Portis, line propel ground game

By John Keim
Examiner Staff Writer 10/6/08

PHILADELPHIA – Clinton Portis knew whose number should be called on fourth and 1: his own. So Portis relayed that to coach Jim Zorn, who wasn't exactly a hard sell when the play was suggested.

Besides, Portis had dominated Philadelphia on the ground. And, as he had all game, Portis came through when needed with three yards on this fourth-and-1 draw from the Eagles‚ 38.

“That was all Clinton Portis,” Zorn said. “He willed his way for the first down.”

It was the last of his 145 rushing yards on the day. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry against a defense that had yielded an average of 2.6 yards through the first four games.

“As a running back, you want to get to the second level,” he said. “In years past it was dodge a guy in the backfield and stop at the line of scrimmage. Now we have the passing game to open things up for us.”

The Eagles love to blitz and are loaded with team speed. But the line's ability to communicate who to block paid off for Portis.

“You didn't see anyone come free and get free shots on Clinton,” Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen said. “Taking shots off those guys really pays off at the end of the game when we need Clinton to be at his best.”

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