Official Washington Redskins Forum Thread

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Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post believes that Clinton Portis is "not in shape," evidenced by his lack of lower-body power.

"He can't break tackles," Lombardi adds. Portis "looks heavy, sluggish and slow and is clearly not the same back he once was." Portis is averaging 3.3 YPC, despite his last four matchups coming against Carolina, Detroit, St. Louis, and Tampa. It's time to sell high after he scored two TDs in Week 5.

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ESPN's Adam Schefter says that if the Redskins lose to the Eagles in Week 7, "the feeling is" coach Jim Zorn could be fired during the Week 8 bye.

The Redskins play the 0-5 Chiefs at home this week, so a loss there would almost certainly spell doom for Zorn. Schefter didn't sound like he was reporting as much as speculating, but the bye would be an ideal time for owner Dan Snyder to do the deed.

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Redskins owner Daniel Snyder wants Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden to be his next head coach, according to the Washington Examiner.

Snyder reportedly began considering replacements for Jim Zorn after the Skins' Week 3 loss to Detroit, and prefers Gruden to Mike Shanahan because Shanny wants full personnel control. Gruden has not been contacted by Snyder, and no permanent coach is likely to be named until the offseason. Should Zorn get a pink slip before or during the team's Week 8 bye as expected, OL coach Joe Bugel and special teams coordinator Danny Smith are obvious in-house interim candidates

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The Redskins are reportedly shopping DT Anthony Montgomery.

After losing his starting job to Albert Haynesworth, Montgomery has yet to be active for a game this season. The Redskins aren't likely to get more than a conditional late-round pick if they succeed in dealing him.

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Chris Cooley ran a pass pattern on 17 of the 31 plays he was on the field for when Jason Campbell dropped back in Week 5.

Contrary to popular opinion, Cooley was not blocking the entire game. He ended up with zero targets on the day, but that is unlikely to happen again all year. Luckily for Cooley, his Week 6 matchup is against the Chiefs, who have the fourth fewest sacks in the NFL. The Skins' offensive line should at least hold up well enough for Cooley to be worth a fantasy start.

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Redskins LT Chris Samuels admitted Wednesday that he has no timetable to return from his neck injury.

Samuels has been playing through spinal stenosis for a while, and it's finally caught up to him. He says he's staying "positive," but wouldn't rule out shutting it down for the season. The Pro Bowler will not dress in Week

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Two league sources tell the Washington Post that the Redskins are not interested in trading for Brady Quinn.

Quinn would likely be a better fit for a West Coast offense like the Skins' than the Browns' vertical scheme, but Washington owner Dan Snyder prefers "flavor of the week" type players over guys that were recently benched. The Browns claim Quinn will not be shopped prior to next week's trade deadline.

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Clinton Portis was limited in Redskins practice Wednesday with a calf injury.

He's also been on the injury report recently with bone spurs in each of his ankles, but isn't listed with them this week. Portis, who's exhibited no power or burst early in the year, at least has a favorable matchup against K.C.

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Redskins OL Stephon Heyer will start at left tackle Sunday with Chris Samuels (neck) out.

The Redskins offensive line is going to be a patchwork crew at best. Heyer shifts over from right tackle, where he wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire. Will Montgomery will start at right guard, in part because Chad Rinehart's shoulder is still bothering him. This unit should be able to handle the Chiefs, but the lack of depth on the Redskins' line shows what happens when you trade away draft picks and use the picks you do have on skill player busts

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Three veteran Redskins players have told the Washington Post that they want Daniel Snyder to give Jim Zorn a public vote of confidence if the owner doesn't intend to fire the head coach.

"I wish someone upstairs would just say he's going to be our coach for the season," said one of the players. With rumors circulating that Zorn will have to win against the Eagles in Week 7 to keep the job over the bye week, we're not expecting to hear that vote of confidence from Snyder

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Clinton Portis (calf) was limited again on Thursday.

Portis often misses practice time before starting on game day, and we expect this week to be no different. We rate him as the No. 17 running back against the Chiefs in Week 6.

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Redskins signed FB Eddie Williams to their active roster.

Williams will take Chris Samuels' spot on the roster and help out on special teams. He could also serve as a blocking tight end with Chris Cooley out. The seventh-round pick isn't a ball carrier.

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Redskins CB Byron Westbrook is out for at least one game after undergoing surgery on the knee he injured in Week 7.

The operation was likely "arthroscopic," but will keep him out of Week 9. Westbrook is a special teamer, with just four tackles on defense this year

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Antwaan Randle El has lost his punt return job to CB DeAngelo Hall.

Randle El, who also lost his receiver job in camp, was averaging just 5.2 yards per return with 11 fair catches and two fumbles. The 30-year-old has declined sharply in the past few years and may be an offseason casualty

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Santana Moss will be used as a "change-of-pace" punt returner going forward.

Antwaan Randle El has lost his punt returner job to DeAngelo Hall already, but Moss will be back there in some crucial situations. Moss has an 11.7 yard career average with three touchdowns on 105 career punt returns.