Heckeroo Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMLinkinPark Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 good for the former cane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureGM Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 I'd be happy too with that much money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaq-Man Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 i love it. he's awesome and he's gonna tear up the NFL for years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest marlins02 Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 i feel comfortable saying that i am the only person to have a clinton portis 2001 UM National championship wall clock. i hope clinton does well in washington what is the exact trade? i know a pick is involved but i forget who's giving up the pick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaq-Man Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 what is the exact trade? i know a pick is involved but i forget who's giving up the pick the skins give up a 2nd rounder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabdul Doobakus Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 what is the exact trade? i know a pick is involved but i forget who's giving up the pick the skins give up a 2nd rounder Weren't they gonna give up Champ Bailey? If not, the Broncos are even dumber than I thought. 2nd rounder, Jesus. No other team was willing to come with a 1st rounder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest marlins02 Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 its champ and a 2nd rounder for portis as much as i love clinton, i tend to think the broncos are getting the better end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaq-Man Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 as much as i love clinton, i tend to think the broncos are getting the better end i dunno about that... i think clinton's awesome and might be the best RB in the game today. after 2 seasons in the nfl, i think he's better than ricky and he has the potential to be the next emmitt smith or barry sanders. at the very least, he's a franchise RB. he's going to carry the skins. no cornerback can carry a team. anyway, i guess we really wont know for sure who got the better deal until we see who the broncs pick with that pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest marlins02 Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 whats driving my opinion is denvers recent history with running backs, and now they get one of the best CB's and a pretty good pick. but you can also make your argument though. its true what you said, lets wait to see who denver uses the pick on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugg Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 I agree 100% with your opinion here 02. The Broncos have shown a history of being able to throw anyone behind that line and off they go. This is a great move for them and they're getting a pick to go along with it. They'll add a RB in the draft (or Corey Dillon, as rumors have begun) and be fine on the ground. And I don't want to knock Portis here, but I'm going to be really interested to see how he does without that line blocking for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabdul Doobakus Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 I think the Broncos were stupid here. They were a lot better last year with Portis than without him. Their other RBs didn't come close to Portis' numbers. I think their RB streak is going to run out. I've also lost a lot of respect for Shanahan as a coach the past 2-3 years. Also, the NFC East is going to be tough as nuts next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Griffin was prety good if I recall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabdul Doobakus Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Griffin was prety good if I recall 3.7 a carry or something. Not bad. But nowhere close to Portis, who was either 5.5 or 5.6. That's a tremendous difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 true but he didnt play that much... Id like to see what him, Mike Anderson, and Ahmed Galloway can do this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJC Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 i expect Shannahan to take another late rounder this year, maybe a Tatum Bell or Julius Jones... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatOne Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 true but he didnt play that much... Id like to see what him, Mike Anderson, and Ahmed Galloway can do this year I think Mike Anderson was released or the Broncos plan to released him, one of the two. And on the Portis issue, I think they just overpaid for a back who hasnt proven he can play behind a weaker O-line. I dont think the Redskins will ever succeed with Synder calling the shots, he always overpays for players and doesnt use draft picks like he should. The skins only have 2 picks this year and they have been penalized by giving up picks before for being over the cap. Adding Portis and Brunell still doesnt gurantee anything because they still got those Cowboys in their division who look only to improve when they sign a decent runningback. The Skins also had the 25th ranked defense last season and they just finished losing Bailey and as we all know Defense wins Championships. Just my 2 cents on the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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