Clinton Portis Era Ends as Redskins Release Former Face of Franchise

Four days shy of seven years since he was acquired from the Denver Broncos in a blockbuster trade for All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey, never-boring running back Clinton Portis was released by the Washington Redskins on Monday.

Portis, 29, was on track to surpass Hall of Famer John Riggins as Washington's all-time leading rusher before injuries -- a concussion in 2009 and abdominal muscle and groin tears in 2010 -- limited him to 13 games those past two seasons. Through Week 12 of 2008, Portis averaged 91.5 yards and 4.5 per carry in 95 games for the Redskins with 70 touchdowns. In his final 18 games in burgundy and gold, he averaged just 55.7 yards and 3.6 per carry with five touchdowns. With 6,824 yards for Washington, Portis wound up 648 yards shy of the top spot in franchise history. He's also just 77 yards shy of becoming only the 26th back with 10,000 during his career.

"If John Riggins is the only one you can say did more than me as a Redskins' running back, then that's pretty good company," Portis said Monday on Washington's 106.7 TheFan, the station on which his weekly paid appearances during recent seasons were must-listen radio.

"Clinton provided excitement from the very first time he touched the ball as a Redskin and we were lucky to witness every ounce of energy, effort and passion he has given ever since," Redskins owner Dan Snyder said in a statement released by the team. "We have been through a lot both on and off of the field and we would like to wish him and his family the very best. He will always be a Redskin and go down as one of the franchise's all-time greats."

With the inexperienced Ryan Torain (742 yards, 4.5 per carry and four touchdowns in 10 games last season, his first full one in the NFL) and Keiland Williams (261 yards, 4.0 per carry and three touchdowns as a rookie free agent in 2010), the Redskins could use a proven veteran in the backfield. However, coach Mike Shanahan said last Friday that Portis' $8.25 million base salary was unaffordable for that role. The Redskins saved $5.4 million on their salary cap (assuming there is one in 2011) by cutting Portis when his pro-rated bonus is included in the calculations.

"Not to say we don't want (Clinton to return), but for a lower price," Shanahan said.

The spotlight-loving Portis, who termed his release "a decision that was best for the both of us," didn't want to be a cheaper second banana.

"The idea that I'm a number two back, I'll never do that," Portis said during his radio appearance.

Appearances were often deceiving for Portis whether he was in the funny disguises --Sheriff Gonna Getcha, coach Janky Spanky, Southeast Jerome, Dollah Bill, Bro Sweets, etc. -- that he wore for his Thursday media sessions back in 2005 or whether he was lolly-gagging through practices only to play with passion on game days.

Portis was at the peak of his face of the franchise value in Washington in 2005 when he propelled the Redskins to their first playoff berth in six year. He topped 100 yards each Sunday as the Redskins won their final five games to reach postseason. Two years later, Portis averaged 102 yards during the 3-0 spurt that clinched Washington's only other playoff spot of this millennium.

"Being a standup guy meant more to me than any number or any record I may have achieved," said Portis, who trails only Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton and Marshall Faulk, Canton lock LaDainian Tomlinson and Steven Jackson with 105.7 yards from scrimmage per game. "I never really apologized for anything I said despite how people took it."

After he went on injured reserve on Nov. 25, Portis said that "I feel like I can't leave on this note" and that missing so much time the past two seasons re-kindled the love of the game that had flickered during his two seasons under former coach Jim Zorn (2008-09).

"I think missing games the last two seasons provided me the opportunity to rest me up."

Shanahan, who drafted Portis in the second round for Denver in 2002 and then traded him to Washington two years later, believes that he can still produce.

"I don't think there's any question," Shanahan said after Portis went on injured reserve last fall. "He's got such a strong will. It all depends on does he come back 100 percent. He's got that inner drive that most people don't have."

Portis' release leaves only fullback Mike Sellers, who'll be 36 in July; reserve defensive end Phillip Daniels, who turns 38 on Friday; and star tight end Chris Cooley from 2004, his first Redskins season.