"The Redskins needed speed and youth at running back.They added neither when they signed Larry Johnson today. But they might have bought themselves insurance if Clinton Portis does not respond to a bad, and ultimately injury-shortened, season.

Washington signed Johnson to a three-year, $3.5-million deal, though numerous incentives could make it worth as much as $12 million.

But Johnson, like Portis, is an aging back coming off a bad season. He averaged 2.9 yards per carry in seven games for Kansas City before being cut and signed by Cincinnati, for whom he averaged 4.4 yards on 46 carries.

In eight seasons, he has rushed for 6,219 yards and averaged 4.4 yards a carry. He also has caught 154 career passes. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Johnson is a tough inside runner who, two years ago, averaged 4.5 yards per run in 12 games."