Redskins notes and analysis

1. Clinton Portis returned from his surgery and spoke with the media today; here’s a little bit of what he shared.

2.    Portis has been a very good back at times during his seven seasons in Washington. And though he’s short of John Riggins for the rushing mark, he also never played with a team as good as Riggins did. So in many ways what Portis did has been more impressive; he just didn’t win any rings and that’s why one is beloved and one is almost symbolic of an era perceived as underachieving (or overrated).

3.    Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said he’d welcome Portis back. Not sure what else he’d say at this point; he also qualified his answer. “He has to make that commitment that we’ve talked about. Hopefully he can be a lot healthier than he’s been the last couple years. Has age caught up with him? Have injuries caught up with him? Time will tell.”

4.    Considering Portis’ salary figures the next two seasons — $8.3 million in 2011 and $8.5 million in 2012 – he won’t return unless he takes a pay cut. Portis is not dumb; he knows he’d have to take a massive reduction in salary. It would just be a matter of finding the right figure. The other factor? How many teams will want a back who will be 30 before next season who is coming off his third season-ending injury in five seasons (costing him 27 games)? Nobody’s giving anyone like that any sort of real cash.

5.    According to a report in the Denver Post, Redskins tight ends coach Jon Embree has been offered the head coaching job at Colorado University. However, athletic director Mike Bohn said in a statement that no coach has been hired yet, though they hope to name one in “the coming days.”

Embree played for Colorado and coached there from 1991-2002. Shanahan said he talked to members of Colorado’s board on Embree’s behalf. Shanahan said he has no problem letting Embree leave before the season ends if he does get the job.

“You always hate to lose good people, but when coaches do a great job for you in return you’re hoping they can fulfill their dreams,” Shanahan said.

Embree declined comment.

6.    Teammates voted nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu as the Redskins Ed Block Courage Award recipient for overcoming a torn Achilles that sidelined him for all of 2009. Kemoeatu underwent surgery on his Achilles, then needed a skin graft because his skin got infected. Kemoeatu said he didn’t start feeling fine physically until midway through this season. His play improved around that time, but he’s coming off one of his worst games of the season vs. Minnesota. Too often he was blocked by the center, allowing the guards to reach the linebackers.

Kemoeatu said he was stunned when Carolina trainers told him he was done in the summer of 2009. When he found out how long it would take to recover he said, “It did cross my mind that football could be over for me. It’s not forever. It could be over at any time.”

7.    Safety LaRon Landry (Achilles), corner Carlos Rogers (hamstring) and running back Ryan Torain (hamstring) did not practice. Left tackle Trent Williams hurt his shoulder while at home and was limited. Landry is highly unlikely to play Sunday; Rogers and Torain have a chance. “I’m ready to strangle Ryan right now because he hasn’t come back quite quickly,” Shanahan said, laughing. Torain has missed three straight games.

8.    Here’s a phrase I didn’t expect to type: Will Montgomery will start ahead of Artis Hicks at guard vs. the New York Giants on Sunday. It’s surprising not because Hicks is a terrific player; it’s because Montgomery is a backup best suited for center. The move could become permanent, especially if Montgomery plays well. Hicks struggled in the first quarter Sunday vs. Minnesota, returning from thigh/groin issues. Hicks said his poor play had nothing to do with injuries; regardless, he had a difficult time reaching his man and moving his feet. Montgomery is one of the Redskins strongest linemen, but still.

9.    Shanahan said he spoke with Hicks about the move, though he didn’t say if he was talking about the benching in the Minnesota game or the move this week. Either way, if you’re Hicks, you can’t feel good about the situation.

10.    A funny moment today at Shanahan’s presser: He was asked if he thought Giants receiver, and ex-Redskin, Devin Thomas was being interrogated by coach Tom Coughlin about Washington’s offense. Shanahan answered with a maybe. Then another reporter asked if he thought Thomas could even help them. “I’m not going there,” Shanahan said. Yes, Thomas struggled to learn the Redskins playbook.