Mitchell: 'Clinton could've worked harder'

[DEHog]

Not many - if any - of Jim Zorn's assistants are expected to be around next season. We know now for sure that running backs coach Stump Mitchell won't be.

Mitchell, who has taken the head-coaching job at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., had a lot to say today about Clinton Portis - and it's clear that this will be one of the toughest, most important and most pressing questions Mike Shanahan and his staff will face.

Mitchell gave Shanahan his final report on the 2009 running backs, and while he didn't reveal the report's details, he didn't mince words in a telephone conversation Monday afternoon.

Asked whether Portis would benefit from improved practice habits and better conditioning, Mitchell said, "that's a slam dunk. Clinton could've worked harder."

"He's got to do that, and Dan" -- owner Daniel Snyder -- "has to understand that that's what has to be done. In order for the Redskins to be successful, that's what Clinton has to do. He has to change the way he's done things in the past, in order for them to be successful as a team."

Mitchell thinks Portis is still capable of being a Pro Bowl-caliber running back in the league, but only if he prepares like one

Why the comment about Dan Snyder??

[Gibbs4Life]

Why the comment about Dan Snyder??

Cause Snyder is Clinton's boy; CP regularly went over Zorn's head straight to Snyder.

[Countertrey]

Why the comment about Dan Snyder??

Cause Snyder is Clinton's boy; CP regularly went over Zorn's head straight to Snyder.

I'm thinking the question was rhetorical...

[Jake]

Will Mitchell's nickname at Southern be "Captain Obvious"? Because that's what this article basically implies.... the obvious.

[CajunSkin]

I wish he would have went more in depth on that favortism thing give snyder something to think about. But I'm Glad Stumps coming to coach My Hometeam HBCU

[tribeofjudah]

Why the comment about Dan Snyder??

Cause Snyder is Clinton's boy; CP regularly went over Zorn's head straight to Snyder.

Cuz Danny still RUNS this show.....NOT Allen or Shanahan, like we all think........tsk tsk tsk

[cleg]

It is still all Jason Campbell's fault.

[SkinsJock]

I think we've known about Portis not being great at practice or working to get better and that is a shame because while we saw some good play and especially his blocking - I think he could have been better and I would not be surprised to see him back but this time it will be with the agreement that he has to be fully committed to all aspects of proper preparation and not on his terms but on Shanahan's

[BeeGee]

Karma.

[BossHog]

There may have been a lot of conjecture about the subject, but as far as I know, this is the first time that an actual coach has stated it, so I'm not sure it's necessarily that obvious.

When the (former) RB coach is confirming the news... this is one piece of 'obvious' information that I prefer hearing straight from the horse's mouth.

Well I guess prefer is the wrong term, because I'd rather it wasn't true - but I think when it comes from Mitchell, it's 'obvious' that it truly is a problem and not some sensationalistic viewpoint dreamed up someone with an agenda.

[skinsfan#33]

Why the comment about Dan Snyder??

Cause Snyder is Clinton's boy; CP regularly went over Zorn's head straight to Snyder.

Cuz Danny still RUNS this show.....NOT Allen or Shanahan, like we all think........tsk tsk tsk

Since Allen was hired he cut off the Zorn/Snyder Friday lunch and at some point and time Sntder's open door policey was closed. A high profile player attempted to talk to Snyders, was intercepted (so we know it was Roggers), and re-directed to Bruce Allen.

This is all according to Dan Hallie at NBC 4 and he is convinced that Snyder has taken himself out of the football operations portion of the Skins. Of course he can't predict how long that will last.

[frankcal20]

I just watched a video on Redskins Insider and they talked about this subject. They said that Earnest Byner said basically the same thing when he left but nothing was really made of it. I think that this is a bigger deal because Jason came out and said the same thing. So now you've got a player, ex-player and two coaches saying that a player is being lazy and not putting forth the effort he should.

When I look back at MS's intro speach, he said that a player of CP's age is going to have to work harder to get the same production he's had in years past.

I think that a lot of that applies with all of us in life. As we get older, every year is more and more difficult to do physical things. Sometimes I go out and play one round of golf. Well, my lower back is a little sore the next day. Last week, I played in a 36 tourney and I woke up the next day and felt that my back was broken.

