For reasons only Clinton Portis knows, the man who burned the Browns' run defense last week has been known to dress like a superhero from time to time.
And in the second half last week, he certainly ran one like one.
This week brings a new challenge: a true dynamic duo. And the Browns know failing to contain Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew could be their kryptonite.
A week after giving up a season-high 175 yards rushing to Portis, the 2-4 Browns head to Jacksonville in desperate need of a win. The 3-3 Jaguars are coming off a win and a bye week, and their plan to get rolling starts with their two backs.
Taylor, 32, is a crafty veteran who's officially the starter. Jones-Drew, 23, is a 5-foot-7, 208-pound fireplug.
Taylor is 43 yards short of 11,000 for his career and ranks 18th on the NFL's all-time rushing list, seven spots and about 1,500 yards ahead of Jamal Lewis. Jones-Drew was the only NFL player with 2,000-plus all-purpose yards in each of the last two seasons, his first two in the league. He's scored 31 touchdowns in 37 career games.
Diagnosing how each might be used will be key for the Browns, but not as important as finishing plays when Browns defenders get their hands on whomever is carrying the ball on a given play.
"The challenge is to be able to adapt to the runner that is in the game and his style and his method of running,"
Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "We need to know how you to play the angle and where you need to be. Fundamentally, we need to keep them from getting outside because that is where they can gain the most. If you keep them from getting outside, then the middle of the defense and the back side, we have to eliminate those cutbacks where the guy can plant and come back downhill on us."
Taylor is more likely to provide the cutback runs that Portis delivered last week. Jones-Drew likes to hide behind his blockers, then explode either straight ahead or to the outside after finding a lane.
"Later (the Redskins) started gashing us with some double-digit runs, particularly on some cutback plays,"
Crennel said. "Some of those came in the second half and those are the ones that you'd like to eliminate. When you're facing the top rusher in the NFL you're probably not going to hold him to zero yards, but if you can limit him to three yards or two yards and not let him run for 12 or 15, then you give yourself a chance."
"We are not good enough in run defense but overall I think that we are better and the team defensively is competitive. Holding (the Redskins) to no points in the first half and things like that, there are some signs that progress is being made."
Before Portis' explosion last week, the Browns had allowed just one 100-yard rusher all season. Shaun Rogers' presence has made it tougher for opponents to run inside, and he's taken on enough blockers to allow the linebackers to roam free and make plays.
Though the Jaguars have taken notice -- Jaguars' coach Jack Del Rio said he's seen Rogers be "dominant"
and play "at the top of his game"
-- they certainly won't change their gameplan.
"I think the fact that Maurice has come in has kind of given Fred life,"
Del Rio said. "I think the two of them respect each other and are good teammates and are both very talented. It's been a good situation and been very positive for our football team."
Browns linebacker Andra Davis, who followed Taylor at the University of Florida, said he's going as strong as he ever has.
"His work ethic is the reason he has over 10,000 yards and the reason why he's still one of the best backs in the game,"
Browns linebacker Andra Davis said. "He has the total package. He's always capable of taking it 80 yards."
Taylor should be rested, too. The Jaguars are coming off a bye week, and in their previous game in Denver he got just three carries after taking a shot to the head. Jones-Drew took over, carrying 22 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 23 yards.
"It's a one-back offense with two good backs,"
Davis said. "We definitely have to be on our game."
