Clinton Portis Still Playing Mr. Positivity

No one would really blame any player on the Washington Redskins for being less than chipper at this point in the still-young 2009 NFL season. After all, thus far they've gotten worked by a division-rival, squeaked out a 2-point home win against one of the worst teams in the NFL and most recently became the first team to lose to the Detroit Lions since 2007. Anyone from the outside could understand any negative feelings emanating from the locker room.

Running back Clinton Portis, arguably the team's biggest star, isn't hearing it. Tuesday afternoon, Portis was on a DC-area radio show and said all the right things -- even with a touch of delusion.

"Right now we're going through a tough time," Portis said. "Will we make it out of it? Yes. Will it be difficult? I mean, it's a season. Our heads aren't down, we're not throwing in the towel. We've still got 13 games to go play. Now if we throw in the towel now, we're gonna be miserable, but I don't think nobody in that locker room is gonna throw in the towel....I'm not gonna sit and make this a me me me me, because it's not me me me me. As a team, I think we have something special and we can do something special, and I think we will do something special."

According to Dan Steinberg (link above), Portis even dodged questions where the hosts were "virtually begging" Portis to second-guess Jim Zorn's maligned play selection.

Other items of interest from the interview are that Portis likes playing smash-mouth football, jokingly tells defensive coordinator Greg Blache to play him at safety occasionally and that he understands all the negative emotions of the die-hard Redskins fans.

It would be easy to ridicule Portis for saying the team we've seen on the field for the Redskins in the first three weeks of the season is special, but it's good see him displaying this kind of leadership and confidence in himself and his teammates. He's like the antithesis of Terrell Owens, which is totally refreshing.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-29-2009 @ 8:47PM

Ray said...

good lookin out clinton..still rootin..its a long season..

9-29-2009 @ 9:56PM

jbodmer833 said...

I LIKE TO HEAR THE VETERANS SOUND POSITIVE. TO BAD THEY HAVE AT BEST A QB COACH THAT CANT CALL A PLAY TO SAVE HIS LIFE.

9-30-2009 @ 12:51AM

Craiggers said...

You know Im tired of all the negative attitude towards our guys. All it takes is for all of our players to come together as one. The fans who keep dissing our players arent gonna help anything. The talent is there so quit knocking em off. Im tired of people sayin Campbell has no talent. Look how he plays when hes makin the calls in the 2 minute drills. Yes we need to get fired up and hopefully the Detroit loss will do that. Everyone of u out there knows we can turn this start around. How about motivating our guys for a change. If not we dont need u as a fan!

9-30-2009 @ 8:11AM

djpkid217 said...

gotta keep the faith in our team..i mean common its only been three games...we cant quit on them cuz if we do theyre gonna quit on us...n yall know they wouldnt do that

9-30-2009 @ 10:59AM

punchponhill said...

i agree that all it takes is for all of our players need to work as one, but they never seem to get that right. It seem that since they have all there guaranteed money in there contracts, they just do minimal work until there contract is about to expire.

9-30-2009 @ 11:25AM

mgiam7 said...

Here we go again, Redskins and redskin fans living in a dream world.

I have no problem with supporting your team especially when they're down, but skins fans are dilusional.

Face facts, your owner is a greedy scumbag who puts profits above winning, your head coach should be coaching 12 year olds and you have no offense!

9-30-2009 @ 1:45PM

A.Lyles said...

Hey mgiam7 or what ever the heck you call yourself why don't you try this , just worry about your teams problem if you have one and keep your stupid comments to your self, we don't need ya 2 cents worth we have our own let us worry bout us and u worry bout u got it (jerk)

9-30-2009 @ 1:43PM

samm said...

but the team has proven that they can succeed when they play for something....sean taylor....and now things r worse than ever which is a perfect time 2 pick it up...we got this s*** is stll early plenty of time to turn it around

9-30-2009 @ 1:50PM

john said...

Bottom line: the Deadskins are pathetic. 4-12 at best. Overated coach, an owner who is not afraid to open up the pocketbook, however he keeps on buying junk. They just don't play as a team. You guys are not gonna win with that quarterback of yours.Diehard fans like the ones rooting for the Deadskins deserve better. Between the NATS, the WIZARDS, and the DEADSKINS, I'd move.

9-30-2009 @ 2:07PM

jb574s said...

I've been a Redskins fan ever since they hired George Allen. I have seen the highs and the lows. But never have I seen a team with no heart to win, whether it is the owner (trying to be a coach) or a coachiong staff that does not know how to get the best from what they have. Without being in the locker room none of us knows but whatever the problem is, until it gets fixed and the true Redskins starts playing football, we will be having a bad season game after game and keep saying wait until next year. Not happening.

I also agree with Sonny, someone needs to step up and take charge.

9-30-2009 @ 4:46PM

cusoontes said...

I'm like every other home town fan. I love the Redskins whether they win or lose. Don't get me wrong, I hate it when we lose and get aggravated like all the rest of our loyal fan base. One thing to keep in mind is that we always seem to play down to the other team's level and likewise play tough against the better teams. We played horrible against the Rams and Lions and should have lost both games. But I wouldn't exactly say the Giants Kicked our A**. Keep the faith Redskins fans. We're not out of this party yet.

9-30-2009 @ 10:16PM

De'Andre said...

DANIEL SNYDER EITHER FIRE JIM ZORN OR SELL THE TEAM PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10-01-2009 @ 10:42AM

gelehu said...

Clintons right, and to the fair weather fans and the boo birds, go root for whoevers winning at the time. Your patronage doesnt mean that much.The real Redskins fans will still be there.

10-02-2009 @ 3:46AM

Steve said...

Its early in the season you people who like to complain..So what we have not started great BUT instead of MOANING about everything you can find bad TRY to get behind the Skins and maybe just maybe it will come together and i for one WILL stand behind the Skins through the bad and the good Because IM A TRUE FAN unlike some of you who are screaming for heads..(SACK HIM AND GET RID OF HIM)COME ON PEOPLES... Best Regards to the TRUE SKINS fans out there , Steve Dublin Ireland