RB Clinton Portis, who missed the second half of last season with a concussion, hadn't spoken publicly since just after the Redskins concluded an ugly year with a 4-12 record and a coaching change. "I started taking so much heat for everything I was doing, I just tried to fall out the public eye," said Portis, who verbally sparred with quarterback Jason Campbell via the media as the season ended. "As far as the characters, it became A Cry For Help, A Search For Identity, and everything else. I just tried to fall under the radar and mind my business and go to work. I think that was the wrong approach, because I started thinking of work as work instead of going over there to enjoy myself and having fun like I was, and really I would love to do that." Coach Mike Shanahan traded Portis from Denver to Washington in March 2004 when the "do my own thing" running back was coming off two tremendous seasons and was just 22 and healthy. Since the likely uncapped year will alleviate much of the pain of cutting Portis, he'll be 29 when the season starts and is coming off the concussion and the least productive 16-game stretch of his eight-year career, many Redskins observers expect him to be cut. Shanahan dodged the question at his introductory press conference, but did say that he expects all his players to adhere to a rigorous offseason program and added that running backs can "fall off a cliff." Portis, who has always disliked practice and the offseason regimen, believes he's not going anywhere. "I know what I'm capable of doing, and I can't wait to get back on the field next year to prove to people that I'm far from washed up," Portis said. "I will walk away from this game when I'm ready. You know, the game's not gonna pass me by. All this I can't do it anymore (talk), I'm eager to go out and prove to people that they're wrong about me. I think everybody's so caught up in thinking me and coach (Jim) Zorn couldn't get along, and thinking I was selfish, and t 24//2010

The season is over for Portis, who has not played since his concussion a month ago.
11/08/2009