"I like what Mike Shanahan is doing in Washington right now-because he is engineering competition at the running back position.

Earlier this off-season, Shanahan added former Chiefs and Bengals running back Larry Johnson. Yesterday, the 'Skins signed former Steeler Willie Parker to a one-year deal that reportedly will max out at $3.1 million dollars.

The overall impact of both Johnson and Parker at this stage of their career is up for debate, and I even questioned the L.J. move previously because I don't see how his running style fits in the Shanahan scheme. With Parker, we will have to see what he can offer this summer when he puts the pads on, but there are doubts about his game as well.

However, the effect these two will have once Washington opens training camp is the real story here. This isn't about schemes or game plans. Instead, it is about straight competition for playing time.

And, it is time for Clinton Portis to compete for his job--which is a first in Washington.

Portis has had the luxury of always being considered the franchise back in D.C. under both Joe Gibbs and Jim Zorn. Miss time with an injury? Didn't matter, because his spot in that backfield was gold-and always open for his return."