Portis Agrees to $51M Deal With Redskins

Sadistic Jeff · 03-01-2004, 05:54 PM

By JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer

WASHINGTON - Clinton Portis agreed to an eight-year, $50.5 million contract with the Washington Redskins (news) on Monday, while Champ Bailey neared completion of a deal with the Denver Broncos (news) that would clear the way for a Portis-for-Bailey trade later this week.

Portis' deal, one of the richest ever for a running back, includes $17 million in bonus money, according to Portis' agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Portis is set to join quarterback Mark Brunell, who will be acquired in a trade with Jacksonville, in a revamped offense in coach Joe Gibbs' first season back in Washington.

First, however, the Broncos must agree to terms with Bailey, who would be sent from to Washington to Denver along with a second-round draft pick in exchange for Portis. Talks have gone well since Bailey's visit to Denver last week.

"Everything is skating right along schedule," Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, said Monday. "Things could be wrapped up quickly, maybe by tomorrow."

Trades cannot officially take place until the offseason trade and free agency period begins Wednesday, although they can be announced before then.

Portis' agreement represents another aggressive move by big-spending Redskins owner Dan Snyder, who didn't have to work out a new deal for the running back in order for the trade to take place. Portis' old, cap-friendly contract ran for two more years. Although he wanted a new deal after making just $300,000 last season, Washington was under no deadline to give him one.

This is also the second blockbuster contract Snyder has given a running back in four years. In 2000, he signed Stephen Davis to a nine-year, $90.75 million deal, but its long-term salary cap ramifications were so dire that Davis was cut one year ago and signed by Carolina.

The Portis-Broncos trade represents a rare swap of two young players hitting their prime. Bailey has been to four straight Pro Bowls and is one of the top shutdown cornerbacks in the league, while Portis has rushed for more than 1,500 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons.

Portis was scheduled to make $380,000 next season and $455,000 in 2005, a bargain price for a top running back. Portis' unhappiness with Denver's unwillingness to negotiate a new contract precipitated the trade talks.

The Redskins gave Bailey permission to talk to other teams and designated him as their franchise player last month. Bailey's contract expires this week, and he and the Redskins never came close to agreement on a new deal.

Daseal · 03-01-2004, 05:59 PM

Wow, tha'ts a pretty penny, he's worth every cent though!

Sadistic Jeff · 03-01-2004, 06:02 PM

Well, the bottom line is that we wanted a top flight RB, and now we have one. Living in Chicago, I have to stress how nice it is to see an organization try to go out and get what they need, not rehab other teams rejects. In sports you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. Owners that go and buy up everything get ragged on, and owners that are stingy get ragged on.

I support the effort. 100%

Defensewins · 03-01-2004, 06:02 PM

Still cheaper than the $50M six year deal tha Champ Bailey is set sign with Denver. I think we got a better cap deal than Denver.

RedskinRat · 03-01-2004, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defensewins

Still cheaper than the $50M six year deal tha Champ Bailey is set sign with Denver. I think we got a better cap deal than Denver.

That was the first thing that struck me about the deal, less than we'd offered Bailey. Nice. This puts us in a much stronger position.

Daseal · 03-01-2004, 06:06 PM

Sadistic, you guys have a pretty good RB, and I feel bad for Jaron, I thought he was finally turning it around. The A-Train came on late in the year, I think he'll do better next year.

Hail to the Redskins · 03-01-2004, 08:49 PM

The 4 reasons I don't know if I like this deal...

1) The 2nd round pick. It should be a straight up swap.

2) We didn't HAVE to do this contract right now. Why not wait until AFTER free agency, then say, hey, thsi is all we have left to offer right now, Clint'? With what he was set to be paiod, he would have settled for FAR less, just to pay off his Hummer2!

...and the one no one has mentioned yet...

3) Rosenhaus is Jevon Kearse's agent. We just upped his asking price by overpaying Portis. Kearse is already asking for too much and we certainly didn't help ourselves negotiate a lower price for him.

4) Salary Cap? Am i the ignorant one here or... isn't overpaying for a 34-year old, possible BACKUP QB, having the highest paid running back in NFL history, and signing a "fragile" DE who wants an 18 million dollar signing bonus NOT going to absolutely KILL us in 2-3-4 years?? Or do we just not give a dman about the future??

