Washington Redskins

*Clinton Portis says that he will play against Houston.  Joe Gibbs says that all Portis' talk last week was to throw the cowboys off.  For the record, it didn't work.  So when Portis says he is going to play, take it with a grain of salt.  I'm hearing that he needs surgery to repair his shoulder.  However the pain is down and he has been able to practice, so if you have him, this could be the week to finally start him.  You may not have many more opportunities.

*Joe Gibbs declared Clinton Portis out for Sunday Night's game in Dallas claiming that if he does not practice, he can't play.  For his part, Portis claims he has his bags packed and is ready to go.  This sounds like motivational tactics, although I would not doubt that Gibbs will keep Portis out if that's what he says will happen.

*Clinton Portis experienced soreness on Tuesday in his damaged shoulder.  Joe Gibbs refused to say if Portis will see an increased role Sunday night against the Cowboys.

*Joe Gibbs announced that if Clinton Portis can't go Monday night, Ladell Betts gets the start.  We think eventually TJ Duckett will be the primary backup, but he's still new to the Redskins and needs to learn a little more first.

*The report out of camp is that Clinton Portis is ahead of schedule with rehab and should be ready by week 1 barring set backs.  We'll watch this one carefully because if he looks strong again going into the season, he'll move up a notch or two again.

*Acquired TJ Duckett from the Falcons.  What does this tell you about Clinton Portis' injury or their faith in Ladell Betts to back him up?  We told you Portis' shoulder was a real concern.  We also mentioned that Betts had a chance to start a few years back and couldn't cut it.  Move Betts and Portis down on your list and move Duckett up slightly, as he'll probably start and share time until Portis is ready.  Once Portis is healthy, Duckett may steal goal line carries from him as well.

*Clinton Portis is currently undergoing rehab for his shoulder, and claims to have suffered a similar injury in high school.  We've moved him down a peg on our draft board only out of fear of this reoccurring.

*Portis will most likely miss the rest of the preseason and his status for week 1 is pending.  Portis himself said that he is concerned about picking up the blitz, and that's not exactly what I'd want to hear from him as an owner.  Betts is a competent backup, but I'm not sold on his ability as a starter just yet.

*Bad news here.  Clinton Portis partially dislocated his shoulder Sunday night against the Bengals making a tackle on an interception.  No word on how long he'll be out, but the treatment is typically rest.

*We have heard many times from many different sources how happy Clinton Portis is with the new offense.  He won't be what he would have been in Denver, but look for him to continue to improve.

*Mark Brunell has a fractured index finger that will keep him out of off season workouts.  He should be 100% by the time camp opens. Rumors are that David Patten may be the odd man out in a deep receiving corp.  If he gets dropped, look for the Eagles to tender an offer.

http://www.redskins.com/ - Official Site

http://www.nbc4.com/nfl088/index.html

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/Page/RTD_SectionFront&c=Page&cid=1058750352695

http://www.washtimes.com/sports/ - news site

http://www.redskins.com/team/ - roster

http://www.ourlads.com/secure/depthchart.cfm?index1=WAS - depth chart

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/stats.htm - stats

http://www.nfl.com/freeagency/nfc-signings - free agency