[Zorn on the 4th of July]

On one hand, I think Portis is on to something. He's not crazy and I don't think he's making anything up. On the other hand: what an asshole to say those things publicly!

I always suspected Jason Campbell wasn't very strong when it came to leadership, and both the content of Portis' trash-talking and Portis' staggering display of disrespect by airing those concerns publicly shows that Campbell doesn't have the respect of ALL his teammates. So, in a way, I agree with what Portis said. I see so many parallels between Jason Campbell and Chris Leak at the University of Florida before Urban Meyer showed up and encouraged Leak to be a more vocal, demanding leader of his teammates (encouragement that ultimately lead to a national championship).

But, just like Chris Leak, Jason Campbell CAN become a more vocal and demanding leader, and I still believe he has more physical ability than any Redskins QB that I can remember (I'm 28, so even memories of Doug Williams are a little hazy). I originally wanted Portis to stay aboard because I thought he could contribute to the offense. However, this total disrespect and lack of tact is locker room poison and he's gotta go (even if I do think he's somewhat right about Campbell).

Unfortunately, the contract scenarios for Campbell make it much easier to offload Campbell (especially given Portis' alleged close relationship with Snyder and his previous work under Shanahan). These recent comments pretty much ensure that they can't be on the same team next year.

If Campbell is released and Portis is retained, I wonder how locker room chemistry would be affected, especially if the new QB struggles behind an improved O-line and people continue to doubt Portis' effort. However, because Campbell strikes me as a quieter, keep-to-himself kind of guy, the other players may not necessarily feel any deep sense of loyalty to him, and as long as Portis produces next season and the new QB does a decent job, all of Portis' past missteps may be forgiven by the rest of the team.

Maybe.

But after all he's said PUBLICLY about his relationship with Snyder and Campbell's leadership abilities, it just seems massively unfair that he should stay and Campbell should go.

Campbell has been an average QB in a dismal offense, so I'd like to see what he can do when he is protected and has a few more legit options besides Cooley and Moss. Campbell has picked himself off the dirt more times than anybody should, and he's always been a class act and I'd classify him as "Prototypical Gibbsian Redskins Material." The last piece of the puzzle is to demonstrate to his teammates a desire that surpasses playing well and not making mistakes (as evidenced by his holding the ball too long). He needs to show that he wants to win, and will hold others accountable for when they impede victory in any way. Campbell needs to socialize with teammates (not sure how much of this he does) and take charge on and off the field.

Dammit. This is all such a shame, because Portis was an excellent blocker in the backfield, and put his body on the line multiple times to give JC a few extra seconds. His presence was definitely missed in that respect this season. The whole thing makes me sick. Welcome to Washington, Mr. Shanahan. You gotta sort this locker room out . . . yesterday!