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Redskins, Zorn Build Momentum
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Against the Bills last night, the Redskins welcomed back many players who sat out the preseason opener -- a 30-16 victory over the Colts on Aug. 3 in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.
Portis was among the high-profile Redskins to get some work in. His touchdown on fourth down capped a 12-play, 53-yard drive and gave the Redskins a 7-3 lead.
Portis, whom Redskins officials have praised for his commitment to the offseason workout program, received a $9.3 million signing 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 three preseason games remaining, Portis's main goal was to get out of the game quickly and in sound physical condition, he said. Portis carried seven times for 18 yards (a 2.6-yard average) and the touchdown.
"It was good to be out there," he said. "I just wanted to go out there and perform well mentally. I just wanted to make sure that I got the right reads, picked up my assignments, ran the right routes, had the right depth and just got a feel for the game."
Betts was productive rushing and receiving. Slowed because of a thigh injury in training camp, Betts had 41 yards on five carries (8.2-yard average). In the second quarter, Betts had a touchdown reception after catching a short pass from quarterback Todd Collins near the right sideline and outracing defenders to the end zone. Washington took a 14-3 lead.
Collins was working behind a makeshift second-unit offensive line because tackles Todd Wade and Stephon Heyer are out with injuries. Collins, who did not play after halftime, went 8 for 11 with one touchdown and one interception. Rookie quarterback Colt Brennan put up impressive statistics against Indianapolis (9 of 10, 123 yards, two touchdowns), but he had modest numbers yesterday: 4 of 8 for 37 yards.
On defense, Jason Taylor played for the first time as a Redskin. Taylor jogged onto to the field to take his spot at left end after Marcus Mason fumbled the opening kickoff and Lindell recovered the ball at Washington's 30-yard line.
With Taylor -- the NFL's 2006 defensive player of the year -- and Andre Carter, the Redskins could have one of the league's most productive pass-rushing tandems. Early in the game, the Bills' first-team offensive line appeared to be concerned about the speed the Redskins now have at both defensive end spots. Buffalo twice was called for false starts as tackles hurried to position themselves to pass block with Carter and Taylor in the game.
"It's good. It's great to be in FedEx Field," Taylor said. "It was loud, and there was a lot of excitement. I can't wait for the season to begin."
Interestingly, Taylor, whom the Redskins said would play left end because Carter is at right end, played on the right side on the Bills' second possession while Carter was on the left. Defensive coordinator Greg Blache often is guarded about his plans, but it would not be surprising if Carter and Taylor moved around at times during the season.
"I think we did all right," Taylor said. "We held them to a field goal during that first drive, which is all you can ask. During the second drive, we got them off the field. We're going to get it done."
Starting free safety LaRon Landry (hamstring) still was sidelined, and safety Vernon Fox was not with the team because of personal reasons, so Blache shook up the defensive lineup. Cornerback Shawn Springs moved to free safety, Leigh Torrence played for Springs opposite cornerback Fred Smoot, and rookie Justin Tryon took Torrence's place as a nickel cornerback.
After Collins's interception just before halftime, Buffalo wide receiver James Hardy beat Torrence for a 16-yard touchdown down the right sideline on a pass from quarterback J.P. Losman. Losman then teamed with Justin Jenkins on a two-point conversion pass that tied the score at 14.
