Portis Relishes Freer Camp for Redskins Vets

Running back Clinton Portis echoed the sentiments of many veterans, offering unwavering praise for the Redskins' new training-camp lodging policy. Portis said Coach Jim Zorn is showing his respect for the older players by allowing them to spend nights at their own homes, rather than in the team hotel.

"You got some guys who are married, want to lay besides their wife, some guys want to see their kids," Portis said. "But having curfew, sitting off in a dorm room, being miserable, you don't get no phone reception, you got to go to sleep. I think giving us the opportunity to stay home and just be responsible allows the team to grow up."

Unlike past years, veterans of four or more years are allowed to stay at their own homes. Players with three years or less must stay at the team hotel, "sequestered basically," Zorn says.

"I feel I have a veteran team," the head coach said, "and I'm not the only guy doing this, and I didn't create this scenario, but I studied it and I think it has worked with other teams."

Portis doesn't anticipate any problems with the veterans taking advantage having more freedom.

"The responsibility is on you. We asked for it, we got it and now all of a sudden, you don't want to lose that privilege," he said. "You do the things that are required. You're not going to go out and get drunk. You're not going to be in the club, someone sees you around when you've got camp the next morning. You go home, you eat, you go to sleep and you be here on time."



(washigtonpost.com)