Redskins: Camp tour | 
Judge
HERNDON, Va. -- Observations from Redskins camp:
1. Clinton Portis is the starter and Ladell Betts the backup at running back. That doesn't mean we don't see Betts. We will, sometimes in the same backfield with Portis. And we should: Betts ran for 1,154 yards in 2006 and gained 100 or more yards rushing in five of his last six starts. "Hopefully," said offensive coordinator Al Saunders, "Clinton will be healthy. We haven't seen that yet (he has tendonitis in his right knee). Provided he is healthy, Clinton will be our starter and Ladell will back him up. It's real hard to go running back by committee, but if Clinton needs a break or a rest, we have specific packages for Ladell."
2. There could be relief for the league's 31st-ranked defense in the secondary. The Redskins are deep at cornerback, with five veterans with at least two years of experience as starters. Included are Fred Smoot, Shawn Springs and Carlos Rogers, and you do the math: One of them must sit. Springs and Rogers started the preseason opener against Tennessee, but Springs missed seven starts a year ago because of injuries. Rogers' 22 starts are the fewest of the five cornerbacks. At safety, rookie LaRon Landry should start ahead of veteran Pierson Prioleau, and that's an accomplishment. Remember, Rogers and Sean Taylor did not start immediately as rookies. Oh, one other thing: The Redskins' starting secondary? It features four top-10 draft choices -- Springs, Rogers, Taylor and Landry.
3. First the good news: Nobody was better holding on to the football a year ago than the Redskins. Their 17 turnovers were a league low. Now the bad: Nobody was worse at forcing turnovers. Their 12 takeaways not only ranked last, it set a league record. Just a hunch, but middle linebacker London Fletcher-Baker -- the Bills' leading tackler and leading interceptor a year ago -- makes a difference. He's productive, and he has a history with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams -- once the Bills' head coach.
4. Injured left tackle Chris Samuels hopes to return to the lineup in time for the last preseason game. Samuels has been out since spraining his right knee in practice on July 30. Samuels isn't the only one injured. Left guard Todd Wade has battled a shoulder injury. Wade is trying to make the switch from tackle, but the prognosis is not good.
5. Count on tight end Chris Cooley to have a big season. The Redskins are. He will be used as a downfield receiver, much as Saunders used Tony Gonzalez in Kansas City, and he's committed to having a big season. He should be. It's a contract year, with Cooley's deal expiring after this season.
Ander474 
