Portis On Campbell

[UK Skins Fan]

I don't care what Clinton thinks, I really don't. Whether he's right or wrong is less relevant than the fact that he should shut the hell up.

Preferrably, go a long way away, and shut the hell up.

It's not irrelevant. Portis carried this team last year to the 6-2 start, not Campbell. And as soon as his body got worn down, and the 0-line suffered a couple of injuries, we saw what happened to the offense when Portis wasn't producing 130+ yards a game, didn't we?

Then at the start of 2009, Zorn decides that the woes of the offense could best be fixed by reducing Portis's role, while coddling Campbell.

And Portis's calling out of Sellers last year was correct too .. he was missing blocks right and left.

So he didn't keep his mouth shut ... he calls it like he sees it ... a QB that can't get it done, and a FB that wasn't doing his job well either.

If you're missing the point ... here it is ... Portis has been THE OFFENSE on this team, and he has always been ridden into the ground without a lot of help from those around him, yet Zorn singled him out ... had open confrontations with him in front of the players and the TV crowd.

Portis has a right to have an attitude.

That's just laughable. You're allowing the fact that you agree with what Portis has said to blind you to the obvious fact that his mouthing off in public is bad for team chemistry. He may have had an issue with Sellers' blocking, but the man to voice that opinion to was Sellers. He may have an issue with Campbell's leadership and ability to run the offence, but that opinion should stay within the TEAM, not get blabbed out to the press.

Portis has ALWAYS had an attitude - it hasn't just appeared through Zorn's coaching, or because of the play of Campbell or Sellers. Portis has been a good player, but a lousy teammate.

[DEHog]

I'm sorry JC let his guard down and spoke at length like that. Yes, everything that he said is true. Still, I think it would have been smarter in the long run to pass on that opportunity to comment (like he has countless times before). Clinton Portis said what he did because (a) he's gone anyway, and (b) even if he wasn't gone, he's somehow got Snyder by the nuts. Not to mention the kind of personal character (or lack thereof) it takes to call out a teammate like that. Whatever good Portis was for this franchise in 2005, 2008 and 2009 are quickly dirtying his accomplishments: both his on-field play and his off-field antics.

However, Jason should have just held on a few more weeks, and remained silent. He only lowers himself closer to Portis's level by commenting. Better for Jason to focus on his own future: he still has a great chance to be a backup somewhere, and maybe with some luck find another shot at a starting role. I can understand his frustration, but I think in the long run it harms him.

That's a great point IB and had it been any other player I would agree, but because it was Portis...I'm going to give J a pass. Its high time someone called the baby ugly! Portis has had no problem doing it..in the media...so J responded in kind....and you see Portis called J....I have a feeling alot of players agreed with J

[SkinsJock]

as I said before - this was a big mistake on Portis' part - Campbell surprised me by responding like that and as others have intimated, where was this attitude all season

I understand that Campbell has had a rough time behind a bad line but there were still many times where he just threw the ball away in disgust - really good players play out every down - Campbell could still be here this season but that is more because there is nobody else available than because he's a good QB - if he is then he's been hiding it well - he was the one that said he just wanted an opportunity after all the BS early last year - I'll be very happy if we can use him but I don't think it will be very productive

Portis is going to be in an interesting situation here because these guys are not going to care about what he's done on the field - they only want to know if he's still got anything - this guy can still play but I don't know if he wants to bad enough with how he's been here the last few years - he needs to step up big time

Portis was way wrong and I'm glad he called Campbell - remains to be seen what effect it will have - this franchise is now being managed by some people that are going to want to establish their own credentials and I don't think we are going to see any more in depth statements to the media

[roybus14]

It's too bad you can't rewind time and take stuff back because Clinton Portis just sealed his fate here and elsewhere with taking on JC and his response to being a team captain or leader. He made it all about him and that he just wants to come in and do "his" thing and that's it. He's not Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson. He's an aging RB with bad work habits who thinks it's all about him and that won't cut it here or anywhere.

One of the things that is interesting about this is that, it's really telling by what JC said about Clinton not being there and doing his own thing. Then you got Rock coming out and saying something about lack of disicipline. This team has talent that was allowed to underachieve and do what they want.

