Clinton Portis says this could be his last year in Washington.

[Ness]

But after a 2006 season that ended early because of shoulder and hand injuries and included the emergence of Ladell Betts and a forgettable preseason in which knee tendinitis has kept him sidelined for four weeks, Portis admits this season may be his last with the Redskins.

"The world forgot about me this year," he said. "I have to make it work this year or I'll be out of here and probably be doing these same interviews somewhere else

Click here. (http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070829/SPORTS01/108290088/1005/SPORTS)

[Venom]

I don't think it's set in stone that the 'Skins won't try to keep Portis. I don't think Betts has "emerged" as anything but a capable back-up. this might depend on where the 'Skins finish and if they want to gamble on a 1st or high 2nd round RB in '08.

[Optimus Moo]

Maybe they could get rid of Clinton Portis and sign Kevan Barlow.

[Underrated49ers]

OMG We should sign Clinton Portis!

[Ness]

I'm thinking this might be the end of Portis in general. His knee keeps bothering him. He should have just kept his mouth shut and stayed in Denver.

[MasterShake]

My fantasy team likes that Portis has something to play for this year...

[true9erfan]

I'm thinking this might be the end of Portis in general. His knee keeps bothering him. He should have just kept his mouth shut and stayed in Denver.

Did he force himself out of Denver that's why they traded him for Champ Bailey?

[SB49er4life]

I'd get outta Washington if I were him; they seem to be regressing every year and purposely not addressing serious concern areas. Their WR fiasco is just turning into one enormous headache, and they absolutely refuse to do anything about their D-line.

[ozzcows]

I'm thinking this might be the end of Portis in general. His knee keeps bothering him. He should have just kept his mouth shut and stayed in Denver.

He missed last year with a shoulder injury I thought???

[BrentJones84]

I'm thinking this might be the end of Portis in general. His knee keeps bothering him. He should have just kept his mouth shut and stayed in Denver.

He was traded, I don't think he had much of a choice but to go Washington.

[Optimus Moo]

He was traded, I don't think he had much of a choice but to go Washington.

But wasn't part of the reason he got traded was due to contract demands? I believe that was the case, and Denver just said, "Hey, we'll trade you, because our offensive line in our system creates the yards, not the running back."

[BrentJones84]

Anyhow, I don't read this as Portis wants to leave the Skins, he's just being realistic that if he can't play to his full potential, they will have a valid reason to get rid of him.

I think that's actually commendable to admit.

[Blue Bird]

He was traded, I don't think he had much of a choice but to go Washington.

No, he did. He was coming up on the end of his rookie deal and wanted a new one. He threatened to hold out if he didn't get it. He was traded to Washington because Denver didn't want to redo his rookie deal but they wanted to get something in return for him (Champ Bailey) before he walked.

[BrentJones84]

But wasn't part of the reason he got traded was due to contract demands? I believe that was the case, and Denver just said, "Hey, we'll trade you, because our offensive line in our system creates the yards, not the running back."

Well, that might have been a big part of it, but Denver didn't just trade him to get rid of him, they traded to get one of the best CB in the league, a position they really needed, and Washington really needed a RB at the time, so it's possible the trade may have happened regardless of a contract dispute.

[Sac-King_916]

I'd get outta Washington if I were him; they seem to be regressing every year and purposely not addressing serious concern areas. Their WR fiasco is just turning into one enormous headache, and they absolutely refuse to do anything about their D-line.

Exactly my thoughts.

[Ness]

He was traded, I don't think he had much of a choice but to go Washington.

I won't explain what everyone already has to you. ^.~

[Blue Bird]

Well, that might have been a big part of it, but Denver didn't just trade him to get rid of him, they traded to get one of the best CB in the league, a position they really needed, and Washington really needed a RB at the time, so it's possible the trade may have happened regardless of a contract dispute.
Nobody was even talking trade until he threatened to hold out. Sure, it's "possible" but highly unlikely. The trade idea only came up as a last resort to solving the Portis stand off.

[RedskinsFan86]

I'd get outta Washington if I were him; they seem to be regressing every year and purposely not addressing serious concern areas. Their WR fiasco is just turning into one enormous headache, and they absolutely refuse to do anything about their D-line. You mean that defense that's leaving the preseason as the 2nd best overall defense, 5th best against the pass, and 7th best against the run? When several starters also barely played? Or could it be that Gregg Williams knows what he's doing better than an armchair QB on a message board and the Redskins defense will be top 15, if not top 10 again this year?

