Is Clinton Portis' Time with Washington Redskins Coming to an End?

There is very little doubt that the 2010 season will be the beginning of a new era for the Washington Redskins.

A new coach, a new general manager and a new quarterback will all be part of the rebuilding process as the ‘Skins look to rebound from a dreadful 4-12 campaign last year.

While much of this offseason’s conversation has been about the trade for Donovan McNabb, perhaps the most intriguing moves GM Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan have made are those at running back.

Toward the end of last season, Clinton Portis drew a great deal of heat from within the organization for his lack of effort—add this to the fact that his numbers seem to be on the decline because his body can’t handle the beatings it once could, and it is no surprise that the Redskins went out and got someone to help out with the load.

However, while it was expected that Washington get another running back, the fact that the team signed two backs has fans wondering whether Portis’ career as a Redskin has come to an end.

It isn’t just the number of running backs that warrants the questioning, but the type of players that were added. Both Willie Parker and Larry Johnson are veteran players with about as much wear-and-tear as Portis and both are very similar in their styles of running.

Even though Johnson and Parker were signed at pretty low salary cap numbers, the fact that Washington signed well-known two guys leads me to believe Portis is done.

Now, obviously a team keeps anywhere from three-to-five running backs on its roster at all times, but can you honestly see any of those three guys being fine as the third name on the depth chart?

Each of the three players was regarded as a top-10 running back in the NFL as recently as two or three years ago—and egos will prevent all three from playing in Washington.

As if that doesn’t make things dicey enough, it is no secret that Washington is also pursuing former Eagles back Brian Westbrook.

How many over-the-hump players does Shanahan want in his backfield?

I say that Portis will be the odd man out since Shanahan will be looking to change the culture of the locker room—and that will start by eliminating people he deems aren’t working hard enough.

Shanahan will certainly give Portis the opportunity to show that the talks of a poor work ethic are a thing of the past, but the signing of other big names at his position aren’t exactly a vote of confidence.

Even if Westbrook chooses another route (which I doubt because he was born and raised a Redskins fan) and the ‘Skins enter training camp with just the three currently on the roster, I have to believe that it will be a battle for two spots.

With the injury history of all three players, it is possible that the odd man out will be whoever misses time to injury, but nothing is for certain.

As Redskins fans have seen in recent years, the organization seems to ignore loyalty in efforts to win at all costs (ask LaVar Arrington, Jason Campbell, Rock Cartright, John Jansen and Stephen Davis), so the years Portis has played here won’t have an impact at all.

If Portis does end up being released, it will be a tough pill to swallow for the fans around the "District" who remember the days of Coach Janky Spanky and Southeast Jerome. Regardless of which of Portis’ interview character was your favorite, it will die once he suits up in another uniform.

I personally would have thought Shanahan would show support for Portis because they were so successful in Denver together, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

He’s gotten rid of Portis once before, so don’t be shocked if he does it again.

This article is part of NFC Beasts , a blog dedicated to the action in the NFC East—the most competitive and intense division in all American sports