Perhaps it's just coincidental that competition seems to have spurred Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis to report this summer leaner and meaner, while challengers Larry Johnson, Willie Parker and Ryan Torain have made their points in different ways.
Washington Redskins running backs Larry Johnson, left, Clinton Portis, center, and Willie Parker look on during the team's training camp at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va., Aug. 10.
Or maybe it's because all see opportunities to contribute in the absence of being the main man in coach Mike Shanahan's backfield. That role is expected to be determined very soon.
Portis has the early lead on the depth chart but is taking nothing for granted with everybody still in play in a process that will come down to versatility as well as durability.
"It's open all the way up until the start of the season. It's never a closed book," running backs coach Bobby Turner said. "We're competing every day and not going on what somebody did in the past. We're looking at what they've done in the offseason, what they've done in minicamp and obviously what they're doing on a daily basis.
"We're always looking for what I call a complete or total package, but obviously they must be able to run the ball first and foremost."
Torain, who played for Shanahan as a rookie in 2008 with the Denver Broncos, made his case by running for 62 yards on 17 carries in Friday's 42-17 romp against the Buffalo Bills.
But the battle is expected to be among veterans Portis, Johnson and Parker, each two-time Pro Bowlers and all more familiar to Shanahan as friends or foes.
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SOURCE: USA Today
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