Redskins backfield is one to avoid in drafts
Michael Fabiano | Tags: Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, Mike Shanahan, willie parker
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I want nothing to do with anyone in the Redskins backfield this season. The team’s recent OTAs won’t change that thought, either.
Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson have alternated snaps with the first-team offense, according to the Redskins’ official blog. Willie Parker is also seeing work, so coach Mike Shanahan is clearly giving all three veterans a look as training camp approaches.
This trio used to be considered fantasy stars, but age has taken a large bite out of their present-day appeal.
Portis has been banged up for much of the past two seasons – he missed half of the 2009 campaign with concussion issues – and Johnson hasn’t been the same since he recorded 416 touches with the Chiefs in 2006. Since then, he hasn’t played in more than 12 games in a season.
Parker also has broken down and is a shell of the former runner we knew as “Fast Willie.”
Since averaging 304 carries for the Steelers from 2005-2007, he’s been more like “Hurt Willie.” In that time, he only started 14 games and eventually lost his role to Rashard Mendenhall.
I still expect Portis to open the season atop the depth chart, but Johnson didn’t sign with the team to be a backup. Neither did Parker for that matter. So at the end of the day, we could see a two- or three-headed backfield monster that will cause headaches for fantasy leaguers.