Hopefully Shanahan will change that.

[DaveD1420]

Portis should stick to commenting on dogfighting.

[langleyparkjoe]

Portis should stick to commenting on dogfighting.

Why, to show more people how ignorant he is?

I love CP, that's my guy.. I just really wish he'd shut up for once though. Maybe the things he said are true, I have no idea. Looking from the tv I'd say yep, there was alot of confusion going on but lets just recap real quick.

CP got hurt so I can't really comment on his work ethic but we've seen him give 100% during the season. His vice has always been how he elevates himself above his team mates during the offseason and often has the audacity to run his mouth. Like Frank said, we're just tired of it.

JC has been balling his tail off, that's a fact. I'm not saying he's good but you HAVE to admire a QB who takes a beating and continues to give 100%. That alone should give the guy some respect. Do I wish we had a better QB, absolutely! On the other hand, I'd love to see him behind a healthy OL for a full season before we all bash the dude. I'm not a JC lover but I really respect his work ethic.

About him going back @ CP.. I agree with Bru (I think he said it) to an extent that JC should've taken the higher road and keep silent but come on man, enough is enough. Everyone's been bashing JC but NO ONE bashed him last season for the first 8 games. Is it ironic that those first 8 games our OL was completely healthy?.. I think not.

I truely hope our new coach/gm sits all the players down and tell them to shut the heck up cause some of them may not even be here, that's the bottom line.

[fleetus]

Man ... I don't want to dislike CP, I still think he's sadly unappreciated by many Redskins fans but this is too much, this disappoints me.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I'm an avid Portis defender but I'm very disappointed in this recent outburst.

But... It's like, JC why show some nads now? Where was this in week 2.

Between Portis, Hall and Haynesworth, there is a really bad trend of these guys running to the media to TELL everyone what they think. This has got to stop. This is the attitude that is killing the locker room. Me, me, me all the way. You rarely hear Portis, Hall or Haynesworth say, man I didn't play my best or I made a mistake. But they have no problem pointing fingers. These guys make as many mistakes as any other player, so why is it always someone elses fault?

[langleyparkjoe]

Man ... I don't want to dislike CP, I still think he's sadly unappreciated by many Redskins fans but this is too much, this disappoints me.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I'm an avid Portis defender but I'm very disappointed in this recent outburst.

But... It's like, JC why show some nads now? Where was this in week 2.

Between Portis, Hall and Haynesworth, there is a really bad trend of these guys running to the media to TELL everyone what they think. This has got to stop. This is the attitude that is killing the locker room. Me, me, me all the way. You rarely hear Portis, Hall or Haynesworth say, man I didn't play my best or I made a mistake. But they have no problem pointing fingers. These guys make as many mistakes as any other player, so why is it always someone elses fault?

It's my fault we suck dude.. not anyone elses ok?.. there, I said it!

[CanesSkins26]

This team has talent

The level of talent on this team is vastly overrated by most fans imo. Sure, a lack of discipline could be attributed to some of the struggles, but the main factor, IMO, is a severe lack of talent at many positions, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. I mean, seriously, on offense, other than at tight end, at what position do we have anything other than average/below average players?

[VetSkinsFan]

I'm sorry JC let his guard down and spoke at length like that. Yes, everything that he said is true. Still, I think it would have been smarter in the long run to pass on that opportunity to comment (like he has countless times before). Clinton Portis said what he did because (a) he's gone anyway, and (b) even if he wasn't gone, he's somehow got Snyder by the nuts. Not to mention the kind of personal character (or lack thereof) it takes to call out a teammate like that. Whatever good Portis was for this franchise in 2005, 2008 and 2009 are quickly dirtying his accomplishments: both his on-field play and his off-field antics.

However, Jason should have just held on a few more weeks, and remained silent. He only lowers himself closer to Portis's level by commenting. Better for Jason to focus on his own future: he still has a great chance to be a backup somewhere, and maybe with some luck find another shot at a starting role. I can understand his frustration, but I think in the long run it harms him.

