Clinton Portis News: Pro Sports Daily

Dick Vermeil predicts Larry Johnson will push Clinton Portis 'right out of a job'

Comment

March 17

Washington Post

"While popular opinion might suggest that running back Larry Johnson was brought to town to back up the Washington Redskins' perennial starter Clinton Portis, one of Johnson's former coaches has a bold prediction. "He will take over the running back position," said Dick Vermeil, who coached Johnson in Kansas City from 2003 to '05. "That's what I think. He'll push that guy right out of a job. Larry Johnson will work all week -- he'll work Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- and he'll make you start him on Sundays." Though Johnson was often a chief source of headaches, two of his former Kansas City coaches sang his praises this week, both dismissing the notion that at 30, Johnson is ..."

Johnson, Portis are still question marks in new system

Comment

March 14

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

columnist Matt Bowen

"Now that former Chiefs and Bengals RB Larry Johnson is in Washington under Mike Shanahan, is there a plan for the Redskins backfield? This past week, I questioned the idea of bringing a player like L.J. over to Washington mainly due to his running style and the offensive system he is coming into. Johnson is a straight up and down runner, and when you have a player like that who is older, and on the downside of his career, it almost becomes target practice for safeties coming down as an eighth defender or a linebacker running through the hole. And, in Shanahan's system, will Johnson be able to generate enough quickness with his first step and get his shoulder pads squared to the line of ..."

A Clinton Portis-Larry Johnson backfield: What's it all about?

Comment

March 13

Washington Post

columnist Jason Reid

"With Friday's signing of Larry Johnson, the Redskins' top two backs are Clinton Portis and Johnson. Wow. There are a million directions, if not more, I could take this post about those two and their history. It might be more productive, however, to simply focus on what such a tandem could mean for Washington's backfield. Johnson, as I'm sure most astute Insider readers are well aware, was a classic power runner in his prime. In fact, earlier this decade, Johnson was second to none as a downhill runner. His punishing style and above-average speed for a back his size (he's listed at 6 feet 1, 230 pounds) helped Johnson rush for more than 1,700 yards with at least 17 rushing touchdowns in ..."

Shanahan says RB Portis will stay with Redskins

Comment

February 26

Foxsports.com

"Clinton Portis isn't going anywhere in 2010. Dispelling speculation that the running back may get released, new Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Friday that Portis will return to the team this season. "He's our running back," Shanahan told me and co-host Gil Brandt during a Friday appearance on Sirius NFL Radio at the NFL Scouting Combine. Portis' future with the Redskins came into question shortly after Shanahan became Washington's head coach in early January. The 29-year-old Portis was limited to 484 yards and eight games last year because of injuries, including a season-ending concussion in November that he is still recovering from. There were also off-field issues. Portis ..."

Clinton Portis riles up LaVar Arrington

Comment

February 9

Washington Post

"The football season ended on Sunday, and it was fitting that Super Bowl Week would serve up one final Clinton Portis feud. He's had a lot of these lately. (See below.) Portis would likely argue that the media are to blame, seizing on the slightest of quotes and taking them out of context, turning the innocuous into the villainous. But when it keeps happening and happening and happening...well, I don't see the same trap enveloping Ladell Betts, anyhow. So during Portis's appearance on the NFL Network set--the same appearance in which he admitted he asked coaches to bench Mike Sellers--the tailback was asked what has changed from the Clinton Portis who played in Denver to the Clinton Portis ..."

Mitchell: Portis must work harder

Comment

January 12

Washington Examiner

"Before the season, Stump Mitchell saw a list of top-10 running backs, minus his star pupil Clinton Portis. It bothered Mitchell. He wanted Portis to prove he belonged on that list. There was just one problem. Portis didn't train as hard as Mitchell, and others, wanted him to this past offseason. "Clinton knows that [he must work harder]," said Mitchell, the Redskins former running backs coach who accepted the head coaching position at Southern University on Monday. "He's headstrong. He wasn't getting the most out of his ability this past season because he did not prepare as well as he should have." And that led to Mitchell's disappointment over the top-10 list. "That was a hurting deal," ..."

