Andre The Giant Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Redskins, Portis Agree on Contract He Could Earn Over $50 Million if Trade Made With Broncos By Nunyo Demasio Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, March 2, 2004; Page D01 Denver Broncos running back Clinton Portis reached agreement with the Washington Redskins yesterday on an eight-year, $50.5 million contract that will make him one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL, according to two sources with knowledge of the agreement. The Portis deal, one of the richest for a tailback in league history, includes a combined signing bonus of $17 million, the sources said. It comes as Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey neared completion of a contract with the Broncos that would pave the way for a Bailey-for-Portis trade once the NFL free agency period begins on Wednesday. The Redskins also would send their second-round pick in April's NFL draft to Denver for Portis, 22, a quick, slashing tailback who has run for more than 3,000 yards and scored 29 touchdowns in his two seasons in the league. Bailey is finalizing a new deal with the Broncos that would make him the highest-paid cornerback in league history, according to another source familiar with negotiations. "I can't tell you anything specific," Portis's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said last night when reached by telephone at his Miami Beach office. "I anticipate the [trade] with the Redskins getting done. Clinton is very excited about becoming a Redskin soon." The Portis contract is the latest offseason splash for the Redskins under new coach Joe Gibbs and team owner Daniel Snyder. Two weeks ago, the Redskins completed negotiations on a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell, an 11-year veteran, by agreeing on a seven-year, $43 million deal that included a signing bonus of $8.6 million. Those two moves are believed to be merely a precursor, however, to another free agent binge by the Redskins. The team, which has maneuvered to get roughly $11 million under the salary cap, intends to aggressively pursue top free agents, particularly to fill defensive needs. Rosenhaus also represents Jevon Kearse of the Tennessee Titans, one of the league's top defensive ends and an unrestricted free agent. According to a source familiar with the situation, the Redskins are a leading candidate to land Kearse, who is seeking a signing bonus of at least $18 million. The source, as with several others interviewed for this article, demanded anonymity, citing the sensitivity of free agent maneuvering and contract negotiations. Portis initially requested a combined signing bonus of $20 million, according to one NFL source, causing the Redskins to postpone negotiations. Last week, the Redskins said they planned to sign Portis later in the offseason. But talks picked up in recent days, leading to yesterday's agreement. Redskins officials at Redskins Park declined to comment on the Portis deal. Portis became available after hinting at the Pro Bowl last month that he would hold out without a new contract. Portis had two years remaining on his rookie deal -- a salary of $380,000 in 2004 and $455,000 in 2005. Denver Coach Mike Shanahan, who has a policy against renegotiating contracts with more than one year left, subsequently put Portis on the trading block, with an initial asking price of a first-round and a second-round pick. Portis's new signing bonus -- believed to be $13 million paid immediately and a roster bonus of $4 million -- dwarfs his rookie signing bonus of $1.3 million. Based on how Snyder usually structures rich contracts, Portis's deal is heavily back-loaded with minimum annual salaries, making him a risk to be waived in five or six years if he doesn't restructure. Some league executives said yesterday the Redskins were getting a top-flight back in Portis, but wondered whether the team would eventually find itself in salary cap trouble. "If the Redskins think it's worth it, then it's worth it," Baltimore Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome said yesterday. "He's a good player. You only have to have one team willing to pay that number. The salary cap, at some point, will get them." Portis is only the third player in NFL history to rush for at least 1,500 yards in each of his first two seasons. He made the Pro Bowl for the first time last season after rushing for 1,591 yards -- fourth in the NFL -- and 14 touchdowns with 5.5 yards per carry. Portis fumbled only three times, losing just one. In 2001, Portis was named NFL rookie of the year after rushing for 1,508 yards and 15 touchdowns. At 5 feet 11 and 205 pounds, Portis is small for a back, but his shiftiness and slithering moves make him a big-gain threat every time he touches the ball. Although a power runner is ideal in Gibbs's run-oriented offense, Gibbs won with various types of runners during his first Redskins tenure. "We had the good guy in John Riggins. We had Joe Washington," Gibbs said last week. Gibbs won three Super Bowls with different tailbacks, including Ernest Byner. "To me, running backs kind of come in all packages and sizes. Ernest Byner was a particular kind of guy that was kind of in the middle. So what you're looking for is just a real good running back." Redskins Notes: The Redskins have made the lowest tender offer for all their restricted free agents, including wide receiver Darnerien McCants. The