elkabong82 Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcs...or_u.html#more Click link for entire article Portis Says O Line Has "Major Upgrades" A year ago this week, Barry Svrluga caused some mild tumult at Redskins Park by publishing this story about Clinton Portis, in which the back seemed to malign his offensive line. "I wish I could go to a team for one week with the best offensive line, or the team with the best scheme, and switch places with their back and see how others would do in this system," Portis said then. "I get a lot of touches with nowhere to run. I could see if I got all those touches and had some lanes, but there's nine or 10 men in the box." Well, a year later, Portis has been on his best behavior, and has yet to malign this year's line. No, he's still too busy maligning last year's line! Ok, I'm kind of joking. Portis never seems to intentionally pull the lever that opens up the secret trap door that sends various current or former teammates careening out of the bottom of the bus and directly under those pesky wheels. It just sort of happens. Here's what he said on ESPN 980's John Thompson Show Tuesday, when asked if this year's offensive line is better than last year's version. "I actually think so," Portis said. "I think getting [Derrick Dockery] back and having Stephon [Heyer] finally on the right side for a full season, I think those are major upgrades. You know, no disrespect to Jon Jansen or Pete Kendall, but I think Pete gave everything he had. [it] was just hard [for him] to move. You know, he gave 100 percent, it just looked like he was going at 60." [The wheels on the bus go round and round. - ed.] "But I think Pete was probably one of the smartest players that I ever played with," Portis continued. "You know, he knew every situation in a game, and he went out and gave it everything he had. But now having Dock and Stephon, I think it makes our line younger. I think it's an upgrade." At least in the portion of the interview that was replayed on the Sports Reporters, that was the most controversial thing Portis said, which is a huge step in the right direction for him. In fact, most of the rest of his comments consisted of unmitigated praise. Praise For Jim Zorn: Portis said that after a year of growing pains, players now understand Jim Zorn, and Zorn now understands "the players' point of view and where we coming from. And I think the lines of communication are better with everybody in the facility, not just me. I think everybody beginning to be on the same page, and if anybody got a problem, they speak to him about it, and he give you the opportunity, come speak your mind and we'll go from there." Praise For His Health: Portis said he was banged up on the first offensive play against the Patriots last month, but that he "couldn't bear to take the chance of going out after the first play of the game and all of the sudden, 'Ah, he's faking he's hurt!' So I tried to play through it, and I got into halftime and Coach came and told me, he was like, ell, that's good, you're done.' And I was like, 'Good, 'cause I'm hurting.' I just got the X- rays, everything came back negative, so I'm cool." Praise For Malcolm Kelly: When asked about the running game, Portis pretty much decided to stop discussing the running game and start discussing the passing game. "For us, opening up, going downfield, having the explosion, having Malcolm Kelly healthy, having Malcolm Kelly with confidence," he said, ticking off positives. "You know, if you watch the games, you see his hands, so I think having a confident and healthy Malcolm Kelly instantly upgrades this offense. Then you look at the unknown factor and that's having Fred Davis on the other side of Chris Cooley. So if we can get into any personnel, we can go two tight ends with Malcolm and Santana out wide, or we can go four wide and put all our receivers on the field, we can go with Mike Sellers and Yoder and run a power game, so I think it's exciting." Praise for 2009, Generally Speaking, Yo: "I think just knowing what we're capable of doing and seeing the way guys have stepped up and having Mike back in front of me, I think it's just a positive outlook on the season," Portis said. "I think everybody gonna play hard and all of a sudden it's like everybody got something to prove. You know, I think everybody's tired of, 'Oh, they started off 6-2 and look what happened down the end.' I mean, we got hit with the injury bug. You know, people don't realize that, people don't understand what's going on, there's always, 'Oh, they did [this], they did that.] We got hit by the injury bug. No excuses. We faltered, we fell off, and coming into this year, we've got to do better." Hey, it isn't even Week 1 yet. Positivity is encouraged. ---------- Much different attitude and opinion regarding the line as opposed to last year. I can't wait for Sunday. Thanks to Bubba for posting this in breaking news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattFancy Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I think Portis is ready for a big year this year. If the OL stays healthy, CP could be in the top 5 in terms of yards. I can't wait for Sunday!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirClintonPortis Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Mike Florio is a loser. Loved how he emphasized Kelly and described Kendall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rdskn4Lyf21 Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I think Portis is ready for a big year this year. If the OL stays healthy, CP could be in the top 5 in terms of yards. I can't wait for Sunday!!! You mean like last year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiro Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 While I think Portis's attempts and overall yardage are going to decrease a bit this year, I strongly believe we're going to see a much more productive Clinton because for the first time in a long time, the passing game looks like it could actually be a threat against defenses. With teams backing off their safeties and having to play honest defense to protect themselves from a big passing play, Portis is going to have alot more room to run amok and score TDs. Plus, if we make the playoffs this year, we'll have the benefit of having a Clinton Portis that isn't totally worn down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.T.real,lights,out Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 :cloud9: I love CP!!! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoRUSupposed2Be Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Looking forward to big things this year from this offense. There are no more excuses, only execution! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalSkins Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I think Portis is ready for a big year this year. If the OL stays healthy, CP could be in the top 5 in terms of yards. I can't wait for Sunday!!! I think CP can hit the top 5 in rushing for a season in NFL history. He would need 2004 yards to do it. We play teams that finished 27th (Broncos), 29th (Rams), 30th (Chiefs), 31st (Raiders) and 32nd (Lions) in rushing defense in 2008. If he has huge yardage in those games and decent numbers against the division, he can get it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikie Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 yaaaay... CP didn't call out his team or coaches in the media... yaaaay!!! now if he can just stick to this script the rest of the season, I'm sure it would go a long way towards team morale and contribute to a potentially good season... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattFancy Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I think CP can hit the top 5 in rushing for a season in NFL history. He would need 2004 yards to do it.We play teams that finished 27th (Broncos), 29th (Rams), 30th (Chiefs), 31st (Raiders) and 32nd (Lions) in rushing defense in 2008. If he has huge yardage in those games and decent numbers against the division, he can get it done. That's why I see him having a big year. We play some teams that were horrible against the run last year. Not many of them did anything to improve on that. I wouldn't be surprised if CP had over 1700 yards this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wshngtn1 Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Glad to hear some positives from him. I hope the oline definitely is improved in both passing and rushing. I'm still very concerned about pass protection. If it's not there, we'll simply have a repeat of 2008. If it is there, we should be a force this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty#30 Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I love our Team....I really really do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheItalianStallion Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I think CP can hit the top 5 in rushing for a season in NFL history. He would need 2004 yards to do it.We play teams that finished 27th (Broncos), 29th (Rams), 30th (Chiefs), 31st (Raiders) and 32nd (Lions) in rushing defense in 2008. If he has huge yardage in those games and decent numbers against the division, he can get it done. A lot of what I've heard indicates that we'll be cutting CP's carries down this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 The first month of the season should be pretty low-key. So, my guess is that Clinton's annual blow up on the John Thompson show will happen in the last two weeks in October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalSkins Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 A lot of what I've heard indicates that we'll be cutting CP's carries down this year. You heard wrong. I expect him to have a 1000 yards by mid season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 The pass game improving would also cut down on his carries, with an eye to December when the weather sometimes necessitates a RB carrying the production responsibility. Dockery should be a December improvement over last year too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsHokieFan Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Its all about the Ws Looking at the schedule, if the team steals one in NYG, the potential to start 6-0 is there. CP's health and attitude will obviously be the catalyst towards that goal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Edds Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 it only takes one big pass play to open the run game and make the defense play you honest ... also, if you do, and can establish the run early ... the passing game will be there. Let's gittir done this year CP! Hail! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarantula Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Something about this season feels good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Edds Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 The pass game improving would also cut down on his carries, with an eye to December when the weather sometimes necessitates a RB carrying the production responsibility. Dockery should be a December improvement over last year too. agreed ... ideally CP will get 15 touches a game at most ... and if he can average close to 80 yards a game, we should have the offense clicking on all cylinders. We don't need one player to be the super-star ... we need all of our offensive weapons to step up and do their job and execute. Can't wait for Sunday! Hail! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Going Commando Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 We play teams that finished 27th (Broncos), 29th (Rams), 30th (Chiefs), 31st (Raiders) and 32nd (Lions) in rushing defense in 2008. If he has huge yardage in those games and decent numbers against the division, he can get it done. I'm feeling good about taking him on every single one of my fantasy teams now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommDownMan Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 The pass game improving would also cut down on his carries, with an eye to December when the weather sometimes necessitates a RB carrying the production responsibility. Dockery should be a December improvement over last year too. Although, fewer 3 and outs should help too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iMeast Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 If the line stays healthy and Clinton Portis does too there could be a 2,000 season waiting for him in 2009. With a healthy and productive line he will not only get rushing lanes, Jason Campbell will also get time to throw the ball down field, which will make defenses pull some defenders out of the box. HTTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommDownMan Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 agreed ... ideally CP will get 15 touches a game at most ... and if he can average close to 80 yards a game, we should have the offense clicking on all cylinders. We don't need one player to be the super-star ... we need all of our offensive weapons to step up and do their job and execute. Can't wait for Sunday! Hail! He won't average 5+ yards a carry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tshile Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 He won't average 5+ yards a carry. the panthers averaged 4.8 last year. its certainly doable. I think it depends on how viable of a threat our deep ball is... if they know we can't complete a pass past 10 yards, they can keep mroe men in the box... if they're worried about kelly and moss running down the field on oposite sidelines... then thats 4 people right there that are going to have to be prepared to sprint down field at the snap... which means 4 people who are basically planning on being 15+ yards away from the LoS at any given time.. 4 on the line, leaves 4 to cover everything in between... which opens up running lanes. and if zorn has shown us anything, its that he's going to go deep in the first series. Even if nothign comes of it, the defense knows they're going to try it... that has a serious effect on how the defense lines up, and what each person plans on doing at the snap... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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