Outgoing Redskins coach says Portis 'could've worked harder'

Comment

January 12

Washington Post

"As Stump Mitchell leaves the Washington Redskins' coaching staff for a new job, one unsightly mark obscures what he accomplished during two seasons as running backs coach. Mitchell is the first Redskins assistant to notify the team that he won't be returning next season and says he has accepted the head coaching job at Southern University. He was planning to make the long drive to Baton Rouge, La., Monday night with the knowledge that he never got running back Clinton Portis to achieve his potential as a Redskin. "That's the only disappointment that I'll have. The fact that I couldn't persuade Clinton to do it a different way," Mitchell said Monday. "I want Clinton to be the best back in ..."

Portis on notice

Comment

January 7

Washington Examiner

"At one point during Mike Shanahan's answer on Clinton Portis, he nearly praised the running back's work ethic. Then he stopped himself. And instead he praised Portis' toughness. But if Portis wants to be reunited with Shanahan, he'd best take notice of Shanahan's change of thought. The Redskins new coach made it clear what he would want from Portis, should he return. Portis has not endeared himself to coaches or teammates in the past with his penchant for sitting out practices. One teammate recently labeled him his "worst teammate ever" because he showed up for camp out of shape, didn't practice and abused Jim Zorn's authority. Shanahan said it wouldn't be fair to judge what Portis has ..."

Has Portis played last game as a Redskin?

Comment

January 7

Washington Examiner

"At one point during Mike Shanahan's answer on Clinton Portis, he nearly praised the running back's work ethic. Then he stopped himself. And instead he praised Portis' toughness. But if Portis wants to be reunited with Shanahan, he'd best take notice of Shanahan's change of thought. The Redskins new coach made it clear what he would want from Portis, should he return. Portis has not endeared himself to coaches or teammates in the past with his penchant for sitting out practices. One teammate recently labeled him his "worst teammate ever" because he showed up for camp out of shape, didn't practice and abused Jim Zorn's authority. Shanahan said it wouldn't be fair to judge what Portis has ..."

Campbell fires back at Portis about leadership

Comment

January 6

Washington Post

"Responding to star running back Clinton Portis's shots at his leadership skills Tuesday, Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell blasted Portis for his poor work ethic and lack of understanding about "what real leadership is." In his regularly scheduled appearance on ESPN 980's "The John Thompson Show," Portis criticized teammates who this week expressed frustration with the "star treatment" he is perceived to receive from owner Daniel Snyder and then seemed to critique Campbell's leadership abilities. "No disrespect to Jason," Portis said while speaking with co-hosts Thompson and Doc Walker. "But everybody in that locker room can tell you, you'll never see Jason mad, you'll never ..."

Clinton Portis discusses Tiger Woods

Comment

December 16

Washington Post

"I'm not sure why it took the world this long to find out what Clinton Portis thinks about the Tiger Woods situation, but I'm sure glad that we know now. After yet more concussion questions during Portis's weekly appearance on ESPN 980's John Thompson Show, the host finally said he was sick of football and wanted to ask Portis about something else. Brilliant, brilliant move, sir. Now remember, you can't necessarily take everything CP says at face value, and he also tends to have poor cell phone connections during these interviews. Some of his words were garbled, and I've listened to this a bunch of times. This, to the best of my transcribing ability, is what he said. "Well, I think he's ..."

Redskins' Clinton Portis expects to be part of offseason change

Comment

December 16

Washington Post

"Clinton Portis wore a burgundy Santa hat adorned with a Washington Redskins logo and emblazoned with the word "Redskins" across the furry front. And in that environment, at a charity function sponsored by the team that has employed him for six years, the Pro Bowl running back discussed what has been on his mind since he suffered a concussion more than a month ago: That his time in Washington may be over. "I can't sit and tell you I want my career to be over here, but at the same time, you got to understand the business side of things," Portis said in a nearly 10-minute interview with a small group of reporters Tuesday at FedEx Field. "I've been here for six years, and we went to the ..."

Redskins stare into uncertain future in backfield

Comment

December 10

Washington Post

"The Washington Redskins began installing their game plan for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday, preparing to start their fourth running back of the season, this time Quinton Ganther. If not relief, a new name and face gives the team at least a temporary sense of certainty for a position that has no obvious long-term solution. The Redskins placed Clinton Portis on the injured-reserve list this week, and the star running back acknowledges the possibility that he might never again play in Washington. The Redskins, meanwhile, after years of neglecting the running back position in the draft, could be left in a bind of sorts if Portis isn't the team's backfield answer in 2010. In recent years, ..."