The two reasons I am OK with it...

His deal IS cheaper than what we offered Champ AND it is 8 years long... meaning, he COULD be our man, our legend, our all-time great RB for the next 8 years! (I believe that would be the longest tenure of any 'Skins back in team history).... I hope it works out as such.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 03-01-2004, 08:54 PM

I acutally did mention that Kearse's agent is Drew Rosenhaus. What I said however, was that I am hoping that there is a quid pro quo and we get Kearse for $25 over three years.

RFKRat · 03-01-2004, 11:18 PM

Here is my take:

1) I agree, I don't like giving up the second rounder...but a) since Champ would have been out of here for nothing at some point, I can live with getting a potential 2,000 yard RB in return. b) I'm hoping the Skins move someone to get the 2nd (or a 3rd rounder) back and c) the bottom line is we're getting an awesome offensive weapon and I can overlook the pick going.

2) We didn't have to do the contract, but I'm glad we did. This means Portis won't bring any baggage or negative feelings about getting his contract worked out. We're showing we wanted him here, he's got to like that and be enthusiastic to play here.

3) Is Kearse really someone to go ape over? If he's healthy he'd be a great pickup, but with his injury problems there might be other options out there...maybe the Skins have already passed him over...who knows?

4) I'm going to trust that the Redskins know what they're doing with the Cap.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 03-01-2004, 11:29 PM

I am sort of hoping (sort of because I LOVE Taylor) that we trade down to grab Will Smith or Kenechi Udeze in the middle of the first round instead of getting Kearse. I think two good DTs like Cornelius Griffin and Rod Coleman will help our pass rush. Udeze and Smith are pass rush specialists and though they are going to be rookies, I have VERY mixed feelings about getting Kearse in FA.

Hopefully the Skins will protect themselves with Kearse by having an incentive based bonus option (i.e. he's got to start in 14 games per season to get 100% of the bonus) if they do pick him up.

RedskinPete · 03-01-2004, 06:10 PM

I like having him but is his size going to hurt him down the line? What about the other running backs on the team? What about the line with little draft picks? But then again it really not this coming year we are going to talk about super bowl it will most likely take another draft to get there!undefined

Daseal · 03-01-2004, 06:12 PM

He's 5'11 209? That's not that undersized. He'll be fine, I wouldn't suggest slamming him up the middle 8 times on a goal line stand. Be nice to use Bryan Johnson or Rock in that situation. Even though Rock failed us quite a few times last year in short yardage situations.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 03-01-2004, 06:18 PM

Wait a minute here. I HATE this deal. It is dumb, dumb, dumb. I thought we were going to resign Portis, but for this much! No WAY! We're going to have to pay the Pied Piper some day and this deal makes our tab that much worse.

Portis had no leverage in negotiations; he already backed off that statement that he would hold out of training camp and he was getting paid squat for the next two years. So what does Snyder do? He goes and makes Portis the highest paid back in the league. Wow, that's some slick negotiating, we really stuck it to Portis and his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Portis may be worth every penny and Bailey's deal might have been less cap friendly, but I am certain that we could have got Portis for less money.

skins009 · 03-01-2004, 06:24 PM

Ramseyfan is excactly right here, Dan Synder REALLY screwed this one up. Portis had no leverage in neg. and we still once again overpayed big time. You can't do that with the salary cap. I can't believe this crap. Portis is gonna be the highest paid RB in the league but he certainly is not the best. We don't even know how good he's gonna be w-out the denver o-line. THIS IS EXCATLY WHY WE NEED A GM.

WHERE GONE BURN IN SALARY CAP HELL!

Ghost · 03-01-2004, 06:27 PM

Was Barry Sanders undersized? Emmitt Smith? Shannahan is overconfident and I think he'll regret letting Portis go. From what I've read, a lot of Denver fans are unhappy about this trade. As for the Skins, I support making a major salary cap commitment to a stud RB, but not for a CB, even one as good as Champ Bailey. Portis will be the focal point of the offense. A CB is almost never the focal point of the D, unless his name is Deion Sanders and the year is 1995. Under Gregg Williams, our D will be better this year minus Champ.

