Quote:
Originally Posted by Longtimefan
It was Joe Jackson Gibbs who contributed to Portis's spiral into individualism. It was on his watch that Portis was permitted to take himself out of games at his own discretion, practice when he wanted too, and refuse to participate in the off-season program or play in pre-season games.
The fact Gibbs often spoke fondly of Portis was a declaration he chose to take advantage of, and took that fondness to mean he could do just about anything he wanted too. It was a declaration of loyalty and commitment that ultimately caused a riff between Al Saunders and Gibbs. Saunders was calling plays expecting Portis to be in the game, Portis for reasons of his own chose to remove himself from games without any of the coaching staff having prior knowledge.
The issues surrounding Portis is not primarily about stats or how many yards he's gained or will gain. It's more about the unnecessary drama he brings to a team and it's locker room, coupled with the need for a seperate set of rules for him that are not commonplace for the entire team. Being one of the highest paid players on the team, he has never lead by example and I doubt seriously any of the younger players on the team are interested in following his blueprint.
|
Drama didn't come til Zorn. The drama was Zorn told Portis to go into the pass route instead of blocking blitzers. Blitzing was an inigma to Zorn. Gibbs let Portis sit out of practice cause he was using a speed back as a battering ram. Portis cooperated with Gibbs no whining. He had alot of wear and tear no use in having your star RB practicing when he was leaving it all on the field, injuries and all. I defend him and Gibbs til the end. Let him stay if he don't work out he gets cut simple. Putting on costumes is not drama. Zorn was incompetent, Portis had been coached by Shanahan and Gibbs he knows a fake coach aka Zorn when he sees one.