Concussion could end Clinton Portis's career

Comment

December 9

Washington Post

"Clinton Portis can't say with certainty whether he'll be in the Redskins' backfield next season, but team officials have decided he won't be returning this year. The Redskins placed their star running back on the season-ending injured-reserve list Tuesday because of lingering problems stemming from a concussion he suffered last month. Though the team expects Portis to eventually return from the injury, Portis said in a radio interview, "If it's my time, I think I had a great career." "I think I'll get well. I think I have to go and really put the time into rehabbing and continuing to do what the doctors say," Portis said during his weekly appearance on "The John Thompson Show" on ESPN 980 ..."

Portis done for the season

Comment

December 8

Washington Examiner

"The Redskins placed Clinton Portis on the injured reserve list today when the concussion specialst in Pittsburgh would not clear his return. Here is Portis' reaction on his weekly paid appearance on ESPN 980. He even talked as if his career might be over. On the reality of the situation: "I was really hoping I could get back on the field. I knew we had a key stretch with the Saints, Dallas and New York all being this month and Oakland and San Diego as well. I was hoping ... . Once I couldn't play the Saints all of a sudden you get that question. Are they gonna play him? I came up here hoping to get cleared and start resuming activities. The doctor said he's not going to do it. He didn't ..."

Portis might miss Dec. 13 game at Oakland

Comment

December 4

Washington Post

"Running back Clinton Portis might sit out next week's road game against the Oakland Raiders because of lingering affects from a concussion. On Monday, Portis will travel to Pittsburgh to be examined again by concussion specialists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Coach Jim Zorn said after practice today at Redskins Park. After the two-day evaluation, Portis is scheduled to return to Redskins Park on Wednesday. It seems highly unlikely that Portis, who as of this week still was experiencing dizziness during workouts, would play in the game at Oakland. "He still has a little bit of dizziness or just not feeling right," Zorn said."

Proceeding cautiously, Redskins want Portis back

Comment

November 30

Washington Post

"As expected, running back Clinton Portis will sit out his third consecutive game because of lingering affects from a concussion, but he still could return this season, Coach Jim Zorn said today. "Clinton Portis is not going to play again for another week," Zorn said. "He is going to have another exam on Monday after our game against New Orleans. ... He may practice some this week, but he's going to be out for the game. We're going to try to get him going and try to see if we can get those symptoms to not continue to reoccur.""

Young receivers finally starting to show promise

Comment

November 30

Washington Times

"With Chris Cooley and Clinton Portis sidelined long-term, the Washington Redskins needed their second-year pass-catchers to produce like high draft choices. On Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field against the Philadelphia Eagles, Devin Thomas, Fred Davis and Malcolm Kelly did just that. The Redskins blew an eight-point fourth-quarter lead and lost 27-24, but Thomas, Davis and Kelly combined for 10 catches, 139 yards and a touchdown. That's a striking contrast with their rookie seasons, when they teamed for just 21 catches and 165 yards and never found the end zone. "They're more comfortable with what's going on in the offense," said quarterback Jason Campbell, whose 10-yard touchdown toss to ..."

'Moral victories' aren't worth measuring

Comment

November 30

Washington Post

columnist Mike Wise

"It's easy to get caught up in lauding the Redskins for not having quit on the season after injuries and near-offensive implosion, for bucking up against the Broncos, for staying with division rivals on the road until the end the past two weeks, for managing to put points on the board, for the character-laden defense flat-out digging in at times. But to portray what happened in Philadelphia Sunday afternoon as anything more than a 3-8 team finding ways to lose games it should have won is going too far. Too far toward buying into the dreaded notion of "moral victories," too far, really, toward sappy catchphrases that solid and steady organizations won't tolerate. Because those organizations ..."

Without Portis, Washington looking to Cartwright

Comment

November 29

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Washington Redskins coaches don't need to wait until game day to realize there's a stark difference between Clinton Portis, the team's injured star running back, and Rock Cartwright, their able-bodied replacement. On Wednesday, as the team began installing its game plan for today's game against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Cartwright hit the practice field as the Redskins' latest starting running back, nearly four inches shorter than Portis but still strong in other areas. "Everybody on the team calls him 'Big Heart,' because he plays with such a big heart," center Casey Rabach said. "He may not be the most talented of running backs, but he's going to give the most effort of ..."

