Clinton Portis: 'If the Redskins Ask Me to Start Punting, I'm Gonna Get My Leg Ready'

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It was no secret over the second half of the season that Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis wasn't happy with his role on the team.

But while Portis more or less confirmed that he didn't like the way the latter portion of the season went in an interview on John Thompson's radio show, he also said he'd be more than happy to do anything at all the team asks of him -- including punt:

"You know, I mean, you want to have hope, but is it really hope? You're telling me in seven games I couldn't get 500 yards after I was 300 yards above all competition in Week 9? So who knows, man? I can't do nothing but go ahead and just do what they ask me to do. If they ask me to come in and start punting, I'm gonna get my leg ready and learn how to be a punter."

That comes from Dan Steinberg of the DC Sports Bog, who also reports that Thompson twice told Portis during the interview, "Boy, you're crazy."

It's hard to know how to take anything Portis says, because he always seems like he's half serious and half kidding. With most people I'd want him to just tell us exactly what he thinks, but Portis makes things so entertaining that I'll take him just the way he is. And I half expect him to punt a few balls at the first minicamp of 2009.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-07-2009 @ 4:48PM

redskinsfan said...

Hey my hats off to cp man what a team player. I think what might have happend is teams found out they didnt have to worry about the passing game just stop cp. There was no threat of anything deep most of the time they didnt even go far enough to pick up a first down. I dont know whoes faut it is maybe cambell, not convinced hes the qb they thought. The o-line definitly needs help an so does d-line lack of any pass rush killed us. Every team in playoffs has the ability to pressure the qb, redskins had to be the worst. Still a redskin fan after 35years though an still beleaving. HAIL TO THE REDSKINS.

1-07-2009 @ 5:07PM

Michael E. Atkins said...

you know that portis is kidding dont you?if anybody takes clinton portis serious all the time than your stupid for thinking that!portis is an eleite running back and you think the skins are going to let him punt balls in a real game,yeh right!he's going to run the ball like he did last year and if he stays heathy than he will reach 1500 yrds in "09"i love when he portis comes out and talks to the media with his costumes on in the locker room,he's one of of a kind!you know when he's kidding and when he's not,just take a look at him when he's running the ball or blocking he's the alltimate football player,we all love him and i think he'll be in washington till the end of his courier.keep on rocking clinton.

1-07-2009 @ 5:20PM

Biggeesmoove said...

What if they asked you to SHUT YOUR MOUTH when in front of the media? Would you do THAT?

I'm not fooled by your "take one for the team" declaration, Mr. Portis. You care only about YOU, and everything that you do is for your own aggrandisement.

1-07-2009 @ 6:14PM

Daniel V said...

Campbell = Bust Portis = Distractions but at least he hold it down as a constent threat

1-07-2009 @ 8:10PM

John Q said...

portis can talk the talk because he walks the walk and runs the run. the media is just play time for him. what else should they be good for? we won't know if campbell's a bust until we have some receivers who can run solid routes and get down field. and hopefully they can come up with stickier gloves so that they can catch the ball. i think campbell will be fine with an offensive line and ball catching, route running, down field eligible receivers.

1-07-2009 @ 9:24PM

DeeDubb said...

I listened to this interview a little while ago and I came away with the feeling that CP is being selfish. Ordinarily, I don't put much stock into him running his mouth but it's been pretty bad this year. You can tell he doesn't like Zorn in the least and that little show where they "made up" was just that, a show. I know CP's an emotional guy but this last interview has me fed up with him this year. The simple fact that he spouted out specific statistics of HIS before and after things went wrong is proof enough that he's being selfish. I love the guy but all this talking in the public bull#@it has to stop! This thing between Zorn and him is not going to get any better because CP feels like he's bigger and more important the head coach of the team. The biggest thing Gibbs did wrong with CP is to coddle him and you can see the baby in him acting out. Somebody needs to tell him this is about the REDSKINS and not Clinton Portis. It's getting old already...

1-14-2009 @ 6:20PM

Gabriel J. Torres said...

I truly believe Portis would take on any role as long as the Redskins were winning. Portis is a leader so he feels the best chance for the team to win would be on his shoulders and thats exactly the leadership the QB should be displaying. Portis is the heart of the team and it kills me to see the Skins loss to teams like the Bengals and 49'ers. So I can't imagine how Portis feels. Campbell seems too mild mannered. I love his arm, height, ability to run and his accuracy, on paper hes a starter for just about any team, however he seems to lack the desire to win and ability to adjust as the game progresses (maybe its the play calling, its hard to say). Sure it was year 1 with this offensive system but hopefully this next year he will take upon his shoulders the role of team leader. HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

1-27-2009 @ 9:11PM

Moss Rules 89 said...

im pretty sure id prefer portis over plackemier, i mean portis is a beast at rb, who knows what else he could do?
whatevr he does just make sure were up by a lot
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS