Broncos interested in Portis?

Objectively speaking, what is Portis worth to the rest of the league?

I mean, I know how we as fans see him -- face of the franchise, worth two #1 picks... blah, blah.

I can't help but to think that if you put yourself in the shoes of other general managers, he might look like damaged goods.

I agree. I think he's viewed as a good back but nothing to go gaga over.

I think it's funny that in spite of all the sneaky double talk that has occured around the Redskins organization over the last several years, that there are still people that think there's no truth to this situation whatsoever.

That's what's funny about it all. Two different news papers report similiar stories. Third time, well....

I think it's funny that in spite of all the sneaky double talk that has occured around the Redskins organization over the last several years, that there are still people that think there's no truth to this situation whatsoever.

Every offseason there are rumors like this involving the Redskins and since Gibbs took over more often than not they have turned out to be false.

Try to name a big name free agent that hasn't had his name associated with the Redskins by the media at some point.

Well, that is misleading. Portis had a signed contract for another year at the low (relatively speaking) salary he signed as a rookie. He felt he deserved a new contract, the Broncos felt they signed him to a contract already so he should have honored it. I think the Broncos did the right thing. I get sick of players trying to renegotiate their contracts.

I can see the other side of it though. The average shelf life for a RB in the NFL is 3 years, i think. If you are putting up the #'s of a top tiered back don't you think you would want to get paid like it. The main thing is that you could suffer a career ending injury anytime and the team can cut you at any time. I can see both sides of the arguement. I'm leaning towards CP on this one. I can't remember all of the details and exactly what went on.

Try to name a big name free agent that hasn't had his name associated with the Redskins by the media at some point.

There's a difference between speculation of a big name free agent joining the Redskins and one of the few actual stars being rumored to leave the squad. Generally, when a big name is rumored to leave(Bailey, Smoot, Pierce, Arrington, Davis, Coles, etc.) it turns out to be true.

In fact, the only player in recent memory that I can recall who was heavily rumored to be traded and actually stayed with the squad was Samuels, and that was a few seasons ago.

There's a difference between speculation of a big name free agent joining the Redskins and one of the few actual stars being rumored to leave the squad. Generally, when a big name is rumored to leave(Bailey, Smoot, Pierce, Arrington, Davis, Coles, etc.) it turns out to be true.

In fact, the only player in recent memory that I can recall who was heavily rumored to be traded and actually stayed with the squad was Samuels, and that was a few seasons ago.

Rumors to leave are one thing, rumors of other teams being interested are entirely different.

It all depends upon which side the rumor is coming from. This one is purely based on other teams wanting Portis, not the Redskins wanting to trade Portis.

The Broncos already have the Bell Brothers. And don't they need to find a CB now?

I get sick of players trying to renegotiate their contracts.

Fair enough, but the NFL is an owners league. Players have little or no leverage to get fair pay other than to request a trade or to sit out. Baseball has an arbitration process that ensures that players are fairly compensated. Football players basically get screwed if they outperform their contract. Furthermore, teams also have the leverage when a player underperforms as the team can simply "cut" a player and not honor their contract to the player. It works both ways.

If contracts in the NFL were guaranteed, then I would agree with you that it unfair for players to renegotiate in the media.

Damaged goods at 25 years old with three 1500+ seasons under his belt in this league?

Yep. That's not how fans see him, certainly. But again, I'm speaking in terms of what smart GMs around the league might think. He had the broken collarbone, and the shoulder surgery. Not only that, I think there's still sentiment around the league that he could be a system back, flourishing only in just the right schemes.

Unless your name is Emmitt Smith, running backs generally don't last forever in this league with the pounding they take.

This is all to illustrate that I don't think a trade will happen anyway. And if Denver is truly interested, you can bet that the Redskin fans will be sorely disappointed when we don't get nearly what they think Portis is worth.

He's been in the league 4 years. That is not a long time for all the other marquee players in this league. If he was some backup barely hanging onto a roster spot, then yeah it'd be a long time. And i for one will come out and say I would not feel comfortable with Ladell Betts in a starting role. Not after all the fumbles at crucial moments, or the health issues.

I agree with your post...except, this was his 5th season.
Clinton Portis statistics - pro-football-reference.com (http://www.profootball-reference.com/players/PortCl00.htm)