Redskins' injury list continues to grow

Comment

November 24

Washington Times

"His roster flexibility further crippled during another disheartening defeat, Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn opened his news conference Monday with a line that best exhibits the team's 3-7 season. "Again, we have some painful things that we have to talk about," said Zorn, who spent five minutes discussing the Redskins' numerous injuries. When the Redskins entered their bye week last month, they knew the schedule was becoming more difficult and they would have to overcome season-ending injuries to Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas and the long-term absence of Chris Cooley."

Losing to Dallas isn't last of pain

Comment

November 24

Washington Post

"At the very least, this has all been very memorable. "I'll talk about this years to come," Washington Redskins Coach Jim Zorn said. "Wow, remember back in 2009." Even if Zorn wants to, it might difficult to forget that November Monday when he stood behind the podium, sighed deeply and scanned his list of casualties. "We have some painful things that we have to talk about," he began. What followed wasn't pretty. One day after a 7-6 loss at Dallas dropped their record to 3-7, the Redskins placed three players on the season-ending injured reserve list: running back Ladell Betts, guard Chad Rinehart and fullback Eddie Williams. In addition, the team is still without injured star running back ..."

Dangerous head games

Comment

November 22

Washington Post

"As the Washington Redskins ran plays in preparation for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, Clinton Portis, their Pro Bowl running back, wasn't even on the sideline of the practice field. Portis is still dealing with the headaches caused by bright lights, still squinting at the screen of his cellphone at night, still trying to overcome the aftereffects of the concussion he suffered Nov. 8 at Atlanta on a play he still doesn't remember. Taking the ball as the new, first-string running back in practice was Ladell Betts, who said he gets a "dazed" feeling, "honestly, probably once or twice a game," the result of the kind of hits to the head that are common in NFL games. Betts's backup ..."

Portis having concussion evaluated

Comment

November 21

ESPN.com

"Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis was at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on Friday to have his concussion evaluated. Portis saw the same doctors who examined Eagles back Brian Westbrook, who has suffered two concussions in the last month. Portis was hurt two weeks ago against Atlanta. He did not play last week against Denver and has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Dallas. "We're going to make sure we take care of all the details. We're for Clinton getting well," coach Jim Zorn said. "Each day Clinton's done a great job of communicating how he's felt, and that's what it's going to take. "I want to be involved with those conversations, not so much to see 'how ..."

Redskins' Portis to miss second straight game

Comment

November 20

Washington Times

"Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis will miss his second straight game Sunday because of the effects of the concussion he suffered Nov. 8 against the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Jim Zorn said Portis "is just foggy enough" for him not to let the two-time Pro Bowl selection practice, let alone face the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys. "I want to see him practice, and I want to see him have those days where when he practices he doesn't have residual problems," Zorn said. "And right now, he can't even practice, so we'll keep him out this week." Portis had started 40 straight games before Sunday. Washington is 4-6 in the 10 games Portis has missed during his six seasons with the ..."

Sellers prefers to let actions speak for him

Comment

November 20

Washington Post

"After word emerged about the locker-room altercation earlier this season between running back Clinton Portis and fullback Mike Sellers, some Redskins fans criticized Sellers's blocking on Internet message boards and sports-talk radio shows. During a 16-13 victory in Week 4 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Portis went to coaches in an effort to have Sellers demoted for what Portis deemed to be poor blocking. Apparently in siding with Portis, fans criticized Sellers for the team's unproductive running game to start the season, believing Portis would have been more effective if Sellers had blocked better. But many in the organization told me Sellers's blocking was not what had derailed the ..."

Zorn says Portis 'very doubtful' to play

Comment

November 20

Washington Post

"Coach Jim Zorn stopped short of ruling Clinton Portis out for Sunday's game at Dallas, but he said the Redskins' star running back is "very doubtful" to play. "But I don't want to count him out," Zorn said Wednesday after practice. Portis wasn't present at practice and is at risk of missing his second game since suffering a concussion - the second of his career -- on Nov. 8 in Atlanta. Zorn said Portis worked out early Wednesday morning -- to get "a little sweat going," Zorn said -- and Portis experienced some blurriness. Portis attended the weekly team meeting but left Redskins Park to visit a Washington doctor and missed the running backs' position meeting. Zorn laid out a timeline that ..."

Are Portis' best days behind him?