I respectfully disagree. There's a time to fold and there's a time to call. JC has been on the hotseat (and still is to some degree) for as long as I can remember.

In the past, I can see where Portis PoV has come from and even agree to it somewhat, but this is not one of those times. Portis, who's not played for half of the year, wants to comment on what's going on in the huddle? Comment on what JC's doing and not doing while he's under Snyder's desk with special treatment?

I can look the other way as long as he's pulling his weight, but damn it, he's sitting with his feet up blasting a guy who's barely able to pull himself off of the ground after the hits he's taken. And this guy who hasn't stepped on the field for 8 weeks is still pointing fingers? Really. If you're not putting up, you need to shut up. And if you don't shut up, then someone needs to shut you up...and I think JC did just that.

I applaud JC standing up for himself. IMHO, JC's retort was perfectly timed. The lamenting he's taken all year with dignity and class show that he's not a hothead. This reply shows that he's not a punching dummy and WILL choose his battles. His replies were warranted, relavant, and still didn't 'stoop to Portis' level'.

Jason Campbell!!!

[frankcal20]

I think the best line was where he said that some players need to stop being "ME" guys and be "WE" guys. JC still didn't say I this or I that but said We fought hard, etc. He could've said that the line stunk and he was hurt but you didn't see him running to the trainer to be taken out of the game. Hell, he was even given the opportunity to leave the game but said he wanted to finish it and he did.

Regardless of what you may think about Jason as a player at this point, I think he did what was right as a person. He's fortunate that he's in a position with his contract where he can stand up and say something. New coach coming in to change the teams metality.

[RayNAustin]

I don't care what Clinton thinks, I really don't. Whether he's right or wrong is less relevant than the fact that he should shut the hell up.

Preferrably, go a long way away, and shut the hell up.

It's not irrelevant. Portis carried this team last year to the 6-2 start, not Campbell. And as soon as his body got worn down, and the 0-line suffered a couple of injuries, we saw what happened to the offense when Portis wasn't producing 130+ yards a game, didn't we?

Then at the start of 2009, Zorn decides that the woes of the offense could best be fixed by reducing Portis's role, while coddling Campbell.

And Portis's calling out of Sellers last year was correct too .. he was missing blocks right and left.

So he didn't keep his mouth shut ... he calls it like he sees it ... a QB that can't get it done, and a FB that wasn't doing his job well either.

If you're missing the point ... here it is ... Portis has been THE OFFENSE on this team, and he has always been ridden into the ground without a lot of help from those around him, yet Zorn singled him out ... had open confrontations with him in front of the players and the TV crowd.

Portis has a right to have an attitude.

That's just laughable. You're allowing the fact that you agree with what Portis has said to blind you to the obvious fact that his mouthing off in public is bad for team chemistry. He may have had an issue with Sellers' blocking, but the man to voice that opinion to was Sellers. He may have an issue with Campbell's leadership and ability to run the offence, but that opinion should stay within the TEAM, not get blabbed out to the press.

Portis has ALWAYS had an attitude - it hasn't just appeared through Zorn's coaching, or because of the play of Campbell or Sellers. Portis has been a good player, but a lousy teammate.

First off, I read exactly what Portis said, and it didn't sound like this blatant, outright condemnation of Campbell ...

"(He's) going to give you everything (he's) got. But as a leader ... it was always, 'Jason couldn't take control of the huddle,' or 'He didn't do this' or 'He didn't do that.' That wasn't Jason's character. ... I think Jason, you can't place so much on somebody who's not ready for that situation. I think Jason has enough trouble in getting the plays in and worrying about this, compared to controlling the huddle."

I read that quite a bit different than how it is being depicted by the media and some of you .. Portis was suggesting that "others" criticisms of Jason about what he can't do or hasn't done was an unfair expectation, given Campbell's personality type, along with the carrousel of coaches sending in plays. That anyone represents this as Portis directly condemning Campbell is a real stretch.

It's clear that many in the media "bait" certain players, and then make a big issue out of the response ... they ask certain leading questions that any response will sound controversial no matter what is said ... including no comment at all. And Portis is an easy target for that because, let's face it, Portis isn't exactly a master of conversation.