Of course, CP is in way better shape but I'm not taking hits like he is and I would imagine that strength and conditioning, stretching, etc would be even more importantn now than it has in year's past for aging players. And I think because they don't do that, it's a direct reflection of them being constantly banged up.

Remember Ray Brown? Well his Wife was a palates instructor. This will sound crazy but he could do a split when he retired. He may not have been the most talented player but he was durable and showed that he could stay on the field. I wouldn't mind seeing a guy like that on our sidelines in some capacity because I think that he has a lot to offer some of these guys in a different way to condition their body.

Just a thought.

[Bob 0119]

There may have been a lot of conjecture about the subject, but as far as I know, this is the first time that an actual coach has stated it, so I'm not sure it's necessarily that obvious.

When the (former) RB coach is confirming the news... this is one piece of 'obvious' information that I prefer hearing straight from the horse's mouth.

Well I guess prefer is the wrong term, because I'd rather it wasn't true - but I think when it comes from Mitchell, it's 'obvious' that it truly is a problem and not some sensationalistic viewpoint dreamed up someone with an agenda.

I agree with this 100% Boss.

When you see a coach (or former coach) say something, it carries a lot more weight than "sources close to the organization".

I think CP is done. Shanahan had good things to say about Campbell, but refused to say much about Portis. I think that's pretty telling.

[frankcal20]

Mitchell clarifies comment, says more on Portis

Outgoing running backs coach Stump Mitchell had some interesting things to say about Clinton Portis yesterday. Mitchell was about halfway through an 18-hour drive to his new job at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., when he called today. He offered another interesting Portis tidbit and also wanted to clarify one of his comments in this morning's story.

So let's start with the clarification. Saying that Portis could work harder, Mitchell said Tuesday that "...Dan has to understand that that's what has to be done. In order for the Redskins to be successful, that's what Clinton has to do." Mitchell reached out today to make clear that he intended no disrespect for Redskins owner Daniel Snyder.

"Mr. Snyder didn't interfere with us at all. He gave us all the support that he could. ...Mr. Snyder did everything he possibly could for us, as coaches, to try to turn this thing around. When he brought in Sherm Lewis, all he was trying to do was help us turn it around and try to help us save our jobs. Mr. Snyder and I, we had a good relationship. We would work out together. Now I wouldn't ask Clinton to work out with Mr. Snyder. I wouldn't ask any of those players work out with Mr. Snyder. Because he could go. He's not just a handsome man in a suit; he can work out."

Mitchell didn't backtrack on his comments about Portis, though, and recalled a conversation he had with Portis late in the season.

"I told Clinton after we put him on injured reserve, ...I said, 'Clinton, you need to get the surgery on your ankle, so you can work out, so you can run.' He said, 'Coach, I don't think I need to do that. I feel pretty good since I got that shot.' I said, 'Okay, just make sure you're able to work out next year.' "

Portis was slowed each of the past two seasons by bone spurs in both ankles, missing valuable practice time. He didn't miss any games, however, in either season because of the bone spurs.

"I don't know how long that shot is going to last," Mitchell said. "But I want to see Clinton accomplish everything he possibly can accomplish. I love him as a person. He's been nothing been nothing but respectful toward me. Clinton can carry a football team, I know that for a fact. But he's got to be in the best shape to do that."

Here is an update on his statements. He's basically saying that Snyder didn't get in the way but it was CP who was getting in the way of his own success. That's what I read anyways.

[CanesSkins26]

CP is done here. The problem, though, goes far beyond CP. How many guys on this team can you honestly say work hard enough? Probably London Fletcher and that's about it. Haynesowrth is absurdly out of shape, Landry needs to spend more time watching film and working on his tackling, etc. When a team is 4-12 EVERYBODY needs to be working harder. Doc Walker has been criticizing Zorn and the FO for two years for having lax training camps/practices and not holding players accountable for being out of shape/playing poorly. From the top down there has been no leadership and accountability since Gibbs left. Any real head coach would've benched CP, JC, Haynesworth, Landry, etc. at different times this season.

[RayNAustin]

I think Portis's future is in his own hands. And he might surprise a few people if Coach S and Turner have a sit down with him.

