Portis, Starters Expect to Play In First Half Against Carolina

Although Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis is not a fan of the preseason, he said he has some interest in playing Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. Redskins starters are expected to play most of the first half at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte as Coach Jim Zorn stages a dress rehearsal for the regular season, and Portis wants to measure himself against the Panthers' aggressive defense.

"They blitz every other play and look like they really game-plan for the teams they playing, [so] you can't help but realize the season's right around the corner," Portis said before practice yesterday at Redskins Park. The Panthers will "come with a lot, [and] it's going to be a physical game."

The Redskins' top back has not been hit much in the preseason. After sitting out Washington's 30-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the Hall of Fame Game Aug. 3, Portis played a couple of series with the first-team offense in a 17-14 victory over the Buffalo Bills Aug. 9. Portis also got the night off on Aug. 16 as Washington defeated the New York Jets, 13-10.

Thanks to Zorn, Portis should be well rested when the Redskins kick off the regular season Sept. 4 against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium. But the offensive and defensive starters need an extended session together before they begin the season, Zorn said, and Portis is a big part of Zorn's West Coast offense.

"It's kind of exciting," Portis said of Zorn's plan to evaluate the team's starters against Carolina. "I kind of want to play, and I don't want to play. Being that I have to play, and it's not my choice, I can't do nothing but be excited about it.

"Once you get on the field and you got your mind-set that you've got to plan on playing then, of course, it's exciting. You love to see the guys running around, and you love to be a part of it."

In his only preseason appearance, Portis had 18 yards on seven rushes and scored on a one-yard run. He also had one reception for five yards and blocked well in pass protection for quarterback Jason Campbell. Portis, who takes pride in his blocking, will be especially focused on his blitz assignments this week.

"You never know what play [is] going to be the play" that wins a game, Portis said. "We won a lot of games, and lost a lot of games, by seven points or less. You never know what play [is] going to change the outcome of the game. I try to go out and [block] as if that's the play."

Portis, whom Redskins officials have praised for his commitment to the team's offseason workout program, received a $9.3 million singing bonus in March and was guaranteed at least $15.7 million through 2010 as part of his restructured contract that helped the Redskins get under the NFL salary cap.

With two preseason games remaining, Portis's main goal is to be physically sound for the season opener, but "I can't worried about getting hurt," he said. "If I get hurt, I get hurt. I got to go out and play football."

(washingtonpost.com)