Clinton Portis on the JT Show

things dont sound good and one caller just asked if maybe vc and danny boy were hoping to get cower after the season and maybe zorn was just to get by for a year and put zorn back at oc

First off the only way Zorn would go back to OC is if this was arranged last year when he became head coach. Secong I heard some on interviewed (forgot who they were) and they said Cowher is happy retired and has ruled out any chances of him coming back in 2009. The person said there was just a slight chance he would give it any thought in 2010. He said Cowher does not care about the money and is happy having alot of more time to spend with his family. He also pointed out Cowher is still young and can afford to wait until he is ready to coach again.

Even if that did go down the O has been Zorns problem so why would he stay on as O coach?

Can you go into this a little more?

Just people I've talked to have said that Zorn is treating veterans and rookies equally and that just doesn't work in the NFL. Veterans expect a different level of respect. Further, almost all the players don't like that he's been calling out the players on execution and seemingly taking no blame for the schemes. Additionally, some players say that Campbell has been blaming others in the locker room for his struggles. It's a bit of a mess right now mainly stemming from losing and the frustrations that go along with that.

Having a tight, cohesive locker room is one of (some would say the only one) Gibbs' traits that is sorely missed right now. But I think it's a passing thing that will improve.

I pray that we have a Sgt. at Arms, someone like London Fletcher, who will tell Portis to watch his mouth and be the obedient soldier. Portis is tough, talented and a fan favorite, but sometimes he is insubordinate and is too eager to play the role of martyred malcontent. What good does it do to gripe in public or in the locker room? If players have a problem with things the coaches are doing, they should air the grievances through the appropriate channels and in the appropriate, respectful manner.

I love Portis and have defended him repeatedly, but he is out of line. He needs to understand his role and play it.

And if players are tearing one another down in the locker room after just 4 losses, things are worse than I thought. Quitters and loser throw people under the bus, teammates do not. I wish Daniels was around to keep things in check.

I pray that we have a Sgt. at Arms, someone like London Fletcher, who will tell Portis to watch his mouth and be the obedient soldier. Portis is tough, talented and a fan favorite, but sometimes he is insubordinate and is too eager to play the role of martyred malcontent. What good does it do to gripe in public or in the locker room? If players have a problem with things the coaches are doing, they should air the grievances through the appropriate channels and in the appropriate, respectful manner.

I love Portis and have defended him repeatedly, but he is out of line. He needs to understand his role and play it.

He does play the everybody is out to get me, martyred malcontent alot.

While I don't think it's a good idea to air all this crap out through the media, CP has every right to be frustrated. The dude is a workhorse and has done most everything ever asked of him on the field. If he truly is as banged up as it's been reported, then God bless him for sucking it all up and at least trying to contribute game time. Yeah, it'd be great for him to practice, but if you're that wrecked, how can you expect him to make any real contribution for what is left of our season?

Well when he went public about the line not giving him holes the holes appeared maybe now Zorn will call a better game.

Portis Rips Zorn - Redskins Insider (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2008/12/portis_rips_zorn.html)

Uh oh, hear it comes.

RI: Portis Rips Zorn

This sucks! Sounds like Zorn has lost portis! Also sounds like Portis just freaking hates Zorn!

Sounds like, based on Portis' words, and based on Zorn's protection schemes, and based on Zorn's decision to keep only two back up lineman on the bench, and based that Zorn can't accept any blame, and based on Zorn's words of "get the ball out quicker!"........................................It sounds like Zorn doesn't know what the heck he's doing! I hope he learns quick. This season is a wash, but if Zorn doesn't fix this quickly; next year will be a wash too!

Growing pains, not unexpected during a tough stretch like this. Let's win against Cincy--that will help the most.

CP shouldn't do this, but it's not a surprise. He's always been given slightly different treatment; he's an odd but very talented guy.

Zorn needs to learn about how to handle these things. It will take some time. To be honest, I'm glad it's happening. He has to be able to deal with this kind of adversity and player management, or he cannot be a head coach in the NFL.

No way Danny and Vinny should touch Zorn--one, give the guy a friggin chance! Two, who would EVER want to coach here with management like that? Three, first year had coach, new passing system, new line adjustment system, first year for JC in the system, weak and injured o-line, rookie WRs who can't make an impact. Give it some time!

While I don't think it's a good idea to air all this crap out through the media, CP has every right to be frustrated. The dude is a workhorse and has done most everything ever asked of him on the field. If he truly is as banged up as it's been reported, then God bless him for sucking it all up and at least trying to contribute game time. Yeah, it'd be great for him to practice, but if you're that wrecked, how can you expect him to make any real contribution for what is left of our season?

Did you watch the Zorn presser? He wasn't ripping Portis. He didn't say he was benched because he didn't practice. He said Betts was doing better in the passing game (basically), that they were behind and had to pass, that they were trying to get Portis healthy, etc. I know what Portis is referring to, the part where Zorn said that Portis was helping too much in pass pro and not getting into routes, but it takes a pretty thin skin to take that to the level that Portis did. He is a great player, but super high maintanence as well. Gibbs understood that (or accomodated that) and coddled Portis. Zorn is not. Now Portis is pouting. But it's BS. Zorn might be well advised to follow a more Gibbsian model in his pressers (the reporters hated it, but being tight lipped helps hold a locker room together) but that is not his style and I doubt he will pull back. But go watch the presser and see if you think Zorn's comments warranted a very Owens-like outburst by Clinton Portis.

Having said all that, much of the offensive struggles have to fall to Zorn. If your offense, that you implemented and call plays in, has scored fewer points than Detroit then execution is probably not the only problem. But Portis' comments are still way out of line.