Clinton Portis took over the Broncos’ locker room Friday. The loquacious running back is in his second season away from Denver, but it was all Portis, all the time as the Broncos prepared to face the Washington Redskins.
When Denver players came to work, all four television sets in the locker room showed an image of Portis while an audiotape of a conference call with Portis played over and over so all could hear what the former Broncos running back had to say for himself.
Portis said he was different from the assembly line of Denver rushers.
“It got to the point where we were saying, ‘Will somebody turn that off?’ said safety John Lynch, laughing after the Broncos’ 21-19 victory over Portis and the Redskins.
Two days after the airing of Clinton TV, the joke was on Portis. Another one of those assembly-line running backs outshined him.
Keeping with the 2005 theme of “running back by feel,” second-year running back Tatum Bell came off the bench and showed the typical Denver tailback is indeed good enough. Bell, by the way, was selected with a 2004 second-round pick Denver acquired along with Champ Bailey in exchange for Portis. Bell, who played behind starter Mike Anderson and Ron Dayne in practice last week, had touchdown runs of 34 and 55 yards to give Denver the edge on a rainy, sloppy field where points were at a premium.
Bell, who has been frustrated this season because he has been unable to break through as the primary back, beat the flu and the Redskins as he finished with a game-high 127 yards rushing on 12 carries. Portis finished with 103 yards on 20 carries, his longest for 21 yards.
Bell was expected by many to overtake veteran Mike Anderson as the No. 1 tailback during training camp. Sunday, he showed he has a starter’s ability and desire.
“The coaches know what I can do,” said Bell, who has been battling the flu since Friday. “I just have to keep pushing Mike Anderson and wait on my chance. I need to work on being more consistent in practice. Blocking, running, practice. Just (be) more consistent. Mike is still the starter; obviously he’s doing something I’m not doing. I just have to keep working.”
Bell made it clear, though, that he has bigger designs.
“I didn’t want to be just a one-game wonder,” he said. “I want to be the starter.”
But it’s starting to look like being the starting tailback in Denver this season is not what is important. Anderson – who ran for 34 yards on 11 carries against a tough Redskins defense – will get the first carries, but there will be enough to go around.
In the past, coach Mike Shanahan would try to find one back and stick with him. Last year, it wasn’t until the fifth game that Reuben Droughns, since traded to Cleveland, became the starting tailback. He was the lead horse until he wore down late in the season.
During the Broncos’ four-game winning streak this season, the running game has played a major role. Against San Diego, it was Dayne who carried the load, helping Denver rally in the fourth quarter. He did not have a carry Sunday. Against Kansas City and Jacksonville, it was Anderson who starred.
Sunday, it was Bell’s turn.
“I do think it goes by feel,” Dayne said. “You have to stand on the sideline and be ready. You don’t know when your number is going to get called in this offense.”
Shanahan knows the new system keeps his players fresh and hungry. Bell showed that Sunday.
“When he had his opportunities he took advantage of them,” Shanahan said. “We knew he had those type of abilities. It was good to see him do well.”
Running away with victories
In the Broncos’ four consecutive victories, three tailbacks have made a major difference: A look:
Denver 20, San Diego 17, Sept. 18: Backup Ron Dayne had 39 yards on the Broncos’ final drive of the game, which culminated in a game-winning field goal by Jason Elam.
Denver 30, Kansas City 10, Sept. 26: Starter Mike Anderson had a 44-yard touchdown run to give Denver a 10-0 first-quarter lead in its rout. Anderson finished with 98 yards on 20 carries.
Denver 20, Jacksonville 7, Oct. 2: Anderson led a 188-yard rushing attack with 115 yards on 23 carries, eating valuable minutes in a defensive struggle.
Denver 21, Washington 19, Oct. 9: Backup Tatum Bell, battling the flu, had touchdown runs of 34 and 55 yards, giving Denver the edge in a game that went down to the final minute. Bell had a game-high 127 yards on 12 carries as Denver rushed for 165 yards.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