Clinton had great success in the Denver system, and I think that Zorn's lack of leadership negatively affected the Portis situation the past year and a half. Remember, it was just 2008 when Portis led the league in rushing at the half way mark ... on pace for a 2000 yard season. Everybody new he wasn't going to be capable of handling that kind of work load in the second half, but with some injuries to the line, and to Portis, and a total lack of a passing attack in those final 8 games, it all came unraveled.

Starting in 2009, Zorn decided to relegate Portis to a 1st & 2nd down back, with Betts as the 3rd down guy, and I think that had an extremely negative psychological effect. Clinton has been the primary weapon on offense since he's been here, and he looked like a dead man walking in 2009 ... no life ... no emotion ... not the Clinton Portis of years past.

Remember 2005, as the season was teetering on the edge ... Portis stepped up, and carried this team to the playoffs. And again in 2007, the combo of Collins & Portis again pulled this thing together, and got to the playoffs.

Given the cap ramifications of letting him go, I'd say if Shanny and Turner can get him to recommit, Portis has a couple of strong seasons left in him, and that would be just one less area of concern to deal with.

[frankcal20]

I see where you're at on that Ray but I think the Clinton Portis problem was before Zorn got here. Earnest Byner had the same problems as Zorn did with CP. Something in my gut tells me that because of his early success, Clinton may have lost his hunger and that's why MS traded him (and b/c he was getting a hell of a deal from DS). Portis is much older than he was in Denver and like MS said, as these type of players get older, they must be in peak physical condition to take the beating that the NFL's season will have.

I hope you are right. I hope that he, along with all the players shut up and get to work. I hope that they are all healthy and have an open mind to the new coaching staff. If they are not, I hope they are gone. We need a team that is going to take on coaching instead of rebelling against it - and I think that's one of CP's shortcomings.

[Irn-Bru]

I think CP is really going to regret how he spent a couple of his offseasons here as a Redskin. I remember the one year when he reported in week 6 (or something like that) that he was just then hitting his stride.

He was a tough player who always gave 100% on the field . . . but I suspect he would have played better, and perhaps spent less time injured, if he had given it 100% off of the field, too.

[SkinsJock]

I think CP is really going to regret how he spent a couple of his offseasons here as a Redskin. I remember the one year when he reported in week 6 (or something like that) that he was just then hitting his stride.

He was a tough player who always gave 100% on the field . . . but I suspect he would have played better, and perhaps spent less time injured, if he had given it 100% [b]off of the field, too[/b].

true dat and it applies to just about everybody these days - some of these guys just don't get it

[BnGhog]

I've always been a big CP fan and im very disappointed.

I know this is no excuse, but i do wonder, if part of it is because he didn't belive in Zorn and his coaching.

I mean, i remember a report when Gibbs was here, that said Portis had done lots of work in the offseason, and he had gained weight to plow more for Gibbs style.

So, its like he worked for Gibbs but not for Zorn

[frankcal20]

Maybe he just gained weight like all of us b/c we DON'T work out.

The only reason why I can't see the argument for him failing under Zorn vs Gibbs is b/c Byner said it and that was before Zorn.

[CanesSkins26]

Maybe he just gained weight like all of us b/c we DON'T work out.

The only reason why I can't see the argument for him failing under Zorn vs Gibbs is b/c Byner said it and that was before Zorn.

I don't remember Byner's comments. Does anyone have a link?

Let's not forget that the was an MVP candidate in 2008 before Zorn ran him into the ground.

[VetSkinsFan]

Maybe he just gained weight like all of us b/c we DON'T work out.

The only reason why I can't see the argument for him failing under Zorn vs Gibbs is b/c Byner said it and that was before Zorn.

I don't remember Byner's comments. Does anyone have a link?

Let's not forget that the was an MVP candidate in 2008 before Zorn ran him into the ground.

CP had been run in to the ground before Zorn even got here.

[HEROHAMO]

This is ridiculous. CP produced while he was here. Only thing he is guilty of is a big mouth.

[tribeofjudah]

Portis' best days are behind him now. $$$ and injuries have caused him to let down/relax/ease off..........

He is NOW a slacker and I don't want slackers on MY team (if I were HC or GM) Not to mention his BIG MOUFFF