Comment

November 18

Washington Times

"Lying pressed against the artificial turf inside the Georgia Dome, briefly unconscious and later unable to remember what happened, Clinton Portis looked like he smacked into a wall. Maybe he already had. It's a dirty job, NFL running backs. They get beat up and worn out, and that's just the physical part. Doubt and hesitation tug at the psyche. Diminishing returns arrive faster than at other positions. Portis' career workload raises the question of whether that is now happening to him. He is, after all, in his sixth season with the Washington Redskins and his eighth as a professional. Portis, who suffered a concussion against Atlanta two weeks ago and missed Sunday's win over Denver, has ..."

Portis cautious about return

Comment

November 17

Washington Examiner

"Clinton Portis said he won't rush back from his concussion, which already has sidelined him for most of one game and all of another. Nor will he return just to regain control of the starting job -- coach Jim Zorn has said repeatedly that Portis will not lose that grip anyway. "I don't think I can just rush back and have a miraculous recovery," he said on the John Thompson Show on ESPN 980. "I've got to play it safe and I've got to do what's best for me....As long as Ladell [Betts] runs well, there's no need for me to rush back. But as soon as I get back, I would love to contribute.""

Redskins' Portis will regain job

Comment

November 17

Washington Post

"A day after his team snapped its four-game losing streak, Redskins Coach Jim Zorn tiptoed across the running back tightrope Monday. With one player who struggled at times during the team's slump and another who helped bust the team out of it, Zorn was careful not to offend either. Zorn did make clear, however, that despite Ladell Betts's impressive performance the past two Sundays, when Clinton Portis is healthy again, he'll remain the team's starting running back. "I don't want this to be something where Ladell came in and did a wonderful job -- good grief, he really did a tremendous job -- and yet have Clinton lose his job because Ladell came in in support," Zorn said. "I think it's ..."

Portis officially ruled out; Smith may go on IR

Comment

November 13

Washington Post

"Top running back Clinton Portis (concussion) will not play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday at FedEx Field, Coach Jim Zorn said today after practice. "We kept Clinton at home just to get rest," Zorn said. "That was kind of the doctor's orders." With Portis ruled out this week, Ladell Betts is expected to start against Denver. But Betts, who provided a spark after Portis was injured against Atlanta, left practice early because of an ankle injury. "Ladell Betts tried to go early," Zorn said. "Really couldn't finish. His ankle's still getting better." Running backs Rock Cartwright and Quinton Ganther are behind Betts, who rushed for 70 yards (he had a 4.7-yard average) and a touchdown ..."

Portis called 'very, very doubtful' for Sunday

Comment

November 12

Washington Post

"Coach Jim Zorn all but ruled out running back Clinton Portis from Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos, saying Portis, who suffered a concussion Sunday, is "very, very doubtful." Portis, who did not attend practice, met with Zorn at Redskins Park before leaving to consult with a physician and review an impact test Portis underwent after he suffered the concussion early during Washington's 31-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. "I had him in my office this morning and he was still ... you could tell that he wasn't quite 100 percent," Zorn said. "We're not going to mess around with any concussion. He does have a concussion." Quarterback Jason Campbell has encouraged Portis to be careful with ..."

Concussion shelves Redskins' Portis early in loss

Comment

November 9

Washington Times

"Already missing three key players from their offense, the Washington Redskins could ill-afford to be without yet another player - let alone Clinton Portis. But that's exactly what they had to deal with Sunday after Portis left early in the 31-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons with a concussion. The running back became the Redskins' fourth starter - and third 2008 Pro Bowl pick - to be sidelined. Portis, the NFL's leading rusher a year earlier, suffered a concussion when he and Atlanta safety Thomas DeCoud banged helmets with 3:01 left in the first quarter. Portis lay on the turf for a couple of minutes before being helped to his feet. "He got knocked out and was a little woozy," coach Jim ..."

Redskins go down fighting

Comment

November 9

Washington Post

"Of all the unsettling developments in another disappointing season for the Washington Redskins, this could be the most troubling: They have eight games remaining. That's a sobering reality for a team that failed again despite its most spirited second-half performance of the season in a 31-17 loss Sunday afternoon to the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Although the Redskins finally pushed back and made things interesting after being overwhelmed in the first two quarters in front of 67,982, the offensive line's major deficiencies in pass protection and the defense's alarming recent habit of giving up big-play touchdowns proved too much to overcome against an NFC opponent fighting to ..."