Yes, Portis comments were a realistic portrayal of Campbell's extremely laid back style that most would readily agree with, and I have stated those exact observations many times.

On the other hand, Campbell's response was an outright condemnation of Portis, and way more critical and direct than anything Portis said about Campbell.

Campbell has also questioned Zorn's support of him, which I find thoroughly incredible, given the patience and coaching and unwavering manner in which Zorn stuck with him in spite of some pretty poor performances over the past 24 games dating back to mid season last year.

As far as Campbell complaining to Zorn or anyone about taking a beating ... Portis has taken way more physical pounding carrying this team since 2004 than ANYTHING poor Jason has had to endure, and Portis has been way more valuable to this team offensively than anything Campbell has provided.

So my take on the matter is that although Portis's comments weren't a glowing endorsement of Campbell's leadership, it was far from a direct attack, and is just another example of the media stirring the pot and capitalizing on an opportunity to prey on the team's overall frustrations and lack of leadership from the top down.

Let's be honest .. RBs take more pounding than anyone else on the team, and Portis has been ridden like a mule since arriving here. Has he received special treatment regarding practices and such? Maybe ... and maybe John Riggins did too when he was being pounded and spent 2 days a week in traction, trying to heal up enough to go the next Sunday.

Anybody who suggests that Portis has been a soft player is totally full of it. The guy has been the best offensive weapon, as well as an unselfish blocker the whole time he's been here. That he has been less than that this year (which was both obvious and uncharacteristic) was due in large part (I believe) to his being demoted to a less meaningful role in the offense by Zorn from the very start of the year.

If anyone wants to go back and check, you'll see several comments by me regarding the absurdity of an underperforming offense that chooses to have their best runner as well as best pass blocker on the sideline on 3rd downs. And this dissension in the ranks is symptomatic of a poorly coached and poorly managed team that lacks the discipline that only comes from those in charge.

Additionally, if Portis did go over the coach's head, straight to the owner on issues, to me, the fault resides with the owner and the coach not maintaing the proper chain of command, not the player.

[CanesSkins26]

From ey....

Before the Shanahan Era begins, one final note about the Redskins and leadership. Chris ey was on SIRIUS NFL Radio's "The SIRIUS Blitz" Tuesday, primarily to talk about Bruce Allen and Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato and Mike Shanahan. But at one point, hosts Adam Schein and Rich Gannon asked ey about the team's locker room leaders. And ey said something that would probably have made headlines had his initials been CP.

"Well, I'll tell you, the problem with our team is we haven't had a lot of offensive leadership," ey said. "I think defensively, there's guys like London Fletcher and Cornelius Griffin that have really stepped up and been leaders, and it shows. The defense was outstanding this year. It's been tough because of the carousel of players in and out offensively; we lost Chris Sameuls early, who a lot of people looked at [as a leader]. To be honest, someone that I thought was a good leader was Casey Rabach, someone that I think we really need back, a guy going into free agency this year. But there wasn't enough offensive leadership. There wasn't someone that took the team and said, 'THIS is what we're gonna do.' "

Gannon interrupted at this point to say that it's troubling when the first leader mentioned by ey wasn't the quarterback. ey responded with perhaps more nuance than 26 would have, but the point was basically the same that Portis made.

"It's been tough for Jason," ey said. "He's tried to be a leader of the team, and he's tried to do everything right, and I can't say he's done a bad job. It's tough for me to kind of go into [that]. Obviously you'd like him to continue to build, I think he's probably our guy going into next year, but he's had so much trouble the last couple years [with] is he gonna be the guy, does this franchise want him? They showed last year that maybe they don't. So it's tough for a guy to take that offseason and really step in and say 'Oh yeah, I'm gonna run this team.' "

Maybe that's what Portis meant. And it sort of makes sense, actually. Oh, subtlety, how the Internet age misses you. ey was also quite honest when asked about the Bruce Allen hiring, saying it was a good and necessary move.

http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/nflnewsfeed/2010/01/cooley-points-to-absence-of-leadership.html

[frankcal20]

What's wrong with what ey said. He was saying that it's tough for JC to be THE team leader on offense because the Front Office had not shown him the commitment to lead this team in the future. Also, ey did not play the last what 6 games? I think that's where JC really stepped up b/c those were the really tough times. That's when everything was going on. And other players did step up and say that JC did lead the team by always being ready to play regardless of his bumps and bruises. When he got knocked down, he got back up and didn't chew guys out who were not true NFL talent at this time.

