Warpath - 'Dirtbag' Shirts Going Over Big

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Redskins tailback Clinton Portis unveiled his second T-shirt -- a design for the Dirtbags, the moniker concocted by coach Joe Bugel for his offensive linemen. Right tackle Kenyatta Jones was one of several players who donned the T-shirt following Wednesday's practice. The gray T-shirt has an anonymous offensive lineman with the number "00" on his shoulder pads and on the front of his burgundy jersey, which is ripped in some spots. The player's white pants are stained, and a few flies buzz around the muck. The T-shirt says: "The official Dirt Bags. They're Stinking Huge."
Despite the title, with a Portis's signature, Jones said: "This is a bootleg version. Bugel is making the official T-shirt."

But Portis's version was a smash among the players.

"It's something good for us, a little unity," said tight end Walter Rasby, who is considered a Dirtbag because he's a blocking tight end. "This is Clinton's second shirt. Clinton is doing a little self-promotion, which is cool. He knows we're out there working hard for him."

Portis's other T-shirt, sold on [url="http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=2d524c796799cbd123c6806cc7dd9587&lat=1093550931&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost%2ecom%2fW7RH0451235415865884F3FAAE93C0"][color=#0000ff]his Web site[/color][/url] and at Redskins stores, is of the tailback in front of the Capitol, and says: "Run, Clinton, Run. Eight More Years."

[font=Arial,Helvetica][size=-1][color=#000000][b]Rams Will Test Redskins Defense
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The Redskins defense has been sturdy this season, after finishing last year as the 25th-ranked unit. The first unit hasn't given up a touchdown this preseason despite not having key players such as linebacker Mike Barrow and [url="http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=bdd81dd7b06065785cc37de439cfd7a9&lat=1093550931&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost%2ecom%2fW7RH0451236405865884F3FAAE93C0"][color=#0000ff]defensive end Phillip Daniels[/color][/url].

Although it's only an exhibition, Friday's game against the [url="http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=51ce188a62efc8371c8509b87dbd06aa&lat=1093550931&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost%2ecom%2fW7RH0451233435865884F3FAAE93C0"][color=#0000ff]St. Louis Rams[/color][/url] is being viewed as a test for the defense because of Rams Coach Mike Martz's high-powered offense.

Dubbed "the Greatest Show on Turf," the Rams exploit their speedy, skilled players such as wideouts Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce and tailback Marshall Faulk in a complicated offense that often confounds defenses.

"He's doing stuff that probably other people don't even do," Coach Joe Gibbs said of Martz. "I think he's very creative. I think they've developed an offense with a lot of speed. It fits their team very well. They do a lot of stuff, a lot of motions, a lot of shifts, a lot of very creative stuff. So I rate Coach Martz one of the best as far as giving problems.

"This will be an interesting match-up for our defense because they're very quick and they do a lot of stuff."

[font=Arial,Helvetica][size=-1][color=#000000][b]Jones Shines Subbing for Jansen
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Friday, [url="http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=a4ee3bb772b3e4c9daae3ae1a396a1d0&lat=1093550931&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost%2ecom%2fW7RH0451234425865884F3FAAE93C0"][color=#0000ff]right tackle Kenyatta Jones[/color][/url] plays in his third game since taking over for [url="http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=07444c1311b2f0051380b00fc73fe4c8&lat=1093550931&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost%2ecom%2fW7RH04512324D5865884F3FAAE93C0"][color=#0000ff]Jon Jansen[/color][/url], out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Jones has played well and gets his latest strong opponent in left defensive end Leonard Little, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season -- a team-high 12.5 sacks, which was the fourth highest in the league.

"It'll be a real test for Kenyatta," Gibbs said. "He's legit. They're ends period are real good pass rushers. This defense is very athletic. They move around real well."

[font=Arial,Helvetica][size=-1][color=#000000][b]Ray Brown Contributing
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Offensive lineman Ray Brown, 41, is one of the oldest players, and although he isn't expected to play much barring a major injury to a starter, the 19-year veteran is already contributing with his experience.

"He's a good one," center Cory Raymer said. "In losing Jon, we lost someone with leadership and stability on the line. Ray brings all that back with him. Even though this is going on 19 years, you can tell he still loves the game and we can learn a lot from him. Coach Gibbs wouldn't have brought him in if he didn't think he could help. He's been around the block like 45 times. He can teach us things we need to know."

[i]-- Nunyo Demasio[/i]