Portis reflects on his subpar start

Comment

November 5

Washington Post

"For Clinton Portis, there's a bright side to the Washington Redskins' dismal start. The running back stopped short of calling the current season the most frustrating of his career, though in contrast, he says all the ones that came before it look a bit better. "You appreciate all the other seasons you had. You sit and think, like, 'Oh man, I had a horrible season.' But this is really a horrible season," Portis said. "It makes the seasons that you had success that much better." In his eight seasons in the league, Portis hasn't been through many seasons like this one. His own struggles have mirrored those of the team. Portis has rushed for one touchdown and 490 yards thus far, the ..."

Living under the microscope

Comment

October 22

Washington Examiner

"The reaction in the stadium is loud, intense and directed right at them. The players don't like it, but they know it's coming when a team is struggling. Going out in public is another matter, especially when players are enduring a season like this one. "Everyone feels like they know what the answer is," running back Clinton Portis said. "'They should bench you. What do you think, they should bench you?' At the time, people have the craziest ideas. They think they're on to something. My reply to them is, 'How would you feel if you weren't producing and you was the guy they was going to fire. Just to get the morale up in the building, we're gonna get you out of here.'" Portis said no fan has ..."

Redskins' Portis, Sellers get into spat

Comment

October 10

Washington Times

"The Washington Redskins' Clinton Portis and Mike Sellers went to the 2008 Pro Bowl as a backfield tandem. But WRC-TV reported Thursday that the teammates got into a heated argument this week at Redskin Park about the latter's blocking, one that required other players to separate them. The Redskins declined to let Portis and Sellers talk to reporters Friday, and coach Jim Zorn said the incident was blown out of proportion. It was the cap to a crazy week in which Sherman Lewis was brought out of a 4 1/2-year retirement to be an offensive consultant and defensive coordinator Greg Blache decided he's no longer speaking to the media - all after a 16-13 victory against Tampa Bay. "This is just ..."

Portis and Sellers Have a Heated Verbal Exchange

Comment

October 10

Washington Post

"Redskins running back Clinton Portis and fullback Mike Sellers had a heated exchange this week over Portis's frustration with Sellers's blocking this season, confronting the team with another potentially divisive issue as it prepares to play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. No punches were thrown during the argument, which occurred Monday at Redskins Park, but the players had to be separated and restrained, according to the multiple sources. According to their account, Sellers confronted Portis after learning the team's star running back requested to have Sellers removed from the game during Sunday's 16-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedEx Field. Portis and Sellers declined ..."

Portis Gets His Opportunity to Carry the Day

Comment

October 5

Washington Post

"The breathless reports, it turns out, are simply a means to while away a Sunday morning before the NFL kicks off its games. In some cases, the personnel updates that stream across the Internet and through televisions nationwide are meaningful. In Clinton Portis's, they are not. "You know, it's really going to be impossible to keep me off the field," Portis said Sunday night, baggy jeans covering his powerful legs, enormous round shades covering his eyes. "Y'all feed into the game-time decision, and hopefully he's going to play, and it's breaking news. Unless I got a cast or some crutches, I'm playing." Portis played Sunday, and though his sheer numbers -- 98 yards on 25 carries, a 3.9 ..."

Source: Portis to play

Comment

October 4

ESPN.com

"Banged-up running back Clinton Portis will play for Washington against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, a Redskins official told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Portis is nursing a bruised calf after getting kicked in the second half of last week's loss to Detroit. He's also been hindered by bone spurs in both ankles. Portis is off to one of the slowest starts of his career, with 183 yards on 47 carries through three games for the Redskins (1-2)."

Portis questionable but likely to play

Comment

October 3

Washington Times

"Ailing running back Clinton Portis is a game-time decision for the second straight week, Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn said after Friday's practice. Portis, who did not take any reps in practice all week after getting kicked in his calf in last week's loss to Detroit, agreed with that assessment. Still, both the coach and running back expect Portis to play Sunday against Tampa Bay at FedEx Field. Portis officially is listed as questionable - just as he was a week ago, when his main woe was lingering bone spurs in his ankle. "My struggle is if I put him out there, am I just gonna do this over and over again?" Zorn said. "And I do need to get him well. That is my dilemma. I'm leaning ..."

Patient Portis Says His Time Is Coming

Comment

October 1

Washington Post

"The buzzwords around the Washington Redskins' locker room were familiar for a struggling team that's desperate to align its level of success with its level of talent. While most players suggested it's a matter of execution, a matter of accountability or a matter of consistency, the star running back is not caught up in the hysteria or sense of urgency that surrounds Redskins Park this week. For Clinton Portis, it's a matter of time. "It's only a matter of time before I have a 200-yard game," Portis said. "It's only a matter of time before I have a 150-yard game. It's only a matter of time before I get two or three touchdowns. It's just the fact, when's it coming? I know it's coming. But ..."

