Clinton Portis to become...

[Mik 0]

In a deal that clears the way for his trade to the Washington Redskins later this week, Denver Broncos tailback Clinton Portis reached agreement Monday on a contract that makes him the highest-paid running back in league history, ESPN.com has learned.

 

Portis will sign an eight-year deal that is worth $50.5 million and includes $17 million in combined signing and option bonuses, several league sources confirmed for ESPN.com.

 

The agreement is a blockbuster not only in terms of the millions of dollars negotiated by agents Drew Rosenhaus and Jason Rosenhaus, but also because the Redskins were not under any pressure to reach a new deal with Portis. The lack of negotiating leverage on the part of Portis, who had said over the weekend that he would not hold out of training camp even if he did not get a new contract, certainly adds to the achievement of netting such a deal.

 

The Rosenhauses did not immediately return calls.

 

The contract has not yet been signed, but there are no additional hurdles to clear. The deal will become official later this week, as will Portis' trade to the Redskins for Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round draft choice.

 

Because of the NFL's annual moratorium on trades, the mega-swap of two of the NFL's brightest young stars cannot be announced until Wednesday.

 

Portis, 22, still had two seasons remaining on the original four-year contract he signed with the Broncos as a second-round choice in the 2002 draft. That contract paid him a signing bonus of $1.29 million but only minimum base salaries for all four seasons. He was scheduled to earn only $380,000 in 2004 and $455,000 in 2005.

 

Denver officials had steadfastly balked at renegotiating the contract, part of the reason for the trade. The Broncos did, at one point in the discussions, offer to insure the 2004 portion of the contract.

 

Technically, because Portis was under contract, the Redskins could have completed the trade without consummating a new deal for the former University of Miami star. In fact, in recent days, team officials had publicly assumed that stance, insisting they were prepared to move ahead with the trade and handle Portis' contract situation later.

 

But it made no sense, particularly once the Redskins' offer reached record proportions, to delay an agreement.

 

Portis has rushed for 3,099 yards, eclipsing the 1,500-yard mark in both of his NFL seasons, and 29 touchdowns. He will become the centerpiece for the run-oriented offense favored by new Redskins coach Joe Gibbs.

 

Bailey is expected to complete a review of his pending contract with the Broncos later Monday and probably sign it Tuesday. Agent Jack Reale sent back to Broncos officials all requested revisions and Monday was awaiting a copy of the contract's final draft. Reale told ESPN.com there were no impediments to completing the deal, beyond reducing the complicated documente to contract language.

 

ESPN.com has learned that Bailey's contract will be for seven seasons, not the six that has been widely reported. It could make him one of the highest-paid defensive players in league history.

 

Interesting. Apparently the squeaky wheel DOES get the grease.

[MrRant 0]

Hello injury ridden season.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

The Skins never fail to amaze me with how stupid they are. Now they have a ton of money tied up in an old QB and a running back who is unproven. No one knows if Portis is actually good or if he was just a product of the Denver system.

[lomasmoney 0]

And you think Portis could care less about if he ever gets hurt. He is set for life if he has half a brain, and he was not exactly extremely rich for NFL standards on his first contract

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

Tomlinson > Portis and he does it with a terrible offense.

[NoCalMike 0]

The Skins never fail to amaze me with how stupid they are.  Now they have a ton of money tied up in an old QB and a running back who is unproven.  No one knows if Portis is actually good or if he was just a product of the Denver system.

Ermm, a product of the Denver system eh? Well obviously you don't know much about the Gibbs/Bugel system, remember the Hoggs? One of the best offensive line blocking schemes/system of all time? And you need to watch some more Portis highlights, his speed combined his ability to break tackles was just as much a part of his success as the "denver system" And did you even examine the Brunell contract before making your claim about his contract? The thing is backloaded all too hell, he aint gonna be a Redskins for 7 years. He will be here 2-3 years and either retire or be cut.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

I guess it's safe to say he is the highest pain World Heavyweight Champion of all time???

[Ripper 0]

Tomlinson > Portis and he does it with a terrible offense.

Tomilson>almost every back in the league.

 

Portis is a damn fine running back though, and it will definately be a upgrade from Trung Canidate.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

The Skins never fail to amaze me with how stupid they are.  Now they have a ton of money tied up in an old QB and a running back who is unproven.  No one knows if Portis is actually good or if he was just a product of the Denver system.