03-01-2004, 05:54 PM	#1
Sadistic Jeff Camp Scrub Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Age: 50 Posts: 18	Portis Agrees to $51M Deal With Redskins By JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer WASHINGTON - Clinton Portis agreed to an eight-year, $50.5 million contract with the Washington Redskins (news) on Monday, while Champ Bailey neared completion of a deal with the Denver Broncos (news) that would clear the way for a Portis-for-Bailey trade later this week. Portis' deal, one of the richest ever for a running back, includes $17 million in bonus money, according to Portis' agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Portis is set to join quarterback Mark Brunell, who will be acquired in a trade with Jacksonville, in a revamped offense in coach Joe Gibbs' first season back in Washington. First, however, the Broncos must agree to terms with Bailey, who would be sent from to Washington to Denver along with a second-round draft pick in exchange for Portis. Talks have gone well since Bailey's visit to Denver last week. "Everything is skating right along schedule," Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, said Monday. "Things could be wrapped up quickly, maybe by tomorrow." Trades cannot officially take place until the offseason trade and free agency period begins Wednesday, although they can be announced before then. Portis' agreement represents another aggressive move by big-spending Redskins owner Dan Snyder, who didn't have to work out a new deal for the running back in order for the trade to take place. Portis' old, cap-friendly contract ran for two more years. Although he wanted a new deal after making just $300,000 last season, Washington was under no deadline to give him one. This is also the second blockbuster contract Snyder has given a running back in four years. In 2000, he signed Stephen Davis to a nine-year, $90.75 million deal, but its long-term salary cap ramifications were so dire that Davis was cut one year ago and signed by Carolina. The Portis-Broncos trade represents a rare swap of two young players hitting their prime. Bailey has been to four straight Pro Bowls and is one of the top shutdown cornerbacks in the league, while Portis has rushed for more than 1,500 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons. Portis was scheduled to make $380,000 next season and $455,000 in 2005, a bargain price for a top running back. Portis' unhappiness with Denver's unwillingness to negotiate a new contract precipitated the trade talks. The Redskins gave Bailey permission to talk to other teams and designated him as their franchise player last month. Bailey's contract expires this week, and he and the Redskins never came close to agreement on a new deal. __________________ Thank you for playing, I am your host, Sadistic Jeff

03-01-2004, 06:02 PM	#3
Sadistic Jeff Camp Scrub Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Age: 50 Posts: 18	Well, the bottom line is that we wanted a top flight RB, and now we have one. Living in Chicago, I have to stress how nice it is to see an organization try to go out and get what they need, not rehab other teams rejects. In sports you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. Owners that go and buy up everything get ragged on, and owners that are stingy get ragged on. I support the effort. 100% __________________ Thank you for playing, I am your host, Sadistic Jeff

03-01-2004, 08:49 PM	#7
Hail to the Redskins The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,687	The 4 reasons I don't know if I like this deal... 1) The 2nd round pick. It should be a straight up swap. 2) We didn't HAVE to do this contract right now. Why not wait until AFTER free agency, then say, hey, thsi is all we have left to offer right now, Clint'? With what he was set to be paiod, he would have settled for FAR less, just to pay off his Hummer2! ...and the one no one has mentioned yet... 3) Rosenhaus is Jevon Kearse's agent. We just upped his asking price by overpaying Portis. Kearse is already asking for too much and we certainly didn't help ourselves negotiate a lower price for him. 4) Salary Cap? Am i the ignorant one here or... isn't overpaying for a 34-year old, possible BACKUP QB, having the highest paid running back in NFL history, and signing a "fragile" DE who wants an 18 million dollar signing bonus NOT going to absolutely KILL us in 2-3-4 years?? Or do we just not give a dman about the future?? The two reasons I am OK with it... His deal IS cheaper than what we offered Champ AND it is 8 years long... meaning, he COULD be our man, our legend, our all-time great RB for the next 8 years! (I believe that would be the longest tenure of any 'Skins back in team history).... I hope it works out as such. __________________ “Sometimes it is not enough to our best; we must do what is required.” - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

03-01-2004, 06:10 PM	#11
RedskinPete The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Camino,Ca Posts: 1,174	The 2nd round pick was still to much! I like having him but is his size going to hurt him down the line? What about the other running backs on the team? What about the line with little draft picks? But then again it really not this coming year we are going to talk about super bowl it will most likely take another draft to get there!undefined

03-01-2004, 05:59 PM	#2
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 41 Posts: 8,341	Wow, tha'ts a pretty penny, he's worth every cent though!

