Clinton Portis Calls Jim Zorn 'Genius,' Couldn't Be More Sarcastic While Doing So

Yesterday I mentioned that Clinton Portis had no idea why he was benched midway through Sunday night's Ravens game, and today we have Portis, making his weekly John Thompson Show radio appearance, unloading on first-year head coach Jim Zorn.

Sports Bog's Dan Steinberg kindly transcribed the best parts, with perhaps none better than this:

[When asked what adjustments should be made, Portis responded:] "We got a genius for a head coach, I don't know, I'm sure he on top of things. He's got everything figured out. Hey, that's up to him. All I can do is when he calls a play is go out and try to execute to the best of my ability."

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Portis was being facetious with the "genius" comment, there. Later in the day, Zorn responded to Portis' claim that he was benched (but, oddly, didn't comment on the enormity of his brain):

"Well, any time you don't go in, that's the way you feel ... And he is a big part of our offense and he's sitting on the bench, he's got to feel like he's benched, I don't blame him for that."

That explanation's sure to placate Portis. That's not to say a coach's job is to keep his player's happy -- that's probably the quickest way to lose your job (but you'll have so many more friends!) -- just to point out that maybe benching your best player for mealy-mouthed reasons isn't such a swell idea.

Part of the problem, it seems, is that Zorn hasn't quite figured out what he wants from this offense. That would go a long way in explaining Washington's inability to consistently matriculate the ball down the field. Not surprisingly, Portis had some thoughts on this as well.

Specifically, his role as a pass blocker:

"You know, one day it's chip on your way out, then if you don't chip and you get out and the quarterback gets sacked it's like, 'Oh, you need to help this man out.' So they don't know what they want. They want you to chip, they want you to block, Jason's on his ass all game long, you're trying to stay in and help, and then it's, 'Oh, you should have gone out, they was coming to you.'

So, right, this team's a long way from 6-2.

Silver lining, via Portis: "I'm fine. I'm totally healthy after not playing against Baltimore. So the good thing about it is I'll be at practice tomorrow."

Genius, indeed.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

12-09-2008 @ 7:35PM

Deon Robertson said...

You gotta be sh*ttin me man!!! What kind of coaching decision was that to bench the BEST back we have for personal reasons! The coach needs to pick better passing plays atleast, better yet just GET A OFFENSIVE CORDINATOR!!! Stop trying to stroke your ego! Also, let Jason Campbell play and stop resticting him. The B-more game was embarrasing, unmotivated, and mediocore! THROW THE DAMN BALL! These back to back to back 3 and outs are ridiculous. I will always be a REDSKINS fan even though I cringe every game because of all the wasted talent we have that's not being put to use. I feel for Sellers, Randle-el, Santana, Portis, Campbell, and the DEFENSE! Landry needs to represent Sean Taylor every play like he did at the end of last season and even the begining of this one. In fact, EVERY ONE DOES! REMEMER 21, what happened to that? A FIRE NEEDS TO BE PUT UNDER THIER BUTTS! WTF fellas, lets play ball with some motivation and energy. YOU DO HAVE FANS STILL!!! I LOVE REDSKINS BALL, but just not this kind of it!!! WAKE THE F UP!!! Zorn, YELL AT SOMEODY instead of tearing up! You lookin like a confused teenager on the side line! deon_rob@yahoo.com.

12-09-2008 @ 9:44PM

Damien said...

'Man I'm one of the realest redskins fans there is since '77 and every year i watch some of the best talent the redskins recruit. But every year the same dissapoitment. Please MR.SNYDER could you please just invest in a dam offensive line these players now are to old to slow and seems like that don't have that motivation like some of these other teams have. Im not questioning their heart but thats not just getting it done. I'm from chicago and i have to here my brother's talk about philly ,dallas,and the bears.. defense is fine.. just give portis and campbell some help please and dont ever let portis get away...

12-09-2008 @ 6:46PM

donald fromm said...

portis is right to say wats on his mind this franchise has been clueless for to many years already. No pass rush off the line , no deep threat with all these receivers why?Pro bowl tightend not thrown to enough . Never able to develope or draft a qb in how many damn years now.let a coach come in and let him do his job.Stop firing coach after coach .Marty ball was here and shouldve stood.Its pathetic the giants eagles cowboys always get better when is this franchise gonna wake up . and no kicker are you kidding me.No kicker since lohmiller go get hanson outta detroit.Im a skins fan outta nyc and im fed up already.Do something smart already please.

12-10-2008 @ 8:55AM

vabeachjp said...

This isnt that deep or complicated. Jansen out victories. Jansen in losses and quaterback sacks.....Go back over the games and you'll see it. its all about chemistry. No protection....no deep passes....no deep threat, eight men in the box, and Portis is nullified....not to complicated

10-27-2009 @ 1:51AM

archer said...