Ermm, a product of the Denver system eh? Well obviously you don't know much about the Gibbs/Bugel system, remember the Hoggs? One of the best offensive line blocking schemes/system of all time? And you need to watch some more Portis highlights, his speed combined his ability to break tackles was just as much a part of his success as the "denver system" And did you even examine the Brunell contract before making your claim about his contract? The thing is backloaded all too hell, he aint gonna be a Redskins for 7 years. He will be here 2-3 years and either retire or be cut.

They still don't have the money for a good line. Brunell isn't worth any money from the Skins when they have Ramsey who was really shining until getting hit every other play finally caught up with him.

[NoCalMike 0]

The Skins never fail to amaze me with how stupid they are.  Now they have a ton of money tied up in an old QB and a running back who is unproven.  No one knows if Portis is actually good or if he was just a product of the Denver system.

Ermm, a product of the Denver system eh? Well obviously you don't know much about the Gibbs/Bugel system, remember the Hoggs? One of the best offensive line blocking schemes/system of all time? And you need to watch some more Portis highlights, his speed combined his ability to break tackles was just as much a part of his success as the "denver system" And did you even examine the Brunell contract before making your claim about his contract? The thing is backloaded all too hell, he aint gonna be a Redskins for 7 years. He will be here 2-3 years and either retire or be cut.

They still don't have the money for a good line. Brunell isn't worth any money from the Skins when they have Ramsey who was really shining until getting hit every other play finally caught up with him.

Their O-line is fine except the Center position. Samuels & Jansen on the ends, Randy Thomas and Dockery lined up next to them, and Moore/Friedman at Center. Their O-line was actually quite great with Stephen Davis and a run-oriented offense. Spurrier came in and decided to emit sparks of stupidity which would easily explain the lack of production. If you meant D-line, well yeah that is a weak point, signing Jevon Kearse should improve somewhat. Hopefully the Skins can sign a stud in the draft.

[Ripper 0]

The Skins never fail to amaze me with how stupid they are.  Now they have a ton of money tied up in an old QB and a running back who is unproven.  No one knows if Portis is actually good or if he was just a product of the Denver system.

Ermm, a product of the Denver system eh? Well obviously you don't know much about the Gibbs/Bugel system, remember the Hoggs? One of the best offensive line blocking schemes/system of all time? And you need to watch some more Portis highlights, his speed combined his ability to break tackles was just as much a part of his success as the "denver system" And did you even examine the Brunell contract before making your claim about his contract? The thing is backloaded all too hell, he aint gonna be a Redskins for 7 years. He will be here 2-3 years and either retire or be cut.

They still don't have the money for a good line. Brunell isn't worth any money from the Skins when they have Ramsey who was really shining until getting hit every other play finally caught up with him.

Brunell is still a better QB than Ramsey.

[Mole 0]

Tomlinson > Portis and he does it with a terrible offense.

Tomilson>almost every back in the league.

 

Portis is a damn fine running back though, and it will definately be a upgrade from Trung Canidate.

Kevan Barlow will be the only good thing on the Niners next year, next to Wilson.

 

Watch next year be Barlow's big year; he is the next dominant RB.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Tomlinson > Portis and he does it with a terrible offense.

Tomilson>almost every back in the league.

 

Portis is a damn fine running back though, and it will definately be a upgrade from Trung Canidate.

Kevan Barlow will be the only good thing on the Niners next year, next to Wilson.

 

Watch next year be Barlow's big year; he is the next dominant RB.

So they'll be taping the ball to his hands on every play?

[starvenger 0]

And you need to watch some more Portis highlights, his speed combined his ability to break tackles was just as much a part of his success as the "denver system" And did you even examine the Brunell contract before making your claim about his contract? The thing is backloaded all too hell, he aint gonna be a Redskins for 7 years. He will be here 2-3 years and either retire or be cut.

Noone is saying that Portis is a bad RB. But Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson and Olandis Gary have all done well in Denver, so it can't just be a coincidence that Portis has also done well there.

 

Speaking of Anderson, are they gonna give him the ball again, or are they going with that other guy (forgot his name)?

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Speaking of Anderson, are they gonna give him the ball again, or are they going with that other guy (forgot his name)?

they're in contract renegotiations with Mike Anderson right now.

 

The other guy is Quentin Griffith or some shit like that.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

And you need to watch some more Portis highlights, his speed combined his ability to break tackles was just as much a part of his success as the "denver system" And did you even examine the Brunell contract before making your claim about his contract?  The thing is backloaded all too hell, he aint gonna be a Redskins for 7 years.  He will be here 2-3 years and either retire or be cut.

