NFL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Portis unloads on coach: Redskins running back Clinton Portis unleashed a load of frustration toward rookie coach Jim Zorn on Tuesday, criticizing him for giving inconsistent messages and sarcastically calling Zorn a “genius.” Portis, in his weekly appearance on WTEM-AM radio, was still smarting from his lack of playing time in Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, when he was removed from the game after the first series of the second half. “Either you feel like you need to sever ties with me — split ties with me — but don’t sit here and throw me out like I don’t pay attention, like I don’t know what’s going on, like I’m making mistakes, like I’m the problem,” Portis said. “It is what it is, bro.” Portis, third in the NFL in rushing with 1,260 yards, had only 11 carries for 32 yards Sunday. His strong start to the season — five consecutive 120-yard games Weeks 4-8 — helped lead the Redskins to a 6-2 start, but he has barely practiced over the last few weeks because of injuries to his knee, ribs and neck. He has not missed a game but has tallied only 54 yards the last two weeks for the Redskins (7-6), who have lost four of five. Zorn said Monday he did not use Portis for most of the second half against the Ravens because Portis’ lack of practice time had finally caught up to the running back.

Union appeals suspension, fine of Burress: The NFL Players Association filed a grievance on Tuesday challenging the suspension and fine given to Plaxico Burress by the Giants after the receiver accidentally shot himself in a nightclub more than a week ago. The union said that the team violated the collective bargaining agreement last week when it placed Burress on the reserve-non football injury list, suspended him for the final four games of the regular season and fined him an additional week’s salary for conduct detrimental to the team. Placing Burress on the non-football injury list also will keep him out of the playoffs.

NFL upholds suspension Jones: The Jaguars will play the rest of the season without their leading receiver. The NFL upheld Matt Jones’ three-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy Tuesday, meaning Jones will sit out the final three games without pay.

Associated Press