Donald we are all upset and angry. I know you would agree marty ball is how we are used to playing football In Redskins Park
I would have sat Portis down to be healthy. If we are talking a championship here in Washington Portis need to healthy and rested. A healthy Portis is like a bearskin rug in a log cabin , you know it's going to get fire started. Jason made some incredible throws and was protecting the ball well for us, during our 6 2 start. We needed to protect him and get cooley on better routes. In last weeks game so many times we send him on intermediate routes and i watch jason whitten and others go down the field. I watched Brandon jacobs and Giants run all over Baltimore gave them man on man blocking right in the face worn them down and kicked their butt, we can run the ball if our mind set is to do it. I love your comments and share you hurt . in these last three games I really like to see redskin's football. Just flat out play man on man straight in the face. and please give us a couple misdirection play to make the defense honor their lanes so our runners don't get hit so much from back off the ends , and give a couple boot legs just to loosen us up in the first quarter

12-11-2008 @ 5:11PM

Pete said...

I'm telling all skins fans that we're going to the playoffs and that Jason Campbell is a great qb and he's not playing like it because the o-line is too old and not disciplined at all. No one is disciplined and we will never go to or win a super bowl again until we get a coach who is disciplined and can dicipline these guys. Please Snyder if you fire Zorn try and overpay for Bill Cowher we need a dictator to come to DC. Don't worry the Redskins will win these final 3 and make the playoffs.

12-09-2008 @ 7:50PM

BenjiC said...

When are the skins gonna wake up and finally see what everyone else in the world has known for years, Cerrato must go!!! Cambel is terrible, Collins can't movee at all, the d-line and o- line have absoultely no depth thanks to Dan's boy Vinny. Keep going after the big name Deion, Bruce Smith,Spurrier,jason taylor that has all worked out great. This franchise has went from one of the best in the league to almost as bad as Detroit. Mr. Snyder do the once proud franchise a favor. Open your wallet give Bill Cowher Whatever he wants money wise, Give him full control Complete control not fake control like Gibbs had. Let him re-build this franchise like he did in Pittsburg

12-09-2008 @ 8:15PM

sz said...

jason campbell is terrible. agreed. however, last time i checked, collins doesnt need to move. he singlehandedly won us 3.5 games in a row last yr to get us into the playoffs. he should be the starting qb

12-09-2008 @ 7:53PM

Dacus said...

Man I am lifelong redskins fan and it has been hard to watch the team I love perform so bad. Where is the passion for the game and for the fans. We need to get it going now focus on pass protection pass rush blits all game if you have to. We have some good cover guys let them do there jobs and start winning some games

12-09-2008 @ 8:13PM

johnyredskin said...

Portis is a DIVA . He needs to sit down . learn to quit running his mouth.
I know he can run with his legs
better then his cake hole.
its up to him to show it AGAIN !
GO COACH Z
YOU THE MAN

12-09-2008 @ 10:31PM

George Baker said...

Your an idiot the guy has no experience even as an offensive coordinator. His play calling stinks and he's always blaming someone. You must be a friend of Dan Synder and Jim Zorn. Because Clinton Portis is the man and Jim Zorn is clueless. The Redskin fans don't deserve to have an owner that picks inexperienced people to run a franchise that has tradition Bill Cohwer is a player's coach and a great motivator. There where you put money into. I have coached high school football and have been a head coach and Zorn doesn't get it. Also start building an offensive line and defensive line. It is a little important.

12-10-2008 @ 8:17PM

frank said...

I JUST DON'T GET IT, HOW CAN OUR QB BE ON HIS BUT FOR WEEKS NOW,AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE, ZORN LOOKS CLUELESS, HOW CAN THIS OFFENSE HAVE PORTIS, BETTS, SELLERS (USE HIM LIKE THE GIANTS DO THEIR BIG RBS) MOSS, RANDLE EL, COOLEY, THRASH...AND YOU CAN'T SCORE...I THINK ZORN HAS HIS HEAD DOWN TOO MUCH IN HIS DAMN PLAYBOOK TO ACTUALLY KNOW THERE IS A GAME GOING ON...GIVE UP THE OFF. COORDINATOR JOB OR SOMETHING,,HE IS SO LOST..WE NEED SOMEONE CRAZY ON DEFENSE LIKE RAY LEWIS, MAN HE GETS ME FIRED UP AND I CAN'T STAND HIM,,I'M GOING TO THE CINCY GAME, AND HELL I'M AFRAD OF WHAT I'LL YELL OUT, I'M RIGHT BEHIND THE FREAKING BENCH..

12-09-2008 @ 8:58PM

ken said...

heres one for you I feel for the deffense this past sunday night in baltimore they just kept the ravens from scoring time and time again but the offense couldn't do sh-t you don't have the protection for campbell which could be a pretty good qb if he has time to find a reciever I know the talent is there even the rookie devin thomas is showing signs of progress but to make a long story short if a coach is going to bench one of the toughest guys to play the game then it should have dan snyder shaking has head I feel gibbs should have stayed though this year and open up the passing game which he did last year in the 2009 draft we need OL and hopefully a new head coach

12-09-2008 @ 9:02PM

Cliff said...

I don't care what Zorn said. He's changed the play calling. The Redskins are hottest in a more pass happy offense with Jason out of the gun. That allows us to break off huge runs. Zorn has been prepping for every game like its vs Philly. It isn't. I hope the Redskins can get beyond this crap. I think Zorn can get it all working together, but like Gregg in 06 hes got to figure out that he can make mistakes and that the schemes have to be tailored for the players.

