Clinton Portis having fun again

Southeast Jerome may soon return.

Clinton Portis is happy once more. The concussion that cost the Washington Redskins running back eight games last season no longer haunts him. Even more, the circus atmosphere of the former front office no longer pesters him.

Portis is free to be himself, and that wit and charm that once produced weekly outlandish characters seems close to returning.

"[I'm] having fun. Football is having fun," Portis said. "Coach [Mike] Shanahan says he's the one under pressure. Go out and play and do the things he asks you to do and have fun. Having everything at a professional level makes it easier. All the pressure's gone. We can just come in and go play."

Portis was known for his controversial statements over the past two years regarding coach Jim Zorn, the offensive line and quarterback Jason Campbell. Portis was just being frank, but it often turned into something more than intended. The circus of Redskins Park often gained an unintentional ring leader.

"Everything that happened before this, it was crazy around here," Portis said, "but it's a new year."

Indeed, Portis would rather forget last season when gaining a career-low 494 yards in eight games. The concussion proved severe and Portis wondered whether to return, though mostly because of the Redskins' constant drama.

"I was never worried about the concussion," he said. "It was more me worried about whether I had to worry about the b.s. that comes with it. Dealing with the b.s. that came along being around here. Once coach Shanahan came in and let us know he was going to do his best to care of all that, [it was] just go out and play football."

Portis isn't worried about newcomers Larry Johnson and Willie Parker taking some his snaps. He's still the starter. And Portis has a chip on his shoulder once again.

"It was like all of a sudden I disappeared off the face of the earth," Portis said of the concussion. "Everybody wrote me off. I was over and done. I'm back and I'm healthy."

And now Portis believes the Redskins have a leader in quarterback Donovan McNabb.

"A lot of people loved playing with Jason," Portis said, "but when you get the opportunity to get it done with McNabb -- the way he coordinates the huddle up and down the field -- you look forward to it."

Maybe Southeast Jerome will look forward to it soon, too.

Click here to order Clinton Portis’ proCane Rookie Card.



(washingtonexaminer.com)