…Apparently there was some confusion over Clinton Portis’ comments on his radio show Tuesday, in which he talked about having been cleared by a doctor in Washington. It wasn’t clear if he meant that it was just his eyes that had been cleared — the double vision — or if he had been cleared to return. Zorn says Portis has not been cleared to return, though he has been cleared to increase his activity. Portis will see the concussion specialist in Pittsburgh Monday.
…Quarterback Jason Campbell on not talking much to Sherman Lewis: “Everyone keeps asking me that question. Most of my talking and most of my conversation comes through Coach Meidt and Coach Zorn. So that’s pretty much where my conversation goes.”
When asked if it affects him on the field, he said, “It’s something that I don’t even stress about or worry about, especially not at the this standpoint. We just go out and execute the plays. Whatever is called, we execute. I know Coach Meidt is the one sitting up in the booth with him, and they’re sitting side by side, so whatever him and Coach Meidt talk about gets relayed back to us.”
Zorn said the situation is “normal.” His point: he and Meidt work with the QBs, not Lewis. So that’s why there’s no relationship. But nothing about this situation strikes us as normal.
…Zorn on what jumps out about him on Drew Brees: “Rhythm, accuracy, ball speed, confidence. Being able to buy an extra second to avoid the rush and get the ball out. He’s been great that way.”
The key: Brees has time to fake left, fake right and then throw deep over the middle. That’s a luxury Jason Campbell has not had. But Brees is also incredibly accurate. It’s not about completion percentage; in this era, most quarterbacks have a high one. It’s about where you put the pass on the receiver — are you throwing to the proper shoulder? Are you giving the receiver a chance to do damage after the catch? Brees does that as well as anyone.
…The Redskins’ secondary must — absolutely must — be disciplined this week. With all the pumps and fakes Brees uses, if they leave their area at all, Brees will make them pay.
…The misperception about Gregg Williams is that he will blitz all day. Not true. He will do it when necessary, but he’s just as likely to disrupt a quarterback’s timing and rhythm through schemes. Plus, with the corners they have — Chris McAlister and Mike McKenzie — they aren’t in great position to leave them in one-on-one coverage all day. And did you notice how ordinary they made Tom Brady look?
…Just to clear up a play the other day from the Eagles game, where DeSean Jackson broke wide open for a 35-yard gain. In tang to some players, it’s hard to blame the secondary for the mishap. Here’s why: they were in a cover 2 zone, which relies in part on keeping the quarterback in the pocket. Once Donovan McNabb broke out of the pocket, he was able to capitalize on this coverage scheme; it’s one of the dangers of playing it vs. a QB such as McNabb. Fred Smoot could not have done anything about it. When he passed off Jackson, McNabb was still in the pocket. And LaRon Landry could not do anything either as WR Jason Avant was right in front of him. A major flaw in the cover 2 was exposed and Jackson and the Eagles benefitted.
…It’s great that the young wideouts have produced more lately. But consider this: neither Malcolm Kelly nor Devin Thomas has had a game in the NFL in which they’ve even reached 60 yards. So none have had a breakout game. They have improved; they still can do more. It’ll help when they’re playing with a quarterback who actually has time in the pocket so they can be used on more than just short routes. But at least they’re doing something and that’s a start.
…DeAngelo Hall on why he played vs. Dallas after hurting his knee: “I wanted to be part of something special. I tried to will myself through it. I couldn’t get out of my cuts, get out of my breaks.”
Follow me on twitter @John_Keim.
