Clinton Portis: Return to the Elite

Clinton Portis truly exploded into the NFL world in his first two seasons with the Denver Broncos. Portis looked like the future face of the running back position after composing two 1,500-plus yard seasons with 15 touchdowns his first season and 14 his next. Averaging 5.5 yards per carry during his first two seasons, Portis was the original “Adrian Peterson” of the early 2000s, a young back bursting into the elite category like the sudden bursts of speed he exerted on the field. Portis was cemented in the upper-echelon category of running backs with his game-changing rushes and his relentless hard running. The yards and touchdowns came easily and the young back was able to control the game at will.

But then something that Portis had never experienced in his short pro career took place…he was traded. The Washington Redskins acquired the young and highly talented back from Denver in exchange for shutdown corner Champ Bailey and a second round draft pick.

Now one would think that a change of teams wouldn’t dramatically affect a player of that caliber. One would think that a player of elite status such as Portis would simply continue his talented play. Well, one would be wrong.

Portis’s 2004 season wasn’t anything like his days in Denver. Clinton rushed for a credible 1,315 yards, but his average dropped to a less than par 3.8 and he only scored five touchdowns.

Portis’ next three years in Washington would be much of the same; underachievement and disappointment. It looked as if Portis had lost that special quality that had trucked linebackers and juked would-be tacklers back in Denver.

Although he still produced solid numbers, rushing for over 1,000 yards in three of the next four seasons (he only played in eight games due to injury in 2006), it was apparent that Clinton Portis had lost his spot in the league’s elite category, just as it seemed he had lost that special quality he possessed in Denver.

Some of this possibly can be blamed on the blocking scheme. Denver used zone while the Redskins under Joe Gibbs used man-to-man. Some of Portis's rushing woes could possibly be blamed on the offensive line themselves. It could also be blamed on Gibbs's attempts to morph Portis into a physical smash mouth runner rather than the elusive cut-back runner he was at the time. Either way, Clinton Portis was not the same back he was in Denver and was no longer an elite running back.

But then the 2008 season rolled around and this back had had enough of his mediocrity. Portis has come into this season with his guns blazing, all cylinders on go, and an attitude that can be seen in his fierce running. Thus far through the season, Clinton Portis is, without a doubt, the best running back in the league.

Portis leads the league with 818 rushing yards in only seven games! We’re not even halfway through the season and Portis is already closing in on that 1,000-yard mark. He’s running hard and throwing his very will into every shoulder-lowered hit and every move he puts on a defender. He currently has the best YPC average of his career at a jaw-dropping 5.7 and already has scored seven touchdowns.

Portis has reeled off four consecutive 100-plus yard games with a 175-yard effort this past week against the Browns, and is playing the most consistent football of his career. He is a tenacious force wearing down defenses throughout a game and emerging at his best in the second half.

Portis, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and already scoring five touchdowns in the second half this season, has defenses scrambling to figure out ways to shut him down. Portis has consistently provided a big yard rush in clutch situations. The Redskins have called on him constantly throughout the season and he has regularly surpassed what they have asked of him.

Along with his powerful and effective rushing so far this season, Portis has also once again proven himself to be an outstanding and complete back. Greatness can only be associated with those who can achieve success in different situations. Portis has done so time and time again.

He has already snagged 10 balls for 73 yards, proving he can also be effective past the line of scrimmage. But, what stands out even more, is that Portis is by far the best blocking back in the league. He attacks blitzers with the ferocity of a linebacker and the skill of an offensive lineman.

When Portis picks up a blitz, I can guarantee you the defensive players feel it.  Portis is a complete back who is excelling at both rushing the football and the other challenges presented to a running back.

Clinton Portis is not the same back he was in Denver, nor will he ever be again. No, Portis is now something better; something more complete, and something that defenses must fear much more than ever. Clinton Portis has returned to the elite.