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Portis Smacks Down B-Mitch


Discussing the media. (John McDonnell - TWP)

The thing about Portis's much-discussed appearance on the WTEM's John Thompson Show yesterday is that he ranted and raved a bit, bashed the media, said he doesn't read the papers, accused the media of thriving on controversy, and all the rest. But still, he was entirely, entirely likeable. More than that, he was convincing. By the end of his interview, I hated the media. Heck with it, from now on, I'm not reading the papers either. And I'm only writing positive things. Mike Gundy and Daniel Snyder could both take media-bashing lessons from CP.

The interview started off with questions about why Portis was on the sideline during the deciding series on Sunday. Portis explained that it wasn't his call to make and that he probably couldn't have done more than Betts did in that situation. Then Brian Mitchell took over. Here's how it went down. (Audio link here, courtesy of ExtremeSkins.)

Brian Mitchell: Now Clinton, I understand what you just said, but do you understand why people are asking the question, why weren't you in there, because they see you as the main guy, the guy that they know can get things done

John Thompson: I damn sure saw it that way.

BM: And you're right, you probably couldn't have gotten there, I'm going to be honest, I thought the left side of the line was blown back too much for any running back to get in there, but do you understand why people are asking why you weren't in there?

JT: Exactly, and to B's point I'm yelling at the TV, Portis, Portis!!!' (Four consecutive entries by the hosts!)

Portis (to BM): I would have loved to be in, but you can't satisfy everybody. I mean, you're one of Portis's biggest critics.

BM: Exactly.

CP (begin rant): Week in and week out, it's some problem that you have with a decision that you think I made. I go out on the field and I give it everything I've got, bro. That's what I try to do. I'ma try to help the Washington Redskins as much as I can, as long as I can, and do whatever I can. When my number is not called, I'm not one to pout. Everybody want me to be a pouter. Everybody want me to be, 'Oh give me the ball.' They know I want the ball. Who don't know Clinton Portis want the ball? What you think, I shy away? (Shouting) Why do you think I block? Why do you think I run downfield? Because I want to be a part of any play that's called. If I didn't want the ball, I wouldn't be on the field. I wouldn't, I wouldn't go block when I don't get the ball, I'd look around and pout. When they call my number, I respond. If they don't call my number, there's nothing I can do but try to help my teammates and support my teammates, and that's what I do.

The shouting ended after that speech, but the media criticism continued. Everything he says below is 100 percent accurate. The media's frown would have been turned 100 percent upside down this week had Betts scored. The "We Love CP at the goal line" chorus would have been a lot softer had Betts made it in.

"When we win people give me credit for stuff that I didn't do, when we lose I'm gonna get blamed for stuff that I didn't do. So it don't matter....Now if Ladell would have scored, then the headlines would have been 'Ok Ladell finished off the game, great job, he should start next week.' Being that he didn't, now all of the sudden everybody for me. Just three weeks, ago, Ladell Betts should have been the starter for the Washington Redskins...

"It's not about who gets the press, who gets the headlines. I don't read the papers, I don't listen to sports talk, I don't listen to radio shows, I don't care what people say. All I do is go to work, I kick it with my teammates, I have fun with my teammates, I laugh and joke with them, and what they think is what matters to me. Nobody else. I don't care what they think."

And just to really win my admiration (and no, I'm not joking), Portis launched an extended defense of Brandon Lloyd. I mean, say what you want about him, but it's hard to catch a ball that hasn't been thrown.

"When Brandon Lloyd want to be a dominant player, he can do that," Portis said. "It's just getting the coaches to buy into that and him proving it that he gonna do it on a consistent play after play, that he gonna do whatever they ask of him. And the sooner he can get on the field, the better we'll be."

By Dan Steinberg |  September 26, 2007; 2:48 PM ET  | Category:  Redskins
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Comments

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Way to go CP!!!!

Posted by: DB | September 26, 2007 3:00 PM

Brian Mitchell is overly critical of people in the Redskins organization?

WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED?!?!

Posted by: Unsilent Majority | September 26, 2007 3:01 PM

Hear, hear! Well said, Portis.

Also, Bucktown Skins Fan loves the third person, too. Yay for all of us!

