Is it Portis or the Offensive line?

[EternalEnigma21]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Many of you know I've been critical of Clinton Portis. But for a moment, let's put that aside and discuss another issue. Read this excerpt from the WP:

"Portis was an integral part of the Redskins' running game last Sunday against San Diego's top-rated rush defense, with Coach Joe Gibbs calling 13 running plays in the final quarter with his team leading by 10 points. But Portis gained only 36 yards on those carries and was held to a yard or less on five carries, getting stopped for no gain on his final two rushes.

The problem was worse on third down. Portis's seven fourth-quarter carries on second or third down picked up a total of 13 yards (1.8 per carry), with Washington unable to capitalize on first-down gains. Portis is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry in the fourth quarter overall this season -- the NFL average is 4.1 -- and over the last three games he has gained only 57 yards on 18 carries in the fourth quarter (3.2 per carry), and has just 10 carries for 27 yards on third downs this season, well off his 2005 average of 4.2 per carry."

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OK, if Portis isn't the problem as many have argued, then what is the problem? Is it the offensive line? If so, who's the weak link? We've always said it's Derrick Dockery, but this is a pattern that's starting to point at more than just one player. Rabach's holding penalties certainly don't help. But why is it that an offensive line made up of names like Samuels, Jansen and Thomas isn't consistently paving the way when the team needs it most? Could a mammoth run blocking tight end like Ron Middleton make a difference?

A better blocking TE could make a little difference, but the biggest problem with the carries in the fourth quarter is when we have the lead later in the game, we start playing the clock. That's supposed to be how you play smashmouth football, but unfortunately portis isn't quite the bruiser that'll carry 4 guys for 3 yards when he crosses the line. If he gets wrapped up right away, he doesn't power foreward with guys hanging on him.

Knowing this should be a detriment to playing that type of football to try to hang on to a late lead (especially one of only 10 points). You should play to win and play to score points. I'd have been happier if they would've taken a couple of shots down the field and stopped the clock, than the way it was handled, but despite everything thats going on (even though we're not exactly a playoff caliber team... we're moving in the right direction, and I think with a little continuity we'll get there in a couple of years.