Portis restructured his contract to gain a $9.2 million signing bonus and $15.7 million in guaranteed money through 2010. Within that deal were financial incentives for Portis’ participation in Washington’s offseason program – something he had always eschewed to spend the spring and summer in Florida, working out near his home with former University of Miami teammates.

That changed this offseason, when Portis stayed in Virginia and participated in the Redskins’ array of workouts and minicamps. Now seven games into the season, Portis is once again teasing fans with his big-play ability. He’s notched eight carries of 20 yards or more so far. By comparison, he had only six 20-plus runs in his previous two seasons under Joe Gibbs.

All the while, he has tested first-year coach Jim Zorn, who’s been both openly stern and demanding of Portis’ practice involvement. And when he doesn’t get it, you can hear the annoyance in Zorn’s voice, such as this week, which has seen Portis miss practice while resting his hip.

“He’s the kind of player that every coach would dream about on Sunday,” Zorn said. “I dream about a more participatory player in practice. But I will say this – he gives it up during the games and wears himself out. He wants to rest during the week. It’s not conducive to all the things that we want to try to do, but it’s what we’ve got to work with.

“I’m not OK with him not practicing, but it’s a necessity. He does get dinged up. And physically he needs to rest, so we’re giving him a rest.”

Heart of the offense

Certainly it has been hard for Zorn to mount a serious complaint. Portis has been the lever cranking the offense, helping to take pressure off young quarterback Jason Campbell, while also protecting the signal-caller as arguably the best blocking running back in the NFL.

And there is little to suggest Portis’ time off is hurting him. While the coaching staff could microwave your brain with all the statistical analysis, there are a few indicators suggesting Portis’ offseason work has made him significantly stronger in the early going. Whereas last season he averaged around 4 yards per carry no matter when he touched the ball, Portis is building his production to a climax as games go on this season, averaging 3.3 yards per carry in the first quarter, 4.6 in the second, 6.7 in the third and 5.4 in the fourth. That’s reflected in his attempts as well: He’s averaging 3.6 yards per carry in his first 10 attempts, 6.1 yards per carry in his second 10 attempts, and a spectacular 7.3 yards in carries 21 to 25.

That’s a clear indicator of defenses wearing down as games go on. And Portis believes it is reflective of an offense that is completely healthy and settled for the first time in his career – from the line to the tight ends to the wide receivers and quarterback. Not to mention fullback Mike Sellers.

“Think about it. In five years, I’ve had four quarterbacks,” Portis said. “I’ve had four offensive coordinators. I’ve had 10 different offensive linemen. I’ve had four tight ends. Receivers like Laveranues Coles, Rod Gardner, Brandon Lloyd – all of those guys came and went. You look for consistency, and something was always changing.”

Something other than Portis, that is. Despite all the shuffling that went on around him, his detractors often failed to appreciate that he has been one of the most dependable running backs in the league during his tenure. Since entering the NFL in 2002, only LaDainain Tomlinson has rushed for more regular-season yardage in the past six-plus seasons – 9,860 to Portis’ 8,533 – but Tomlinson’s done it playing in 11 more games.

Yet it may be this year that Portis finally receives the ultimate recognition, and ironically, behind a line and in a scheme that he seemed to criticize earlier this season. In September, he told the Washington Post he would like to go to a team with the best offensive line or scheme and see what kind of numbers he could put up.

“Nobody took it to heart,” center Casey Rabach said. “It’s another thing Clinton will say and another thing we can rip Clinton for.”

Reminded that the running game took off shortly after he made the remark, Portis jokingly took another jab at his line.

“I might need to spark them again,” he said. “I’m about to throw them under the bus again. Randy Thomas, you suck. Casey, you suck. Pete Kendall, you suck. If they are going to come out and respond behind my comments, that’s great. I think everybody in the locker room knows I’ve always given everything I’ve got for my line and my teammates.”

Handing out punishment

Regardless of where he stood at the beginning of the season, Portis has never been wanting in the eyes of his opponents. He’s widely regarded across the NFL as one of the most complete running backs. Beyond his running ability, he consistently delivers some of the most punishing blocks seen by running backs. That much was on display in the season opener when he pancaked Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, and it’s typically a focal point in opposing defensive meetings.

“He isn’t going to cut you – he goes right for your facemask,” said Lions defensive tackle Cory Redding. “You don’t see that a lot in today’s NFL with small backs. They see big guys coming, they go right for the kneecaps. Portis, he goes right for you and hits you in your chest and makes you take him. I respect that about him.”

“He’s wicked,” Zorn said. “Watch him without the ball. He’s not watching the game. He’s always participating in something. When he comes out for a breather, he gets a lot of oxygen on the sideline. The reason he does is because when he’s not carrying the ball, he’s going to hunt someone. And if you’re not ready for it, you will be tagged. He is a violent player.”

