WEx: Portis develops into reluctant leader

[E-Dog Night]

http://www.dcexaminer.com/articles/2005/09/12/sports/maryland_sports/002_col_snider.txt

Portis develops into reluctant leader

By Rick Snider

Examiner Columnist

Clinton Portis wanted to spend the offseason in Miami. A little sand and surf, a little South Beach. The last place he wanted to be was the Redskin Park weight room.

But Portis noticed during his first tour with the Redskins last year that the team lacked leadership. Everybody talked about playing hard, but no one ran the locker room.

Clinton Portis skipped his normal offseason in South Beach to become a leader in the weight room. (Jay Westcott/Examiner)

So Portis stayed in Ashburn after the season. He gained some upper-body strength while teammates picked up a role model. Finally, the Redskins have a leader in the backfield.

"You have to look up to somebody," Portis said. "Somebody has to be the spark. Last year we never really had ... a vocal spark. It was everybody saying, 'Come on guys -- let's go.' There was never no one to put their feet down and say, 'We're going to get this job done.' "

Quarterbacks are supposed to lead the offense. Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer not only ruled the huddle, but everything from Annapolis to Warrenton. Joe Theismann, Doug Williams and Mark Rypien ran their teams and the town.

But since 1993, Washington has flipped quarterbacks like hotcakes at IHOP. Steve Spurrier tried a three-way rotation. About the only position less stable has been kicker, where the Redskins have even dialed overseas for prospects.

This year is no different. Patrick Ramsey-Mark Brunell, Brunell-Ramsey, it won't ever end and neither can lead if not playing regularly. Ultimately, the quarterback of the future might be Jason Campbell anyway.

Running backs can be a good substitute leader, though. John Riggins became a cult hero. Terry Allen ruled the locker room for three years. Now Portis gains the lead. That's why he surrendered his offseason to the weight room while safety Sean Taylor surrendered to Miami authorities.

"To take on that role, you have to let your playing do your talking for you," Portis said, "but be vocal off the field to get the guys into the game. You can't pat guys on the back all the time if they're not doing well. You have to shoot them straight and tell them you've got to pick it up or let someone else come in."

Portis rushed for 121 yards against Chicago on Sunday. His 41-yard run in the waning moments of the third quarter moved the Redskins away from their own goal line. With Ramsey stumbling twice before leaving in the second quarter with a neck injury and Brunell managing six points in 41 minutes, the Redskins wouldn't have won 9-7 without Portis.

Napoleon said, "A leader is a dealer in hope." That's why Portis rallied his teammates behind him in hopes of reaching the playoffs.

The funny part is Portis really doesn't want to be the leader. He'd rather just be the big-time running back and let someone else do the heavy lifting in the locker room. Stephen Davis was that way before leaving in 2003.

Portis likes winning, though, so he has emerged as the "Boss of the Backfield." However, Portis joked that sipping drinks with little umbrellas down south come the next offseason is still in his future.

Something tells me he'll be back in March when voluntary workouts resume, though.

Rick Snider has covered local sports for 27 years. Contact him rsnider@dcexaminer.com.