03-01-2004, 06:02 PM	#4
Defensewins Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,742	Still cheaper than the $50M six year deal tha Champ Bailey is set sign with Denver. I think we got a better cap deal than Denver.

03-01-2004, 06:06 PM	#6
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 41 Posts: 8,341	Sadistic, you guys have a pretty good RB, and I feel bad for Jaron, I thought he was finally turning it around. The A-Train came on late in the year, I think he'll do better next year.

03-01-2004, 08:54 PM	#8
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	I acutally did mention that Kearse's agent is Drew Rosenhaus. What I said however, was that I am hoping that there is a quid pro quo and we get Kearse for $25 over three years.

03-01-2004, 11:18 PM	#9
RFKRat Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 105	Here is my take: 1) I agree, I don't like giving up the second rounder...but a) since Champ would have been out of here for nothing at some point, I can live with getting a potential 2,000 yard RB in return. b) I'm hoping the Skins move someone to get the 2nd (or a 3rd rounder) back and c) the bottom line is we're getting an awesome offensive weapon and I can overlook the pick going. 2) We didn't have to do the contract, but I'm glad we did. This means Portis won't bring any baggage or negative feelings about getting his contract worked out. We're showing we wanted him here, he's got to like that and be enthusiastic to play here. 3) Is Kearse really someone to go ape over? If he's healthy he'd be a great pickup, but with his injury problems there might be other options out there...maybe the Skins have already passed him over...who knows? 4) I'm going to trust that the Redskins know what they're doing with the Cap.

03-01-2004, 11:29 PM	#10
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	I am sort of hoping (sort of because I LOVE Taylor) that we trade down to grab Will Smith or Kenechi Udeze in the middle of the first round instead of getting Kearse. I think two good DTs like Cornelius Griffin and Rod Coleman will help our pass rush. Udeze and Smith are pass rush specialists and though they are going to be rookies, I have VERY mixed feelings about getting Kearse in FA. Hopefully the Skins will protect themselves with Kearse by having an incentive based bonus option (i.e. he's got to start in 14 games per season to get 100% of the bonus) if they do pick him up.

03-01-2004, 06:12 PM	#12
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 41 Posts: 8,341	He's 5'11 209? That's not that undersized. He'll be fine, I wouldn't suggest slamming him up the middle 8 times on a goal line stand. Be nice to use Bryan Johnson or Rock in that situation. Even though Rock failed us quite a few times last year in short yardage situations.

03-01-2004, 06:18 PM	#13
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	Wait a minute here. I HATE this deal. It is dumb, dumb, dumb. I thought we were going to resign Portis, but for this much! No WAY! We're going to have to pay the Pied Piper some day and this deal makes our tab that much worse. Portis had no leverage in negotiations; he already backed off that statement that he would hold out of training camp and he was getting paid squat for the next two years. So what does Snyder do? He goes and makes Portis the highest paid back in the league. Wow, that's some slick negotiating, we really stuck it to Portis and his agent Drew Rosenhaus. Portis may be worth every penny and Bailey's deal might have been less cap friendly, but I am certain that we could have got Portis for less money.

03-01-2004, 06:24 PM	#14
skins009 Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 528	Ramseyfan is excactly right here, Dan Synder REALLY screwed this one up. Portis had no leverage in neg. and we still once again overpayed big time. You can't do that with the salary cap. I can't believe this crap. Portis is gonna be the highest paid RB in the league but he certainly is not the best. We don't even know how good he's gonna be w-out the denver o-line. THIS IS EXCATLY WHY WE NEED A GM. WHERE GONE BURN IN SALARY CAP HELL!

03-01-2004, 06:27 PM	#15
Ghost Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 298	Was Barry Sanders undersized? Emmitt Smith? Shannahan is overconfident and I think he'll regret letting Portis go. From what I've read, a lot of Denver fans are unhappy about this trade. As for the Skins, I support making a major salary cap commitment to a stud RB, but not for a CB, even one as good as Champ Bailey. Portis will be the focal point of the offense. A CB is almost never the focal point of the D, unless his name is Deion Sanders and the year is 1995. Under Gregg Williams, our D will be better this year minus Champ.

Portis Agrees to $51M Deal With Redskins

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