While his blocking and rushing have been amongst the league’s best – and he is a serviceable receiver out of the backfield – the coaching staff has still found minor tweaks. Running-backs coach Stump Mitchell has had Portis work on locking onto a defender’s eyes right until he makes a move, in hopes of cutting down the angles a tackler can take when Portis looks in the direction of his next cut.

Meanwhile, Zorn is still trying to find the right balance with the passing game, in hopes of opening up the offense and some larger leads. Since losing to the Giants 16-7 in the season opener, all of Washington’s games have been decided by a touchdown or less. But in that span, teams have also started to creep up against Washington’s running game, in response to Portis’ dominance.

No matter what defenses do, it’s not likely to change Washington’s scheme drastically. Zorn has tailored his West Coast offense around Portis, not unlike what he saw as the quarterbacks coach in Seattle under Mike Holmgren. No running back in the NFL carried the ball more than Alexander from 2003 to 2005, a period that saw him notch 1,049 rushing attempts and included Alexander’s 370-carry MVP season in 2005.

Now Alexander is sitting behind Portis on the depth chart, and witnessing something that seems very familiar.

“When I was on a streak like that (during the MVP season), I just felt like, I’m going to stay in this groove and let them ride me all the way to the Super Bowl,” Alexander said. “I tell Clinton, ‘Get your rest. We’re going to ride you all the way.’ ”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

[Broncoman13]

I'm happy for Clinton. He's not the classiest guy in the NFL but he left Denver on good terms and has always been fond of the franchise with gentle or kind words. I hope he rushes for 1700 yards and a league MVP, that would really bring the Madden Crowd to the Mane!!!

[Malcontent]

For a 210 lb RB the dude really brings it every game....I saw him level a DLman last week that was unbeleivable! Then went on for 27 carries, and all with a bum hip. He's tough as nails, and also wears stupid shoes....

[broncofan2438]

Sure wish we still had him

[bronco militia]

he's finally in the right offense

[Popps]

Yea, I doubted his ability to take this many carries. We'll see how it plays out. He's stayed relatively healthy, though. Washington has to be happy with the trade at this point.

[watermock]

And weve got the 16m Bailey brothers.

[Ray Finkle]

I'd rather have Champ.....

[(Jae)]

Originally Posted by Ray Finkle

I'd rather have Champ.....

Not in this system...

[cabronco]

I can't stand that costume freak !















Dam I wish we still had him though. The guy was a threat to go the distance everytime he touched the ball in the Bronco system. I wonder if they'd reconsider the trade right about now.

[azbroncfan]

At this point I would take CP over Champ because with Champ the D is still the worst in the league. Where are all the guys that said he was worn out and ran into the ground?

[lex]

In Denver the system amplifies the skills of the RB more than it amplifies the skills of the CB...or any defender for that matter. Portis was/is a great runner and in Denver he was lethal. The trade was an overreaction and a miscalculation...that being that it takes two good CBs and other good players on defense. Meanwhile in Denver, a RB like Portis always gives you a chance to dictate terms which helps the defense. We overreacted because Manning exploited our weak CBs...but not every team has a Peyton Manning...and its also a possibilty that the 2nd CB might be just as important as the best CB, or moreso even a pass rush. We would have been better off with Portis even though Champ is a great player.

[BlaK-Argentina]

Originally Posted by (Jae)

Not in this system...

As much as I LOVE Champ and appreciate what he's done here... we would be a closer to winning a title if we had Portis right now. Champ can't do it alone on defense, but Portis would already have a terrific supporting cast. Imagine this offense with Portis...

[ludo21]

good for him, i think the trade worked out well for both parties.

[Cito Pelon]

Don't get me started on 'The Trade'. Too late. Shanny trades a kid, just a kid, two years in the League and had 31 TD's in 25 games. Had the highest YPC to start a career of any RB in NFL history, obviously a potential HOF'r. Trades him for a CB that is certainly damn good, but a CB can't match that production, no way. Pays the CB more than Portis got paid, then flubs the only redeeming factor in the trade, the 2nd rounder which turned into Tatum Bell, who produces 13 TD's in 42 games for the Broncs and is currently out of the NFL.

[Bronco Yoda]

Good for CP.

I'm still happy with the trade.

[Cito Pelon]

Originally Posted by bronco militia

he's finally in the right offense

Hell, he was in the right offense in Denver! Rod Smith loved the kid, so did Alex Gibbs, the entire OL, the entire team. Except for Shanny. Weak trade. Shanny thought he could cover his weak attempts at finding a cornerback by acquiring Champ. Trouble is he had to make that 2nd-rounder into a replacement for Portis, and he didn't.