Noone is saying that Portis is a bad RB. But Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson and Olandis Gary have all done well in Denver, so it can't just be a coincidence that Portis has also done well there.

 

Speaking of Anderson, are they gonna give him the ball again, or are they going with that other guy (forgot his name)?

Well ESPN reported Anderson wanted to be released from Denver. I assume he wants the ball.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

Spurrier came in and decided to emit sparks of stupidity which would easily explain the lack of production.

true, but your highly paid tackles emitted sparks of suck all year. The're young, so it's still possible they could get thier shit together.

 

as for Portis, he's the best back Denver has had next to pre-injury Davis. Griffin could step in and be productive, but he won't be as good as Portis, who will do just fine despite leaving Denver.

[Ripper 0]

And you need to watch some more Portis highlights, his speed combined his ability to break tackles was just as much a part of his success as the "denver system" And did you even examine the Brunell contract before making your claim about his contract?  The thing is backloaded all too hell, he aint gonna be a Redskins for 7 years.  He will be here 2-3 years and either retire or be cut.

Noone is saying that Portis is a bad RB. But Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson and Olandis Gary have all done well in Denver, so it can't just be a coincidence that Portis has also done well there.

 

Speaking of Anderson, are they gonna give him the ball again, or are they going with that other guy (forgot his name)?

back to back 1500 yard rushing years is more than just the system. You have to be a good back to do that, and when you watch Portis play, alot of his yards (basically all his big plays) come from broken tackles and cut backs, and neither of those are products of the system, they are products of a good back.

[Mole 0]

Tomlinson > Portis and he does it with a terrible offense.

Tomilson>almost every back in the league.

 

Portis is a damn fine running back though, and it will definately be a upgrade from Trung Canidate.

Kevan Barlow will be the only good thing on the Niners next year, next to Wilson.

 

Watch next year be Barlow's big year; he is the next dominant RB.

So they'll be taping the ball to his hands on every play?

That would be Tiki Barber.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I guess it's safe to say he is the highest pain World Heavyweight Champion of all time???

Portis needs to be an honorary member of Evolution, and he could wear one of those "Paid, Laid and Made" shirts.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I'd like to wish the team that has to pay Tomlinson when his contract is up good luck.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

I would give Tomlinson more than Portis in approximatly 3.8 seconds.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Portis is a good back, and will most likely have a good season ... but there is NO WAY that he deserves to be the highest paid back in the NFL. I could see him rushing for 1000-1200 yards next year, but I would be willing to wager that he doesn't come near the yards that he had with the Broncos. Portis will be an improvement over what they had, but the 'Skins drastically overpaid.

[Guest drdrainoscott]

As a Skins season ticket holder, I am very disapointed in this deal. While I feel that the Bailey/Portis trade was the best possible scenerio since Bailey wasn't going to resign, there was no need to give Portis that kind of money right away. Portis had already stated that he would be willing to play this season without a new contract, and with two years left on his existing deal, what was the rush? I would have waiting a little bit, at least until training camp got under way, to make sure that he is truly worth the money. There is no question that Portis is a great player, but to give him the most money ever for a running back when there is no competition in the race to sign him is dumb. Snyder just loves to overpay players.

[NoCalMike 0]

As a Skins season ticket holder, I am very disapointed in this deal. While I feel that the Bailey/Portis trade was the best possible scenerio since Bailey wasn't going to resign, there was no need to give Portis that kind of money right away. Portis had already stated that he would be willing to play this season without a new contract, and with two years left on his existing deal, what was the rush? I would have waiting a little bit, at least until training camp got under way, to make sure that he is truly worth the money. There is no question that Portis is a great player, but to give him the most money ever for a running back when there is no competition in the race to sign him is dumb. Snyder just loves to overpay players.

as a jealous skins fan that will be hunting you down to take those season tickets Let me start by saying.....that......umm.......nevermind.........

[NoCalMike 0]

Spurrier came in and decided to emit sparks of stupidity which would easily explain the lack of production.

true, but your highly paid tackles emitted sparks of suck all year. The're young, so it's still possible they could get thier shit together.

 

as for Portis, he's the best back Denver has had next to pre-injury Davis. Griffin could step in and be productive, but he won't be as good as Portis, who will do just fine despite leaving Denver.

Yes they did last year, but remember Samuels is a probowler and Jansen is probably just as good. Spurrier had some TERRIBLE blocking schemes that constantly saw 5 O-lineman trying to block 8 rushers, now that would make ANY OFFENSIVE LINE look horrible.