Posted by: Bucktown Skins Fan | September 26, 2007 3:35 PM

CP needs to CHIILL. B-Mitch should be in the RING OF HONOR.. Portis will be cut at the end of the year.

Posted by: RANDO | September 26, 2007 3:40 PM

Yikes! I think someone threw an empty syrup bottle at RANDO again.

Sit down, RANDO.

Posted by: Bucktown Skins Fan | September 26, 2007 4:00 PM

Brian Mitchell in the ring of honor?
I don't even want to know what you've been smoking. He was a decent return man, and a barely adequate running back.
Clinton Portis was 100% right with everything he said. If anyone should have been running the ball on the goal-line, it should have been Mike Sellers.

Posted by: AlecW81 | September 26, 2007 4:30 PM

I don't know what B-Mitch's problem is. For some reason he is bitter towards the skins. He especially dislikes Portis the most.

Hearing him on the radio and post game stuff is so tiring and frustrating. He is ALWAYS negative with everything to due with the SKINS. I mean I'm a realist and I know there are many negative aspects when it comes to the skins. But he takes it to the another level. He has a personal agenda against the skins for some reason.

I love the John Thompson Show but he is bringing it down. B-Mitch got demoted and had his show taken away and got added to the JT show. Hopefully this is a sign that once his contract expires with WTEM 980 they won't bring him back.

I miss the trio of DOC, Al, and Coach. I mean I'm happy for DOC that he got his own show. Doc points out the negatives of the SKINS too but he does it in a profesional way.

I know I'm ranting but B-Mitch needs to go. Everything Portis said was accurate. He smacked B-Mitch down and he ain't have nothing to say back to Portis.

Posted by: I Hate B-Mitch | September 26, 2007 4:56 PM

Only one person in NFL HISTORY has more yards than BMITCH and that is Jerry Rice. Hey, I like PORTIS. but his cap number is going to be TOO big next year vs. his performance.

Posted by: RANDO | September 26, 2007 5:03 PM

Still doesn't change the fact that he has less than 2000 yards rushing in his career.

Posted by: AlecW81 | September 26, 2007 5:54 PM

I would have traded Clinton for some help on the d-line during the off-season if I were GM, but B-Mitch is being a jerk without merit.

Posted by: AlecW81 | September 26, 2007 5:58 PM

I listened to the interview. Did B-Mitch really sound like a jerk? Or are you refering to another time? I don't live in DC anymore and only listen to the 980 on the internet when I get a chance.

Posted by: RANDO | September 26, 2007 6:30 PM

I wonder if B-Mitch will try to get a job at WPHY-Am in Philly if he gets run out of talk radio in DC.
speakin of B-Mitch, his present-day incarnate, Rock Cartwright, is doing a hell of a lot better than B-Mitch did. With B-Mitch it was all or nothing on kick returns. If a return wasnt a rare big gainer, it was for less than 20 yards without even trying elude the first wave of defenders. Rock at least consistently gives us great field position.
Now lets throw him some screens since none of our main backs can catch.

Posted by: RyJuFox | September 26, 2007 7:17 PM

My pampers are full, can someone give me a hand?

Posted by: The Mayor | September 26, 2007 9:44 PM

Clinton for Prez!!! I love me some me and also some CP and Gilzero when they get a mic in front of the mouth.

Long live character in DC...it goes back a long way to Sonny & Billy boozing around town, big Wes Unseld getting his with style, riggins and dexter manley raising hell. Gotta love this town!!!

Posted by: TRUTH | September 26, 2007 10:27 PM

"I miss the trio of DOC, Al, and Coach."

that's the scariest thing I've ever read on the innernets.

Posted by: Unsilent Majority | September 27, 2007 9:02 AM

You tell em Portis!! That's what I'm talkin about! GO SKINS!!!

Posted by: SaraLS | September 27, 2007 9:57 AM

Stop all the b.mitch hate. Act like you are older than 25. I am not much older than that but i can separate my dislike of his radio style from the fact that he's a HOF candidate...

And while portis is the greatest...i dont know about that B. lloyd talk. Portis was a Brunell supporter too and that didnt work out...

Posted by: Ledell Eackles | September 27, 2007 10:27 AM

Whoa, Ledell Eackles! First BMitch is a lock for the Ring of Honor (questionable, I believe) and now he's a future Hall of Famer?

