They know each other from the Denver Broncos. New Redskins’ Head Coach, Mike Shanahan, and veteran Redskins’ running back, Clinton Portis, are completely aware of each other, their reputations, work ethics and ability to get the job done. They may be viewing their reuniion in completely different ways.
Clinton sat down with Lindsay Czarniak for a multiple part interview to discuss Portis’ 2009 season and what to expect for 2010.
In 2009, the lack of respect Clinton had for then Head Coach, Jim Zorn, was evident. He didn’t show up to practice, he openly criticized the team, the Coach and the Owners. In the interview with Lindsay, he acknowledged that he wasn’t the best teammate on the roster last year, and vowed to be a different man in 2010.
He claims he always knew he could return to football after the season-ending head injury, that he could heal from the injury, but that the ”BS” was what made him have doubts if he would be back as a Redskin.
Regardless of what Clinton says, under Coach Mike Shanahan, he won’t have the opportunity to miss practice or to ”perform” off the field. Shanahan isn’t Jim Zorn and if Portis doesn’t show for practice, or doesn’t give it 100% on the field, he will be called on the carpet, privately, in the Coach’s office. If there isn’t a complete turnaround once asked, Shanahan won’t hesitate to bench him. Coach Shanahan is well aware that there are a thousand other players out there who want to play football. He pays attention to what players do in the offseason, especially the veteran players who have egos. If he doesn’t feel a player is giving 100%, he isn’t going to play him. He has already acknowledged he is well aware of Portis’ actions, on and off the field.
Portis seemed, in the early part of the interview with Lindsay, to honestly want to man up and play a more dedicated game of football. However, when Lindsey challenged him about being given some leeway as far as practices were concerned, Portis became instantly defensive, showing more of the argumentative Clinton Portis we are used to seeing and denying any kind of favoritism. He then tried to backtrack a little, saying he is a dedicated man and wants to prove exactly what he can do on the field. And it seems he feels he still has a great deal to offer the team.
Part 2 of the interview aired last night, and featured more of Clinton at home. However, he did say he is confident the starting running back position with the ‘Skins is his, and he won’t really have to compete for it. He also stated that he realises he is getting older, and is on his way out, but when he actually leaves will be in his hands and not someone elses.
I truly mean no disrespect to Lindsey Czarniak. I’ve seen some great interviews done by her, however, Clinton really isn’t all that changed and the interview wasn’t all that insightful. He still has that confident air that could easily turn to arrogance. The fact that he feels the running back position is his without really trying is a testament to that. Additionally, he made no mention of any off-season training, something Mike Shanahan says he looks for in a dedicated player. Instead, Clinton went hang-gliding in Brazil.
The Redskins are still negotiating, trading and looking to improve their roster in every way. If I were Clinton, I’d be taking this a whole lot more seriously.