[majesstik1]

...the Redskins defense will be top 15, if not top 10 again this year?

Possibly, but they're going to need to stay healthy to achieve that. Your starters are solid, but depth is a huge concern.

[Optimus Moo]

Possibly, but they're going to need to stay healthy to achieve that. Your starters are solid, but depth is a huge concern.

... but they are in a division with Romo and Eli, which can pad stats...

[BrentJones84]

You mean that defense that's leaving the preseason as the 2nd best overall defense, 5th best against the pass, and 7th best against the run? When several starters also barely played? Or could it be that Gregg Williams knows what he's doing better than an armchair QB on a message board and the Redskins defense will be top 15, if not top 10 again this year?

6-10, 10-6, and 5-11 since he's been there.

[RedskinsFan86]

6-10, 10-6, and 5-11 since he's been there. i think you're looking at a possible 10-6 team again- injuries have to be taken into consideration for last year, particularly on defense, along with the messier than necessary transition between offensive schemes and brunell finally exiting center stage.

[majesstik1]

... but they are in a division with Romo and Eli, which can pad stats...

Sheli is actually looking like a QB this year.

Crazy, I know...

[RedskinsFan86]

Possibly, but they're going to need to stay healthy to achieve that. Your starters are solid, but depth is a huge concern. With Smoot, Macklin, Prioleau back...I think this is the deepest secondary Gregg Williams has had yet in D.C.....plus at linebacker H.B. Blades has been a monster in the preseason...I don't know, to be fully honest, heading into the preseason I thought our depth in the front 7 was pretty weak, but now I'm not so sure, it might be alright. I mean you look at all the injuries we sustained last year in every spot on defense except for Sean Taylor and Andre Carter, and it's hard to say "oh depth was an issue," very few teams have enough quality depth for situations like that without serious drop-off.

[majesstik1]

With Smoot, Macklin, Prioleau back...I think this is the deepest secondary Gregg Williams has had yet in D.C.....plus at linebacker H.B. Blades has been a monster in the preseason...I don't know, to be fully honest, heading into the preseason I thought our depth in the front 7 was pretty weak, but now I'm not so sure, it might be alright. I mean you look at all the injuries we sustained last year in every spot on defense except for Sean Taylor and Andre Carter, and it's hard to say "oh depth was an issue," very few teams have enough quality depth for situations like that without serious drop-off.

Smoot and Macklin have become toast over the last few seasons. Neither is starting caliber, and both are fringe Nickle/Dimes. Plus, you just released two former starters, that has an effect on depth, and continuity.

I'm looking at your roster, and I just don't see any quality depth, outside of safety.

[Optimus Moo]

Sheli is actually looking like a QB this year.

Crazy, I know...

When the games mean something, I'll believe it. Time will tell if he gets his butt in gear.

[RedskinsFan86]

Smoot and Macklin have become toast over the last few seasons. Neither is starting caliber, and both are fringe Nickle/Dimes. Plus, you just released two former starters, that has an effect on depth, and continuity.

I'm looking at your roster, and I just don't see any quality depth, outside of safety. Smoot was in a cover 2 system- terrible compared to the Gregg Williams system he was perfectly fine in. It doesn't help when he's in car accidents and his family members are dying either, Minnesota was just a terrible, terrible fit for him, both mentally and professionally. A healthy Springs, Rogers, and Smoot is probably up there with Philly as the best 3 corner set in the NFC East right now, along with Landry and Taylor covering the middle.

And what former starters were released? Besides Lemar Marshall (which was certainly surprising), he'd be the only guy really effecting depth. Someone can sit there all day and stare at our roster and probably not be too impressed, but how often does that really mean anything? I'm sure you were thrilled by our defensive roster before the 2004 season and that certainly worked out.

[majesstik1]

Smoot was in a cover 2 system- terrible compared to the Gregg Williams system he was perfectly fine in. It doesn't help when he's in car accidents and his family members are dying either, Minnesota was just a terrible, terrible fit for him, both mentally and professionally. A healthy Springs, Rogers, and Smoot is probably up there with Philly as the best 3 corner set in the NFC East right now, along with Landry and Taylor covering the middle.