I get what ey was saying but I think that's more directed at the FO's commitment than at JC. Maybe that's what CP was trying to say but he did a piss poor job of relaying his thoughts.

Something I do quite well - just to call myself out here.

[CanesSkins26]

What's wrong with what ey said. He was saying that it's tough for JC to be THE team leader on offense because the Front Office had not shown him the commitment to lead this team in the future. Also, ey did not play the last what 6 games? I think that's where JC really stepped up b/c those were the really tough times. That's when everything was going on. And other players did step up and say that JC did lead the team by always being ready to play regardless of his bumps and bruises. When he got knocked down, he got back up and didn't chew guys out who were not true NFL talent at this time.

I get what ey was saying but I think that's more directed at the FO's commitment than at JC. Maybe that's what CP was trying to say but he did a piss poor job of relaying his thoughts.

Something I do quite well - just to call myself out here.

Nothing's wrong with what ey said. However, he and CP were basically saying the same thing (although ey was more tactful), which is that this team has lacked offensive leadership the last two years and that the qb of the team did not take on a leadership role. ey pointed out why, in his opinion, it was difficult to do so this year, but that doesn't change the fact that our offense had zero leadership.

[fleetus]

This team has talent

The level of talent on this team is vastly overrated by most fans imo. Sure, a lack of discipline could be attributed to some of the struggles, but the main factor, IMO, is a severe lack of talent at many positions, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. I mean, seriously, on offense, other than at tight end, at what position do we have anything other than average/below average players?

I agree. I think some people equate big contract=big talent. Snyder has a long history of over-paying fro players. Our talent does not equal our payroll.

[fleetus]

What's wrong with what ey said. He was saying that it's tough for JC to be THE team leader on offense because the Front Office had not shown him the commitment to lead this team in the future. Also, ey did not play the last what 6 games? I think that's where JC really stepped up b/c those were the really tough times. That's when everything was going on. And other players did step up and say that JC did lead the team by always being ready to play regardless of his bumps and bruises. When he got knocked down, he got back up and didn't chew guys out who were not true NFL talent at this time.

I get what ey was saying but I think that's more directed at the FO's commitment than at JC. Maybe that's what CP was trying to say but he did a piss poor job of relaying his thoughts.

Something I do quite well - just to call myself out here.

Nothing's wrong with what ey said. However, he and CP were basically saying the same thing (although ey was more tactful), which is that this team has lacked offensive leadership the last two years and that the qb of the team did not take on a leadership role. ey pointed out why, in his opinion, it was difficult to do so this year, but that doesn't change the fact that our offense had zero leadership.

Yes, ey had more tact. And Portis said basically that JC has a hard enough time just calling the plays. ey said nothing to that extent. and ey doesn't have a history of pointing fingers like Portis does. Portis might be talking his way out of a job, because Shanahan will hear all of this nonsense, I'm sure.

[Deadskins]

Hate to tell ya I told you so, but it doesn't happen very often. I called this shiz 18 months ago. The guy is a cancer and should have got rid of him when he was worth something. Thanks Vinny

I said the same thing. We should have traded Portis while he still had value.

[CanesSkins26]

Hate to tell ya I told you so, but it doesn't happen very often. I called this shiz 18 months ago. The guy is a cancer and should have got rid of him when he was worth something. Thanks Vinny

I said the same thing. We should have traded Portis while he still had value.

And accounted for the cap hit how exactly?

[UK Skins Fan]

From ey....

