Shanahan: ‘Portis is our running back’

News: Shanahan tells Sirius NFL Radio, “Clinton Portis is our running back.”

A few minutes later, he was telling those of us at the combine that, just like every other player who hopes to be a member of the 2010 Redskins, Portis would need to work hard in the team’s offseason conditioning program. That means spending the spring in Ashburn, not in Miami.

Shanahan’s statement on the radio merely indicates that Portis will not be released prior to the start of free agency. With no salary cap, the Redskins do not need to be concerned about timing the cap hit that the release of Portis would trigger. If he doesn’t go along with the program he could be cut at any time.

Shanahan knows what buttons to push to motivate Portis. A statement along the lines of “Portis had better be in that weight room on March 15 or he’s gone” may have turned Portis defiant. Treating him like an adult, even though he may not act like one at all times, and assuming that he will get with the program, is the taking the high road.

I think that Portis can be a productive player from September through December and perhaps into January if he gets into shape and if he isn’t overworked. The first part is up to him and if he doesn’t take care of business on that end the second part will be moot. If the Redskins can find a back to split the load—truly split the load, not provide an occasional breather—Portis can thrive.