Portis: '2007 Is Our Year'

[Gryphon]

Posted May 11th 2007 3:56PM by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: Commanders, NFC East
http://nfc-east.aolsportsblog.com/

I've been harping about the Commanders' pass-rush issues all off-season, and picked up the pace when the team drafted a safety with their sixth-overall pick last month. Well, apparently there's nothing to worry about. From Janky Spanky, who's set to appear on BET's "Ballers" next week:
"I think this year we're going to make a lot of news. We went out and got what we needed. I actually think this will be our year. We're going to be in the NFC championship game. I guarantee that."

Clinton Portis also added this:
"Time is knowledge. I think Coach Gibbs is one of the most knowledgeable people you'll ever meet. I think there's a lot of people when you are losing, they are going to point the finger at everybody. Coach, myself, Mr. Snyder and anybody else they can point it at. Once you are winning, Coach Gibbs is a genius. So we just got to win for Coach."

First, I'm not sure what "time is knowledge" means, but it sounds good. Second, the fact that Portis didn't mention Vinny Cerrato as the focus of finger-pointing is an indictment in itself. Cerrato's so bad at his job that it would be way too obvious to include him in that list. Or maybe it's just me (nah).

Despite a rocky second-go-round, it's hard to argue that Gibbs isn't a genius.The guy has three Super Bowl rings, after all, and you'd like to think it wasn't by accident. There's no reason to believe the Commanders will be so improved next season they'll make it deep in the playoffs, but hey, nobody expected them to reel off five straight wins to make the postseason in 2005 either. Plus, when Dr. I Don't Know says something with such conviction, you get the impression he, uh, knows something.

 

[Gryphon]

Joe Gibbs Even More Pissed at Shawn Springs
Posted May 12th 2007 10:52AM by Sportz Assassin
Filed under: Commanders, NFC East, Washington, DC

It isn't just Sean Taylor missing the OTAs that has Commanders' coach Joe Gibbs bent. Cornerback Shawn Springs, who has been questioning whether he is to be a Commander in 2007, is also MIA and Gibbs doesn't understand it.

"With Shawn Springs, I've had a lot of talks this offseason," Gibbs said. "We kind of made up our decision how we were going to proceed this year and that we were going to go ahead with our normal situation with him contractually and every other way. I had a sit-down with him in Phoenix. Up to two weeks ago we thought we were in real good shape with him.

"Then all of a sudden we lost contact. I think that's something up here that can happen. It's one of the things you have to work your way through."

For most of the offseason, many felt that Springs wouldn't be a Commanders for long. He has a $7.35M cap number and the Commanders added corners Fred Smoot and David Macklin in the offseason. There was a thought to move Springs to safety, but drafting LaRon Landry with the #6 pick makes that an iffy proposition.

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[Gryphon]

Joe Gibbs Is Kinda Pissed at Sean Taylor
Posted May 12th 2007 10:29AM by Sportz Assassin
Filed under: Commanders, NFC East, NFL Gossip, Washington, DC

Earlier here at the FanHaus, we talked about Commanders safety Sean Taylor missing the Commanders voluntary workout last week. There have been rumblings that Taylor is mad about his contract situation. And now there are more rumblings that Taylor is miffed that the Skins failed to re-sign his buddy Ryan Clark last offseason. Either way, Taylor blew off the team.

Well, seems like Commanders head coach Joe Gibbs isn't too thrilled about the snub.

Washington Commanders Coach Joe Gibbs expressed surprise and dismay yesterday that neither starting free safety Sean Taylor nor starting cornerback Shawn Springs attended the first week of voluntary workouts. Springs said yesterday he plans to join the workouts the first week of June.

"With Sean Taylor, I've had no contact whatsoever," Gibbs said. "I'm not aware of anything there. That's about all I can say about it. I've had no contact."

Nice. Yes, these are voluntary workouts and veterans aren't required to be there, but the coaching staff made a little deal with the players that they can do their offseason condition away from the team as long as they show up for the OTAs. Also, the fact that Taylor hasn't said anything to the team [as far as we know] is a bit disconcerting. Taylor ... after a so-so 2006 season ... is already throwing up the contract card just as the Skins draft LaRon Landry with the #6 pick.

It could all be much ado about nothing. Veterans miss these voluntary workouts all the time and Taylor has done his share during his short career and he seems to play pretty well when he does miss out. Maybe it is Sean just thinking, "I don't have to be there, so I'm not" and just getting ready for the season on his own. Maybe he really is bent about his contract. Or maybe he's just a guy just trying to see what he can get away with. As a Commanders fan, I just hope that this isn't a sign of contractual issues to come and Taylor comes into mini-camp in great shape and ready to roll.

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[Hoofbite]

Show me any player whos publically mailing it in this early and Ill show you a guy who doesn't deserve a paycheck.

Everyone thinks its their year.....