moves -- executed before yesterday's 3 p.m. deadline -- make Washington's four restricted free agents more likely to receive offers from other teams. However, the Redskins can match any offer, and say they intend to use the right if necessary. "We're familiar with the restricted game," Vice President Vinny Cerrato said. "If somebody wants to go after our guys, we look forward to matching the offer." Washington's other restricted free agents are fullback Bryan Johnson, safety Ifeanyi Ohalete and linebacker Antonio Pierce. The NFL deadline for matching a contract offer is April 16. Last season, McCants scored six touchdowns to tie Laveranues Coles with the team lead. This year's low tender offer cost $628,000, which counts for that amount against the salary cap. If another team signs a restricted free agent, that club must give up a draft pick from the round in which the player was selected. Since McCants was chosen in the fifth round, he is expected to draw much interest. The mid-level tender of $1.368 million would have cost a team a first-round pick to sign McCants. "This will tell me how the rest of the league sees me," McCants said. "I'm not worried at all. I definitely would love to play for Coach Gibbs. Plus, it's great to play in your home town. If I get a big offer, hopefully the Redskins will stick to their word and match." Staff writer Leonard Shapiro contributed to this report. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19921-2004Mar1.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inmate running the asylum Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 My guess is that Jevon Kearse will get about $14 million signing bonus and a roster bonus of $4 million. I dont think the Skins are going to pay anyone more then they gave LaVar Arrington, otherwise it would piss him off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qb18_200400 Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 I agree. LaVar is our Franchise player, we don't need to offer anyone else more then he's making. Champ was not worth it, not after the season he had. Maybe he just wanted out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmootDawg21 Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 I thought earlier it was reported we had tendered McCants the higher amount allowing us a 1st round draft pick if he was signed to another team. The Post now reports that he was tendered the lower pick - thus costing a team just a 5th rounder? Oh well - I guess DMac is headed to Philly. They love to use us as their farm league. With the contracts the 'Skins are handing out it should not be that hard for another team to formulate a contract that will be difficult to match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spjunkies Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 "If the Redskins think it's worth it, then it's worth it," Baltimore Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome said yesterday. "He's a good player. You only have to have one team willing to pay that number. The salary cap, at some point, will get them." Tell Ozzie to concentrate on his team [ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OURYEAR#56 Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Bring out the Dunbar Truck. 14 million signing bonus get out of here. For what? Is Jevon really worth it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qb18_200400 Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 I don't want to see McCants go. I thought he'd be better in the #2 spot then Gardner. The way Gardner plays reminds me of Moss, well, without half of the athletic abilties, but the attitues. Wasn't McCants with Vivica Fox? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terpfan Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 i think that is a fair contract. portis a redskin for 8 years... :applause: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanishomelette Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Originally posted by inmate running the asylum My guess is that Jevon Kearse will get about $14 million signing bonus and a roster bonus of $4 million. I dont think the Skins are going to pay anyone more then they gave LaVar Arrington, otherwise it would piss him off. I thought he was already pissed off about a missing $6.5 million Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwninja420 Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 I dont think the Skins are going to pay anyone more then they gave LaVar Arrington, otherwise it would piss him off. I tottaly agree with this one here. You dont want to piss the best player on the team off. Could you imagine this man coming after you. :whippin: :dallasuck :eaglesuck :gaintsuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowtrain Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Portis's new signing bonus -- believed to be $13 million paid immediately and a roster bonus of $4 million -- dwarfs his rookie signing bonus of $1.3 million. Can this be accurate? These are the most recent RB bonus payouts: Holmes: $10M (apx) Faulk: $9.3M Taylor: $8M Martin: $10M Dillon: $10.5M :paranoid: I'll have to wait for some further confirmation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sisko Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Kearse for a SB of around $11mill would be tempting. Anything over that # would be overpaying IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.