Jason Campbells response to Portis

[sportscurmudgeon]

Here is TEST NUMBER ONE for the Shanahan/Allen regime:

Clinton Portis has been a pain-in-the-ass diva on this team for about 4 years now and he has been "untouchable" because he has had straight pipes to Danny Boy. The new regime has to do one of two things:

a. Cut Portis and make it clear that it is good riddance.

b. Make him show up EVERY day in the off-season at Redskins Park - - not with his buds at "The U" - - and do everything that the training staff wants him to do such that he is ready to practice EVERY day in minicamps and in training camp. Or he can hit the road...

If Clinton Portis is allowed to continue to behave the way he has, that is the signal that Danny Boy has not changed his ways and none of this "new regime" will matter even a little bit...

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Son Of Man

Funny how some you guys are blasting CP for sying the same things some of you have been posting about JC this whole season!!! Portis is a bit of an ass and his best days are probably behind him...but, he does own the franchise single season record (and if retained will have the career record), carried us on his back to the playoffs in 2005, changed his body to fit the Gibbs system (BTW- Gibbs absolutely loved CP...not so high on JC...wonder why), and may end up in the Hall. While JC is only known for being a mediocre to average QB at best. Say what you want about CP, he says what he thinks. Not like the "leader" JC who never speaks like a leader or performs like one. Taking a whipping doesn't make you a winner...it just means you can take punishment. Answer me this.....If JC is such a "leader" and the QB to lead us to the next level. Name any single game where he took the team on his back and lead them to victory. Can you? Come on...just one? And do not say the Saints game last year( one play does not a game make).

Portis has talent. So does T.O. But even T.O. doesn't think he's too good to work out with his team mates and understands the importance of keeping himself in shape. Who's to say Portis couldn't have contributed to this team a lot more if he would have kept himself in shape and practiced with the team? I really don't give a damn how many yards Portis got, he's paid well to get yards. If he would have practiced I'm sure he could have gotten more. We gave up a shutdown corner and a high pick for him, what's he suppose to do? He's a prima donna and doesn't put forth the same effort as the rest of the team and throws his team mates under the bus. Taking up for him like Vinny and Snyder did only makes his behavior worse. F' him. I'll feel a lot better about the discipline and direction of this team once he's gone.

[CHAMP757]

Originally Posted by Son Of Man

Funny how some you guys are blasting CP for sying the same things some of you have been posting about JC this whole season!!! Portis is a bit of an ass and his best days are probably behind him...but, he does own the franchise single season record (and if retained will have the career record), carried us on his back to the playoffs in 2005, changed his body to fit the Gibbs system (BTW- Gibbs absolutely loved CP...not so high on JC...wonder why), and may end up in the Hall. While JC is only known for being a mediocre to average QB at best. Say what you want about CP, he says what he thinks. Not like the "leader" JC who never speaks like a leader or performs like one. Taking a whipping doesn't make you a winner...it just means you can take punishment. Answer me this.....If JC is such a "leader" and the QB to lead us to the next level. Name any single game where he took the team on his back and lead them to victory. Can you? Come on...just one? And do not say the Saints game last year( one play does not a game make).

would you please put your portis pom-poms down!!, attitude reflects leadership, JC may or may not be a QB that can win a game by himself, last time i checked there were only 2 or 3 qb's in the league that could, but CP lacks that thing called humility, and that will be his demise.

[diehardskin2982]

Portis reminds me alot of Gilbert Areanas. He has alot of talent but he is sooo arrogant and immature that he doesn't realize when put his foot in his mouth, burned relationships with his teamates, and looked like an all around tool.

[53Fan]

One of the curse's that can affect very talented people, is the thought that they don't have to put forth as much effort as others. The problem is, without effort, they never reach their true potential.

[htownskinfan]

I didnt hear the interview so I cant quite understand how Portis meant it,seeing it in print isnt the same as hearing it.While i'm glad Jason took up for himself,I wish he would have shown that fire on the field,he always had the same demeanor no matter what was happening.Thats one thing Portis says I have to agree with
"Portis was asked why he isn't a team captain, and Portis took that ball and ran with it, ultimately laying a few shots on Campbell, the man whom teammates elected offensive captain before the season. So, why Campbell and not Portis?

"I wonder the same thing," Portis said. "And no disrespect to Jason, but everybody in that locker room can tell you, you'll never see Jason mad, you'll never see Jason's tempo change, you'll never see Jason get mad."

and I would add I dont know if Ive ever seen him smile,maybe he just never had anything to smile about.Say what you will about Romo,but i love the way he shows enthusiasm for the game,same thing with Favre,you never see that with JC

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

One of the curse's that can affect very talented people, is the thought that they don't have to put forth as much effort as others. The problem is, without effort, they never reach their true potential.

This comes through on many fronts; allow me to pick one Cooley one second.

Cooley once mentioned that he thought that diet wasn't that big of a deal, he was still able to perform well in college after having burger eating competitions with teammates or something like that.

I believe at another point Cooley mentioned having a lot of spinach before a game and mentioned how clear he was and how clean/energetic he felt.

Something rarely mentioned in the league can have a great impact... it's not that I'm saying players should have salads before their meals, but paying attention to what's important and doing things as you should is the difference between I'm still a badass and I'm THE badass.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by Son Of Man

Funny how some you guys are blasting CP for sying the same things some of you have been posting about JC this whole season!!! Portis is a bit of an ass and his best days are probably behind him...but, he does own the franchise single season record (and if retained will have the career record), carried us on his back to the playoffs in 2005, changed his body to fit the Gibbs system (BTW- Gibbs absolutely loved CP...not so high on JC...wonder why), and may end up in the Hall. While JC is only known for being a mediocre to average QB at best. Say what you want about CP, he says what he thinks. Not like the "leader" JC who never speaks like a leader or performs like one. Taking a whipping doesn't make you a winner...it just means you can take punishment. Answer me this.....If JC is such a "leader" and the QB to lead us to the next level. Name any single game where he took the team on his back and lead them to victory. Can you? Come on...just one? And do not say the Saints game last year( one play does not a game make).

