WPost Email: 'Portis Ready For Another Pounding'

[MTK]

Redskins tailback Clinton Portis was exhausted after his first carry Sunday against the Tampa Buccaneers. That's because he went 64 yards for a touchdown to highlight a 16-10 victory in the season opener.

Portis carried 28 more times and finished with 148 yards for a 5.1 average.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Portis must prove he can take the constant pounding required by a Joe Gibbs tailback. And Portis said yesterday that he is ready for another bushel of carries.

"If it comes I feel good," Portis told reporters at Redskins Park. "I had treatment every day recovering from last week so if it I comes, I'll take it. If not, we've got other athletes who can make plays."

When Portis played in Denver, amassing more than 3,000 yards in his first two years, he complained about not getting enough carries. Portis rushed for a career-high 290 times last season and 273 in 2002. He will easily set a new mark at his current pace.

Gibbs won't give a ballpark figure for how much he plans to use Portis, but said: "I'd say his tongue's going to be hanging out. Let's put it that way. I warned him."

Last year, Portis missed three games, including the final two of the regular season, because of knee and ankle injuries. In Portis' rookie season, he played every game, including 12 starts.

"Good thing we've got capable backs such as John [Simon] and Ladell [Betts] and Rock [Cartwright] and Chad [Morton]," Portis said, referring to his backups, "who are going to help me take these carries so all the pressure is not on me."

But Portis added: "Denver was stingy with the ball. If they put the ball in my hand, I'm going to step up to the challenge, if they don't I've got to do whatever it takes to help get a win."

Running backs coach Ernest Byner said that the Redskins will be careful about wearing out Portis.

"We're going to be smart about how we use him but also how we practice him as well," Byner said. "That's the other thing that can affect the longevity and also the season nagging injuries. We'll make sure we keep him fresh, give him as many massages as he needs, go to the chiropractor, all that type of stuff. We're trying to ensure as much as possible that Clinton will make it through the season. But whether he's sturdy enough or not, you're going to have nagging injuries. That's just going to happen."

-- By Nunyo Demasio

[GoSkins!]

I'm looking for a bigger day out of him than last week. I don't believe that the Giants have the same caliber D as the Bucs had.

[VTSkins897]

whether true or not, i hate hearing about all these durability issues with portis.. everyone gets tired as the season goes on..

[redwagonskins]

There's something very immature in me that makes me laugh when I see that headline....

[wolfeskins]

in that case,it should read,"kordell stewart ready for another pounding"

[Brute44]

Portis wasn't played much in the preseason and its showing now during the regular season. As the weeks progress his endurance will increase as-well as his nagging injuries. Lets hope he can handle not only the work load and the injuries but the responsibility of being the go to guy in Gibbs offense.

[MTK]

Portis obviously can't take 29 carries per week (not many backs can), Betts is going to have to take on a bigger load as the season goes on. I'd like to see Betts get 5-7 carries per week to help ease the burden on Portis.

[la73hof]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Portis obviously can't take 29 carries per week (not many backs can), Betts is going to have to take on a bigger load as the season goes on. I'd like to see Betts get 5-7 carries per week to help ease the burden on Portis.

Jamal Anderson owns the NFL record for carries in a season with 418 back in '98...thats 26 a game. Anderson also played @ neary 240 lb's

At this pace, Portis is on pace for 464 carries..

for same reason, I dont see that happening

Betts had better get his carries, because if he doesnt, Betts will be your feature back

[Daseal]

Maybe our WRs can actually catch more than 7 balls this week.

[la73hof]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Maybe our WRs can actually catch more than 7 balls this week.

I would be surprised if they nealy triple that number this week

[MTK]

I can definitely see the passing game opening up a bit more. The Giants secondary looked awful against the Eagles, Gardner and Coles should both see more balls thrown their way this week.

[That Guy]

didn't ricky quit after a 395 carry season? portis loves to play, but at that pace, maybe he won't love it quite as much part of the problem was also that the blocking wasn't as good as it could have (should have) been, so he probably took more big hits than he needed to, which obviously wears you down faster.

I'm also hoping betts can start carrying it a little more, and that our receivers can get together with brunell and work through whatever issues they seem to be having...

[la73hof]

Originally Posted by redwagonskins

There's something very immature in me that makes me laugh when I see that headline....

Kinda like this--Kornholedell's legacy:

[MTK]

LOL great picture

[redwagonskins]

That's messed up....but it still made me giggle like a schoolboy.