Before the Shanahan Era begins, one final note about the Redskins and leadership. Chris ey was on SIRIUS NFL Radio's "The SIRIUS Blitz" Tuesday, primarily to talk about Bruce Allen and Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato and Mike Shanahan. But at one point, hosts Adam Schein and Rich Gannon asked ey about the team's locker room leaders. And ey said something that would probably have made headlines had his initials been CP.

"Well, I'll tell you, the problem with our team is we haven't had a lot of offensive leadership," ey said. "I think defensively, there's guys like London Fletcher and Cornelius Griffin that have really stepped up and been leaders, and it shows. The defense was outstanding this year. It's been tough because of the carousel of players in and out offensively; we lost Chris Sameuls early, who a lot of people looked at [as a leader]. To be honest, someone that I thought was a good leader was Casey Rabach, someone that I think we really need back, a guy going into free agency this year. But there wasn't enough offensive leadership. There wasn't someone that took the team and said, 'THIS is what we're gonna do.' "

Gannon interrupted at this point to say that it's troubling when the first leader mentioned by ey wasn't the quarterback. ey responded with perhaps more nuance than 26 would have, but the point was basically the same that Portis made.

"It's been tough for Jason," ey said. "He's tried to be a leader of the team, and he's tried to do everything right, and I can't say he's done a bad job. It's tough for me to kind of go into [that]. Obviously you'd like him to continue to build, I think he's probably our guy going into next year, but he's had so much trouble the last couple years [with] is he gonna be the guy, does this franchise want him? They showed last year that maybe they don't. So it's tough for a guy to take that offseason and really step in and say 'Oh yeah, I'm gonna run this team.' "

Maybe that's what Portis meant. And it sort of makes sense, actually. Oh, subtlety, how the Internet age misses you. ey was also quite honest when asked about the Bruce Allen hiring, saying it was a good and necessary move.

http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/nflnewsfeed/2010/01/cooley-points-to-absence-of-leadership.html

And you know what? ey needs to shut up as well!

[Deadskins]

Hate to tell ya I told you so, but it doesn't happen very often. I called this shiz 18 months ago. The guy is a cancer and should have got rid of him when he was worth something. Thanks Vinny

I said the same thing. We should have traded Portis while he still had value.

And accounted for the cap hit how exactly?

Like we did for every other high priced player we unloaded over the years.

[UK Skins Fan]

I don't care what Clinton thinks, I really don't. Whether he's right or wrong is less relevant than the fact that he should shut the hell up.

Preferrably, go a long way away, and shut the hell up.

It's not irrelevant. Portis carried this team last year to the 6-2 start, not Campbell. And as soon as his body got worn down, and the 0-line suffered a couple of injuries, we saw what happened to the offense when Portis wasn't producing 130+ yards a game, didn't we?

Then at the start of 2009, Zorn decides that the woes of the offense could best be fixed by reducing Portis's role, while coddling Campbell.

And Portis's calling out of Sellers last year was correct too .. he was missing blocks right and left.

So he didn't keep his mouth shut ... he calls it like he sees it ... a QB that can't get it done, and a FB that wasn't doing his job well either.

If you're missing the point ... here it is ... Portis has been THE OFFENSE on this team, and he has always been ridden into the ground without a lot of help from those around him, yet Zorn singled him out ... had open confrontations with him in front of the players and the TV crowd.

Portis has a right to have an attitude.

That's just laughable. You're allowing the fact that you agree with what Portis has said to blind you to the obvious fact that his mouthing off in public is bad for team chemistry. He may have had an issue with Sellers' blocking, but the man to voice that opinion to was Sellers. He may have an issue with Campbell's leadership and ability to run the offence, but that opinion should stay within the TEAM, not get blabbed out to the press.

Portis has ALWAYS had an attitude - it hasn't just appeared through Zorn's coaching, or because of the play of Campbell or Sellers. Portis has been a good player, but a lousy teammate.

First off, I read exactly what Portis said, and it didn't sound like this blatant, outright condemnation of Campbell ...

"(He's) going to give you everything (he's) got. But as a leader ... it was always, 'Jason couldn't take control of the huddle,' or 'He didn't do this' or 'He didn't do that.' That wasn't Jason's character. ... I think Jason, you can't place so much on somebody who's not ready for that situation. I think Jason has enough trouble in getting the plays in and worrying about this, compared to controlling the huddle."