I agree with you about Campbell, we all know he's avg at best but portis should show up with his teamates and stop talkin so much shit, he's making himslf look like an idiot

[Zorn on the 4th of July]

On one hand, I think Portis is on to something. He's not crazy and I don't think he's making anything up. On the other hand: what an asshole to say those things publicly!

I always suspected Jason Campbell wasn't very strong when it came to leadership, and both the content of Portis' trash-talking and Portis' staggering display of disrespect by airing those concerns publicly shows that Campbell doesn't have the respect of ALL his teammates. So, in a way, I agree with what Portis said. I see so many parallels between Jason Campbell and Chris Leak at the University of Florida before Urban Meyer showed up and encouraged Leak to be a more vocal, demanding leader of his teammates (encouragement that ultimately lead to a national championship).

But, just like Chris Leak, Jason Campbell CAN become a more vocal and demanding leader, and I still believe he has more physical ability than any Redskins QB that I can remember (I'm 28, so even memories of Doug Williams are a little hazy). I originally wanted Portis to stay aboard because I thought he could contribute to the offense. However, this total disrespect and lack of tact is locker room poison and he's gotta go (even if I do think he's somewhat right about Campbell).

Unfortunately, the contract scenarios for Campbell make it much easier to offload Campbell (especially given Portis' alleged close relationship with Snyder and his previous work under Shanahan). These recent comments pretty much ensure that they can't be on the same team next year.

If Campbell is released and Portis is retained, I wonder how locker room chemistry would be affected, especially if the new QB struggles behind an improved O-line and people continue to doubt Portis' effort. However, because Campbell strikes me as a quieter, keep-to-himself kind of guy, the other players may not necessarily feel any deep sense of loyalty to him, and as long as Portis produces next season and the new QB does a decent job, all of Portis' past missteps may be forgiven by the rest of the team.

Maybe.

But after all he's said PUBLICLY about his relationship with Snyder and Campbell's leadership abilities, it just seems massively unfair that he should stay and Campbell should go.

Campbell has been an average QB in a dismal offense, so I'd like to see what he can do when he is protected and has a few more legit options besides Cooley and Moss. Campbell has picked himself off the dirt more times than anybody should, and he's always been a class act and I'd classify him as "Prototypical Gibbsian Redskins Material." The last piece of the puzzle is to demonstrate to his teammates a desire that surpasses playing well and not making mistakes (as evidenced by his holding the ball too long). He needs to show that he wants to win, and will hold others accountable for when they impede victory in any way. Campbell needs to socialize with teammates (not sure how much of this he does) and take charge on and off the field.

Dammit. This is all such a shame, because Portis was an excellent blocker in the backfield, and put his body on the line multiple times to give JC a few extra seconds. His presence was definitely missed in that respect this season. The whole thing makes me sick. Welcome to Washington, Mr. Shanahan. You gotta sort this locker room out . . . yesterday!

[saden1]

Cut Portis? Are you guys f'ing kidding me? It's not too difficult to refrain from saying retarded things yourselves folks, give it a try.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

This comes through on many fronts; allow me to pick one Cooley one second.

Cooley once mentioned that he thought that diet wasn't that big of a deal, he was still able to perform well in college after having burger eating competitions with teammates or something like that.

I believe at another point Cooley mentioned having a lot of spinach before a game and mentioned how clear he was and how clean/energetic he felt.

Something rarely mentioned in the league can have a great impact... it's not that I'm saying players should have salads before their meals, but paying attention to what's important and doing things as you should is the difference between I'm still a badass and I'm THE badass.

Good point tryful. I mean some of us can get away with things others can't, but when you look at guys like Jerry Rice or Art monk who had plenty of talent but still took care of themselves, you see how far you can go. I think Portis had the talent to be one of the greatest of all time. I don't think his effort matched his talent.

[Zorn on the 4th of July]

Redskins Insider is now reporting that Portis has called Campbell to "clear the air" about his comments earlier in the day:

Redskins Insider - Your daily source for news and commentary on the Washington Redskins, by Jason Reid

Looks like a few players backed Campbell on this one! Hopefully Campbell gets the message that being a leader is more than being tough and having good character. It's about setting goals and seeing that those goals are accomplished. Portis was a complete ass to mouth off in public, but maybe this can be a "teaching moment" for both guys.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by saden1

Cut Portis? Are you guys f'ing kidding me? It's not too difficult to refrain from saying retarded things yourselves folks, give it a try.

Why keep him? Locker room cancer, me-first mouth and ego, no salary cap in 2010, he's beat to shit, and always makes waves...

If there is no new CBA by March, Portis will be one of the first to go IMO.

[Lotus]

Vinny? Gone.
Zorn? Gone.

Portis? Next.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Why keep him? Locker room cancer, me-first mouth and ego, no salary cap in 2010, he's beat to shit, and always makes waves...

If there is no new CBA by March, Portis will be one of the first to go IMO.

Trading him is one thing but cutting him outright is totally irrational and unacceptable. Portis still has it. He's 28 going on 29, not exactly spring chicken, but he certainly has a few more years left and better than anyone else we have on the roster IMO.