Look, BMitch was good and probably deserved to be treated better by management (but who hasn't been mistreated by this management?). but he wasn't GREAT. he wasn't game-changing great. the Skins probably got rid of him a year or two too soon (hence, the bitterness) but with RBs, I think it's always good to err on the side of caution because they break down so quickly. I thought they got rid of Davis too early, but the wheels fell of him really fast in Carolina.

I like when BMitch is tough on the Skins, but I don't like when his criticism seems to be more about grinding his own axe, than actual analysis.

Posted by: OD | September 27, 2007 10:57 AM

I'm a big B. Mitch fan, and glad he was out of line because it re-instills why I'm a huge CP fan.

The dude is a baller and loves his teammates. He takes care of business and won't throw a guy under the bus. If he stays healthy and gets back to game speed by week 4, we'll be able to start really pounding the ball and get back to 'Skins football.

I hope CP isn't gone next year. He's a great DC guy and an awesome Redskin!

Posted by: WaPoLiveFan16 | September 27, 2007 11:05 AM

I am so done with athletes speaking in the 3rd person. Dave is getting upset!!!!!!!

Posted by: dave | September 27, 2007 12:02 PM

the road out of town for Portis is being paved as we speak and skins fans shouldn't be happy. the guy is a pro and a team leader that players like taylor & macintosh look up to

Posted by: 22304 | September 27, 2007 1:19 PM

B-Mitch is the best. Big props to him for criticizing Comcast for that lame Dan Snyder interview done by George Michael.

Posted by: B-Mitch forever | September 27, 2007 1:33 PM

Portis is basically damned if he do and damned if he don't. He can't do anything without being criticized. I don't blame him one bit for telling it like it is.

Posted by: flashy | September 27, 2007 2:57 PM

Not to be picky, but CP's English is atrocious. Where did he go to school again - If I was an alumn I would be embarrassed and ashamed.

That being said, what CP says rings true.

Posted by: GS | September 27, 2007 3:57 PM

if you want to know what kind of player CP is, just go back to the Monday nighter against the Eagles when he LEVELED William James after picking the ball off. i thought taylor or landry must've been on the field. the point is, CP really doesn't leave anything, whether it's running, receiving or blocking. i don't understand why so many people seem eager to bury him - he was hurt last year, it's not as if he's washed up. i just hope gibbs and snyder realize what they have in him and don't run him out of town. For more, check out http://tokenwhiteguys.net

Posted by: CJ | September 27, 2007 6:24 PM

Maybe the BYE week will bring some focus for the home game oct 7th VS Detroit.

Vegas WInners - CRAZYDADDY.net

Posted by: CRAZYDADDY.net | September 28, 2007 9:50 AM

BMitch is a pompous windbag. It is clear that Mitchell is still bitter that he was cut by the Redskins. Plus, WTEM makes every effort it can to rip the Redskins so that it draws a contrast with Triple X, Snyder's station.

Posted by: Joe | September 28, 2007 10:24 AM

CP is the Superstar of his team. Mike Jordan does not sit down in the 4th quarter of the game. B-Mitch was just asking him to grasp the opinion of the fans. He wasn't bashing him.

I like CP, what he said was true. However, why is Mike Jordan sitting on the bench in the 4th quarter? You lose with your best.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 28, 2007 11:14 AM

And I thought Portis' cousin had it rough at Maryland.

Posted by: ScottVanPeltStyle.com | September 28, 2007 11:35 AM

When did John Thompson start sounding like Cleveland from Family Guy?

Is this a recent development?

Posted by: JP | September 28, 2007 2:11 PM

Apparently Portis doesn't need to listen to the radio or read the papers, he's got someone telling him biased info. BMicth speaks the truth without all that sugar coating stuff. I like Portis, but he wasn't in the damn game on the GAME WINNING DRIVE.

If the skins lose, I want them to go down with Portis taking the ball to the endzone. He is the better back which is why he makes "better back money"

Posted by: Anonymous | September 28, 2007 5:02 PM

Look at it this way:
You're the Tampa Bay Bucs, circa 1999. You've got Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott. Warrick is the flashy, quick, heads up runner. Mike Alstott was damn near unstoppable inside the 3. Who would you give the ball to on the goal line?

Posted by: AlecW81 | September 28, 2007 5:30 PM

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