Greg Williams on Clinton Portis

[BernieSki]

Did anyone here the remarks that Greg Williams made about Clinton Portis? I was listening to the radio this morning and the reporter said that Greg Williams was concerned that Clinton Portis took himself out of the game for several plays last week. He reported that William's said, "Portis has too much say so about when he plays".

I hope that Greg Williams does not start some kind of trouble within the team, he needs to keep feelings like this between the coaches. When you bring the media in all it does is start to create problems.

[vtfootball07]

Did anyone here the remarks that Greg Williams made about Clinton Portis? I was listening to the radio this morning and the reporter said that Greg Williams was concerned that Clinton Portis took himself out of the game for several plays last week. He reported that William's said, "Portis has too much say so about when he plays".

I hope that Greg Williams does not start some kind of trouble within the team, he needs to keep feelings like this between the coaches. When you bring the media in all it does is start to create problems.

I just read actually that it was Al Saunders. Either way, who knows what the motivation was to say that.

ASHBURN -- When Clinton Portis took himself out of the game with the score tied late in the fourth quarter, the coach calling the plays was far from pleased.

"I was not happy about that," Washington Redskins assistant Al Saunders said Wednesday.

Portis, who decides when he plays and when he sits, decided to sit mid-drive with the score tied at 27 and the ball in the opponent's territory in Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ladell Betts entered and ran the ball on the next three plays, including a third-and-1 that he failed to convert.

"The first thing that went through my mind: 'Why are you coming out?'" Saunders said. "I talked to Clinton about that today. There's a scenario, and you're trying to set up things sometimes. And if he comes out to -- quote, as he said -- 'recover,' it sometimes really throws you off."

http://www.roanoke.com/sports/profootball/wb/85682[/quote]

[Steve Spurrier III]

I agree with Saunders, although I wish it wasn't public. Portis should have a say when he plays, but not the final say.

I like the Portis/Betts ratio of 27/11 like we had against Jacksonville, but Portis is the guy we want in the game in the fourth quarter. That third and one that Betts failed to convert was huge.

[SkinzCanes]

That third and one that Betts failed to convert was huge.

I can think of a recently acquired running back that would've been perfect for that situation.

[BrodysDad]

If it is true, what happened to the whole "call me what you want to, but when the game is on the line, call my number" thing? I mean, I love Clinton, but I too was puzzled when he wasn't in there on that 3rd and 1.

[Fios]

Let's not blow this up into something larger than it is, for all we know this is a dead issue

[roybus14]

I don't know what to make of this but I do know that the "great ones" play until their lungs fall out. Especially in crunch time...

[air_hog]

What are you guys talking about?

Portis is the heart and soul of the offense, probably event the whole team and now you guys are questioning his leadership or whatever.

Maybe he aggrovated his shoulder a little, or maybe he just got winded. And if something like that is the case, well a 100% Ladell Betts is better than a 50% CP.

[UK Skins Fan]

Well, I don't think this is much of a big deal really, but I believe it's a coach's job to tell a player when to sit. It's the player's job to respond when his number is called.

But this really just smells like more press mischief to me.

[SkinzCanes]

but I believe it's a coach's job to tell a player when to sit.

Lots of players take themselves out of games when they are winded or slightly banged up. Usually they signal over to the bench by tapping their helmet or doing something similar. If anyone is to blame here it is Saunders. He should've kept his mouth shut. I didn't see any players getting on his case when his offense wasn't getting anything done in the first two games.

[Fios]

Isn't it possible this is a case where Saunders said "Hey Clinton, next time you need a breather let's figure out a way to indicate that so I don't call plays for you" and Portis said "OK"? Further, would this be the first time our lack of knowlegdge regarding the situation led to totally baseless speculation?

[UK Skins Fan]

"Totally baseless speculation?" You definitely aren't a journalist, are you Fios? You seem to have a wholly unhealthy interest in facts rather than fantasies.

[Gnome]

Relax.

Clinton is an odd personality who walks to his own drummer. And he is a beast for us.

0-2 minus CP. 2-0 with CP.

And he knows his shoulder better than anyone on the Earth.

Riggo once took an entire season off! Much to Pardee's chagrin.

[rick301]

Two points:

Coach Joe Gibbs, who started letting Portis enter and exit more or less at will last year, stood by his player. Saunders, he noted, is new to the team and is still learning the ways of the flamboyant running back.

"We're so used to it from last year because there was a lot of freedom with Clinton last year," Gibbs said. "If he comes out, he's got something that's bothering him or he's gassed, and he's afraid that by staying in there he's going to hurt us. I just think it's one of those things you have to trust him on."

and

Saunders, who has installed a new offense after being hired from Kansas City, agreed that he's still trying to figure Portis out. Still, when push comes to shove, he wants his best players in the game.

"There's a reason he's the starter, and when it's a critical part of the game, you'd like your No. 1 guy in there," Saunders said.

Both have merit ... but I tend to side with JC's opinion (plus he's the head coach). If CP thinks he's going to less effective than LB, he's doing the wise thing.

Now ... at the risk of turning this into a Brunell thread ... I wish more players would do that. When Brunell was injured last year, he should have stepped aside (until healthy) for the sake of the team.


http://www.potomacnews.com/servlet/Sate ... th=!sports

[SkinsJock]

Let's not blow this up into something larger than it is, for all we know this is a dead issue

Well said, flexi straw! I seem to have read that Gibbs is aware of this and just passed it off by saying that Saunders is not yet used to Portis and how he handles himself during games. Gibbs left no doubt that this was a non issue and I certainly hope some other people do not try to make it one. Especially anyone who does not really know what is going on.

The only thing Portis needs to worry about right now is trying to get that impersonation of Dolemite Jenkins right

[Justice Hog]

I can think of a recently acquired running back that would've been perfect for that situation.

Thank you! Thank you! That's what I've been saying all along!

But here is what I think is happening, folks.

The Skins have won 2 in a row.

Now the media is just trying to anything to distract the Skins because, in general, I find that the Media are not the biggest Skins supporters.

This "story" (for lack of a better word) is just something that is being dug up to try to start a controversy that doesn't exist.

[USAFSkinFan]

I'd just like to say that I have no idea what to say about this... CP's a good player and AS seems to be a good coach so I hope this kind of talk just goes away...

[SkinzCanes]

Now the media is just trying to anything to distract the Skins because, in general, I find that the Media are not the biggest Skins supporters.

This "story" (for lack of a better word) is just something that is being dug up to try to start a controversy that doesn't exist.

I agree with this to a certain extent, but the bottom line is that this is only an issue because Saunders didn't keep his mouth shut. If Saunders had a problem with what CP did he should've talked to him about it instead of running his mouth to the media. Same thing goes for Lindsey. No need to start a war of words with Lavar.

[HEROHAMO]

If it is true, what happened to the whole "call me what you want to, but when the game is on the line, call my number" thing? I mean, I love Clinton, but I too was puzzled when he wasn't in there on that 3rd and 1.

Dude the guy is coming off a shoulder injury! Hello people if Portis was fully healthy Im sure none of this would have been a question.

[mastdark81]

I've heard on a radio show right out of Clinton's mouth that he had sore hip that he fell on during the game and this was the reason he was out at times during the Jacksonville game.

[redskins12287]

On a side not, this isn't the first time this season Betts has faield to convert on 3rd and 1. Not to say its his fault, but as someone hinted at earlier, didn't we give a certain team in georgia a 3rd round pick for a guy built for 3rd and 1 built for these plays?