I read that quite a bit different than how it is being depicted by the media and some of you .. Portis was suggesting that "others" criticisms of Jason about what he can't do or hasn't done was an unfair expectation, given Campbell's personality type, along with the carrousel of coaches sending in plays. That anyone represents this as Portis directly condemning Campbell is a real stretch.

It's clear that many in the media "bait" certain players, and then make a big issue out of the response ... they ask certain leading questions that any response will sound controversial no matter what is said ... including no comment at all. And Portis is an easy target for that because, let's face it, Portis isn't exactly a master of conversation.

Yes, Portis comments were a realistic portrayal of Campbell's extremely laid back style that most would readily agree with, and I have stated those exact observations many times.

On the other hand, Campbell's response was an outright condemnation of Portis, and way more critical and direct than anything Portis said about Campbell.

Campbell has also questioned Zorn's support of him, which I find thoroughly incredible, given the patience and coaching and unwavering manner in which Zorn stuck with him in spite of some pretty poor performances over the past 24 games dating back to mid season last year.

As far as Campbell complaining to Zorn or anyone about taking a beating ... Portis has taken way more physical pounding carrying this team since 2004 than ANYTHING poor Jason has had to endure, and Portis has been way more valuable to this team offensively than anything Campbell has provided.

So my take on the matter is that although Portis's comments weren't a glowing endorsement of Campbell's leadership, it was far from a direct attack, and is just another example of the media stirring the pot and capitalizing on an opportunity to prey on the team's overall frustrations and lack of leadership from the top down.

Let's be honest .. RBs take more pounding than anyone else on the team, and Portis has been ridden like a mule since arriving here. Has he received special treatment regarding practices and such? Maybe ... and maybe John Riggins did too when he was being pounded and spent 2 days a week in traction, trying to heal up enough to go the next Sunday.

Anybody who suggests that Portis has been a soft player is totally full of it. The guy has been the best offensive weapon, as well as an unselfish blocker the whole time he's been here. That he has been less than that this year (which was both obvious and uncharacteristic) was due in large part (I believe) to his being demoted to a less meaningful role in the offense by Zorn from the very start of the year.

If anyone wants to go back and check, you'll see several comments by me regarding the absurdity of an underperforming offense that chooses to have their best runner as well as best pass blocker on the sideline on 3rd downs. And this dissension in the ranks is symptomatic of a poorly coached and poorly managed team that lacks the discipline that only comes from those in charge.

Additionally, if Portis did go over the coach's head, straight to the owner on issues, to me, the fault resides with the owner and the coach not maintaing the proper chain of command, not the player.

Again, all you're really saying is that you agree with what Portis said. And that's your prerogative.

What I'm saying is that he shouldn't be voicing his opinions on the matter to the press. The quality of his play in his early years may have earned him a free pass with some, but not with me. And I suspect that his teammates might feel that his lack of commitment to practice and team activities, combined with a lack of condition and production in the last couple of years, should result in a period of introspection on his part.

[fleetus]

Shanahan definitely didn't give an endorsement of Portis. He said something along the lines of:

It would be fair of me to evaluate Portis right now until I look at all the game tape. A player at his age, it usually comes down to their work ethic at practice and off-season conditioning.

If I were Portis, I would zip my lip and plan to be at every practice with pads on.

[72wasbest]

Shanny seems to be more inclined to give Campbell a chance than Portis. I would say he is already on top of what the real deal is. Portis should learn the old saying about the pot and the kettle!

[CanesSkins26]

Hate to tell ya I told you so, but it doesn't happen very often. I called this shiz 18 months ago. The guy is a cancer and should have got rid of him when he was worth something. Thanks Vinny

I said the same thing. We should have traded Portis while he still had value.

And accounted for the cap hit how exactly?

Like we did for every other high priced player we unloaded over the years.

How about being more specific? It's been widely reported that CP's contract made him untradeable so I'm curious as to how exactly you would have dealt him?