Time to get started. I think this is the ninth Redskins chat of the season.

The team returned to practice yesterday after six days off. They're off today before starting preparation for the Detroit Lions tomorrow.

But there was a bit of news today. Turns out that Clinton Portis' right knee injury is not the same as the tendonitis that kept him out of the preseason. Bubba Tyer was in the media room an hour ago to tell four of mediafolk that Portis sustained a bruised knee against the Giants but that wasn't the reason he wasn't on the field at the end of the game.

I expect Portis to play Sunday against Detroit. Santana Moss is another story.

Let's get to the questions

From Tim:
Let's review -- the Redskins have played 3 games and we have two players on offensive line who perhaps couldn't start for most teams and they are not young plus we have brought in 2 receivers because one we gave 2 draft picks for doesn't play during the game. WE NEED A GENERAL MANAGER. Joe is fine as coach and team organizer, but is not gifted in picking players.

Ryan O'Halloran:
I disagree and agree with Tim on some of his points. Compared to the last few years, playing Wade and Fabini in place of Jansen and Thomas is an upgrade over the depth issues. Those two players aren't Pro Bowlers but they're better than guys like Mark Wilson, Jim Molinaro, Cory Raymer -- guys pressed into service. They're on-par with Ray Brown. ... Where I agree -- the trading of draft picks for Brandon Lloyd may go down as a worse decision than signing Adam Archuleta. At least ol' Archie started for a half a season. Gibbs' strength isn't picking players (that was Bobby Beathard's job in Gibbs Version 1.0). A GM isn't coming anytime soon, though.

From Kevin in Fort Lauderdale:
You wrote that Brandon Lloyd did not participate in post practice drills w/ the other receivers and QB's. What is the deal with Lloyd? Is he a malcontent? Was his talent in S.F. fleeting? Is he buried in the coaches' doghouse?

Ryan O'Halloran:
Glad you picked up on that -- it was pretty noticeable to a couple of us. Lloyd doesn't come out to the field 90 minutes before the game to work with Cambpell, either -- that's Cooley, Randle El, Thrash and now Caldwell. I don't think he showed a lot of talent in SF. As for being a malcontent/in the doghouse, that's a tough thing to speculate on but let's assume they're not happy with him.

From SkinsLover:
Is Lloyd not showing effort in practice? And what's up with signing all these receivers?

Ryan O'Halloran:
Lloyd's lack of playing time is generating more questions this year than Archuleta's awful play did last year. Anyway, we don't see enough of practice to form an opinion on whether a guy is working hard. What's up with the signing of McCardell specifically is that Moss' groin thing may be a season-long concern and after Randle El, the Redskins don't exactly have a lot of proven play-makers on the roster. Thrash is a great special teams player but a possession receiver at best.

From CNYSkinFan in Syracuse:
With a 13 game grind coming up -- how worried should we be that Portis is still hurting after coming off a week of rest during the bye week? Is this gamesmanship by Gibbs or is Portis really hurt? Is this why Portis was not at the end of the game against the Giants?

Ryan O'Halloran:
There should be mild concern about Portis' new right knee injury. The best thing about Clinton is that he plays hard -- every play. The worst thing about Clinton is that he never takes plays off. That means he'll get banged up. Trainer Bubba Tyer said about an hour ago that Portis' knee injury did not prevent him from being available on the final plays against the Giants.

From Gary in Reston:
How brutal could this month be for the Redskins' secondary?

Ryan O'Halloran:
It could be gruesome. The Lions are first in passing yards, the Packers are fourth, the Cardinals are 12th, the Patriots are third. The Redskins rank 13th in pass defense but have to get some turnovers and sacks to slow those teams down.

From Barry in Richmond:
Were the players surprised they got all of last week off?

Ryan O'Halloran:
Not really. But they were definitely thankful. Gibbs had supposedly floated some hints that the team would get the entire week off with a win over the Giants. After the loss, most of us expected him to practice Tuesday and Wednesday. But he said he met with a few of his veterans on Monday and decided it was best to have six days off. We'll see if it works this week.

Ryan O'Halloran:
A bye week evidently means fewer questions so I'm cutting this chat short so I can finish up tomorrow's Insider. I'll be back next week at 2 p.m. to chat about the Lions game and look ahead to the Green Bay game.