Washington Redskins: Banking on a 2010 Clinton Portis Revival

run-ning – back – wall  (n.)   1.) the moment in a football player’s career where they are considered spent, done, washed up, or irrelevant; usually occurring at the age of 30 for professional running backs

Although just 28-years-old, many appear to have given up on Redskins’ running back Clinton Portis. Perhaps it is Portis’ attitude in recent years or the 16 games he has missed in the last four seasons that has turned some fans away. But this season has all the makings for a picture-perfect Portis revival.

As so many running backs do under Mike Shanahan’s run-heavy variation of the West Coast offense, Portis will look to shine once again in an offense that helped him earn Rookie of the Year honors just eight years ago.

Going into training camp, new coach Mike Shanahan publicly challenged Portis to improve his conditioning. Portis not only accepted the challenge, he succeeded.

According to numerous sources, Clinton Portis has slimmed down to a muscular 217 pounds (down from 230 pounds last season) and his conditioning is the best it has been in years.

Clinton Portis is also set to make $6.4 million of his $7.2 million base salary in 2010 and the Redskins’ front office will be looking for a big improvement. It’s not necessarily that Portis is concerned with proving his own value this season, it’s the fact that Portis has the opportunity to earn one more decent payday depending on his play in 2010.

With all of the chips stacked against him in 2010, a Portis revival appears to be just a few weeks away.

Portis is obviously motivated and he has expressed the desire for nothing more than a fresh start. Shanahan is a proven coach that has made high-caliber running backs out of guys like Olandis Gary, Tatum Bell, Mike Anderson, and Reuben Droughns. Not to mention, Portis believes in Shanny and he understands the potential that lies ahead.

Predicted ’10 Reg. Season Stats :   239 ATT, 1,247 YDS, 5.2 YPC, 12 TD