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I actually think this will be our year. We're going to be in the NFC championship game. I guarantee that."

 

[BouncingCheese]

Hmmm.. didn't they and all of their idiot fans say this SAME THING LAST YEAR?? Oh yeah, and Brandon Lloyd was supposed to be a pro bowler... hahaha. I am in D.C., and all of the foreskins' fans are deflated becuase they were hyping up their team. Idiots.

 

[AmishCowboy]

It's their year for what?, too go 6-10 and drive Gibbs back to NASCAR?.

 

[Mansta54]

Hmmm.. didn't they and all of their idiot fans say this SAME THING LAST YEAR?? Oh yeah, and Brandon Lloyd was supposed to be a pro bowler... hahaha. I am in D.C., and all of the foreskins' fans are deflated becuase they were hyping up their team. Idiots.

It's great living in the DC area and listening to there fans. They have absolutely no confidence in their team or frtofc at all.. It's great!!!

 

[BouncingCheese]

It's great living in the DC area and listening to there fans. They have absolutely no confidence in their team or frtofc at all.. It's great!!!

Haha yeah... I listen to sportstalk 980 with Doc Walker and Hoyas Coach John Thompson the third. People call in to talk about how homeristic they are as Commanders fans, but regardless of that, as soon as any caller says that they are Cowboys fans he hangs up on them. The Commanders fans are blind to a fault but have no problem seeing their own organizations problems.

All Commanders fans deserve what they get.

 

[03EBZ06]

Portis talking big

By Ryan O'Halloran
May 11, 2007


I got an interesting e-mail late last night about Washington Commanders running back Clinton Portis' upcoming appearance on the BET sports talk show "Ballers." Portis taped an episode that is set to appear Tuesday at 11 p.m. The show is hosted by former NBAer John Salley, former NFLer Hugh Douglas and comedian Guy Torry.

A partial transcript was emailed out last night and here is the one quote that jumped off the page. Asked about the Commanders' outlook in 2007, Clinton said ...

"I think this year we're going to make a lot of news. We went out and got what we needed. I actually think this will be our year. We're going to be in the NFC championship game. I guarantee that. Whatever that takes, we're going to get there."


Translation: Portis is back to being his usual confident and loquacious self. But the NFC title game? Probably shooting a little high, but I like his candor.

Portis, who missed half of last season with shoulder and hand injuries, was also asked if the game had passed Joe Gibbs by.

Portis said: "Time is knowledge. I think Coach Gibbs is one of the most knowledgeable people you'll ever meet. I think there's a lot of people when you are losing, they are going to point the finger at everybody. Coach, myself, Mr. Snyder and anybody else they can point it at. Once you are winning, Coach Gibbs is a genius. So we just got to win for Coach."

* In another Commanders related take, I found Gibbs' comments about the absences of Sean Taylor and Shawn Springs interesting. Neither has shown up for the team's "voluntary" practice sessions this week. Gibbs said he has had "no contact" with Taylor and had "lost contact" with Springs.

I find it unbelievable that the coach and team president of an NFL team would have trouble making contact with two of his standout players.

With Taylor, it's one thing after another and now he's again unhappy about his contract for the 142nd time in his short career. If I'm the Commanders, under no circumstances do I start talking a new contract with Taylor until after this season. This would allow the Commanders to see if Taylor develops into a player worthy of a mega contract.

http://www.washtimes.com/blogs/storyview.php?StoryID=20070511-120238-8814r&TopicsID=skins

 

[canters]

They could make it if half the good teams in the NFC come down with the flu in December. Otherwise, they are 8-8 at best.

 

[cowboyeric8]

haha, keep dreaming

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Memo to Danny Snyder: Drug test this Portis feller.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

This is akin to Favre's "this is the most talented team I have ever been on"

Totally laughable..... HUH-HA- HAHA- HUH HA!

 

[Coakleys Dad]

Portis talking big

A partial transcript was emailed out last night and here is the one quote that jumped off the page. Asked about the Commanders' outlook in 2007, Clinton said ...

"I think this year we're going to make a lot of news. We went out and got what we needed. I actually think this will be our year. We're going to be in the NFC championship game. I guarantee that. Whatever that takes, we're going to get there."


http://www.washtimes.com/blogs/storyview.php?StoryID=20070511-120238-8814r&TopicsID=skins

"thanks folks, i'll be here doin my comedy show all week", Portis then said....

 

[fortdick]

Do you think they should check the local police office or county jails? Taylor may just be inconvenienced by the fact he is in jail under an alias.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Friction in deadskin land.....gotta love it!

 

[BulletBob]

If time is knowledge, then Portis is an infant.

 

[zeromaster]

Do you think they should check the local police office or county jails? Taylor may just be inconvenienced by the fact he is in jail under an alias.

Sean Taylor = Coach South Africa
Shawn Springs = Johnnie Guiana

Get those APBs rolling...