Portis: Offense's woes run deep

A day after the offense lost a third starter to a season-ending injury, star running back Clinton Portis criticized the Washington Redskins' front office for not providing better depth.

Portis, who has jokingly been referred to as the team's assistant general manager because of his close relationship with owner Dan Snyder, said the team didn't have to be in this position.

"We got to... get some depth," Portis said Tuesday. "We went into the season and we didn't address that issue, and it came back to haunt us."

The Redskins lost veteran right guard Randy Thomas in Week 2, followed by six-time Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels in Week 5 and two-time Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley during Monday night's 27-17 loss to Philadelphia.

Their replacements, in effect, are: Will Montgomery, who made six career starts before Week 5; Mike Williams, who didn't play a snap between November 2005 and this month; and second-year man Fred Davis, who had caught 10 passes in 17 career games before Monday.

"It's going to be difficult," said Portis, who gained 43 yards on 14 carries against the Eagles while playing on a sprained ankle. "The only mainstays from our opening day roster that's on that line are Casey Rabach and Derrick Dockery. Everyone else has been shuffled, moved, changed or injured. ... That's just the position we're in."

Tackle Levi Jones, signed by the club last week, said he would be ready to start when the Redskins return from their bye Nov. 8 in Atlanta. However, coach Jim Zorn said Jones would remain a backup unless left tackle Stephon Heyer, who wore a knee brace Tuesday, wasn't able to practice next week.



(washigtontimes.com)