And what former starters were released? Besides Lemar Marshall (which was certainly surprising), he'd be the only guy really effecting depth. Someone can sit there all day and stare at our roster and probably not be too impressed, but how often does that really mean anything? I'm sure you were thrilled by our defensive roster before the 2004 season and that certainly worked out.

Wasn't Saleva'a a starter over the last couple of years?

I'm just saying, your team isn't built to withstand more than one or two major injuries, and WAS has players that seem to find themselves in that situation every year. Springs has the trainer's number on speed dial, Washington is coming off injury, as is Portis. The starters all look good, and WAS should more competative this year than last, but there's reason to be cautiously optimistic for Skin fans.

[RedskinsFan86]

Wasn't Saleva'a a starter over the last couple of years?

I'm just saying, your team isn't built to withstand more than one or two major injuries, and WAS has players that seem to find themselves in that situation every year. Springs has the trainer's number on speed dial, Washington is coming off injury, as is Portis. The starters all look good, and WAS should more competative this year than last, but there's reason to be cautiously optimistic for Skin fans. As with a lot of teams though. Portis is coming off his first year really having injury problems, and I'm not totally sold that his knee tendonitis is a real issue just yet. Combined with the reports that he's been practicing just fine, it could be overblown to keep him out of preseason after last year's fiasco, and hopefully Betts can remain healthy to spell him more than previous years. Yeah, Springs is hurt a lot, but when he's healthy he's Pro Bowl level of play and there was nothing to do with him this year but keep him. I'm confident he'll be gone after next year, but it doesn't really hurt to try him out again this year and see if he can stay healthy. I think we were a lot worse off in the depth department last year than we are this year- particularly in areas like our secondary, defensive line, and offensive line. Going back to last year- there are very few teams in the NFL that could sustain that amount of injuries to their starters and still remain competitive, that was the perfect storm of an awful season on all fronts, meanwhile Dallas I believe didn't have any injuries to any starters. Sometimes **** happens, and sometimes it doesn't, I dunno, but I certainly feel more comfortable this year about this team that's quietly been on the rebound from last year than I thought I would. Cautious optimism? Of course, every fan should have that, except for maybe a Patriots fan.

As for Salave'a, Big Joe had a nice run being picked off the scrap heap in 2004, displayed flashes in 2005, and did absolutely nothing of worth in 2006. He just doesn't have it in him anymore, and it wouldn't make sense to keep a guy like that around, especially when guys like Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery (actual recent draft picks of the Skins) are outperforming him on every level. I'll always be a fan of the guy since he was a real core team player, one of those blue collar workers that you could count on buckling down and doing whatever asked, but when he flat out can't do what he's asked anymore, it's time to cut ties for the good of everyone. That's the NFL these days.

[LOrd DRen]

Just retire bro.

[BrentJones84]

I won't explain what everyone already has to you. ^.~

Yeah, I got schooled pretty well there. :laugh:

Oh well, live and learn.

[Otis III]

Clinton Portis probably should've stayed with the Broncos. When he was there, he was one of the best players on the Broncos and ever since he has been with the Redskins, he hasn't been the same. He probably should leave the Redskins after this year. Is he a FA after this year? The only thing is will anyone pick him up? I mean, he is still a pretty good RB, but he hasn't really been the same ever since he got traded from the Broncos.

[esanton]

There are a few teams that could use him.

[jmichura]

Anyhow, I don't read this as Portis wants to leave the Skins, he's just being realistic that if he can't play to his full potential, they will have a valid reason to get rid of him.

I think that's actually commendable to admit.

I actually read it the same way you did. I wish more players had this attitude on coming back from injury.

[SB49er4life]

Clinton Portis probably should've stayed with the Broncos. When he was there, he was one of the best players on the Broncos and ever since he has been with the Redskins, he hasn't been the same. He probably should leave the Redskins after this year. Is he a FA after this year? The only thing is will anyone pick him up? I mean, he is still a pretty good RB, but he hasn't really been the same ever since he got traded from the Broncos.

He had no choice to leave the Bronco's; he was traded straight up for Champ Bailey.

Somebody will pick him, he's still very talented, and probably would have had a big year last year if he wasn't injured and the passing game could have taken any kinda pressure off the run game.

[Rexi]

I freakin' hate Clinton Portis, as a player and a person. I hope he washes out of the league in a year or two...

[RedskinsFan86]

I freakin' hate Clinton Portis, as a player and a person. I hope he washes out of the league in a year or two... haha jeez, why would you hate clinton portis so much?