[Jason in LA]

The Broncos still came out way ahead in that trade. Until this year there was no question. So Portis has a great start and the Broncos struggle on D, and now it's the other way around? What ever. I guess they want to just erase all those other years when Champ killing it and Portis was struggling. And the first three names on that list of RBs all went for 1,000 yards. Hell, I like Droughns and MA did better than what Portis did.

[Jason in LA]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

Don't get me started on 'The Trade'. Too late. Shanny trades a kid, just a kid, two years in the League and had 31 TD's in 25 games. Had the highest YPC to start a career of any RB in NFL history, obviously a potential HOF'r. Trades him for a CB that is certainly damn good, but a CB can't match that production, no way. Pays the CB more than Portis got paid, then flubs the only redeeming factor in the trade, the 2nd rounder which turned into Tatum Bell, who produces 13 TD's in 42 games for the Broncs and is currently out of the NFL.

Champ has been a much better player than Portis since the trade. It's not even close.

I was never a big fan of Portis, and I was very happy when the Broncos made that trade. Portis had pretty stats, but he just wasn't effective. He got stuffed too much, and then broke a long run, so his ypc went way up, and he had high light runs that ESPN played all the time. One thing that pissed me off was that he didn't finish a lot of his long runs. He'd break a long run, get caught, and the Broncos would end up kicking a FG. He wasn't tough enough. It was a great trade.

[lex]

Originally Posted by Jason in LA

The Broncos still came out way ahead in that trade. Until this year there was no question. So Portis has a great start and the Broncos struggle on D, and now it's the other way around? What ever. I guess they want to just erase all those other years when Champ killing it and Portis was struggling. And the first three names on that list of RBs all went for 1,000 yards. Hell, I like Droughns and MA did better than what Portis did.

No not whatever. Portis and Davis are clearly the best RBs to ever play for Denver in the Shanahan era. Of the various RBs, those are the two that are generally considered to be legit. But with RBs, there is a utility factor that actually amplifies the skill of the RB. On the defensive side, however, no such utility exists. Players are made to be worse than they are. And one of the reasons is that against good QBs the worst CB on the field matters as much as the best CB. While Champ is a great player...far better than either Crockett or Gordon. Champ and _________ is not and the ________ is the guy who matters. against good teams..plus Champ is dependent on a pass rush and a competent scheme, which we're seeing this year with the ridiculous cushions that are exploiting Blys inability to tackle.

However with Portis, he gave us the means with which to protect the defense by running the ball and he also helped the OLine with his speed by not leaving long runs on the field. I die a little bit inside when I see Portis talk about the Denver system. He still talks about it with reverance when he has every reason to be bitter. Thats how much he was suited to play in Denver and thats the real shame.

[lex]

Originally Posted by Jason in LA

Champ has been a much better player than Portis since the trade. It's not even close.

I was never a big fan of Portis, and I was very happy when the Broncos made that trade. Portis had pretty stats, but he just wasn't effective. He got stuffed too much, and then broke a long run, so his ypc went way up, and he had high light runs that ESPN played all the time. One thing that pissed me off was that he didn't finish a lot of his long runs. He'd break a long run, get caught, and the Broncos would end up kicking a FG. He wasn't tough enough. It was a great trade.

Portis has been playing under Gibbs for how many years? Gibbs doesnt exactly utilize Portis as well as Denver did. Gibbs is a HOF coach but he made his reputation with a different type of RB than Portis. But if you look at the stats, Portis has better numbers than Riggins under Gibbs. This is a credit to Portis. Even though it didnt maximize his talents, he was a good soldier and kept sticking his nose in there on the counter trey.

Meanwhile, in Denver Champ has been a relative non-factor the past two years because there is another CB that offenses can exploit, whereas this is not so with RB.

[Bronco Yoda]

You'll think no-factor. You think our D had been bad so far... just wait and see the next two months. Fasten those seat belts Broncos nation. It's going to be a bumpy ride with Champ out.

[yavoon]

don't forget we also got a second rounder! which ended up being tatu.....oh damn.

[extralife]

Man, I love CP. He's my second favorite playing in the NFL...behind Champ Bailey. Sometimes that's how it works out.

Seriously though, CP is a great, great player. Washington has had absolutely no idea how to use him, and all he does is take the abuse, force himself into a mold that isn't really suited, on paper, to his game, and excel at it. He's a stud and Washington is finally recognizing that fact.

[lex]

Originally Posted by Bronco Yoda

You'll think no-factor. You think our D had been bad so far... just wait and see the next two months. Fasten those seat belts Broncos nation. It's going to be a bumpy ride with Champ out.

OK, because of their ability to focus on other areas, Champ becomes by default a non-factor. Whether they do it against 2 CBs now vs 1 before, isnt as consequential as the fact that in either case they are/were moving the ball.