Bill S. said...

I'm sorry if Portis is upset. He's a good guy and a tough competitor. Obviously he got chewed out and it bothered him, and Zorn was the one who chewed on him. You have this in highly competitive atmosppheres. Portis is a man and so is Zorn. They'll figure it out. But it'll take a day or so.

But what's more telling is that everyone seems to know the OLine is in trouble. Everybody but their GM and owner. Vinny Cerrato, who has been the defacto GM Since 2001, has never understood that you need an OL and a DL to have a team. Clinton knows the line is old. So does everyone else. Cerrato knows it too, but for reasons only known to him, he is convinced that you can take any big guy and turn him into a quality OL or DL. So he drafts anybody but linemen. Looking only at picks in the first three rounds, since 2001, Cerrato has drafted 2 OL, both in the 3rd round. During that same time, he has drafted 5 WR, 5 DB, 2 QB, 2 TE, 1 LB and 1 RB. Note that: he has drafted as many QB as OL and he has drafted 0 DL in the first 3 rounds. That draft record just screams that Cerrato does not know how to build a team - by drafting the building blocks of the team - the OL and DL.

12-09-2008 @ 10:55PM

Hector said...

I love my Redskins and it makes me sick to the stomach that with all that talent on offense can't score more points. we must revamp our o-line period and Jason needs to start playing to win instead of NOT TO LOSE. I really think that Zorn deserves a chance he can only call the plays. players are not executing i know it sounds cliche but with Jason on his ass most of the time it is hard to finsh a play. i am tired of them saying how great Pittsburgh, Dallas, Ravens, Giants are please spare me and stop filling sorry for you alls selfs and go out and kick some ass. they put on there pants one leg at a time as we do. Our defense has been keeping us in every game. i understand we can't sack anybody but Blache is doing a great job. once we draft a Jason Tuck, an a hard ass nose tackle that can rush and interrupt everything taking place in the back field maybe the sacks will come. Fletcher can not do everything and i sure hope we do everything we can to keep Angelo Hall. what in the world was Carlos thinking on that double move. its so fraustrating to see a team that i love so much get back slap by all these so called good teams.

12-09-2008 @ 9:40PM

jerry schulte said...

It's time to end the Jason Campbell experiment. I get sick of watching him hold on to the ball too long and he seems to have a slow release which is why he get sacked too often and gets too many passes blocked. I'm sure Brennan could move the ball much more efficiently and give us a chance to make the playoffs. If he can't, at least it will bode well for next year.

12-09-2008 @ 9:49PM

skins2win said...

Jim Zorn is the best coach this team has seen in years, Better than Gibbs 2.0 and certainly better than anyone between Gibbs 1.0 and 2.0. Look around CP, its not a one man running back game anymore, you have been hurt since the Steeler game and your perfomance has shown it. Its obvious that CP is more concerned about being the leagues leading rusher than he is about being a good team mate and being honest about the fact that he is hurt. We as Redskins fans need a reality check. They played very good at the begining of the year and we were suprised. Defenses are figuring out what Zorn and our skins are up to, be for me this year is a success even if we miss the playoffs. My expectations (and most realistic,Knowledgeable skins fans) was a sub 500 year.
The last thing I want to see as a Redskins fan is a TO or Chad Johnson type attitude from anyone on the team, I don't care if he is the best player on the team. And lets all remember that Ladell Betts is no slouch.

If CP is happy cut him lose not Zorn!

12-09-2008 @ 10:41PM

Your clueless. Jim Zorn is horrible. If you watch other teams there meeting with the offensive coordinator on the sidelines. Look at Zorn he always has his playbook in his face. Better than Joe Gibbs in his prime your crazy. Maybe not made for today's game but a true gentlemen and a great x and o's coach. Zorn's always blaming everyone loses his cool with a reporter about rolling his eyes at him like he is a real tough guy. He has never been an offensive coordinator in his life. He is way over his head. Not his thought. Dan Syder is the Angelos for football. He hires his buddy Cerrato again and he doesn't know how to built a team. Look at the Carolina and Tampa games. Them two coaches are communicating with their assistants on the sidelines. I don't like Gruden but he is a winner. But Fox he is a player's coach who coached under Parcells. He is a great coach.

12-09-2008 @ 10:06PM

Jason said...

Interesting... everyone keeps slamming the offensive line and the coaching strategies. Let me ask a basic question... Portis has been hurt all year and is still ranked 3rd? How is this possible with such a "terrible" O-line? Our O-line is not our problem... it's the QB! Cassel and Roethlisberger have been sacked more than Campbell... and yet no one is talking about their offensive lines or coaches. Zorn is trying to adjust our offense around our failing QB... and that's why our offense is failing. Plain and simple! Even when the protection is perfect, Campbell's accuracy is still questionable at best. He can barely take a snap without falling over his own legs. Yes, #17 Campbell had a couple of good games... and so did the old #17. But having a few good games doesn't cut it in the NFL! When will we ever get a decent franchise QB?

Portis, stick with getting healthy!... and please try not to run into the back of your own players so much!

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