Clinton Portis: Signing of Adrian Peterson ‘perfect for the Washington Redskins’
Clinton Portis isn’t troubled by the fact Adrian Peterson is 33 years old. Portis, a former standout running back for the Washington Redskins, believes Peterson can still make a significant contribution to his former team.
Clinton Portis isn’t troubled by the fact Adrian Peterson is 33 years old.
Portis, a former standout running back for the Washington Redskins, believes Peterson can still make a significant contribution to his former team.
‘You’re talking about a first- and second-down guy that can move the chains’
Portis sees it as a solid move that should help boost an offense already loaded with talent.
“I don’t think it’s panic at all,” Portis told Bruce Murray and Kirk Morrison on the SiriusXM Blitz. “I actually think this is a good signing for our organization. I mean, you look at AP, at what he’s going to be asked to do. Of course, we feel like we have one of the better third-down backs in the NFL in Chris Thompson and that allows you to allow him to heal (from the broken leg he suffered last November) and come out and not put too much on his shoulders early on. You’re talking about a first- and second-down guy that can move the chains and give you big plays, that’s going to give you an opportunity to move the pile. So I think you look at this signing, it’s perfect for the Washington Redskins.”
‘This is a fit for him, whereas the New Orleans Saints wasn’t a really good fit for him’
Portis thinks it’s unfair to judge Peterson based on the struggles he had with one of his previous teams, the Arizona Cardinals.
“When you look at the offensive line that he had in Arizona, they weren’t that good,” Portis said. “You’re talking about bringing him in and putting him in behind a top-five offensive line in the NFL and it’s led by Trent Williams. So having that opportunity to be behind a better offensive line on a better team than the Arizona Cardinals were, and this is a fit for him, whereas the New Orleans Saints wasn’t a really good fit for him.
‘I think AP, what he’s great at doing is still trying to prove to people that he can play’
“This system is more of a downhill system, it’s more of a system that’s going to fit him. Power will be our lead play for him, being able to get his shoulders square and if you can get him three or four yards before he’s touched, you putting him at three yards a carry already. He’s always going to pick up two or three yards after contact, so you look for the excitement. This is not a high risk for the Washington Redskins to go out and sign a guy who’s been the league MVP, so given opportunity, if he can come out and average 65, 70 yards per game. And you can get another 70 yards out of Chris Thompson, you’re averaging 140 yards at the running back position.
“I think everyone knows you’re not getting AP of 2008 or 2009. You’re talking about a 30-year-old back … I think AP, what he’s great at doing is still trying to prove to people that he can play. His name, his legacy is already written in stone. You’re talking about a top 10 rusher of all time. But he still has the determination to prove to people that he can play. Now, will it be 16 games? Will it be 10 games? Will be seven games? That’s yet to be seen. But if you can go out and get enough out of him until your other guys have learned or either caught on or picked up or got healthy, then you’ve done what you’re asking for. I mean, you’re paying him the league minimum, so if AP can carry you for four or five games until Chris Thompson really has his feet back under him, until Rob Kelley or Samaje (Perine) really understand how to be a professional and what’s being asked and how do I carry this team.”
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