Redskins Can't Get Portis Going and Ground Game Suffers

Comment

September 28

Washington Post

"In their season opener, the Detroit Lions allowed New Orleans running back Mike Bell to rush for 143 yards. A week later, Minnesota's Adrian Peterson blitzed the Lions for 92 yards. So entering Sunday's game against the Redskins, Detroit might have seemed vulnerable against the run. Instead, the Redskins and their stagnant rushing game were run out of town in a bruising 19-14 loss. Redskins running back Clinton Portis finished with just 42 yards on 12 carries, and Washington netted only 65 yards on the ground against a Detroit team that gave up 269 rushing yards in its first two games. Coach Jim Zorn said the team's game plan against the Lions called for the offense to establish its early ..."

Portis to play through pain

Comment

September 26

Washington Times

"Clinton Portis did not practice Friday, and the Washington Redskins listed the running back as questionable for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. Coach Jim Zorn, however, said Portis will play. "His ankles have been sore," Zorn said. "We've got many [other backs] to choose from, but I expect Clinton to be out there ripping around." Portis, who has started every game since he finished the 2006 season on injured reserve with a broken hand, declined to comment. Zorn said Portis has been suffering from bone spurs in both ankles - a difficulty the coach had not revealed this season. "It's been happening, not all preseason, but he's got a couple little spurs that are irritating," Zorn ..."

Redskins' Portis ready to share the load

Comment

September 17

Washington Times

"Clinton Portis thought he was in for a monster day when he broke through the right side of the New York Giants' defense on his first play of the season opener Sunday. "After that run, I was like, 'Oooh! 150, baby!' " the Washington Redskins' Pro Bowl running back said. Not even close. Portis ran for 34 yards on that first attempt but didn't get halfway to 150 for the day - he managed just 28 yards on his remaining 15 carries. "It was just a little off here and there," coach Jim Zorn said of the faltering ground game. And with that plunge in production, the Redskins' chances of upsetting the defending NFC East champions on the road vanished. The numbers don't lie: The Redskins win when ..."

Redskins Succeed When Portis Does, but Back Isn't Clamoring for More Touches

Comment

September 17

Washington Post

"Before practice Wednesday, Chris Cooley walked to the bulletin board near the entrance of the Washington Redskins' locker room and used a pushpin to hang a copy of an e-mail he had just received from a fan. The letter quickly erupted into a string of bawdy insults, more than two dozen angry expletives and ripped no fewer than seven players, from Jason Campbell to Clinton Portis. "YOU [expletive] NEED TO START PLAYING WITH SOME HEART, PASSION, AND LOVE FOR THE GAME Instead out there collecting paychecks," it said. "The only team I see out there with some heart are the cheerleaders." Just about every Redskins player knows he's ripe for scrutiny and dissection heading into the home opener ..."

Focus on Portis' future has been running wild

Comment

August 4

Washington Times

columnist Dan Daly

"Too much attention is being paid these days to the wear on Clinton Portis' tires - and whether it might be wise for him take out some more collision coverage. Granted, he's 9,202 yards down the road and turns 28 next month, but correct me if I'm wrong: Aren't we living in the Era of the Forward Pass? Are running backs, even backs as productive as Portis, really that important in the grand scheme of things? Joe Montana won his first Super Bowl with Ricky Patton and Earl Cooper in the backfield. Tom Brady won two rings with Antowain Smith and Kevin Faulk as his main ball carriers. And Peyton Manning, let's not forget, finally won the Lombardi Trophy the year after Edgerrin James left in ..."

Running Into His Twilight

Comment

August 2

Washington Post

"Work began Saturday at Redskins Park, and work, for the moment, meant Clinton Portis jogged backwards, just loosening up in a line with his teammates. Fans along the sideline howled his name, mere movement by the team's star running back enough to get them going in the early-morning heat, and he raised his right hand by way of acknowledgment. At that point, with the work started, Portis was just two weeks removed from a 10-day sojourn to, of all places, Berlin, where what they call football is soccer, where he could think not of the work but of the pleasure, where he would be neither recognized nor harassed nor asked about how much he would practice or whether he really gets along with ..."