Payback? Ex-Redskin Portis wants chance to join rival Giants

Clinton Portis knows he has something to prove entering the 2011 season. He'd like to prove it to his former team, the Washington Redskins, twice per year.

Portis said Tuesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he wouldn't mind joining the NFC East rival New York Giants, calling the possibility "outstanding."

"I would love that opportunity," Portis said, via Comcast SportsNet Washington and RealRedskins.com.

Portis, 29, noted that the Giants pound the football with their 1-2 running back punch of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, boast a solid offensive line and have a premier quarterback in Eli Manning. All they need is to join forces.

"I just need to be able to come out and show what I'm capable of," said Portis, who's 77 rushing yards shy of 10,000 in his career. "... I think it's revitalizing to have an opportunity and still have the drive and still have the hunger to go out and prove people wrong."

The Giants aren't the only team on Portis' wish list. The Mississippi native expressed disappointment that the New Orleans Saints drafted Alabama running back Mark Ingram last month -- "I thought that would be a match made in heaven," Portis said -- and he mentioned San Diego's Philip Rivers, Indianapolis' Peyton Manning, New England's Tom Brady, Philadelphia's Michael Vick, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger as quarterbacks with whom he'd like to play.

One team not on Portis' list: the Oakland Raiders. That's because former Redskins offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who coached Portis in 2006 and 2007, is there.

"I don't think Al Saunders' system fit me," Portis said. Me and Al kind of clashed when we were in D.C. -- I'm not sure he was a big fan of mine, the practice habits. ... I think for myself, (I need) a clean slate, something new, a fresh start."

The Redskins released Portis in February because of his impending $8.3 million salary and injuries that limited him to just 13 games in the last two seasons. Portis pointed out Tuesday that the NFL lockout, which is in its third month, actually helps him, giving him more time to heal.

"I think I'm in better shape today than I was since, probably, my fourth or fifth year in the NFL," Portis said. "... Now I'm having some freedom and opportunity to go elsewhere and train and do my own thing and recover at my own pace. Usually by now, my back hurts from pushing sleds and doing this and doing that in the offseason program. ...

"I'm looking forward to growing completely healed. I'm benching, I'm squatting, I'm running. I feel like I got the speed back that was once dominating and scared so many other opposing teams."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Redskins turn to Torain with injured RB Portis out 4 to 6 weeks

Clinton Portis will be out at least one month with a groin injury, putting the two-time Pro Bowl running back's future in doubt once again.

His injury leaves the Washington Redskins with a very inexperienced backfield, too.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday that Portis has a third degree separation of the left groin, with the muscle separated off the bone. Portis will not require surgery, and Shanahan estimated a recovery time of four to six weeks.

"That's disappointing," Shanahan said, "that working so hard, playing so well, that he's got that setback."

Portis said Sunday that he felt a "pop" in his groin before leaving a 17-12 road victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, when he already was starting to share more of the rushing load with Ryan Torain. Now the only two healthy tailbacks on the Redskins' roster are Torain and Chad Simpson, who have combined for 70 carries in their NFL careers entering this weekend's game against the Green Bay Packers.

"When you lose some players during the season, other guys have to step up," Shanahan said. "Ryan has got a little playing time, and we'll see what he can do."

Portis has run for just 195 yards on 49 carries this season.

Portis is 109 yards shy of 10,000 for his career and 680 away from breaking John Riggins' franchise rushing record. Both milestones seemed inevitable a year ago, but Portis missed the last eight games of last season after a suffering a severe concussion during a helmet-to-helmet hit.

The Redskins signed two rookie running backs Wednesday to provide depth: Keiland Williams, whom the team released Saturday to make room for wide receiver Brandon Banks, and Javarris James, released Tuesday from the New England Patriots' practice squad. James is the cousin of former NFL running back Edgerrin James.

Simpson, a third-year pro, signed with the Redskins on Sept. 22.

The Redskins brought in veterans Larry Johnson and Willie Parker to challenge Portis this season, but both were cut after he held them off for the starting job. Portis said he renewed his focus and dedication, something necessary for a well-worn 29-year-old back who would be expected to be in his declining years. But he's also in the final year of his contract and wouldn't appear to fit into the future of a team being remolded by Shanahan.

Shanahan now will do what he so often did when he was coach of the Denver Broncos: turn to a new face in the backfield to replace an established name. Backs were almost interchangeable for Shanahan's teams in Denver, from Terrell Davis to Reuben Droughns to Tatum Bell to Mike Anderson to Portis, because of a perennially solid offensive line.

Torain was drafted by Shanahan's Broncos in the fifth round in 2008, but the running back broke his left elbow in training camp, and he played in just two games before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Torain had another knee injury in training camp in 2009 and was released, saddled with the injury-prone label.

"Definitely got labeled that," Torain said. "I definitely felt like I had to get that bug off my shoulder and stay healthy. ... Luck wasn't on my side my rookie year."

Torain didn't make the Redskins' roster at the start of this season and was placed on the practice squad. He was promoted two weeks ago and has rushed for 116 yards on 25 carries in two games, including a 12-yard touchdown against the Eagles in which he bowled over safety Quintin Mikell on the way to the end zone. The play has become a league highlight this week.

"I watch it anytime I get an opportunity," Torain said.

Torain will start against the Packers, and Shanahan said the Redskins almost certainly will add a third running back to their roster before Sunday.

"Ryan has the ability to be a top back," Shanahan said, "and we'll find out in time if he can do that and stay healthy."

Notes: The Redskins are changing punters. Josh Bidwell is still bothered by a hip injury, so Hunter Smith will be signed Thursday. Smith punted in 13 games for Washington last season. ... Rookie LT Trent Williams is confident he can return after missing two games with knee and toe injuries. He was limited in practice Wednesday. ... The Redskins signed released LB Mike Balogun from the practice squad.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Portis: Still-sore groin will keep me out of 'Skins-Packers game

ASHBURN, Va. -- Clinton Portis doesn't believe his injured groin will allow him to play in the Washington Redskins' weekend game against the Green Bay Packers.

Portis told 106.7 The Fan on Tuesday that he's awaiting the results of an MRI on his left groin, which he injured during Sunday's 17-12 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I don't think the team would even let me attempt to go and try to play on Sunday," Portis said. "But who knows? ... I'm going to take my time and make sure I'm healed."

Portis said Sunday that he felt a "pop" in his groin before leaving the game.

"It's bothering me," he said Tuesday. "It's stiff."

Portis has just 195 yards on 49 carries this season. His playing time already was on the wane with the emergence of Ryan Torain, who was promoted from the practice squad two weeks ago.

Torain ran 18 times for 70 yards and one touchdown against the Eagles.

Portis missed the last eight games of last season after suffering a severe concussion in a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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